Planning Your Persuasive Essay:

Taking a Position on a Controversial Topic

Introductory paragraph: Get the reader interested in the issue (one of the
six issues you must choose from). Provide basic background about the issue
to prepare your reader for your essay.

Thesis statement: State your opinion on the issue. Your thesis is a one-
sentence statement that explains your opinion on the issue. This sentence
should come at the end of your introduction paragraph.

Reason 1: State why your opinion of the issue is the best. Provide
supporting sentences and examples (logic, examples, a real and relevant
story, and/or research).

Reason 2: State another reason why your opinion of the issue is the best.
Provide supporting sentences and examples (logic, examples, a real and
relevant story, and/or research).

Reason 3: State another reason why your opinion of the issue is the best.
Provide supporting sentences and examples (logic, examples, a real and
relevant story, and/or research).

Opposing view: Explain the view of those who disagree with your opinion.
Explain why those who disagree with your opinion are wrong. Provide
supporting sentences and examples (logic, examples, a real and relevant
story, and/or research).

Concluding paragraph: Make the topic important and real to your reader,
summarize your main points, and powerfully restate your thesis.