1. Steps for Writing a Persuasive Essay
Coach Ezeh

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

3. Now you do it: (2)
Write an essay stating your position on which is more important: what a person thinks or what a person does.

4. STEP #1B
Underline the other ideas you must address in your thesis (the subject).
Should school librarians ban inappropriate
books from the school library?

5. Now you do it:
Write an essay stating your position on which is more important: what a person thinks or what a person does.

6. Brainstorm a list of reasons for and against the issue or position.
STEP #2
Brainstorm a list of reasons for and against the issue or position.
Against banning books:
--the Constitution allows us the freedom of speech, 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 by one individual
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

7. Now you do it:
What a person thinks:
What a person does:

8. STEP #3 Choose the position you will argue.
Either “YES, school librarians should censor books” OR
“NO, school librarians should not censor books.”
This becomes the center of your thesis

9. Now choose a side based on your previous list:
Write an essay stating your position on which is more important: what a person thinks or what a person does.

10. STEP #4
Choose the two “reasons” for which you can write the best argument.
--Each reason has to be developed and explained
--Limit yourself (space management)

11. STEP #5 Write your THESIS: •Rearrange words from prompt into statement
• Add “because”
•Add two reasons
This is the road map for the rest of your essay
Example: School librarians should not ban books from the school library because students need to learn to choose for themselves—not to mention the fact that banning goes against the American Constitution.
Write your own!

12. The logical conclusion is… The fact is… The truth is…
Persuasive Phrases
Include phrases like these 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…

13. Divide your paper into four even boxes:

14. 1st box=45 Seconds
Which is more important: what a person thinks or what a person does.
NEVER STOP WRITING!!!!!!!

15. Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom left corner of the box.

16. 2nd box=55 Seconds
First reason why you are right
NEVER STOP WRITING

17. Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom left corner of the box.

18. 3rd box=55 Seconds
Why you’re really right and why the other side is wrong.
NEVER STOP WRITING

19. Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom left corner of the box.

20. 4th box=55 Seconds What side you are on and what should the reader do?
Never stop writing!!!!!

21. Now count the number of words and write the number on the bottom left corner of the box.