WRITING A PERSUASIVE ESSAY

STEP 1

• You need to read the ENTIRE prompt page.

• Highlight/underline what you can use from the WRITE statement to begin your thesis.

STEP 2 – OUTLINE YOUR ESSAY

Point 1Point 2Point 3

Point 1Point 2Point 3

City Town

Write your thesis using 2 points from the side that is stronger.

Write your counter-argument using a point from the other side and your third point to prove them wrong.

STEP 3

• Reread the prompt page and make sure your thesis is on topic.

• If it isn’t: REPEAT STEPS 2 AND 3 UNTIL IT IS.

STEP 4

• Write your hook.

• TRY NOT TO USE A QUESTION….EVERYONE WILL USE A QUESTION AND YOUR PAPER NEEDS TO STAND OUT

• Look at the Starting an Essay page for ideas

STEP 5

• Add your thesis to your introduction

• INTRODUCTION WILL NOW BE COMPLETE: DO A MENTAL HAPPY DANCE

STEP 6• You need some evidence:

• Logical: apply to basic common sense: 2+2 = 4• DATA, FACTS, NUMBERS

• Emotional: make them happy/sad/mad by explaining the situation• WORD CHOICE IS KEY HERE

• Personal: tell something about yourself that makes them know you are the person to listen to (only time you can use “I” in the essay)

• You need at least 2 of these, and they will be 4 or 5 sentences each

STEP 7

• COUNTER-ARGUMENT:

• People will disagree with your position, so point out that the other side would believe the opposite.

• Now tell why they are wrong……what makes their belief illogical

STEP 8

• Summarize your thesis in a few words….cannot be your thesis statement written again.

• There will not be a list of reasons and the diction must be different

STEP 9

• CALL TO ACTION

• Tell your reader to go do something.

• This is the only time in your essay that the word “you” will appear.

STEP 10

• Read your thesis statement

• Now read your essay

• DID YOU STAY ON TOPIC?

STEP 11• Proofread for grammar and diction.

• If you used the phrases: I think, I believe, I am going to tell you --- ERASE THEM NOW!!!

• Is your spelling and sentence structure as close to accurate as you can get it?

• Did you use elevated vocabulary where possible and not use any word more than a few times?

STEP 12

• If everything checks out: Do a mental happy dance

• FIX ANY ISSUES THAT YOU FOUND WITH YOUR PAPER – then do a mental happy dance