1. When responding to an argumentative / persuasive on-demand prompt, first using the information in the prompt, choose a side of the argument. It is fine for responsible parents to allow their children to play with toy guns. Next, formulate a thesis statement that includes a counterclaim, your opinion, and three reasons that support your opinion. Some may believe that parents who allow their children to play with toy guns are just asking for future trouble; however, encouraging kids to role play with pretend guns can help them understand roles of good and evil, the importance of the second amendment of the Constitution, and the gravity of gun safety.

2. No one can argue that the rising number of gun violence incidents in America is cause for alarm. Unfortunately, in an attempt to find easy answers to this issue, a certain segment of our population seeks to turn to limitations as a cure. Gun control has become highly politicized and causes a great divide. The issue of the right to bear arms has even found its way to our children. Some may believe that parents who allow their children to play with toy guns are just asking for future trouble; however, encouraging kids to role play with pretend guns can help them understand roles of good and evil, the importance of the second amendment of the Constitution, and the gravity of gun safety. Next, compose your introductory paragraph that will include your thesis statement.

3. No one can argue that the rising number of gun violence incidents in America is cause for alarm. Unfortunately, in an attempt to find easy answers to this issue, a certain segment of our population seeks to turn to limitations as a cure. Gun control has become highly politicized and causes a great divide. The issue of the right to bear arms has even found its way to our children. Some may believe that parents who allow their children to play with toy guns are just asking for future trouble; however, encouraging kids to role play with pretend guns can help them understand roles of good and evil, the importance of the second amendment of the Constitution, and the gravity of gun safety. Your introductory paragraph is a map that guides the writing/reading of your paper. Watch this: Your second paragraph will be about the counterclaim. You will elaborate on this in paragraph form without giving it too much credibility. Your third paragraph will elaborate on your first supporting statement from your thesis statement. Your fourth paragraph will elaborate on your second supporting statement from your thesis statement. Your fifth paragraph will elaborate on your third supporting statement from your thesis statement.

4. Your sixth paragraph is simply a summary and a closing. You may want to restate your opinion to drive the point home. Just change it up and use different words this time. Without a doubt, gun violence, responsible gun ownership, and the second amendment are all important topics that should be seriously considered and discussed given the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. However, during this discourse, we must be careful not to become alarmists and take actions that have little to no impact on the real problem. Children have played with toy guns for decades. Little policemen have chased and successfully arrested little criminals before sitting down together for snacks. Tiny versions of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday have taken out the bad guys in pretend Western towns just before sundown and bath time. Nearly all of these children have grown up never to pull a trigger against another human being. Responsible parents can use toy firearms to teach children some valuable lessons. So, fire away!