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 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 1 Point 2 Point 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