How to Get Writing Ideas for an OGT Style Persuasive Essay

Writing a persuasive OGT (Ohio Graduation Test) style essay is great practice for the real OGT test and for times in the future when you will have to support your point of views to others. Coming up with ideas may cause you to hit a wall, but there are many easy ways to decide on a topic for your OGT-style persuasive essay.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Think about subjects that you have heard people talking about. Consider writing about controversies that may make good persuasive essays and things that you might hear about in political news or your local newspaper.
2. Select a topic that you are personally interested in. Your argument will be stronger if the topic influences your life on some level.
3. Choose one side of the issue to argue or persuade your reader to support. It does not matter if you agree with the particular side of the argument you are persuading people to join. What matters is that your arguments are convincing.
4. Argue both sides. Do not write a persuasive essay that defends only one side. Counter-argue the other side of the issue while supporting yours. This proves to the reader that you understand the entire issue.
5. Jot down things you would like to see changed. There are so many things that you wish you could change everyday, from the dress code at school to the local town curfew law. Pick anything that you feel you have little or no control over and argue for change that would better suit your needs and wants.
6. Find three reasons that will back you up. Having three good reasons that support your main idea, or thesis, will give support to your argument. These three main reason will become you body paragraphs and hold further description and emphasis toward your argument.