SAMPLE PERSUASIVE WRITING
Let’s say your topic is “Should the Death Penalty be abolished?”
Introduction:
- State the topic – good lead-in
- Give pros and cons – both sides of argument
- Give your opinion – Thesis Statement
- Give three reasons that support your opinion
Right now, in America, 37% of the convicts on death row are innocent and will be
unjustly executed for no good reason! Some people say yes, the death penalty should be
abolished, for it is cruel and unusual punishment. Other people say no, it should not be
abolished; the death penalty is necessary to stop murders. I believe that the death penalty
should be abolished because many innocent will be unjustly executed, it is against the
Bible’s commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’ and it is forbidden by the US Constitution as a
cruel and unusual punishment.”
Body Paragraphs:
Studies have shown that 37% of the people on death row are innocent and do not belong
there. Some people are there because they are members of an unpopular minority. Many
are there because the police needed to make an arrest and didn’t care who they arrested as
long as they had someone to blame. It is totally wrong for the state to kill innocent people
just to look good in the papers.
The next 2 paragraphs should do the same thing for the other two reasons.
Remember to save your strongest reason for last to leave the reader with your
best thought.
Conclusion:
- Restate your opinion – rephrase your opinion and thesis statements
- Rephrase your three reasons
- End with a BANG! – Give one last strong sentence arguing your opinion and
persuading the reader to agree with you or do something
The death penalty has no place in modern America. It is a throwback to older barbaric
times. The death penalty causes many innocent people to be unjustly killed, it is against
the law of God given in the Bible, and it is rejected by the “cruel and unusual
punishment” amendment of the US Constitution. I strongly urge everyone to write to
their Congressman and demand that the death penalty be abolished once and for all.
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