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

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

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 For Delta: Argument Against

Ensures criminals cannot commit

more crimesFamily 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.

IntroductionHook:Bridge:Thesis:

Reason 1: Reason 2: Reason 3:

Conclusion

Example:__________________Elaboration__________________Example__________________Elaboration___________________

Example:__________________Elaboration__________________Example__________________Elaboration___________________

Example:__________________Elaboration__________________Example__________________Elaboration___________________

Counterargument

Transition: Transition: Transition:

Transition:

Step 3: This is what a sample outline looks like:

IntroductionHook: George Ryan QuoteBridge: Explain QuoteThesis: Capital punishment should be abolished because it is inhumane and devastates families.

Reason 1:Inhumane

Reason 2:

Devastates families

Reason 3:

ConclusionRestate thesis

Sum up thoughts

Example:Violates the 8th AmendmentElaboration:No cruel and unusual punishmentExample:Death is most cruel punishmentElaboration: Death is not a punishment one can recover from

Example:Taking another life does notbring the victim back, etc.Elaboration:Simply causes more painExample: RetaliationElaboration:Criminals family feels needto retaliate

Example:

Elaboration

Example

Elaboration

Transition: Transition:Furthermore,

Transition:

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 provenStudies have shown that homicide increases around the time of an execution (“Brutalization Effect” )

Statistics- Facts that involve numbersAt least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928.

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.