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Writing ■ Developing the First Draft

Now you are ready to write your argument essay. Each part of the essay has a different job to do.

Beginning ■ In the beginning, you need to get your reader’s attention and lead up to your opinion statement. Here are some strategies for getting your reader’s attention:

• Connect with the reader’s concerns.
  

  The budgetary alarm bells are ringing for our public schools.

• Ask a shocking question.
  

  Which of our elementary schools should we close?

• Begin with an anecdote.
  

  When my parents moved to Carrington, they came partly because the schools were strong. Now here I am in Carrington Middle School, and we’re facing a crisis.