Ms. Dominiczak
Persuasive Essay Step-by-Step Instructions
ONE: Read the writing prompt TWICE – be sure you understand what you are being
asked to discuss.
TWO: Complete your ILCPAC planning steps – what is the issue? What is the format –
letter or essay?
THREE: Decide who your audience will be – a child your age, a parent, a teacher, or a
school administrator (principal). Keep your audience in mind throughout your
ENTIRE writing piece, don’t switch back and forth between two different
audiences, this will change the focus of your writing and make it weaker.
Incorrect Example: Wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra night for
sleepovers? Your children need extra time to unwind and relax.
The first sentence is speaking to a child; the second is speaking to a parent.
FOUR:
Paragraph One:
1st sentence: Introduce the topic you are writing about; assume the reader does
not know your writing prompt. This can be done in several ways:
 Mirror back the prompt FULLY – don’t use shortcuts, restate exactly what the
prompt says:
Correct: Florida is considering changing from a five-day
school week to a four-day school week.
Incorrect: They are thinking about changing to a four-day week.
 Ask a question that FULLY introduces the topic:
Correct: Do you think a four-day school week would be better than a fiveday school week?
Incorrect: Do you think you’d like to have three day weekends?
This sentence does not share that the main issue is changing the school week.
 Take a risk, such as using dialogue:
Correct: “Class, please take out your completed projects,” directed Miss
Jones, the fifth grade science teacher. Wouldn’t it be nice to have
an extra day each weekend to complete school work? This is what
schools in Florida are considering as they contemplate changing
from a five day to a four day school week.
2nd Sentence: Tell clearly how you feel about the issue. You agree or you disagree;
you are for something or your are against it.
Correct: I think a four-day school week is an excellent idea.
Incorrect: Four-day school weeks would be nice, but five day school
weeks have good points, too.
3rd -5th Sentences: Introduce each of your three reasons. Each reason should be in its
own sentence.
Correct Example:
I think a four day school week would be very helpful to students who
need extra time to complete school work and projects. A shorter school
week would help schools save money on utilities and staff. There would
also be many benefits for the environment if the school week were
shorter.
Incorrect Example:
A four day school week would mean more time for school work, schools
could save money and it would help the environment.
Paragraphs Two, Three and Four:
Each of the reasons introduced in your first paragraph should now be placed in a separate
paragraph and supported by details and examples.
Students having more time to do school work would be the only reason discussed in
paragraph two.
Schools saving money would be the only reason discussed in paragraph three.
The impact of a shorter school week on the environment would be the only reason
discussed in paragraph four.
M. Dominiczak
Paragraph Five:
Conclude: end your piece in a strong way. There are many ways to do this:
 Acknowledge the other side:
Example:
I realize that some people feel the school week should stay five
days; however, this is not the best choice for children, taxpayers or
the environment.
 Ask a question
Can you imagine the life of a child without the stress of a five-day
school week?
 Recap your major reasons – DO NOT REPEAT what you have already said:
There are so many good reasons for changing the school week to
four days, taking the stress out of children’s lives, saving money
and saving the planet are only a few of the many benefits this new
policy would create.
This sentence shares the reasons given in paragraphs three, four and five, but it
does not repeat them with the same, exact words.
DO NOT END WITH SENTENCES SUCH AS:
Incorrect:
And these were my reasons for a four day school week.
Incorrect:
This is all I have to say about a four day school week.
Incorrect:
I hope you agree and vote yes.
Incorrect:
What do you think?
Incorrect:
Please say yes.
These are all weak ways to end a writing piece. End with strong, clear sentences that
support your side of the argument.
M. Dominiczak