What Are the Parts of a Persuasive Essay?
Every chess master was once a beginner. â Irving Chernev
For every argument, there will always be a counter-argument.
It sort of depends. Â Are you writing a short response (250-450 words)? Â Or are you writing a longer, multiple-paragraph paper (500 words or more)? Â Your answer to this question matters, and your your approach to each type of writing will be different.
However, for the sake of getting you some actionable advice that you can use right away, letâs go through the elements of a short persuasive response . Â I always preach a frame-writing approach to any essay which means that you should attack your writing in manageable frames or chunks. Â
In the example that follows, weâre taking a pretty typical persuasive essay topic and breaking it into a hook and a thesis statement (which, more or less, compose the essayâs introduction), a research detail , and interpretation followed a counterargument and some rebuttals (this is the body ) and a closer (conclusion) . Â If you wanted to break this approach into a formula, it would look like this:
Persuasive Essay = Â [ H + TS + RD + INT + CA + REB1 + REB2 + C ]
And if you include these parts in your persuasive essay, youâll do well every time.
So now, letâs take a look at an actual example:
The prompt: Â .
In a concise, short-response essay (no more than 400 words), take a stand on whether or not you believe public schools should be allowed to require students to wear school uniforms.
The response
Part one: hook + thesis statement.
Hook: Â Recently, principal McGuire announced her intention to institute a school wide uniform policy at our school. Â Needless to say, the news has created quite a stir; much of it quite negative. I am with those who oppose this policy.
Thesis Statement: Â A mandatory dress code at school is quite simply a flagrant violation of young people’s’ civil rights. Â
- Background is provided in a short hook about principal McGuire. Â The thesis statement clearly states the essayistâs intentions.
Part Two: Â Research (proof) + Interpretation (analysis)
Research: Afterall, The First Amendment  of our United States Constitution states that “Congress cannot pass laws abridging the freedom of speech.â
- The first research detail flows smoothly from the initial bridge and is short and sweet. Â It cites the first amendment of the Constitution beginning with the sentence starter* âstates thatâ. Â The source is not cited because the existence of this document is considered common knowledge.
Interpretation: Our forefathers did not intend to have any American citizen’s right to reasonably express him or herself taken away by anybody at any time, no matter their age. Â This constitutional protection allows us to speak out against politicians who we disagree with. It allows us to write articles that might be controversial or even offensive to some. Â And it certainly extends to students who might want to wear some loose-fitting jeans or a punk-rock tee shirt. Expressing one’s style, politics or ideas with one’s choice of clothing is no different than doing so with words spoken aloud or written down on paper.
- At six sentences long, this interpretation is a healthy length. Â It focuses on other areas where freedom of expression is protected by the 1st amendment, then reasons that choice of clothing at school should be similarly protected. The somewhat animated tone befits a persuasive essay.
Part Three: Counterargument and Rebuttal / Your opposition gets his chance to fight back, and you, of course, return the favor.
Counterargument: Of course, there are those such as more conservative parents and school administrators who think that a school dress code is the key to maintaining law and order and a sense of discipline on campus. Â These critics of free dress may even cite studies demonstrating that schools that instill dress codes have fewer incidents of crime and graffiti.
- In a persuasive essay, always give some air time to the opposition. Like a tennis match, you sometimes have to let the other guy serve. Â In this case the opposition happens to be conservative parents and school administrators whose chief concern, of course, is law and order.
Rebuttal 1 and 2 (yes, you get two; itâs your essay): However, these small improvements do not make up for the great damaged caused by violating students’ basic civil rights. Â Hey, young man, give up a few of your rights and we’ll promise you a peaceful environment. It’s the wrong message to send young people. Besides, it isn’t the students’ responsibility to create law and order on campus. This is the responsibility of the teachers, administrators and, to some degree, parents. Â If a school can’t keep the peace when students are wearing their own choice of fashion, then perhaps the school itself should look more closely at its own policies and practices, and not at some kid’s sagging blue jeans or Yeezy tee shirt with holes in it.
- Rebuttal 1: Â The first part of the rebuttal strikes back by first mentioning that any gains caused by a dress code would be very modest, and even insignificant when compared to the damage done. Â In even suggests that such tactics might be a way of tricking kids.
- Rebuttal 2: Â Part 2 deflects the responsibility away from kids and back towards adults and schools themselves. Â Together these two rebuttals effectively take the argument back from the opposition and bring it back to the advantage of the essayist. Â It is done with respect and confidence.
Part 4: Â Closer / Letâs conclude
Closer: Â Undoubtedly, despite the opinions of some misguided critics, forcing students to wear school uniforms if they do not wish to is a crass violation of their basic constitutional rights.
- This closer gives mention to the counterargument with the phrase, âdespite the opinions of some misguided criticsâ. Â The word âmisguidedâ may be a bit strong, but it does make a point. Overall, this closer helps the response feel finished.
Now itâs your turn. Â Write using frames, and feel free to use this template to create your own persuasive essay. Â
Related Posts
Sharing Lessons With Colleagues
How To Write Perfect Paragraphs Every Time
Essaypop: The Perfect Solution for Elementary School Writing Instruction
Leave a reply cancel reply.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
- Essay Topic Generator
- Summary Generator
- Thesis Maker Academic
- Sentence Rephraser
- Read My Paper
- Hypothesis Generator
- Cover Page Generator
- Text Compactor
- Essay Scrambler
- Essay Plagiarism Checker
- Hook Generator
- AI Writing Checker
- Notes Maker
- Overnight Essay Writing
- Topic Ideas
- Writing Tips
- Essay Writing (by Genre)
- Essay Writing (by Topic)
Parts of a Persuasive Essay: Outline-Making Tips & Examples
It’s improbable that you will fail your persuasive essay if you read this article!
