Topic: Should California require high schools to start no earlier than 8:30 am?
Introduction
Start with a hook.
Include background information such as a brief history of the issue and/or an explanation of why this topic is relevant.
Body Paragraphs
Your body paragraphs should begin with a clear topic sentence, should follow the sequence of topics indicated by your forecast, and should build to your strongest point.
Body paragraph 1 should address your opponents’ strongest argument (e.g. vending machines are convenient) and should develop this opposing view for at least 5 sentences in order to show that you understand their point. Then your first body paragraph should undermine the counter argument in 1 of 2 ways:
1. Accommodate the opposing view by agreeing with it but explaining why this doesn’t change your position.
2. Refute the opposing view by disagreeing with it.
Body paragraph 2 would argue that vending machines are dangerous.
Body paragraph 3 would argue that vending machines are unhealthy.
Body paragraph 4 would argue that vending machines are expensive.
Your arguments should be supported by smoothly integrated and appropriately cited evidence.
If you wish to develop your essay further, you can add more counter arguments (as long as you have more reasons than counter arguments); you can add more reasons; and/or you can add more support for your reasons. It’s okay to have more than one paragraph per reason as long as your body paragraphs match your forecast.
Conclusion
Your conclusion should do more than summarize.
You can explain the larger significance and/or the long-term consequences of this issue, propose a compromise or a solution, issue a call to action, and/or end with an emphatic anecdote.
