Mount Rushmore Paper
Persuasive Writing
The four figures carved in stone on Mount Rushmore represent the first 150 years of American
history. The birth of our nation was guided by the vision and courage of George Washington. Thomas
Jefferson always had dreams of something bigger, first in the words of the Declaration of
Independence and later in the expansion of our nation through the Louisiana Purchase. Preservation
of the Union was paramount to Abraham Lincoln but a nation where all men were free and equal was
destined to be. At the turn of the Twentieth Century Theodore Roosevelt saw that in our nation was
the possibility for greatness. Our nation was changing from a rural republic to a world power. The
ideals of these presidents laid a foundation for our nation as solid as the rock from which their figures
are carved. Each man possessed great skills and leadership of the brand our nation needed for the
times.
We have recently learned that the City of Ellensburg is planning to carve its own “Mt.
Rushmore” into the side of Craig’s Hill. The City is looking for ideas of important people to carve into
our own monument. Write an essay to the Ellensburg City Council, explaining who you would choose
to put on Ellensburg’s Mount Rushmore.
This paper will be at least five paragraphs with a good topic sentence, supporting details, and
a good strong closing. Make sure you add details about the person and his/her life and
accomplishments. You will have time to find information about your three people. Remember, in order
to convince the City of Ellensburg, your three people should be important to many people, not just
yourself.
The five paragraphs of your paper should be organized in the following way:
1) Introduction with a topic sentence explaining the purpose of the paper and the
introduction of your three choices.
2) Supporting paragraph about your first choice (mention your choices in the same
order you identify them in your introduction). Add supporting details why this person
belongs on Mount Rushmore.
3) Supporting paragraph about your second choice. Add supporting details why this
person belongs on Mount Rushmore.
4) Supporting paragraph about your third choice. Add supporting details why this
person belongs on Mount Rushmore.
5) Conclusion that summarizes the information you have mentioned.
Learning Targets
• I can write a five paragraph essay with and introduction, three body
paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• I can choose and research three influential people.
• I can articulate why these three people are deserving of this honor.
• I can use and identify both common and proper nouns in my writing.
• I can write effective “bang” sentences.
• I can define and write an effective thesis statement.
• I can write a correct “formula” sentence.
• I can start paragraphs with a main idea sentence, and write supporting
sentences which support the main idea.
Definitions
Bang Sentence – The “Bang” sentence starts and finishes a paper with a bang! Sometimes it’s called
the “hook” because it hooks the reader in. It can be a quote, a rhetorical question, a funny
statement, a statement of belief.
Thesis Statement – The thesis statement tells the reader what your paper is going to be about. In this
paper, it will be your statement of belief. It may be something like, “I believe a Mt. Rushmore
should be built on Craig’s Hill in Ellensburg.”
Formula Sentence – The formula sentence lets the reader know specifics about your thesis statement.
I usually includes a series of items separated by commas. In this paper, your formula sentence
may be something like, “The three people I think should be on Ellensburg’s Mt. Rushmore are
Susan Smith, John Jones, and Pat Peterson.”
Main Idea Sentence – The main idea sentence is kind-of like a mini thesis statement. It lets the reader
know what a specific paragraph is going to be about. In this paper, a main idea sentence may
look something like, “The third face I think we should put on Mt. Rushmore is Pat Peterson.
Supporting Sentence – Each main idea should have at least supporting sentences. These sentences
explain why your main idea should be true. For example, “One reason Susan Smith should be
on my Mt. Rushmore is because she invented the widget.”
Conclusions Sentence – The conclusion sentence should tie everything together and remind the reader
about your thesis. In this paper, you might write, “Hopefully now you can see why Susan
Smith, John Jones, and Pat Peterson should be on Ellensburg’s Mt. Rushmore because of their
amazing contributions to Ellensburg’s history.”
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Attach this paper to the front of your final copy before turning in.
Mt. Rushmore
Edit your paper and sign your initials in the blank spaces when you have completed each item:
I have read my final copy silently and corrected any errors I found.
I have read my final copy aloud and corrected any errors I found.
I have carefully checked any word I am unsure of the spelling on, found out the
correct spelling, and made any corrections as necessary.
I have made sure that the first word of each of my paragraphs is indented.
I checked the punctuation and corrected any errors.
I have excellent “bang” sentences.
I have a correct formula sentence.
I have at least three good supporting sentences for each main idea.
Look at the first paragraph of your paper. Write down all the nouns in your first paragraph below.
Then label them “common” or “proper”.
Example: Pat Peterson - Proper
Write three plural nouns from your paper below:
1.
2.
3.
If you have a possessive noun in your paper, write it below. If you have more than one, pick any one.