Answering a Persuasive Prompt On the NJASK 6th -8th graders may be given a Persuasive Essay about a controversy.  You will have to read about an issue and explain your position on it.  You will have 40 minutes.  Below is the PROMMMS formula which will help you organize your ideas and support your explanation.

Answering a Persuasive Prompt PRO-1st paragraph- Open with a compositional risk (HOOK). Restate the problem. Explain what the Problem means to you.  State whether you support or oppose the issue. Introduce all the 3 main reasons of the essay. M1-2nd paragraph- Begin with a transition word and a topic sentence that states Main Reason 1. Explain your reason in detail. Support Your reason with 1 Statistic, 1 Expert Testimony, and 1 fact. Add strong compositional risks. M2- 3rd paragraph- Begin with a transition word and a topic sentence that states Main Reason 2. Explain your reason in detail. Support Your reason with 1 Statistic, 1 Expert Testimony, and 1 fact. Add strong compositional risks. M3-4th paragraph- Begin with a transition word and a topic sentence that states Main Reason 3. Explain your reason in detail. Support Your reason with 1 Statistic, 1 Expert Testimony, and 1 fact. Add strong compositional risks. S- 5th paragraph- Start with a transition. Restate your position. Restate the problem again. Restate your 3 reasons. Offer an alternative solution. Provide a Strong message or rhetorical question at the end of the paragraph.

PRO Paragraph (indent—–>) How would you___________? (insert hook question/fact) (Restate the problem)This controversial issue means______________ (explain what the problem means to you).  Another way this problem affects ______ (insert person/people it affects) is __________________ (give example of how it affects others). This is why I (support/oppose) _________________. (State your position) First of all, ________. Secondly, _______. Finally,__________. (Insert your 3 Main reasons) Allow me to explain further.

M1 Paragraph (indent—–>)  First and foremost, ____________. (insert Main Reason 1) (Explain your reason in detail) Did you know ___________? (insert Statistic). An example/fact that demonstrates this is true_____________.  (Add  2-3 Concrete Details (CD’s) and facts that prove your reason is true).  As you can clearly see __________ (Insert Main Reason 1) is true because ___________________.

M2 Paragraph (indent—–>)  In addition, another reason I feel this is important is____________. (insert Main Reason 2) Have you heard that___________? (insert Statistic). An example/fact that establishes this is true_____________.  (Add  2-3 Concrete Details (CD’s) and facts that prove your reason is true).  This confirms __________ (Insert Main Reason 2) is true because ___________________.

M3 Paragraph (indent—–>)  Most important of all, ____________. (insert Main Reason 3) To illustrate, take these examples.___________ (Add  2-3 Concrete Details (CD’s) and facts that prove your reason is true). Not only are these examples true but, ___________. (insert Statistic). These examples show that __________ (Insert Main Reason 3) is true because ___________________.

S Paragraph (indent—–>) For reasons aforementioned, it’s obvious that _____________ (state your position).  However, if this is not possible another solution can be thought of. Perhaps _____ (provide alternative solution). One thing to remember is _________________. (insert important message here) or (insert Rhetorical question)

Don’t forget Compositional Risks Rhetorical Question: A question that does not require an answer. It makes a point. Example: In a class of thirty individuals, why should everyone wear uniforms to look the same? Imagery: Using the senses to describe a person or event. Example: The hot sun on my back and the smoky smell of hot dogs cooking meant that the first picnic of summer had begun.

Figurative language Hyperbole: Writing to exaggerate. Example: A thousand hours had passed and still the storm continued its pouring rain. Metaphor: Metaphors are comparisons that show how two things that are not alike in most ways are similar in one important way. Example: After winning eight million dollars in the lottery, the man was drowning in money. Onomatopoeia: Forming a word or name by imitating a sound. Example: The basketball swooshed through the hoop without ever touching the rim. Personification: A non-human object takes human qualities. Example: The palm tree waved his leafy hands as if to welcome us to Florida. Simile: Using the word “like” or “as” to compare two unlike things. Example: The snow covered the ground like the softest down quilt.

Your Turn “Girls and boys often enjoy playing the same sport. Some people believe that girls and boys should be able to play on the same team.” What is your opinion on this issue? Write a persuasive essay stating your opinion and supporting it with convincing reasons.”