Persuasive Writing Process

Mastering the
English II STAAR
Writing Requirement
In the state of Texas, all English II
students are required to complete the
English II EOC STAAR.
This test is normally given during the

Spring semester of your English II
class.
The test is comprised of 3 sections:

Reading, Editing, and Writing.
To pass, students must achieve at least

a 3775 score on the test.
To achieve a passing score, it is

important that students do well in the
writing portion.
The writing portion is scored on a scale of 1-4 and is graded by two raters; therefore, the
highest score you can achieve is an 8. Unless you leave the writing portion blank, you
start at a 2.
Writing, in any format, can
sometimes be daunting. Even
for the best of writers, it can
often be hard to take all the
ideas in your head, organize
them, and put them coherently
on a page.
To assist you in this task and to

help you be successful on the
STAAR, you will learn the
But first, before you begin the writing process, you
must understand the format for a persuasive
writing STAAR essay.
Introduction
Global Academic Paragraph
Personal Academic Paragraph
Conclusion
STAAR Persuasive Essay Format Breakdown
Introduction
• Acknowledgement (1 sentence)
• Thesis (1 statement)

• Debatable topic sentence (1 sentence)
• Explanation of sentence 1 (1 sentence)
• Make your case through evidence (3 sentences)
• Remind your reader of topic sentence (1 sentence)

• Debatable topic sentence with transition (1 sentence)
• Make your case through a beginning, middle, and end story (3 sentences)
Conclusion
• Linking sentence connecting two examples to the thesis (1 sentence)
• Call to action close (1 sentence)
• Breakdown the
Prompt
• Choose a Side
• Brainstorming a
Reason
• Supporting the
Reason
• Create a Thesis
Breaking Down
the Prompt
1. Cross out the quote.

2. Locate “Write” and
draw an arrow next
to it.
3. Cross out
“whether” and
write ”if.”
4. Underline
everything after
“on.”
5. Locate and read the
“Think” question.
Breaking Down the Prompt
5
3 if 4
2
Choosing a Side
1. Create a T grid with
“For” on one side and
“Against” on the …if competition is
other. necessary for success.
2. Locate the underlined
portion of the prompt.
3. Turn the underlined For Against
portion of the prompts
into “for” and Competition Competition
“against” Because is necessary is not
statements. for success necessary
4. Choose the side you because… for success
can talk the most because…
about, even if it is not
really your true
stance.
Brainstorming a Reason
1. Draw a large circle.
It drives you You cannot
to reach your get anywhere
2. Place your chosen
goals without it Because statement in
the circle.
3. Think of reasons why
Competition your Because
is necessary statement is true.
for success 4. Place the reasons in
because… smaller circles.
5. Choose the reason
that you can support
It increases the most, even if it is
It pushes you
your not your first choice.
determination
to be the best
Supporting the Reason
1. Create a T grid with
“Global” on the left
and “Personal” on the …it pushes you to be the
right. best.
2. Look at your chosen
reason.
3. Come up with one Global Personal
example for both Many Olympians, When I was in band,
”Global” and like Michael success meant being
Phelps, say that in the ”top 5,” but to
“Personal.” reach that goal, I had
• Make sure you have enough the constant
competition made to push myself to
information to support each practice because my
example. them want to be
competition was very
• If you cannot come up with the best. good.
examples, go back to
Brainstorming a Reason and
chose a different reason.
Create a Thesis
1. Write your Because statement
2. Add your reason to your Because statement.
Thesis: Competition is necessary for success because it pushes you

to be the best.
Introduction


Conclusion
2 Sentences
• Acknowledgement
• Thesis
To provide an acknowledgement, you have to recognize and identify
the opposing view.
Luckily, you already have the opposing view in your brainstorming
process.
Possible sentence stems:

It is widely accepted that [opposing view]; however, I believe
the opposite to be true.
Many people argue that [opposing view]; however, I posit that
___.
When it comes to [topic], some might believe that [opposing
view]; on the other hand, I maintain that the opposite is true.
Some people might disagree with my stance, but I argue that
___.
When it comes to success, some might believe that competition is not

necessary; on the other hand, I maintain the opposite to be true.
After the acknowledgement, you place your thesis.
Again, this is already available to you in your brainstorming.
Acknowledgement + Thesis
When it comes to success, some might believe that competition

is not necessary; on the other hand, I maintain the opposite to be
true. Competition is necessary because it pushes you to be the
best.
Introduction


Conclusion
2 Paragraphs
• Global Academic
Paragraph
• Personal Academic
Paragraph
For you Global
Academic Paragraph, Global Personal
you will use the Many Olympians, When I was in band,
example you came up like Michael success meant being
with during the reach that goal, I had
the constant
Supporting the Reason competition made to push myself to
step of your Prewriting. practice because my
them want to be
the best. good.

Competition is a key factor to the success of many athletes, especially Olympians.

Since Olympians want to be the best in their sport and the world, they have to
make sure they remain competitive.

Michael Phelps is one example of competition can push Olympians to be the best.
The record number of gold medals held by an Olympic swimmer was held by Mark
Spitz who won seven medals in 1972. Phelps said this drove him to practice and
ensure he not only broke the record of seven, but exceeded it with 65 gold medals.

