Reflective essays may seem relatively easy to write; they are informal in style and tone, and they allow you to describe your own personal experience. Reflective writing is also a great way to figure out what you think or believe about an issue—and why you have that opinion. A great next step, though, is to support that opinion with convincing reasons and rhetoric.
Like Henry and Ruby, you should use your reflective writing from earlier in the course to identify a belief you developed, based on your experience. Make your opinion the foundation for a claim and a persuasive essay that supports your claim. Your persuasive essay should include an engaging introduction with a concise thesis statement, plenty of reasons to support your claim, rhetoric that stirs readers emotions, and a clarifying conclusion.
Turn it in!
Once you have completed your rough draft of your persuasive essay, submit it to your teacher. The rubric below will be used to evaluate your draft.
| Superior 5 points |
Average 3 points |
Poor 1 points |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | ||
| Your introductory paragraph is engaging, reveals the topic of your essay, and includes a clear thesis statement. | Your introductory paragraph is missing one key element such as engagement, introducing of your topic, or a clear thesis statement. | Your introductory paragraph is missing more than one key element such as engagement, introduction of your topic, or a clear thesis statement. |
| Claim Statement | ||
| Your claim statement very clearly states your opinion. It is brief and concise and focuses on a strong belief. It sets up what your essay will need to explain and support. | Your claim statement explains your opinion or belief, but it lacks clarity or does not properly set up what your essay will explain. | You include a claim statement, but it does not clearly state your opinion or clearly set up the remainder of your essay. |
| Reasons | ||
| Your reasons clearly explain your claim statement and are well-supported by the evidence, examples, and facts that you provide. | Your reasons explain your claim statement and are somewhat supported by the evidence and examples you provide. However, those connections should be stronger and clearer. | Your reasons do not clearly explain your thesis statement, or they aren't well supported by the evidence and examples you provide. |
| Rhetorical Devices | ||
| You incorporate rhetorical devices that effectively evoke emotion, support your opinion, and help the reader connect with the topic. | You incorporate rhetorical devices, but they lack clarify or do not support your opinion, evoke emotion, or help the reader connect with the topic. | You do not incorporate rhetorical devices. |
| Conclusion | ||
| Your concluding paragraph clarifies your opinion and highlights key supportive reasons. | Your concluding paragraph clarifies your opinion, but it does not highlight any key supportive reasons. | Your concluding paragraph does not clarify your opinion or reference supportive reasons. |