So, what’s on the agenda?
Here, you’ll learn the detailed strategy of outlining a persuasive essay. You’ll also get an idea of the five main parts of the persuasive essay outline and find many helpful tips and examples. We aim to turn you into the best persuasive essay makers!
âď¸ Persuasive Essay Explained
đ persuasive essay outline.
- đŽ Outline Examples
- đ Essay Samples
- đ Writing Tips
We are on the way to telling you about an excellent persuasive essay. But first, let us shed light on the basics.
More haste, less speed!
So, we suggest that you learn certain fundamental things. Take your time and get down to reading!
Persuasive Essay Definition
A persuasive essay is a type of writing where you apply all your skills to convince the readers to take up the particular opinion as a correct one. It implies that you use tools like arguments, statistics, quotations, and research to reach your goal.
Persuasive Essay Goals
In general, a persuasive essay aims to persuade. More thoroughly:
- It should expose you as a skillful researcher and orator: you want your persuading talents to be apparent.
- It should touch upon a burning or at least interesting-to-discuss issue: there is no shortage of such nowadays.
- It certainly should be consistent, solid, and logically constructed. This way, potential readers would have no chance to disagree with your statement.
- A persuasive essay should have counterarguments in its contents. So, the next goal is to make you consider an issue from a different point of view.
- At least, it should make your audience start thinking in one or another direction. If not, adopt a particular opinion ultimately.
Persuasive Essay Challenges
Just like any academic assignment, persuasive writing has its gotchas. We’re here to prepare you!
The main challenges of a persuasive essay:
Argumentative Essay VS Persuasive Essay
These two types are often used interchangeably, so let’s dive into the peculiarities of each.
The difference between an argumentative and a persuasive one is based on the following key points:
Can’t wait to figure out how to write a persuasive essay outline?
In the section below, we are telling you about each part separately. Studying the material this way, you have more chances for memorizing.
Persuasive essay tips: Create a strong introduction, a consistent body with valid arguments, and a firm conclusion.
Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Introduction
The introduction is the first key to success in all parts of a persuasive essay. The role it performs is very significant.
AN INTRODUCTORY paragraph invites your reader into the essay structure.
A reader enters and clearly understands what is awaiting here: the topic, the issue, and the tone of speaking. From the beginning, catch your audience’s attention and prove they should keep reading.
Thus, you should briefly present your idea, providing a piece of background information. The readers know the essence: it’s time to give them your thesis statement.
A hook is like an attraction for your readerâsomething sharp and engaging â to prove that your writing is worth attention. It is beneficial in persuasive essays because it appeals to the reader’s emotions rather than the mind.
We’ll show you four types of hooks for engaging the audience:
- Statistics, figures.
Example: Have you ever imagined that around 3.5 to 7 billion trees suffer each year from being savagely cut?
- A striking fact.
Example: Once, I was almost killed by gluten…
- An engaging question.
Example: Are you also disturbed by the fact that sparrows are being shot in China?
- A good quote.
Example: A respectable and infamous German philosopher would say: “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”
Background Information
Another essential constituent of an outline for a persuasive essay is background information. It usually follows the hook. You need it to introduce the topic to readers and make them aware of the context.
You might need background information for different purposes:
- To explain the definition of a complex term;
- To provide some historical context for the phenomena you describe;
- To report current affairs in the field you highlight.
Persuasive essay tips: When giving background facts, you should be brief. It’s not necessary to go deep and write a complete article! Also, refer to all the information you use for support.
Thesis Statement
What are you standing for? What are you claiming?
These are the questions that your thesis statement should answer.
A thesis statement is an idea with great potential to debate.
The point is that there should be different opinions about the issue in your thesis statement. It won’t work if the thesis statement is an acknowledged fact.
- Choose the topic you’d want to discuss,
- Narrow the problem in question,
- Make sure the formulated statement is debatable.
Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Body
The most significant part of your persuasive essay structure is the body with three persuasive paragraphs. Each of them consists of an opening sentence and arguments backing up your claim.
Constructing your essay’s body this way allows the readers to climb the ladder of your argument smoothly.
Step by step, they start to accept your thesis statement and agree with it to the end.
Persuasive essay tips: A starting sentence of each paragraph is not a summary of the content. Its purpose is to present the main idea of the paragraph.
To argue and persuade, one needs strong arguments. They define whether your readers will be inclined to believe you.
You can serve the arguments in different ways:
- Present them as facts,
- Give definitions to the notions in question,
- Highlight the importance of an issue,
- Explain the causal relations between phenomena.
Persuasive essay tips: Use Pathos in your persuasive paper to win over the readers’ trust through emotions and sympathy…
Perhaps, you know three main persuasion techniques due to the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle: Pathos, Ethos, and Logos. Focus primarily on Pathos when writing a persuasive essay.
The role of support in persuasive writing is crucial. Supporting details include the essence of that truth you stand for in your essay.
Another word for this notion is the evidence: something that is used to prove the point.
At this point, you should be careful. It’s easy to get drifted into some unreliable sources. Check the information you come across and look for it in authoritative places.
Support can be different:
- Interviews or transcripts,
- Research and observation,
- Historical data,
- Your own experience and feelings,
- Real-life examples,
- Expert view on a question.
Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Conclusion
There is one more important part you meet in any persuasive essay outline.
Indeed, it’s a conclusion â your last step in convincing the readers to agree with you.
The best thing you can do is to breathe out and concentrate. It’s the final touch, so apply all your abilities to summarize all the meaningful information you’ve delivered before.
