1. Steps for Writing a STAAR Persuasive Essay
El Paso High School
English II
Fall 2014

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. 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

4. STEP #3 Choose the position you want to argue.
Either “Yes, school libraries should censor books” OR
“No, school libraries should not censor books.”

5. Choose the 2-3 “reasons” for which you can write the best argument.
STEP #4
Choose the 2-3 “reasons” for which you can write the best argument.
--One “reason” for each body paragraph

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 three 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. Introductory Paragraph
Hook: What would the world be like without….___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Line: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sinker (Position/Thesis Statement): State your position on the argument *because* <<reason 1>> and <<reason 2>>.

8. Include these phrases to ensure the persuasive nature of your essay:
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…

9. Topic Sentence: <<Reason 1>>.
Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: <<Reason 1>>.
The truth is, students need to learn to think independently and make decisions for themselves and if libraries ban objectionable books, students will not be able to do so.

10. Commentary/explanation/example for <<Reason 1>>:
Imagine that a young girl reads The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and is outraged at the treatment of slaves in the novel. Because of reading this objectionable material, she decides to become a human rights activist and influences society in a profound way. If a librarian had taken away this option, the young girl might not have made that important decision about her life’s work.

11. Topic sentence: <<Reason 2>>.
Body Paragraph 2
Topic sentence: <<Reason 2>>.
Also, an essential idea is that limiting students’ access to controversial writing is a breach of their freedom under the Constitution.

12. Body Paragraph 3 Rebuttal
Acknowledge the opposing side, but restate how your position makes more sense or how your argument is the best (2-3 sentences)

13. Commentary for <<Reason 2>>:
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.

14. Restate your position/thesis statement in a different way.
Conclusion Paragraph
Restate your position/thesis statement in a different way.