Writing ACT Persuasive Essays

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt First, the writer must understand the requirements of the prompt You may use RAFT to do this Role Audience Format Topic

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt Prompt: The death penalty has been one of the longest used forms of punishment in human history. To some, this is a sign of its success and to others it is a sign of mans on going inhumanity to man. Write a proposal to support or abolish the death penalty in North Carolina. Be sure to include specific examples to support your opinion. Because the Illinois death penalty system is arbitrary and capricious - and therefore immoral - I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death. George Ryan George Ryan For centuries the death penalty, often accompanied by barbarous refinements, has been trying to hold crime in check; yet crime persists. Why? Because the instincts that are warring in man are not, as the law claims, constant forces in a state of equilibrium. Albert Camus I believe that more people would be alive today if there were a death penalty. Nancy Reagan

Your Turn: Break down the prompt: The death penalty has been one of the longest used forms of punishment in human history. To some, this is a sign of its success and to others it is a sign of mans on going inhumanity to man. Write a proposal to support or abolish the death penalty in North Carolina. Be sure to include specific examples to support your opinion. Because the Illinois death penalty system is arbitrary and capricious - and therefore immoral - I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death. George Ryan George Ryan For centuries the death penalty, often accompanied by barbarous refinements, has been trying to hold crime in check; yet crime persists. Why? Because the instincts that are warring in man are not, as the law claims, constant forces in a state of equilibrium. Albert Camus I believe that more people would be alive today if there were a death penalty. Nancy Reagan

What your broken down prompt might look like: Key Sentence: Write a proposal to support or abolish the death penalty in North Carolina Role: None given (Assumed General Citizen) Audience: General Format: Proposal/Essay Topic: Support or abolish the death penalty in North Carolina

Step 2: T Chart Insert your positives and negatives of the death penalty

Step 2: This is what it might look like when you’re done. Plus: Argument ForDelta: Argument Against Ensures criminals cannot commit more crimes Family of criminal suffers Need strong consequence for murderinhumane (violates 8th Amendment) Closure for the victim’s familyDoes not deter crime More favorable image of America Fill out the following T-Chart

Step 3: Outline Choose whether you are for or against the death penalty. Then choose the two strongest arguments to support your opinion. State the main idea of your essay by adding the topic to your two main arguments. Capital punishment should/should not be abolished in North Carolina because ___________and ___________. WARNING: Pick one side or the other. Do not waver back and forth!!!!!!

Step 3: This is what a sample outline looks like. Introduction Hook: Bridge: Thesis: Reason 1:Reason 2:Reason 3: Conclusion Example: __________________ Elaboration __________________ Example __________________ Elaboration ___________________ Example: __________________ Elaboration __________________ Example __________________ Elaboration ___________________ Example: __________________ Elaboration __________________ Example __________________ Elaboration ___________________ Counterargument Transition:

Step 3: This is what a sample outline looks like: Introduction Hook: George Ryan Quote Bridge: Explain Quote Thesis: Capital punishment should be abolished because it is inhumane and devastates families. Reason 1: Inhumane Reason 2 : Devastates families Reason 3: Conclusion Restate thesis Sum up thoughts Example: Violates the 8th Amendment Elaboration: No cruel and unusual punishment Example: Death is most cruel punishment Elaboration: Death is not a punishment one can recover from Example: Taking another life does not bring the victim back, etc. Elaboration: Simply causes more pain Example: Retaliation Elaboration: Criminals family feels need to retaliate Example: Elaboration Example Elaboration Transition: Furthermore, Transition: Therefore

Outline on your own:

We will go over the rest of the process next due to time constraints.

Step 4: Write the First Draft Begin with the introduction. Your introduction should: Introduce the topic. Capture the reader’s attention. State the main idea. Introduce your position on the topic.

Step 4:Write the First Draft Next, write clear body paragraphs based on the reasons, examples, and elaboration in the outline. Be sure to include: Topic Sentence- One specific reason for or against the topic Examples- Specific facts, quotes, etc. Elaboration- Explain how the example backs up your topic sentence Closing/Transitional Sentence- Sum up ideas of this paragraph or provide a transition to the next topic

Step 4: Write the first Draft Types of Examples: Scientific Facts- Statements that can be proven Studies have shown that homicide increases around the time of an execution (“Brutalization Effect” ) Statistics- Facts that involve numbers At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the Historical/Current Events Martin Luther King, Jr., fought segregation through civil disobedience. Literature- Brief anecdotes about a personal experience, or the experience of a character in a book, play, or movie “Indian Dog,” by M. Scott Mommaday, included a dog that could not be tamed despite the efforts of the young narrator. Direct Quote- Statements form experts that illustrate an idea “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Patrick Henry.

Step 4: Write a first draft Add a conclusion Restate your thesis. Sum up your thoughts. Emphasize the importance of the topic.

Step 5: Revise first Draft Edit you essay carefully for grammar spelling, wording, vocabulary, organization, and sufficient examples and elaboration.