Persuasive essay tips for a conclusion:
- Do not introduce any new facts, arguments, and evidence.
- Sum up your writing and present the ideas from a different angle.
- Your reader is probably a bit tired: so use clear sentences and don’t overload with notions.
đŽ Persuasive Essay Outline Examples
If you read the article carefully, you have a complete picture of writing an excellent persuasive essay.
In theory…
Now we are focusing on the actual examples of persuasive writing.
Check out the most exciting essay samples we’ve got for you! We’ve prepared draft ideas â you can use them as a starting point for inspiration.
Persuasive Essay on Abortions
Persuasive essay about bullying, persuasive essay on school uniform, persuasive essay about smoking, persuasive essay on immigration, đ persuasive essay samples.
This section contains a collection of persuasive essay samples focusing on various study topics. You are welcome to use them for inspiration!
- Animals must be used for scientific testing
- Should phones and social media be banned in classrooms?
- Philosophical issue: should abortion be legal?
- Abortion must be safe and legal
- Schools should teach morals
- Corporations should act responsibly
- How mental health and illness should be defined
- Should marijuana be legalized?
- Customer service: what effective customer service should be like?
- How Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution
- Should cell phone use in cars be banned?
- When should children start school?
- Should capital punishment be abolished?
- Opioids: the industry that must be better monitored and regulated
- Imprisonment and punishment: life should mean life
- Should euthanasia be legal in some countries and why?
- Should or should not marijuana be legalized in America?
- Right to die with assisted suicide must be legal
- Should Canada have an abortion law?
- Whether direct voting should be allowed in the USA
- Should European cities ban the operation of e-scooters?
- Should human cloning be allowed?
- Should we care about income inequality?
- Should health care cost equally for everyone?
- Should HRM be aligned with strategy?
- Why gay marriages must be legalized
- Social media: why people should stop using it
- The reasons why marijuana should be legalized
- The USA needs to adapt to socialistic healthcare system
- Smoking cigarettes in public must be banned
- Should the government of Ghana fund a new national airline flagship?
- Why euthanasia should not be legal in the US
- Universal health care should be given freely to everyone
- Should juveniles be treated as adults?
- Whether students should attend class or not: a discussion
- The Electoral College must be abolished
- Who should teach children sexual education?
- Why genetically modified foods should be banned
- Capital punishment must not be used
- Should certain drugs be legalized?
đ Tips for Persuasive Essay Outline-Making
That was a lot of information! Time to polish all this knowledge.
Summary of what we have learned about writing a persuasive essay today:
- Choose the topic you would like to discuss: it should be burning or at least acute enough.
- Specify the chosen topic. It will make the process of writing more manageable for you and the essay – more interesting for readers.
- Formulate a brief and sharp thesis statement â your main claim.
- Look for and pick out the most reliable sources on the issue you write about.
- Think of a good hook you can use to attract readers’ attention.
- Study the sources for background information to provide your readers with it.
- Choose three main arguments that you will back up.
- Look for credible evidence for these arguments.
- Think of the ways you can influence the readers emotionally.
- Summarize the main points you highlighted in your paper for the conclusion.
- Proofread the whole paper to avoid grammar, spelling, or logical mistakes.
Now that we’ve comprehensively instructed you on persuasive essay writing, it’s your turn!
We would love to know your persuasive essay topics â share them in the comments below đ.
Good luck and happy writing đ
How to Write a Persuasive Essay (This Convinced My Professor!)
Table of contents
Meredith Sell
You can make your essay more persuasive by getting straight to the point.
In fact, that's exactly what we did here, and that's just the first tip of this guide. Throughout this guide, we share the steps needed to prove an argument and create a persuasive essay.
This AI tool helps you improve your essay > This AI tool helps you improve your essay >
Key takeaways: - Proven process to make any argument persuasive - 5-step process to structure arguments - How to use AI to formulate and optimize your essay
Why is being persuasive so difficult?
"Write an essay that persuades the reader of your opinion on a topic of your choice."
You might be staring at an assignment description just like this đfrom your professor. Your computer is open to a blank document, the cursor blinking impatiently. Do I even have opinions?
The persuasive essay can be one of the most intimidating academic papers to write: not only do you need to identify a narrow topic and research it, but you also have to come up with a position on that topic that you can back up with research while simultaneously addressing different viewpoints.
Thatâs a big ask. And letâs be real: most opinion pieces in major news publications donât fulfill these requirements.
The upside? By researching and writing your own opinion, you can learn how to better formulate not only an argument but the actual positions you decide to hold.Â
Here, we break down exactly how to write a persuasive essay. Weâll start by taking a step thatâs key for every piece of writingâdefining the terms.
What Is a Persuasive Essay?
A persuasive essay is exactly what it sounds like: an essay that persuades . Over the course of several paragraphs or pages, youâll use researched facts and logic to convince the reader of your opinion on a particular topic and discredit opposing opinions.
While youâll spend some time explaining the topic or issue in question, most of your essay will flesh out your viewpoint and the evidence that supports it.
The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay
If youâre intimidated by the idea of writing an argument, use this list to break your process into manageable chunks. Tackle researching and writing one element at a time, and then revise your essay so that it flows smoothly and coherently with every component in the optimal place.
1. A topic or issue to argue
This is probably the hardest step. You need to identify a topic or issue that is narrow enough to cover in the length of your pieceâand is also arguable from more than one position. Your topic must call for an opinion , and not be a simple fact .
It might be helpful to walk through this process:
- Identify a random topic
- Ask a question about the topic that involves a value claim or analysis to answer
- Answer the question
That answer is your opinion.
