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How to Write a Persuasive Essay Getting Started ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tackling the prompt. Think a minute about a football game. One sure way to get ahead is to tackle the quarterback. If a player wants to sack, he needs to understand the quarterback. He needs to know how the quarterback throws and runs. He needs to understand how the quarterback thinks. Now think a minute about the Montana University System Writing Assessment . It may not be quite as exciting as the Super Bowl, but in many ways, it's a lot like a football game. Honest! For example, one sure way to write a successful essay is to tackle the prompt, to understand exactly what it is asking you to do. Decisions, decisions. The prompts on the Montana/ACT Writing Sample include information about a decision that must be made by a group of people. The first thing you must do to tackle the prompt is to ask yourself: What's the decision that must be made? Let's take a look at the sample prompt.
What's the decision that must be made? The college must decide whether to spend the money it has received on an expansion to the campus bookstore or on more computers for the computer lab. Where do you stand? Think again about a player going after a quarterback. He must decide whether to run straight ahead, to turn left, or to turn right. He must first decide on a course of action and then pursue it. You need to do the same thing when tackling the prompt. You've identified the decision that must be made. Now you must choose one side or the other; you must take a stand. Look again at the prompt. Do you see where it states that there is enough money to fund only one of the proposals? That means you have to make a choice about which project should be funded. The prompt also offers some help in deciding where you stand. Notice the last line: .explaining how your choice will enhance the quality of life for students. This is the criterion on which you will base your decision. In other words, you need to choose the way to spend the money based on how the decision will impact student life. Let's review. Here's what we know so far:
Getting Organized ---------------------------------------------------------------------- What's the task? Not every player gets to sack the quarterback. Some have to block other players. Some have to try to intercept the ball. Some have to be ready to receive a pass. In other words, each player has a job to do-a task. The prompt on the Montana/ACT Writing Sample will give you a specific task to do too. To identify your task, look closely at the prompt. Notice the following sentence:
What kind of writing is the prompt asking you do? An essay? A song? A poem? No.. The prompt states that you are to write a letter. That means you need to address your writing to someone. Look back at the sentence. To whom are you to address your letter? Michael Jordan? Your best friend? The prompt states that the letter should be addressed to the dean of the college. Now you know your audience, and you can adjust your writing to suit that audience. For example, should your letter include slang? How about informal language? No.. The person who will read your letter, the dean, is an important person. That means you need to use formal language. Let's review. Here's what we know now:
Organize your ideas. Imagine that a television reporter has asked a football player to comment on an important play. The conversation goes something like this:
Our imaginary football player had made a decision, and he had taken a stand, but he had trouble communicating his reasons. He couldn't answer the question "Why?" In your letter to the college dean, you must explain the reasons for your decision. You must be able to answer the question, "Why?" No matter what stand you take on the decision to be made, you need to organize your ideas so that your argument is coherent. Spend a few minutes brainstorming important points you want to make in your letter. Remember that the Montana/ACT Writing Sample is a timed writing, so you don't want to spend too much time on this step. Just jot down a few ideas that support your position. For example, say you have decided that the money should be spent on new computers for the lab. You might want to draw a simple concept map to help you organize your thoughts: Getting to work ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Put pen to paper. Now that you've gotten your ideas organized, you need to start writing. You don't want to sound like our imaginary football player in an interview, so you need to make sure your ideas flow smoothly from one to another. Since you have been asked to write a letter, you might want to start with
So far, so good. But now what? In the first paragraph of the letter, you need to identify the issue and your position on it. When the dean finishes reading your introductory paragraph, she or he will know where you stand on the decision to be made and why. Take a look at this introductory paragraph. Can you tell where the writer stands on the issue? Do you know why?
The writer of this paragraph has decided that the money would better be spent on new computers for the lab rather than on expanding the bookstore. The writer has also given three specific reasons for the decision: improved academic opportunities; more time for experimentation and exploration; greater technological capabilities. Support and elaborate. The next three paragraphs will elaborate on the statements made in the introduction. At this point in the process, you'll want to refer to your concept map. The writer of our sample letter supports her or his position with details:
As you can see, the writer elaborates on each idea, providing specific details, and supporting the assertion that the money would be well spent on computers for the lab. Wrap it up. After a football game, the sports announcers review the highlights, summarize key plays, and offer their final analysis. You'll need to do the same thing in your writing assignment. Use the final paragraph to repeat your stand on the issue and to make your final appeal. In our sample letter, the writer reiterates her or his position and summarizes key points:
Success! As we know, a football player follows certain procedures for running a play. He gets started, he gets organized, and he gets to work. You have the tools you need to succeed on the Montana/ACT Writing Sample. You just need to remember to get started, to get organized, and to get to work! Check out the following links for help with grammar problems, writing concerns, or just to play a word game or two.
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