Listed below are guidelines for formulating a response to a persuasive essay prompt. Become familiar with the steps so you can concentrate on content rather than format.
How to Organize a Persuasive Essay
Step One
*Read the prompt and reread it so you are sure you know what question to answer.
*Identify key words or ideas and be sure to use them in your opening statement.
*Underline those words to help you stay on task.
Sample question: Pretend that a group of parents ask the Board of Education to evaluate the time of day that school starts, and as a result, your principal asks the sophomore students to write persuasive essays expressing their opinions on the topic. How would you create a response?
Step Two
You need to narrow your focus by thinking of two or three examples/supporting details that will support your point of view in the essay. Write down the examples so you do not forget them.
*Research show students whose school days begin after 9:00 in the morning have higher grade point averages than students whose schools start before 8:00 in the morning.
*Research shows that that schools that start after 9 in the morning have fewer discipline problems than schools that start before 8 in the morning.
*Research shows that schools that start after 9 in the morning have fewer problems with attendance than schools that start before 8 in the morning.
Step Three
Create a thesis statement. The thesis statement should clearly state your point of view. It has to have an argument that you can prove using your examples.
Consider this as a possible thesis statement: The school day should begin at 9:30 in the morning so that teenagers can get an adequate night's sleep in order to function at their optimal level during the school day.
Step Four
Create a strong opening paragraph to grab the reader’s attention. You can do this by,
*beginning with a lead which “hooks the reader”;
*stating the topic;
*including background information to introduce the question; and
*ending with your thesis statement that provides the main idea of the essay.
Steps Five, Six, and Seven
Write your body paragraphs. You can do this by starting each body paragraph with a topic sentence. The topic sentence focuses on only one idea. Then include an example. Look at the list of examples that you created in step two and address one example in each new paragraph. Relate the example to the thesis statement.
Always write using an academic voice, not with the voice that you use with your friends or family. Pay attention to diction and grammar.
Conclusion
Create a conclusion. Begin with a transitional statement and then summarize your ideas. Be sure to remind the reader of your main point/thesis.
Final Step
Proofread your work. Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Pay attention to the tone and to your choice of words. Make sure that you stayed on topic and that each paragraph addresses your thesis statement.