Letâs consider some examples, from silly to serious:
Topic: Dolphins and mermaids
Question: In a mythical match, who would win: a dolphin or a mermaid?
Answer/Opinion: The mermaid would win in a match against a dolphin.
Topic: Autumn
Question: Which has a better fall: New England or Colorado?
Answer/Opinion: Fall is better in New England than Colorado.
Topic: Electric transportation options
Question: Would it be better for an urban dweller to buy an electric bike or an electric car?
Answer/Opinion: An electric bike is a better investment than an electric car.
Your turn: Walk through the three-step process described above to identify your topic and your tentative opinion. You may want to start by brainstorming a list of topics you find interesting and then going use the three-step process to find the opinion that would make the best essay topic.
2. An unequivocal thesis statement
If you walked through our three-step process above, you already have some semblance of a thesisâbut donât get attached too soon!Â
A solid essay thesis is best developed through the research process. You shouldnât land on an opinion before you know the facts. So press pause. Take a step back. And dive into your research.
Youâll want to learn:
- The basic facts of your topic. How long does fall last in New England vs. Colorado? What trees do they have? What colors do those trees turn?
- The facts specifically relevant to your question. Is there any science on how the varying colors of fall influence human brains and moods?
- What experts or other noteworthy and valid sources say about the question youâre considering. Has a well-known arborist waxed eloquent on the beauty of New England falls?
As you learn the different viewpoints people have on your topic, pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of existing arguments. Is anyone arguing the perspective youâre leaning toward? Do you find their arguments convincing? What do you find unsatisfying about the various arguments?Â
Allow the research process to change your mind and/or refine your thinking on the topic. Your opinion may change entirely or become more specific based on what you learn.
Once youâve done enough research to feel confident in your understanding of the topic and your opinion on it, craft your thesis.Â
Your thesis statement should be clear and concise. It should directly state your viewpoint on the topic, as well as the basic case for your thesis.
Thesis 1: In a mythical match, the mermaid would overcome the dolphin due to one distinct advantage: her ability to breathe underwater.
Thesis 2: The full spectrum of color displayed on New England hillsides is just one reason why fall in the northeast is better than in Colorado.
Thesis 3: In addition to not adding to vehicle traffic, electric bikes are a better investment than electric cars because theyâre cheaper and require less energy to accomplish the same function of getting the rider from point A to point B.
Your turn: Dive into the research process with a radar up for the arguments your sources are making about your topic. What are the most convincing cases? Should you stick with your initial opinion or change it up? Write your fleshed-out thesis statement.
3. Evidence to back up your thesis
This is a typical place for everyone from undergrads to politicians to get stuck, but the good news is, if you developed your thesis from research, you already have a good bit of evidence to make your case.
Go back through your research notes and compile a list of every âŚ
⌠or other piece of information that supports your thesis.Â
This info can come from research studies you found in scholarly journals, government publications, news sources, encyclopedias, or other credible sources (as long as they fit your professorâs standards).
As you put this list together, watch for any gaps or weak points. Are you missing information on how electric cars versus electric bicycles charge or how long their batteries last? Did you verify that dolphins are, in fact, mammals and canât breathe underwater like totally-real-and-not-at-all-fake đmermaids can? Track down that information.
Next, organize your list. Group the entries so that similar or closely related information is together, and as you do that, start thinking through how to articulate the individual arguments to support your case.Â
Depending on the length of your essay, each argument may get only a paragraph or two of space. As you think through those specific arguments, consider what order to put them in. Youâll probably want to start with the simplest argument and work up to more complicated ones so that the arguments can build on each other.Â
Your turn: Organize your evidence and write a rough draft of your arguments. Play around with the order to find the most compelling way to argue your case.
4. Rebuttals to disprove opposing theses
You canât just present the evidence to support your case and totally ignore other viewpoints. To persuade your readers, youâll need to address any opposing ideas they may hold about your topic.Â
You probably found some holes in the opposing views during your research process. Nowâs your chance to expose those holes.Â
Take some time (and space) to: describe the opposing views and show why those views donât hold up. You can accomplish this using both logic and facts.
Is a perspective based on a faulty assumption or misconception of the truth? Shoot it down by providing the facts that disprove the opinion.
Is another opinion drawn from bad or unsound reasoning? Show how that argument falls apart.
Some cases may truly be only a matter of opinion, but you still need to articulate why you donât find the opposing perspective convincing.
Yes, a dolphin might be stronger than a mermaid, but as a mammal, the dolphin must continually return to the surface for air. A mermaid can breathe both underwater and above water, which gives her a distinct advantage in this mythical battle.
While the Rocky Mountain views are stunning, their limited colorsâyellow from aspen trees and green from various evergreensâleaves the autumn-lover less than thrilled. The rich reds and oranges and yellows of the New England fall are more satisfying and awe-inspiring.
But what about longer trips that go beyond the city center into the suburbs and beyond? An electric bike wouldnât be great for those excursions. Wouldnât an electric car be the better choice then?Â
Certainly, an electric car would be better in these cases than a gas-powered car, but if most of a personâs trips are in their hyper-local area, the electric bicycle is a more environmentally friendly option for those day-to-day outings. That person could then participate in a carshare or use public transit, a ride-sharing app, or even a gas-powered car for longer tripsâand still use less energy overall than if they drove an electric car for hyper-local and longer area trips.
Your turn: Organize your rebuttal research and write a draft of each one.