Therefore, it was Phelps desire to best his competition that lead him to be the most
successful Olympian of all time.
Competition is a key factor to the success of many
athletes, especially Olympians. Since Olympians want
to be the best in their sport and the world, they have to
make sure they remain competitive. Michael Phelps is
one example of competition can push Olympians to be
the best. The record number of gold medals held by an
Olympic swimmer was held by Mark Spitz who won
seven medals in 1972. Phelps said this drove him to
practice and ensure he not only broke the record of
seven, but exceeded it with 65 gold medals. Therefore,
it was Phelps desire to best his competition that lead
him to be the most successful Olympian of all time.
Introduction


Conclusion
For your Personal
Academic Paragraph, Global Personal
again, you will use the Many Olympians, When I was in band,
example you came up like Michael success meant being
with during the reach that goal, I had
the constant
Supporting the Reason competition made to push myself to
step of your Prewriting. practice because my
them want to be
the best. good.

• Make your case through a story (3 sentences)
Like Michael Phelps, competition was a key component to my success in high
school band.

When I was in band, success meant being in the “top 5,” but competition was
tough.
• Make your case through a story (3 sentences)

Out of 30 flute players, I was ranked 20th after my first chair test. To reach my
goal of being a top flute player, I practiced and practiced so that I was prepared
for the next chair test. Finally, after the next test, I achieved success and was
ranked 4th chair.

It was because I wanted to best my competition that I was able to become a
successful flute player.
Like Michael Phelps, competition was a key component
to my success in high school band. When I was in band,
success meant being in the “top 5,” but competition was
tough. Out of 30 flute players, I was ranked 20th after
my first chair test. To reach my goal of being a top flute
player, I practiced and practiced so that I was prepared
for the next chair test. Finally, after the next test, I
achieved success and was ranked 4th chair. It was
because I wanted to best my competition that I was able
to become a successful flute player.
Introduction


Conclusion
2 Sentences
• Linking sentence
• Call to Action
To create your linking sentence, you will need your thesis statement and
your global and personal examples.
Thesis: Global Personal
Competition is
Many Olympians, like When I was in band,
necessary for Michael Phelps, say success meant being in
success because it that the constant the ”top 5,” but to reach
competition made that goal, I had to push
pushes you to be them want to be the myself to practice
the best. best. because my competition
was very good.
• Both [example 1] and [example 2] stand as proof that [chosen side]
• It is clear that [example 1] and [example 2] demonstrate that [chosen side]
• Considering [example 1] and [example 2], I am certain that [chosen side] is the better option.
Linking Sentence: Both Michael Phelps and my achievements stand as

proof that competition is necessary for success.
For a strong Call to Action
statement, you need to include an
action and a sense of urgency
statement.
• Therefore. I encourage you to [action] [sense
of urgency]
• Therefore, I urge you to [action] [sense of
urgency]
• Considering the importance of [topic], do not
hesitate to [action] [sense of urgency]
• In order to support/take action against
[topic], you must [action] [sense of urgency].
Call to Action: Therefore, I encourage you to embrace competition if

you want to achieve all your goals and become successful.
Linking Sentence + Call to Action
Both Michael Phelps and my achievements stand as proof that

competition is necessary for success. Therefore, I encourage
you to embrace competition if you want to achieve all your
goals and become successful.
Introduction


Conclusion
Completed STAAR Persuasive Essay
Prompt: Write an essay stating your position on whether competition is necessary for
success.
When it comes to success, some might believe that competition is not necessary; on the
other hand, I maintain the opposite to be true. Competition is necessary because it pushes
you to be the best.
Competition is a key factor to the success of many athletes, especially Olympians.
Since Olympians want to be the best in their sport and the world, they have to make sure
they remain competitive. Michael Phelps is one example of competition can push
Olympians to be the best. The record number of gold medals held by an Olympic swimmer
was held by Mark Spitz who won seven medals in 1972. Phelps said this drove him to
practice and ensure he not only broke the record of seven, but exceeded it with 65 gold
medals. Therefore, it was Phelps desire to best his competition that lead him to be the most
successful Olympian of all time.
Like Michael Phelps, competition was a key component to my success in high school
band. When I was in band, success meant being in the “top 5,” but competition was tough.
Out of 30 flute players, I was ranked 20th after my first chair test. To reach my goal of being
a top flute player, I practiced and practiced so that I was prepared for the next chair test.
Finally, after the next test, I achieved success and was ranked 4th chair. It was because I
wanted to best my competition that I was able to become a successful flute player.
Both Michael Phelps and my achievements stand as proof that competition is necessary
for success. Therefore, I encourage you to embrace competition if you want to achieve all
your goals and become successful.

Persuasive Writing Process

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Persuasive Writing Process

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Mastering the

This test is normally given during the

The test is comprised of 3 sections:

To pass, students must achieve at least

To achieve a passing score, it is

To assist you in this task and to

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

1. Cross out the quote.

Thesis: Competition is necessary for success because it pushes you

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

Possible sentence stems:

When it comes to success, some might believe that competition is not

When it comes to success, some might believe that competition

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

• Debatable topic sentence (1 sentence)

• Explanation of sentence 1 (1 sentence)

• Make your case through evidence (3 sentences)

• Remind your reader of topic sentence (1 sentence)

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

• Debatable topic sentence with transition (1 sentence)

• Explanation of sentence 1 (1 sentence)

• Make your case through a story (3 sentences)

• Remind your reader of topic sentence (1 sentence)

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

Linking Sentence: Both Michael Phelps and my achievements stand as

Call to Action: Therefore, I encourage you to embrace competition if

Both Michael Phelps and my achievements stand as proof that

Global Academic Paragraph

Personal Academic Paragraph

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