LA 201 – Persuasive Essay Assignment
Choosing an Essay Topic…
To decide if the issue is a good one, ask yourself the following questions:
 Is the issue debatable? In other words, will people disagree about it?
 Do I have strong feelings about the issue?
 Is the topic specific enough (not too general or broad) to focus my research?
 Will I be able to find current research/articles about the issue?
Some Suggested Topics…
Should smoking be banned in all public places/
Does viewing TV increase a child’s aggression?
Should bilingual education programs be abandoned?
Should English be the official language of the U.S.?
Is mandatory community service desirable and legal?
Should tracking/ability grouping in schools be
eliminated?
Is block scheduling in secondary schools better than
traditional scheduling?
Should animals be used in research (psychological,
medical, or cosmetic)?
Should children be immunized against childhood
diseases?
Is flag burning against the U.S. Constitution?
Should the insanity defense be abolished?
Will waiting periods control gun purchases?
Should we encourage private ownership of guns?
Should private citizens have the right to carry concealed
weapons?
Should recycling efforts be expanded?
Are we doing enough to slow global warming?
Should our government continue to fund space
exploration?
Are graduated driver’s licenses a good idea?
Should a year round school calendar be implemented?
Are teen curfews fair?
Should skateboarding be banned on public property?
Should we build more skateboarding parks?
Should skateboarders/snowboarders be required to wear
safety gear?
Should motorcycle helmets be required by law?
Should the drinking age be lowered?
Are we doing enough to save the rainforest?
Should cell phone use while driving be banned?
Should cell phones be banned in schools?
Should marijuana be legalized as a medication?
Is spanking child abuse?
Is home schooling effective?
Should casino gambling be illegal?
Should tobacco advertising be banned or restricted?
Should genetic engineering/cloning be banned?
Does rap music contribute to violent crime?
Is the death penalty justified?
Is the death penalty racially discriminatory?
Is waiver to adult courts a solution to juvenile
crime?
Should doctors help terminally ill patients commit
suicide?
Does school violence justify a zero-tolerance
policy?
Is organic food better than other food?
Should we do more to help endangered species?
Should media (TV, music, video games, movies) be
censored?
Does media (TV, music, video games, movies)
violence cause social violence?
Does Limewire (or sites like this) encourage
copyright infringement?
Should the internet be policed?
Is the minimum wage unfair?
Should social media sites (Facebook, etc.) have age
requirements?
Should citizens pay more or less taxes?
MAY NOT DO: Gay Marriage or Abortion
Rough draft of the essay DUE Thursday, April 28th
Final draft (typed, double spaced, MLA formatted) DUE Monday, May 2nd
How to Write Your Essay…
INTRO PARAGRAPH
 Begin with an attention getter to capture your audience. Examples are: a short story, a quotation, or a
surprising statistic.
 Explain the issue and why it is important for the reader to know more about it. Tell how the issue affects
the lives of the audience.
 State YOUR opinion on the issue (basically answering the question). This is your THESIS statement.
Avoid “I believe” or “I feel”.
 Preview (state briefly) the three main arguments you have for your opinion. This is how you will prove
your position on the issue and try to convince others to believe as you do.
BODY PARAGRAPHS (Do this for EACH of your THREE paragraphs)
 Write a topic sentence that explains your first (second strongest) argument.
 Write several sentences which support only this argument. Be specific and use details found in your
research. Include 3 supporting facts.
CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
 Restate your opinion on the issue; try to use different wording from the first paragraph.
 Summarize your three arguments into 1-2 sentences; once again try to use different words.
 Make a call to action – what should your audience to with this issue?
 Connect the conclusion to the attention getter.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Persuasive Essay Grading Rubric
Absolutely! (10)
Intro Paragraph
Contains ATTENTION GETTER
Background info on topic/why it is important
Contains thesis AND 3 main reasons
Body Paragraph 1
Clearly states argument
Has SUPPORT for that argument
Gives CREDIT TO SOURCE
Body Paragraph 2
Clearly states argument
Has SUPPORT for that argument
Gives CREDIT TO SOURCE
Body Paragraph 3
Clearly states argument
Has SUPPORT for that argument
Gives CREDIT TO SOURCE
Conclusion
Restates thesis and main reasons
Ends with a CALL TO ACTION
Works Cited
Contains at least 6 sources
Few to no errors
Yes (9)
Sort-of (8)
Barely (7-0)