Johnna

As much as it irks me, I'm still in high school and I have been assigned essays. Simple five paragraph essays. One of these happens to be a persuasive essay, and I can not think of a topic for the life of me. Where am I supposed to get inspiration for a persuasive essay??? I'm a fantasy writer, for gods' sake! Someone, please suggest a topic that might actually work.

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~*Occulence*~

That all rap music isn't cliched filth (most of it is).

With rappers either A) Rapping about personal failure, their family, and how people think rap music is dumb (Eminem)

or just overall positive rappers; Common, Talib Kewi

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Krim

Since when did being a fantasy writer mean that you don't know how to make persuasive essays? There's never been a person in your world that's had to convince someone?

Write about how a man managed to convince six oither great swordsmen to help him assassinate the King to replace the monarchy. With magic. And then if your teacher protests, scream that s/he is stifling your creative talent.

Or just write about rappers. If you wanna be a sell-out and all.. - digs big toe in the carpet. -

Or google 'persuasive essay examples' and find an idea from there, but don't plagiarize. Whatever floats your Verlu'yian longship, bud.

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"A terrible energy and strength began to grow in him. It grabbed his emotions and forged them into a solid bar of anger with one word stamped on it: revenge." - Eragon by Christopher Paolini, an international bestseller

Johnna

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm really not the rap kind of person, so I don't know... I'd be more inclined to write about how all rock music isn't all cliched filth. I suppose I could try Google... Hm. Or maybe I will do that rock thing... Weird where ideas come from. Or maybe not. Anyway, thanks!

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boongee

Just use something you feel strongly about. That's all you need really.

Patrick Beverley

Write about what pisses you off.

dwspig2

I wrote my persuasive essay in 11th grade on the lack of necessity to send a mission to Pluto. My advice: find something in the government that bothers you, do a little research to find some figures, through them around the essay, and viola! You have a semi-good essay that any English teacher will think sounds great. The government harbors all kinds of issues that people feel strongly about. It's a surefire way to find something to discuss.

fjf1329

Write an essay on global warming. There is plenty of info on both sides of the discussion. You can persuade in favor of or against. This is an easy to do topic.

Shawn

Find the most divisive topic you can, pick a side, refute the others' arguments, make yours.

*cough*abortion*cough*

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Johnna

I was thinking of maybe doing something a little more local than The Government in general. I live in Los Angeles, so there's bound to be something around here that has two sides. Fact is, though, I've yet to find it.

As for "*cough*abortion*cough*", it's been done too much. My teacher knows my writing well enough to expect something more original. Though it is a pretty good plan B if I haven't thought of anything by Sunday.

Global warming might be up for some research; I know virtually nothing about it, so... I'll check it out. And if I end up doing the essay on something else, at least I'll have learned something.

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions.

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Mike C

Persuade me that fantasy's not crap in 5 paragraphs.

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Johnna

Why would you say fantasy's crap?

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Truth-Teller

How about the LA Riot?

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When you try to impress, instead of communicating the written word, you have already failed as a writer; and if you're writing to be loved, instead of loving to write, you should not be called on.

Ilasir Maroa

What do you mean why would you say fantasy is crap? Of course it is. It flies in the face of logic. It is an escape from life. It alters reality to fit your... pathetic loser hopes and dreams. I never want to have to read such smut again...

Wow, never read a one sentence essay that was so persuasive. Mike C had me, a hard-core fantasy fan, ready drag the name of fantasy through the filth in the sewers of Bangledash. Man, you are good MC.

But seriously, persuasive essays have the broadest topic range on the planet. They can be about anything, even if you don't agree with the topic/thesis. Find something you enjoy in life, and write about why everyone should love it. Or write an essay on why everyone should hate GWB.

If you can write good fantasy, you ought to be able to come up with one good persuasive essay topic. Pump those creative muscles.

Truth-Teller

This is some honest truth-telling here, I couldn't even dream of.

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When you try to impress, instead of communicating the written word, you have already failed as a writer; and if you're writing to be loved, instead of loving to write, you should not be called on.