5. A convincing conclusion
You have your arguments and rebuttals. Youâve proven your thesis is rock-solid. Now all you have to do is sum up your overall case and give your final word on the subject.Â
Donât repeat everything youâve already said. Instead, your conclusion should logically draw from the arguments youâve made to show how they coherently prove your thesis. Youâre pulling everything together and zooming back out with a better understanding of the what and why of your thesis.Â
A dolphin may never encounter a mermaid in the wild, but if it were to happen, we know how weâd place our bets. Long hair and fish tail, for the win.
For those of us who relish 50-degree days, sharp air, and the vibrant colors of fall, New England offers a season thatâs cozier, longer-lasting, and more aesthetically pleasing than âcolorfulâ Colorado. A leaf-peeperâs paradise.
When most of your trips from day to day are within five miles, the more energy-efficientâand yes, cost-efficientâchoice is undoubtedly the electric bike. So strap on your helmet, fire up your pedals, and two-wheel away to your next destination with full confidence that you made the right decision for your wallet and the environment.
3 Quick Tips for Writing a Strong Argument
Once you have a draft to work with, use these tips to refine your argument and make sure youâre not losing readers for avoidable reasons.
1. Choose your words thoughtfully.
If you want to win people over to your side, donât write in a way that shuts your opponents down. Avoid making abrasive or offensive statements. Instead, use a measured, reasonable tone. Appeal to shared values, and let your facts and logic do the hard work of changing peopleâs minds.
Choose words with AI
You can use AI to turn your general point into a readable argument. Then, you can paraphrase each sentence and choose between competing arguments generated by the AI, until your argument is well-articulated and concise.
2. Prioritize accuracy (and avoid fallacies).
Make sure the facts you use are actually factual. You donât want to build your argument on false or disproven information. Use the most recent, respected research. Make sure you donât misconstrue study findings. And when youâre building your case, avoid logical fallacies that undercut your argument.
A few common fallacies to watch out for:
- Strawman: Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opposing argument to make it easier to refute.
- Appeal to ignorance: Arguing that a certain claim must be true because it hasnât been proven false.
- Bandwagon: Assumes that if a group of people, experts, etc., agree with a claim, it must be true.
- Hasty generalization: Using a few examples, rather than substantial evidence, to make a sweeping claim.
- Appeal to authority: Overly relying on opinions of people who have authority of some kind.
The strongest arguments rely on trustworthy information and sound logic.
Research and add citations with AI
We recently wrote a three part piece on researching using AI, so be sure to check it out . Going through an organized process of researching and noting your sources correctly will make sure your written text is more accurate.
3. Persuasive essay structure
If youâre building a house, you start with the foundation and go from there. Itâs the same with an argument. You want to build from the ground up: provide necessary background information, then your thesis. Then, start with the simplest part of your argument and build up in terms of complexity and the aspect of your thesis that the argument is tackling.
A consistent, internal logic will make it easier for the reader to follow your argument. Plus, youâll avoid confusing your reader and you wonât be unnecessarily redundant.
The essay structure usually includes the following parts:
- Intro - Hook, Background information, Thesis statement
- Topic sentence #1 , with supporting facts or stats
- Concluding sentence
- Topic sentence #2 , with supporting facts or stats
- Concluding sentence Topic sentence #3 , with supporting facts or stats
- Conclusion - Thesis and main points restated, call to action, thought provoking ending
Are You Ready to Write?
Persuasive essays are a great way to hone your research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Approach this assignment well, and youâll learn how to form opinions based on information (not just ideas) and make arguments thatâif they donât change mindsâat least win readersâ respect. â
Share This Article:
The Official Wordtune Guide
An Expert Guide to Writing Effective Compound Sentences (+ Examples)
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Stellar Literature Review (with Help from AI)
Looking for fresh content, thank you your submission has been received.
- Features for Creative Writers
- Features for Work
- Features for Higher Education
- Features for Teachers
- Features for Non-Native Speakers
- Learn Blog Grammar Guide Community Events FAQ
- Grammar Guide
How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Tips and Tricks
Allison Bressmer
Most composition classes youâll take will teach the art of persuasive writing. Thatâs a good thing.
Knowing where you stand on issues and knowing how to argue for or against something is a skill that will serve you well both inside and outside of the classroom.
Persuasion is the art of using logic to prompt audiences to change their mind or take action , and is generally seen as accomplishing that goal by appealing to emotions and feelings.
A persuasive essay is one that attempts to get a reader to agree with your perspective.
Ready for some tips on how to produce a well-written, well-rounded, well-structured persuasive essay? Just say yes. I donât want to have to write another essay to convince you!
How Do I Write a Persuasive Essay?
What are some good topics for a persuasive essay, how do i identify an audience for my persuasive essay, how do you create an effective persuasive essay, how should i edit my persuasive essay.
Your persuasive essay needs to have the three components required of any essay: the introduction , body , and conclusion .
That is essay structure. However, there is flexibility in that structure.
There is no rule (unless the assignment has specific rules) for how many paragraphs any of those sections need.
Although the components should be proportional; the body paragraphs will comprise most of your persuasive essay.
How Do I Start a Persuasive Essay?
As with any essay introduction, this paragraph is where you grab your audienceâs attention, provide context for the topic of discussion, and present your thesis statement.
TIP 1: Some writers find it easier to write their introductions last. As long as you have your working thesis, this is a perfectly acceptable approach. From that thesis, you can plan your body paragraphs and then go back and write your introduction.
TIP 2: Avoid âannouncingâ your thesis. Donât include statements like this:
- âIn my essay I will show why extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.â
- âThe purpose of my essay is to argue that extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.â
Announcements take away from the originality, authority, and sophistication of your writing.
Instead, write a convincing thesis statement that answers the question "so what?" Why is the topic important, what do you think about it, and why do you think that? Be specific.
