1. Steps for Writing a STAAR Persuasive Essay Seven Lakes High School English II 2013

2. STEP #1 READ the prompt. Circle the most important word in the prompt (the subject). Should school librarians ban inappropriate books from the school library?

3. STEP #2 Brainstorm a list of reasons for and against the issue or position. For banning books: --students are too young to make decisions about what they read --librarians don’t want parents mad at them --students should only read about pleasant and non- controversial topics Against banning books: --the Constitution allows us the freedom of choice, freedom of press --students need to learn to make responsible choices about what they read --students should not be sheltered from controversial world news --students can find inappropriate material on the internet --the question of appropriate reading is debatable, it cannot be determined my one individual

4. STEP #3 Choose the position you want to argue.

5. STEP #4 Choose the two “reasons” for which you can write the best argument. --One “reason” for each body paragraph For our essay, your first reason needs to be one that you can back up with F451!

6. STEP #5 Before you write anything else, focus on answering the prompt by writing a position statement, also known as a thesis statement. Rearrange words from the prompt into a statement, then follow it with “because” and then add two reasons. (This is the road map for the rest of your essay!) School librarians should not ban books from the school library because students need to learn to choose for themselves and it goes against the American constitution.

7. STEP #6 Now go back and create the introductory paragraph and plug the thesis statement into the end. a.The first sentence is the “hook”. Re-read the information before the prompt to find the general subject. Think general and broad. How does this topic affect “the world” or “life”? Question what would happen “without”… --What would the world be like without books? b.The second sentence must “draw a line” from the hook to the thesis. Think of what the two have in common, which is usually the end of the hook. --While books are very important, it can be difficult to overlook the value of books that have disagreeable or inappropriate subjects. Put the three sentences together to make the Intro Paragraph.

8. Introductory Paragraph Hook: Many people feel that …. ___________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Line: However, _________________________________________________ Sinker (Position/Thesis Statement): State your position on the argument *because* > and >.

9. Tips: Instead of using “you”---Use “a person,” “people,” “his or her”, etc. If you start with a hypothetical question, don’t answer your own question in the next sentence. Be careful with homophones– I saw a lot of these errors on your essays. (to vs too, there vs their) If you’re stuck, use your hook and line to discuss what the OTHER SIDE believes and start with a generalization. (Many people feel that….however, …..) This creates a combination Hook + Line.

10. Persuasive Phrases Include these phrases to ensure the persuasive nature of your essay: It is certain that… The logical conclusion is… The fact is… The truth is… The correct perspective is… Common sense reveals that… The bottom line is… In reality,… The essential idea is… With certainty, a person can say that… In the majority of cases…

11. Body Paragraph 1 The truth is, students need access to all books, even ones that might be controversial, in order to learn to think independently and make decisions for themselves, as seen with Montag in the novel Fahrenheit 451.

12. Commentary/explanation/example for >: The truth is, students need access to all books, even ones that might be controversial, in order to learn to think independently and make decisions for themselves, like Montag in Fahrenheit 451. In the novel, censorship and book banning created an uneducated, clueless society where the masses occupied their time with meaningless diversions. Without ideas of substance that spark debate, a person cannot learn to think for him or herself and grow as a person. Rather than allowing a school, government, or anyone else to censor reading materials, people need to learn self-censorship.

13. Body Paragraph 2 Topic sentence: >. Commentary sentences: examples, anecdotes, evidence Also, an essential idea is that limiting students’ access to controversial writing is a breach of their freedom under the Constitution.

14. Commentary for >: For example, the Constitution of the United States of America proclaims certain “inalienable rights” for its citizens that include freedom of speech and freedom of press. If a student (who is, in fact, a citizen) is not allowed to pursue certain information banned by a library, that is limiting his or her freedom. It is also suppressing the freedom that authors have to distribute their ideas, beliefs, and philosophies.

15. Conclusion Paragraph Restate your position/thesis statement in a different way. In conclusion, restricting information is not only detrimental to students’ growth as decision- makers, it also infringes upon their constitutional rights.

16. Prompt #1 Prompt One: Read: The problem with censorship is that one person or a group of people decides what others should or shouldn’t read based on a limited perspective. What one person believes is right or wrong should not determine everyone’s viewpoint. Think: What does censorship really stem from: jealousy, fear, greed, control, or limited perspective? Or, a combination of what? Write a well-written, persuasive essay that pinpoints the root cause of censorship. Decide whether the cause is jealousy, fear, greed, control, or a combination of things. Prove your thesis by using concrete examples from history, real-life people, or books that you have read. Make sure your paper has a persuasive, not neutral tone.

17. Prompt #2 Read: Americans today are not just the perpetrators, but the victims, of a shallow society. Think: How are the television, music today, the video games, and the internet creating an unintelligent, shallow society? Is it stemming from one of these sources or a combination of things? Write a well-written persuasive essay that pinpoints why America is becoming more shallow and unintelligent. Prove your thesis by using concrete examples from real TV programs, popular music or video games, or internet sites. Make sure your paper has a persuasive, not neutral tone.