Write a Persuasive Research Paper. You'll want to provide a clear position and compelling reasons and support for this position. You will also want to anticipate the objections and opposing positions that you might get in reaction to your paper. But how do you organize all of this?

Your first two paragraphs should do two things:

1.) Engage the reader and capture their interest. In terms of capturing the readers interest, you want a good "hook"--something that will make the reader want to keep reading, even if they disagree with you. "Children Need to Play, Not Compete" opens with history and emotion, summarizing problems that have developed with children's sports. "Sticks and Stones and Sport Team Names" uses a short personal narrative (a story from the author's life) to hook the reader. "Working at McDonald's" opens with a direct, bold statement, designed to surprise the reader as to its full meaning.

2.) Make your position (or thesis statement) clear. Notice that in each of these essays, the author's position is making clear in either the first or the second paragraph. You will want to do the same. Also, notice how the thesis is restated in several places in the paper, reminding readers of the author's stance in the middle of the paper and at the end, in the conclusion.

The body of your paper should offer at least 2-3 logical reasons and convincing support for your position. You will probably want to devote the first paragraph of this section to foreshadowing each of your reasons. Here's an example: There are three reasons why capital punishment should be abolished. It is an inhumane procedure that causes immeasurable suffering. It is a practice that devalues human life. It is costly and unsuccessful as a deterrent of crime.

The following paragraphs would then discuss each of these reasons one-by-one, devoting at least 1-2 paragraphs to each reason. Within each paragraph, you'll want to provide supporting evidences (facts, statistics, examples, stories, etc.) You will also want to consider opposing arguments--how the opposing side would respond to each of your reasons.

In the conclusion, you want to reemphasize your position and summarize your points. In other words, you want to wrap everything up and tie it with a pretty bow. Reexamine the final few paragraphs of each of the essays in Chapter 6 for examples. In the Persuasive Research Paper, you will simply want to take a position on an issue of your choice, using research to support your position and to try to convince others to adopt your position.