How Many Paragraphs Should a Persuasive Essay Have?
This body of your persuasive essay is the section in which you develop the arguments that support your thesis. Consider these questions as you plan this section of your essay:
- What arguments support your thesis?
- What is the best order for your arguments?
- What evidence do you have?
- Will you address the opposing argument to your own?
- How can you conclude convincingly?
TIP: Brainstorm and do your research before you decide which arguments youâll focus on in your discussion. Make a list of possibilities and go with the ones that are strongest, that you can discuss with the most confidence, and that help you balance your rhetorical triangle .
What Should I Put in the Conclusion of a Persuasive Essay?
The conclusion is your âmic-dropâ moment. Think about how you can leave your audience with a strong final comment.
And while a conclusion often re-emphasizes the main points of a discussion, it shouldnât simply repeat them.
TIP 1: Be careful not to introduce a new argument in the conclusionâthereâs no time to develop it now that youâve reached the end of your discussion!
TIP 2 : As with your thesis, avoid announcing your conclusion. Donât start your conclusion with âin conclusionâ or âto concludeâ or âto end my essayâ type statements. Your audience should be able to see that you are bringing the discussion to a close without those overused, less sophisticated signals.
If your instructor has assigned you a topic, then youâve already got your issue; youâll just have to determine where you stand on the issue. Where you stand on your topic is your position on that topic.
Your position will ultimately become the thesis of your persuasive essay: the statement the rest of the essay argues for and supports, intending to convince your audience to consider your point of view.
If you have to choose your own topic, use these guidelines to help you make your selection:
- Choose an issue you truly care about
- Choose an issue that is actually debatable
Simple âtastesâ (likes and dislikes) canât really be argued. No matter how many ways someone tries to convince me that milk chocolate rules, I just wonât agree.
Itâs dark chocolate or nothing as far as my tastes are concerned.
Similarly, you canât convince a person to âlikeâ one film more than another in an essay.
You could argue that one movie has superior qualities than another: cinematography, acting, directing, etc. but you canât convince a person that the film really appeals to them.
Once youâve selected your issue, determine your position just as you would for an assigned topic. That position will ultimately become your thesis.
Until youâve finalized your work, consider your thesis a âworking thesis.â
This means that your statement represents your position, but you might change its phrasing or structure for that final version.
When youâre writing an essay for a class, it can seem strange to identify an audienceâisnât the audience the instructor?
Your instructor will read and evaluate your essay, and may be part of your greater audience, but you shouldnât just write for your teacher.
Think about who your intended audience is.
For an argument essay, think of your audience as the people who disagree with youâthe people who need convincing.
That population could be quite broad, for example, if youâre arguing a political issue, or narrow, if youâre trying to convince your parents to extend your curfew.
Once youâve got a sense of your audience, itâs time to consult with Aristotle. Aristotleâs teaching on persuasion has shaped communication since about 330 BC. Apparently, it works.
Aristotle taught that in order to convince an audience of something, the communicator needs to balance the three elements of the rhetorical triangle to achieve the best results.
Those three elements are ethos , logos , and pathos .
Ethos relates to credibility and trustworthiness. How can you, as the writer, demonstrate your credibility as a source of information to your audience?
How will you show them you are worthy of their trust?
- You show youâve done your research: you understand the issue, both sides
- You show respect for the opposing side: if you disrespect your audience, they wonât respect you or your ideas
Logos relates to logic. How will you convince your audience that your arguments and ideas are reasonable?
You provide facts or other supporting evidence to support your claims.
That evidence may take the form of studies or expert input or reasonable examples or a combination of all of those things, depending on the specific requirements of your assignment.
Remember: if you use someone elseâs ideas or words in your essay, you need to give them credit.
ProWritingAid's Plagiarism Checker checks your work against over a billion web-pages, published works, and academic papers so you can be sure of its originality.
Find out more about ProWritingAidâs Plagiarism checks.
Pathos relates to emotion. Audiences are people and people are emotional beings. We respond to emotional prompts. How will you engage your audience with your arguments on an emotional level?
- You make strategic word choices : words have denotations (dictionary meanings) and also connotations, or emotional values. Use words whose connotations will help prompt the feelings you want your audience to experience.
- You use emotionally engaging examples to support your claims or make a point, prompting your audience to be moved by your discussion.
Be mindful as you lean into elements of the triangle. Too much pathos and your audience might end up feeling manipulated, roll their eyes and move on.
An âall logosâ approach will leave your essay dry and without a sense of voice; it will probably bore your audience rather than make them care.
Once youâve got your essay planned, start writing! Donât worry about perfection, just get your ideas out of your head and off your list and into a rough essay format.
After youâve written your draft, evaluate your work. What works and what doesnât? For help with evaluating and revising your work, check out this ProWritingAid post on manuscript revision .
After youâve evaluated your draft, revise it. Repeat that process as many times as you need to make your work the best it can be.
When youâre satisfied with the content and structure of the essay, take it through the editing process .
Grammatical or sentence-level errors can distract your audience or even detract from the ethosâthe authorityâof your work.
You donât have to edit alone! ProWritingAidâs Realtime Report will find errors and make suggestions for improvements.
You can even use it on emails to your professors:
Try ProWritingAid with a free account.
How Can I Improve My Persuasion Skills?
You can develop your powers of persuasion every day just by observing whatâs around you.
- How is that advertisement working to convince you to buy a product?
- How is a political candidate arguing for you to vote for them?
- How do you âargueâ with friends about what to do over the weekend, or convince your boss to give you a raise?
- How are your parents working to convince you to follow a certain academic or career path?
