1 Lord of the Flies Essay
Lord of the Flies Persuasive Essay Due Date:
A persuasive essay is a sound argument of a position backed up with facts, details,
examples and one additional element—appeal. Persuasion is the kind of writing that
depends on the reader’s reaction to what the writer says. One should remember that the
goal of persuasive writing is to make the reader change from his viewpoint to the writer’s
viewpoint. Therefore, the writer must present his argument in a way that will not offend
his reader.
Goal  Write a persuasive essay that addresses one of the following:
1. Lord of the Flies is considered an important book in the canon of World Literature.
Should it be? Defend whether or not this book deserves its placement on the High School
reading list.
 Consider – does the novel contain themes and issues addressed in the book that
remain important to today’s society? Are there lessons presented in the book that
apply to current situations?
-- OR -2. Defend Ralph as either a good leader or a bad leader.
 Consider – does he help or hurt the tribe? In what ways?
Guidelines:
Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and a Conclusion
Length: 1 ½ - 2 pages long
Primary source quotations (from the novel)
Follow all manuscript, MLA style, and formal essay rules
Address counterpoints (see below)
Counterpoints:
There is always someone who will disagree.
Consider what points those who disagree with you might make.
Acknowledge these possible conflicts and refute them with
your ideas and textual proof in your body paragraphs.
What’s the best way to
get readers on your
side??
Appeals:
When trying to persuade others
of your opinions on various
issues (in writing or speech),
appeal to your listeners in 3
ways:
1. Logical – appeal to readers’
practical reasoning (it makes
sense logically)
2. Emotional – appeal to
readers’ feelings or emotions (it
taps into emotional support)
3. Ethical – appeal to readers’
sense of right and wrong (it
doesn’t oppose basic beliefs)
Example  “Although most of the boys abandon Ralph,
he remains concerned for the good of the whole group.”
This is the counter-argument.
Someone might argue that since the
ThisProduces
is the part
that that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the
ELA10W1:
writing
boys leave Ralph, he therefore
refutes the
counter- focus throughout, and signals closure.
reader, maintains
a coherent
cannot be a good leader.
argument.
ELAWLRL4.c:
Includes a formal works cited or bibliography when applicable.
ELA10C2.a: Produces writing that conforms to appropriate manuscript requirements.
ELA10C2.b: Produces legible work-correct grammar, mechanics, usage.
2 Lord of the Flies Essay
Use the Format Below for this Essay:
Introductory Paragraph:
 Include the book’s title and author’s name in your first sentence
 Background on the book – what is it about? (no need to go into excessive detail here – just hit
the main points in a sentence or two)
 Have a Thesis Statement (your point – a statement that says whether or not you think the
book is relevant today – OR – whether or not your think Ralph is a good leader. Possibly list
the reasons why ... NO “I think” statements)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Body Paragraphs:
 What are your reasons? (Why is this book relevant or irrelevant? – OR - Why is Ralph a
good or bad leader?) Choose about 2 (or more) and list them below. Then expand and come
up with several supporting ideas for each main idea. These supporting ideas will likely draw
attention to specific aspects of the book and will be where your quotes come in to prove
your point.
 Reason #1:
Support 1:
Support 2:
Support 3:
 Reason #2:
Support 1:
Support 2:
Support 3:
 Reason #3:
Support 1:
Support 2:
Support 3:
 Make sure you have a Topic Sentence for each body paragraph – and be sure to use
TRANSITIONS between ideas. A TRANSITION wraps up one idea and leads toward the
next one.
Concluding Paragraph:
 What have you proven in your essay? Sum up your ideas by showing what you have proved
in your writing.
 Make a statement of appeal – what’s one last way you can convince readers to agree?
ELA10W1: Produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the
reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.
ELAWLRL4.c: Includes a formal works cited or bibliography when applicable.
ELA10C2.a: Produces writing that conforms to appropriate manuscript requirements.
ELA10C2.b: Produces legible work-correct grammar, mechanics, usage.
3 Lord of the Flies Essay
 Finisher: Would you recommend that this book stay on the high school reading list or be
removed? Why? – OR – Would Ralph still be a good leader today? Why?
Works Cited
Cox, C.B. "On Lord of the Flies." William Golding: Novels, 1954-67. Ed. Norman Page.
London: Macmillan, 1985. 115-21.
Epstein, E. L. “Notes on Lord of the Flies.” Lord of the Flies. London: Putnam, 1954. 185-190.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Putnam, 1954.
Slayton, Paul. Teaching Rationale for William Golding's Lord of the Flies. Censored Books:
Critical Viewpoints (1993): 351-57.
Townsend, R.C. Lord of the Flies: Fool's Gold? The Journal of General Education 16.2 (1964):
153-60.
Things to Notice about this Page:
 It has a header at the top, as it is considered the last page of your essay
 Title is centered
 Whole page is double-spaced
 Each entry starts on a new line
 Entries are NOT numbered
 Entries are alphabetized by author’s last name
 All second lines and subsequent lines are indented.
o Highlight your text
o Go to format, paragraph
o In the indentation section special drop-down box, select “Hanging”
***You should type only the source(s) that you used in your essay
(not all 4!)
ELA10W1: Produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the
reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.
ELAWLRL4.c: Includes a formal works cited or bibliography when applicable.
ELA10C2.a: Produces writing that conforms to appropriate manuscript requirements.
ELA10C2.b: Produces legible work-correct grammar, mechanics, usage.
4 Lord of the Flies Essay
ELA10W1: Produces writing that establishes an appropriate organizational structure, sets a context and engages the
reader, maintains a coherent focus throughout, and signals closure.
ELAWLRL4.c: Includes a formal works cited or bibliography when applicable.
ELA10C2.a: Produces writing that conforms to appropriate manuscript requirements.
ELA10C2.b: Produces legible work-correct grammar, mechanics, usage.