To determine the original price \( p \) of the shirt, we can set up the equation based on the information given. We know that the current sale price of the shirt is $7.98, and this price represents half of the original price.
The equation can be written as:
\[ \frac{p}{2} = 7.98 \]
To isolate \( p \), we multiply both sides of the equation by 2:
\[ p = 7.98 \times 2 \]
Now calculate the right side:
\[ p = 15.96 \]
Thus, the original price of the shirt is:
\[ p = 15.96 \text{ dollars} \]