As you observe these arguments in action, evaluate them. Why are they effective or why do they fail?
How could an argument be strengthened with more (or less) emphasis on ethos, logos, and pathos?
Every argument is an opportunity to learn! Observe them, evaluate them, and use them to perfect your own powers of persuasion.
Be confident about grammar
Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.
Allison Bressmer is a professor of freshman composition and critical reading at a community college and a freelance writer. If she isnât writing or teaching, youâll likely find her reading a book or listening to a podcast while happily sipping a semi-sweet iced tea or happy-houring with friends. She lives in New York with her family. Connect at linkedin.com/in/allisonbressmer.
Get started with ProWritingAid
Drop us a line or let's stay in touch via :
- PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
- EDIT Edit this Article
- EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
- Browse Articles
- Learn Something New
- Quizzes Hot
- This Or That Game New
- Train Your Brain
- Explore More
- Support wikiHow
- About wikiHow
- Log in / Sign up
- Education and Communications
- College University and Postgraduate
- Academic Writing
How to Write a Persuasive Essay
Last Updated: December 17, 2023 Fact Checked
This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,274,613 times.
A persuasive essay is an essay used to convince a reader about a particular idea or focus, usually one that you believe in. Your persuasive essay could be based on anything about which you have an opinion or that you can make a clear argument about. Whether you're arguing against junk food at school or petitioning for a raise from your boss, knowing how to write a persuasive essay is an important skill that everyone should have.
Sample Persuasive Essays
How to Lay the Groundwork
- Look for language that gives you a clue as to whether you are writing a purely persuasive or an argumentative essay. For example, if the prompt uses words like âpersonal experienceâ or âpersonal observations,â you know that these things can be used to support your argument.
- On the other hand, words like âdefendâ or âargueâ suggest that you should be writing an argumentative essay, which may require more formal, less personal evidence.
- If you arenât sure about what youâre supposed to write, ask your instructor.
- Whenever possible, start early. This way, even if you have emergencies like a computer meltdown, youâve given yourself enough time to complete your essay.
- Try using stasis theory to help you examine the rhetorical situation. This is when you look at the facts, definition (meaning of the issue or the nature of it), quality (the level of seriousness of the issue), and policy (plan of action for the issue).
- To look at the facts, try asking: What happened? What are the known facts? How did this issue begin? What can people do to change the situation?
- To look at the definition, ask: What is the nature of this issue or problem? What type of problem is this? What category or class would this problem fit into best?
- To examine the quality, ask: Who is affected by this problem? How serious is it? What might happen if it is not resolved?
- To examine the policy, ask: Should someone take action? Who should do something and what should they do?
- For example, if you are arguing against unhealthy school lunches, you might take very different approaches depending on whom you want to convince. You might target the school administrators, in which case you could make a case about student productivity and healthy food. If you targeted studentsâ parents, you might make a case about their childrenâs health and the potential costs of healthcare to treat conditions caused by unhealthy food. And if you were to consider a âgrassrootsâ movement among your fellow students, youâd probably make appeals based on personal preferences.
- It also should present the organization of your essay. Donât list your points in one order and then discuss them in a different order.
- For example, a thesis statement could look like this: âAlthough pre-prepared and highly processed foods are cheap, they arenât good for students. It is important for schools to provide fresh, healthy meals to students, even when they cost more. Healthy school lunches can make a huge difference in studentsâ lives, and not offering healthy lunches fails students.â
- Note that this thesis statement isnât a three-prong thesis. You donât have to state every sub-point you will make in your thesis (unless your prompt or assignment says to). You do need to convey exactly what you will argue.
- A mind map could be helpful. Start with your central topic and draw a box around it. Then, arrange other ideas you think of in smaller bubbles around it. Connect the bubbles to reveal patterns and identify how ideas relate. [5] X Research source
- Donât worry about having fully fleshed-out ideas at this stage. Generating ideas is the most important step here.
- For example, if youâre arguing for healthier school lunches, you could make a point that fresh, natural food tastes better. This is a personal opinion and doesnât need research to support it. However, if you wanted to argue that fresh food has more vitamins and nutrients than processed food, youâd need a reliable source to support that claim.
- If you have a librarian available, consult with him or her! Librarians are an excellent resource to help guide you to credible research.
How to Draft Your Essay
- An introduction. You should present a âhookâ here that grabs your audienceâs attention. You should also provide your thesis statement, which is a clear statement of what you will argue or attempt to convince the reader of.
- Body paragraphs. In 5-paragraph essays, youâll have 3 body paragraphs. In other essays, you can have as many paragraphs as you need to make your argument. Regardless of their number, each body paragraph needs to focus on one main idea and provide evidence to support it. These paragraphs are also where you refute any counterpoints that youâve discovered.
- Conclusion. Your conclusion is where you tie it all together. It can include an appeal to emotions, reiterate the most compelling evidence, or expand the relevance of your initial idea to a broader context. Because your purpose is to persuade your readers to do/think something, end with a call to action. Connect your focused topic to the broader world.
- For example, you could start an essay on the necessity of pursuing alternative energy sources like this: âImagine a world without polar bears.â This is a vivid statement that draws on something that many readers are familiar with and enjoy (polar bears). It also encourages the reader to continue reading to learn why they should imagine this world.
- You may find that you donât immediately have a hook. Donât get stuck on this step! You can always press on and come back to it after youâve drafted your essay.
- Put your hook first. Then, proceed to move from general ideas to specific ideas until you have built up to your thesis statement.
