2. Why should you
ALWAYS PREWRITE
List immediate impressions of the topic
List all possible arguments for both sides
Allows for thorough development
Allows for objective analysis of the best argument
Allows for full concentration in the drafting stage
Helps in development of a counter-argument
Helps with organization
4. Step 1
Step 1 involves making a choice about your topic. Once you
get your prompt, you need to make a judicious decision
about what you will argue. If you just choose quickly and
begin to write, you may find that
you don’t have enough strong
examples to support your claim.
Choose the most effective way to
get your ideas down on paper
before you forget them. Prewriting
keeps you from writing yourself
into a corner!
5. Free write
Free write is exactly what it sounds like. You just begin writing anything that
comes to mind. You will organize it later. A free write is the best choice when you
have a broad topic that you have to narrow down to one idea to defend. To free
write, all you need to do is just write anything that comes to your mind. Make jot
lists of topic ideas and examples – really just anything at all that comes to mind.
Prompt: What do you think is the most important or influential invention in the past one hundred
years? Write an essay defending your choice and explaining why it is more significant than other
inventions.
Computer Television
Efficient work, communication Entertainment, information, ed
ucation
Cell phone Internet
Relationships, communication, Efficient work, communication.
entertainment, safety, Entertainment, education, orga
organization nization (google calendar)
iPad Satellite
Entertainment, creativity, Communication, navigation, ent
mobile work ertainment
6. T-Chart
T-Charts are best to use when your assignment asks you to choose between two sides of an
argument. You should list support for both arguments, even if you staunchly agree with one
side already. You should choose the side for which you have the strongest argument – even if
that means that you argue against what you truly believe. No one is going to follow up to be
sure you are living by what you wrote on your persuasive essay.
Prompt: Your principal has decided to implement a school uniform. She says that it will keep students
from dressing inappropriately and take away the need to remember school dress code rules. Some
students are saying that it takes away independent expression and creative thinking. Write a letter to
the school board registering your opinion on the subject and defending your position.
Students should wear Students should not
school uniforms wear school uniforms
• Eliminates need for discipline for • Students should be allowed to
dress code violation express their individuality
• Cuts down on bullying • School uniforms are often
• Reduces the amount of money uncomfortable.
spent on expensive designer
clothing
• Makes students feel a sense of
belonging
Strongest argument
7. Step 2
In step 2, you will organize your brainstormed information. There is
no “best” choice for this step. There are hundreds of graphic
organizers you could use. You also have the option of a quick
outline or just a list of what you will include in your essay. In this
step, make sure to think of an example or
detail for each argument and look for
something in your brainstorming that you
can use as a counter-argument. If you
don’t think through an organization
plan, your arguments may end up in an
illogical order, which will weaken your
essay!
8. Thought Pillar
Thesis Statement A thought pillar is one graphic
Argument 1 organizer that will help you
visualize your essay. This
Example Details organizer, for vertical thinkers,
helps many people to see how
the arguments, examples, and
Argument 2 details work to support the
thesis and tie the introductory
Example Details and conclusion paragraphs
together.
Remember that if you don’t
Argument 3
have access to “pretty” graphic
organizers, you will need to
Example Details
make a rudimentary version of
the one that works best for you.
Conclusion
9. Tree
Argument • Example
1 • Details
Argument • Example
Thesis Statement 2 Conclusion
• Details
Argument • Example
3 • Details
A tree organizer, for horizontal thinkers, will allow for a bit more space to
expand your prewriting and may be the better option if you want to include
all of your ideas in your prewriting.
Once you have your arguments written down, if you change your mind about
the order in which you will present your ideas, just change the numbers!
11. Ethos
SHOWING MORAL CHARACTER
OR
ESTABLISHING CREDIBILITY
As a student myself, I can
attest to the fact that
homework creates stress.
12. Pathos
APPEAL TO PASSION
OR
APPEAL TO EMOTION
One of my best friends
became so stressed by the
excessive homework that
she became clinically
depressed.
13. Logos
APPEAL TO LOGIC
OR
APPEAL TO INTELLECT
Because students have so
much homework, they
don’t have time for a part-
time job and often ask
their parents for money.
14. And remember to identify a
COUNTER-ARGUMENT
IDENTIFY THE OPPOSITION’S STRONGEST ARGUMENT AND….
DESTROY IT!
Most teachers believe that
homework reinforces
concepts learned in
class, but they couldn’t be
more wrong.
15. Remember that
prewriting is
Neat
Written in complete sentences
Scored or judged
Timed
Meant to be time-consuming
Carved in stone
Meant only to occur before writing begins
16. Let’s practice
Using the Cinderella License topic, take a few minutes to brainstorm for your
essay. Write down every idea you can think of because you never know what will
help when you’re composing. You don’t have to use everything you write, but you
never know what you’ll need! Here are your steps:
1. Choose a step 1 strategy and brainstorm
2. Choose a step 2 strategy and organize/develop your brainstorming
3. Include at least 2 arguments and 1 counter-argument.
4. Use only one piece of paper to complete this activity.
5. Time yourself! Write the amount of time you spent prewriting in the upper
right corner of your paper. Spend NO MORE THAN 15 minutes working on
your prewriting – and you really shouldn’t spend that long.
No need to turn this in; just use it when you’re writing!
