Select one of the following prompts to serve as the basis for a persuasive essay. Take a firm stance on the prompt and write a 5-paragraph, double-spaced essay supporting your position. Make sure that you have a strong thesis statement at the end of your introduction and clear topic sentences in each body paragraph that provide arguments in support of your thesis. Be sure to provide textual support to buttress each of your claims.
To write a persuasive essay on one of the given prompts, follow these steps:
1. Understand the prompts: Read through each prompt carefully and choose the one you feel most strongly about and that you can provide the most compelling arguments for.
2. Choose a stance: Once you have selected a prompt, determine your stance on the topic. Are you in favor of the prompt or against it? This will become your thesis statement.
3. Plan your essay: Create an outline for your essay with clear topic sentences for each body paragraph. Each topic sentence should support your thesis statement, and each body paragraph should contain evidence or examples to support its respective topic sentence.
4. Introduction paragraph:
a. Start with a hook: Begin your introduction with a strong hook, such as a thought-provoking question, a relevant quote, or a surprising statistic.
b. Provide necessary background information: Provide some context or background information on the topic to ensure your readers understand the relevance.
c. State your thesis: Clearly state your thesis statement at the end of the introduction. The thesis should express your stance on the prompt.
5. Body paragraphs:
a. Topic sentence: Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that directly supports your thesis statement. This sentence should clearly state the main idea of the paragraph.
b. Support your claim: Provide evidence, examples, or logical reasoning to support your topic sentence. Use sources such as research articles, books, or reputable websites to back up your claims.
c. Interpret and analyze: Don't just present evidence. Explain how and why it supports your argument, and how it relates to the overall thesis.
6. Conclusion paragraph:
a. Restate your thesis: Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way.
b. Summarize your main points: Briefly summarize the main arguments or points you made in each body paragraph.
c. End with a call to action or a thought-provoking statement: Conclude your essay with an impactful statement that leaves a lasting impression on your readers.
Remember to proofread and revise your essay to ensure it is well-structured, cohesive, and free of grammatical errors. Ideally, seek feedback from others to gain different perspectives and make further improvements.
Prompt: Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?
Introduction:
Thesis Statement: Students should be allowed to have cell phones in school due to their potential to enhance learning, improve communication, and prepare students for the digital world.
Body Paragraph 1:
Topic Sentence: Cell phones can enhance learning by providing quick access to information and educational resources.
Supporting Claim #1: Students can use cell phones to conduct research and access online educational materials.
Supporting Claim #2: Mobile applications and educational websites can provide interactive and engaging learning experiences.
Supporting Evidence: According to a study conducted by the University of California, students who used educational apps on their cell phones showed improvement in their learning outcomes compared to those who didn't use them.
Body Paragraph 2:
Topic Sentence: Cell phones can improve communication between students, teachers, and parents.
Supporting Claim #1: Cell phones provide a convenient way for students to contact their parents in case of emergencies.
Supporting Claim #2: Teachers can use cell phones as a tool to send important announcements or reminders to students and parents.
Supporting Evidence: The American Academy of Pediatrics states that parents having real-time communication with their children through cell phones can enhance safety and reduce anxiety.
Body Paragraph 3:
Topic Sentence: Allowing cell phones in school prepares students for the digital world they will enter as adults.
Supporting Claim #1: Cell phones are an integral part of everyday life and professional communication.
Supporting Claim #2: By using cell phones responsibly in school, students can develop digital literacy skills.
Supporting Evidence: A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 94% of adults aged 18-29 own a smartphone, highlighting the importance of preparing students for a world where cell phone use is ubiquitous.
Counterargument:
Some may argue that cell phones can be distracting in the classroom and disrupt the learning environment. However, strict guidelines and policies can be implemented to minimize distractions and ensure responsible cell phone use. For example, schools can establish designated cell phone usage times and enforce consequences for misuse.
Conclusion:
Restate Thesis: Allowing students to have cell phones in school can enhance learning, improve communication, and prepare students for the digital world.
Summarize Key Points: Cell phones provide quick access to educational resources, improve communication between students, teachers, and parents, and help prepare students for the digital world they will enter as adults.
Call to Action: Schools should revise their policies and embrace the potential benefits of allowing cell phones in order to better support student learning, communication, and readiness for the future.
Prompt: Should capital punishment be abolished?
Thesis Statement: Capital punishment should be abolished because it violates human rights, it is ineffective in deterring crime, and there is a risk of executing innocent individuals.
Introduction:
Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty, has always been a controversial topic. While some argue for its necessity as a deterrent and a form of retribution, others believe it violates fundamental human rights. This essay takes a firm stance against capital punishment, arguing that it should be abolished due to its violation of human rights, its lack of effectiveness in preventing crime, and the potential for executing innocent individuals.
Body Paragraph 1:
Capital punishment violates human rights. Every individual has the right to life, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The death penalty infringes upon this fundamental right by taking away the life of the convicted individual. The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly called for the abolition of capital punishment, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the right to life for all individuals.
Furthermore, the process of capital punishment often involves cruel and inhumane methods, such as lethal injections, electrocution, or even hanging. The Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution prohibits the use of cruel and unusual punishment, a provision that is violated by capital punishment.
Body Paragraph 2:
Capital punishment is ineffective in deterring crime. Many supporters argue that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to potential criminals. However, numerous studies have shown that there is no credible evidence to support this claim. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, there is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty has a significant deterrent effect on crime rates. Countries that have abolished capital punishment, such as Canada and many European nations, have not experienced a rise in crime as a result.
Moreover, the possibility of a life sentence without parole serves as an equally effective deterrent to potential criminals. The threat of spending one's entire life behind bars is just as likely to discourage individuals from committing heinous crimes as the fear of execution.
Body Paragraph 3:
There is a risk of executing innocent individuals. The justice system is not infallible, and there have been numerous cases where innocent individuals have been wrongfully convicted. The irreversible nature of capital punishment leaves no room for rectifying these errors. The Innocence Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing, has successfully overturned the convictions of over 360 people, including some who were on death row.
The risk of executing innocent individuals is too great to justify the continuation of capital punishment. It is a moral imperative to prioritize justice and prevent the possibility of a tragic and irreversible mistake.
Conclusion:
Capital punishment should be abolished due to its violation of human rights, its lack of effectiveness in deterring crime, and the potential for executing innocent individuals. The death penalty is a cruel and outdated form of punishment that has no place in modern society. As a society, we must strive to protect human rights, promote effective means of crime prevention, and ensure that justice is served without the possibility of irreversible mistakes. By abolishing capital punishment, we take a significant step towards a more just and compassionate society.