How to Write a 5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay for Mr. Petrone

Using Raymond Poincare’s Welcoming Address

Step 1: Introduction

General Tip: Your introduction should be written in a way that someone with no knowledge of this topic would understand the question being asked, and what you intend to prove. Ask yourself – “If I were to give my introduction to a complete stranger, would they be able to easily identify the question being asked and my point of view? If no, then I did it wrong.”

Step 1: Introduction

1. You MUST understand the question being asked.

– What is this asking you to do?1. Know what the French desires were heading into the

conference2. Identify if those desires were met or not

Step 1: Introduction

2. Begin the essay with an opening statement– This should help the reader understand why there was a Paris

Peace Conference and help lead toward what you intend to prove in your essay (your thesis).

Ex. In November of 1918, the most devastating war the world had yet to see, World War I, concluded. In January of 1919, delegates from over 30 countries met to discuss the terms of peace that were to be placed on the defeated powers, including Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. France, being one of the major contributing nations to the Allied victory, and also the host nation for the Paris Peace Conference, had several goals they wished to see fulfilled with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

Step 1: Introduction

3. Create a Thesis Statement– This should tell the reader what you intend to prove

in your essay and should be directly related to the question.

– Notice how the question and the thesis are not that different.

Ex. The desires of the French heading into the Paris Peace Conference were reflected in the overall outcome of the Treaty of Versailles.

Were the French desires heading into the Paris Peace Conference (as describe in Poincare’s opening address) reflected in the overall outcome of the Treaty of Versailles?

Step 1: Introduction

4. Identify the major points you will use to prove your thesis true.– Your arguments should be identified in a way which makes it clear

to the reader what you will be discussing in your essay, but not in-depth enough to take away from your body paragraphs• Avoid detailed factual evidence, quotes, statistics, or any other evidence

which can be used in your body paragraphs.

– This can be done in 1 sentence, grouping all 3 arguments together, or 3 sentences, explaining each argument independently.

Ex. The French sought financial compensation for the expense of the war, self-determination for subject-nationalities in Europe, and the creation of an international organization to prevent future wars. All three desires were achieved at the conclusion of the Paris Peace Conference as stated in the Treaty of Versailles.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

1. Your body paragraphs should follow the order they were identified in introduction– If you write about them in any other order, you are

wrong! – Look at the excerpt below from the introductory

paragraph to see the order your topics will be discussed.

The French sought (1)financial compensation for the expense of the war, (2)self-determination for subject-nationalities in Europe, and (3)the creation of an international organization to prevent future wars.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

2. Topic Sentence should clearly connect to one of the arguments from introduction.

Ex. One of the main desires of France at the Paris Peace Conference was to receive financial compensation for the costs they incurred fighting in World War I.

1st argument was on financial compensation, so topic sentence for 1st body paragraph should be on just that.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

3. Use a quote to support you argument– The reason for doing this is to prove the French

really desired this.Ex. “What it demands first, when it has been violated, are restitution and reparation for the peoples and individuals who have been despoiled or maltreated.”

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

4. Cite the source correctly!!!– Two ways to easily do this.

1. Put a parenthesis around the section used at the end of the quote.

2. Introduce the section before the quote.

“What it demands first, when it has been violated, are restitution and reparation for the peoples and individuals who have ben despoiled or maltreated.”(Section 33)

As Poincare stated in section 33 of his opening address, “What it demands first, when it has been violated, are restitution and reparation for the peoples and individuals who have ben despoiled or maltreated.”

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

5. Explain the quote in your own words– The reason behind this is to demonstrate to the

reader you understood the quote you chose to use

Ex. What Raymond Poincare meant was that France had been badly damaged during the war, and she deserved compensation for what he believed was the Central Powers, and mainly Germany's fault, for bringing the war to his country.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

6. Explain the connection to your thesis. – In this case you must show how this desire of the

French was achieved.Ex. In the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was asked to pay over $33 billion in reparation payments to the countries she had negatively impacted through war so that these nations could rebuild themselves to their prewar conditions. These reparation payments were paid to France as well as other Allied powers.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

7. Closing Sentence– This can be done in one of two ways:

1. Concluding statement:Ex. France therefore saw its desire of financial compensation fulfilled with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.2. Transition Sentence:Ex. Not only was the French desire of financial compensation fulfilled with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, but so was its desire for self-determination of subject nationalities.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

8. Repeat for Body Paragraphs 2 & 3– The one exception is that you cannot have a

transition sentence into your conclusion.

Step 3: Conclusion

1. Restate your thesis.– Notice how it is similar, but not identical to the

thesis in the introduction.Ex. France had some pretty strong desires heading into the Paris Peace Conference, and in the end, they were fulfilled with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

The desires of the French heading into the Paris Peace Conference were reflected in the overall outcome of the Treaty of Versailles.

Step 3: Conclusion

2. Restate your three main arguments– This could be in 1 or 3 sentences.Ex. The French desired reparations for the costs of the war which they received from the Germans. They also desired the independence of subject-nationalities which was achieved by the creation of several new nations in Europe. Lastly, France desired an international organization to keep peace, which was achieved by the creation of the League of Nations.

Step 3: Conclusion

3. Conclude your essay.– You can make an overall comment on the Treaty itself,

make a prediction about what this means for the future, or any other meaningful way to conclude this essay.

– It cannot end abruptly.Ex. The French did achieve what they set out for in the Paris Peace Conference, but the severity of the obligations placed on Germany would lead to resentment and a desire for revenge. The unfortunate consequence of this peace conference, would ironically be another world war in the near future.