Week 5 Do's and Don't's
Persuasive Essay First Draft
DO!
Implement my feedback I gave you on your outlines last week!
Refer to example paper (attached in the weekly announcement)
Include paraphrased, cited research in EACH body paragraph
Meet word count (without reference list or headings)
Use third person -avoid using language like “I, me, we, our, us, you, your.”
Include in-text citations where information is used http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/03/
Include a full reference list at the bottom of worksheet in APA Style (not citing is plagiarism and assignment will be returned) http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05/
Have 3 Peer-Reviewed Current (within last 10 years) Journal articles (no .com, .org, Wikipedia, etc.)
You can have up to 3 additional scholarly articles that are not peer-reviewed (in addition to the 3 peer-reviewed)- this is not required, but optional
Help with finding articles: http://library.gcu.edu/AskALibrarian
How to filter for Peer-Reviewed resources only: https://lc.gcumedia.com/mediaElements/library-walk... (Go to the 43 second marker on the video).
DON’T
Make it a “rough draft.” This should be your best work.
Use fallacies (i.e.-hasty generalization, appeal to tradition, etc.).
Add research or talk about statistics in your thesis statement
Use websites, books, encyclopedias, blogs, etc.
Have a high LopesWrite score (above 20% not acceptable)
Make your paper too lengthy (over 1,000 words) or go off on tangents
Include your or others opinions on the topic
Thinking and Language Reflection Worksheet
DO!
Stick to the word count
Think about symbols you may use when texting
DON’T
Overthink this assignment. It should not be time consuming.
Week 5: Persuasive Essay Guidelines & First Draft Tips
Hi Class,
We’re heading into a crucial part of the course—your Persuasive Essay First Draft! This assignment is your chance to put everything you’ve learned into action and present a well-organized, well-supported argument on the topic you selected in Week 1.
Here are the key requirements and tips to help you succeed:
📝 Essay Requirements
- Length: 750–1,000 words (not including the reference page)
- Format: 5-paragraph essay – Introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and Conclusion
- Style: Third-person only (no “I,” “we,” or “you”) and no contractions
- Sources: Minimum of 3 peer-reviewed sources (one per supporting paragraph) from the GCU Library with DOIs or permalinks
- APA 7th Edition: Include in-text citations and a correctly formatted reference page
- Topic: Use the same topic from Week 1 and take a clear position (for/against or agree/disagree)
🔍 Essay Structure Overview
Introduction
- Introduce the topic and provide background
- End with a clear thesis statement
- Preview your main points
Body Paragraphs (3 total)
- One main idea per paragraph
- 5–6 sentences minimum
- Include peer-reviewed evidence with in-text citations
- Avoid short or underdeveloped paragraphs
- No first or second person language
Conclusion
- Restate the topic and thesis in new words
- Do not start with “In conclusion” or similar phrases
- Summarize key points
- Suggest a call to action or future research direction
Citations and References
- Follow APA 7 guidelines:
- In-text citations: In-text Citation Guide
- Reference page examples: Reference Page Guide
- Citation generator: Citation Machine (Double-check formatting!)
💡 Why the First Draft Matters
Think of this as your dress rehearsal. Like an actor showing up with lines memorized, your first draft should reflect your best effort. A solid draft includes:
- All 5 paragraphs fully developed
- Proper structure and paragraph length
- Research-supported arguments
- No personal pronouns or casual language
- A clearly written conclusion with a restated thesis
⚠️ Essays that lack peer-reviewed sources or proper citations may receive a zero but can be revised and resubmitted. The goal is to build a logical, research-backed argument.
💬 Participation Opportunity
If you have any questions or need clarification about the first draft, reply to this thread by Wednesday. I’m happy to help you stay on track and succeed!
Let’s finish strong,
Monica
Example Five-Paragraph Essay (1).doc
I have also attached the previous outline persuasive essay outline worksheet for you to reflect on.