- Don't slack on your thesis statement . Your thesis statement is a short summary of what you're arguing for. It's usually one sentence, and it's near the end of your introductory paragraph. Make your thesis a combination of your most persuasive arguments, or a single powerful argument, for the best effect.
- Start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point of your paragraph.
- Make your evidence clear and precise. For example, don't just say: "Dolphins are very smart animals. They are widely recognized as being incredibly smart." Instead, say: "Dolphins are very smart animals. Multiple studies found that dolphins worked in tandem with humans to catch prey. Very few, if any, species have developed mutually symbiotic relationships with humans."
- "The South, which accounts for 80% of all executions in the United States, still has the country's highest murder rate. This makes a case against the death penalty working as a deterrent."
- "Additionally, states without the death penalty have fewer murders. If the death penalty were indeed a deterrent, why wouldn't we see an increase in murders in states without the death penalty?"
- Consider how your body paragraphs flow together. You want to make sure that your argument feels like it's building, one point upon another, rather than feeling scattered.
- End of the first paragraph: "If the death penalty consistently fails to deter crime, and crime is at an all-time high, what happens when someone is wrongfully convicted?"
- Beginning of the second paragraph: "Over 100 wrongfully convicted death row inmates have been acquitted of their crimes, some just minutes before their would-be death."
- Example: "Critics of a policy allowing students to bring snacks into the classroom say that it would create too much distraction, reducing studentsâ ability to learn. However, consider the fact that middle schoolers are growing at an incredible rate. Their bodies need energy, and their minds may become fatigued if they go for long periods without eating. Allowing snacks in the classroom will actually increase studentsâ ability to focus by taking away the distraction of hunger.â
- You may even find it effective to begin your paragraph with the counterargument, then follow by refuting it and offering your own argument.
- How could this argument be applied to a broader context?
- Why does this argument or opinion mean something to me?
- What further questions has my argument raised?
- What action could readers take after reading my essay?
How to Write Persuasively
- Persuasive essays, like argumentative essays, use rhetorical devices to persuade their readers. In persuasive essays, you generally have more freedom to make appeals to emotion (pathos), in addition to logic and data (logos) and credibility (ethos). [13] X Trustworthy Source Read Write Think Online collection of reading and writing resources for teachers and students. Go to source
- You should use multiple types of evidence carefully when writing a persuasive essay. Logical appeals such as presenting data, facts, and other types of âhardâ evidence are often very convincing to readers.
- Persuasive essays generally have very clear thesis statements that make your opinion or chosen âsideâ known upfront. This helps your reader know exactly what you are arguing. [14] X Research source
- Bad: The United States was not an educated nation, since education was considered the right of the wealthy, and so in the early 1800s Horace Mann decided to try and rectify the situation.
- For example, you could tell an anecdote about a family torn apart by the current situation in Syria to incorporate pathos, make use of logic to argue for allowing Syrian refugees as your logos, and then provide reputable sources to back up your quotes for ethos.
- Example: Time and time again, the statistics don't lie -- we need to open our doors to help refugees.
- Example: "Let us not forget the words etched on our grandest national monument, the Statue of Liberty, which asks that we "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.â There is no reason why Syrians are not included in this.
- Example: "Over 100 million refugees have been displaced. President Assad has not only stolen power, he's gassed and bombed his own citizens. He has defied the Geneva Conventions, long held as a standard of decency and basic human rights, and his people have no choice but to flee."
- Good: "Time and time again, science has shown that arctic drilling is dangerous. It is not worth the risks environmentally or economically."
- Good: "Without pushing ourselves to energy independence, in the arctic and elsewhere, we open ourselves up to the dangerous dependency that spiked gas prices in the 80's."
- Bad: "Arctic drilling may not be perfect, but it will probably help us stop using foreign oil at some point. This, I imagine, will be a good thing."
- Good: Does anyone think that ruining someoneâs semester, or, at least, the chance to go abroad, should be the result of a victimless crime? Is it fair that we actively promote drinking as a legitimate alternative through Campus Socials and a lack of consequences? How long can we use the excuse that âjust because itâs safer than alcohol doesnât mean we should make it legal,â disregarding the fact that the worst effects of the drug are not physical or chemical, but institutional?
- Good: We all want less crime, stronger families, and fewer dangerous confrontations over drugs. We need to ask ourselves, however, if we're willing to challenge the status quo to get those results.
- Bad: This policy makes us look stupid. It is not based in fact, and the people that believe it are delusional at best, and villains at worst.
- Good: While people do have accidents with guns in their homes, it is not the governmentâs responsibility to police people from themselves. If they're going to hurt themselves, that is their right.
- Bad: The only obvious solution is to ban guns. There is no other argument that matters.
How to Polish Your Essay
- Does the essay state its position clearly?
- Is this position supported throughout with evidence and examples?
- Are paragraphs bogged down by extraneous information? Do paragraphs focus on one main idea?
- Are any counterarguments presented fairly, without misrepresentation? Are they convincingly dismissed?
- Are the paragraphs in an order that flows logically and builds an argument step-by-step?
- Does the conclusion convey the importance of the position and urge the reader to do/think something?
- You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend or classmate to look at your essay. If s/he has trouble understanding your argument or finds things unclear, focus your revision on those spots.
- You may find it helpful to print out your draft and mark it up with a pen or pencil. When you write on the computer, your eyes may become so used to reading what you think youâve written that they skip over errors. Working with a physical copy forces you to pay attention in a new way.
- Make sure to also format your essay correctly. For example, many instructors stipulate the margin width and font type you should use.
Expert Q&A
You Might Also Like
- â https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-persuasive-essay/
- â https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/persuasive-essays
- â https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/writing-resources/persuasive-essays
- â https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/sites/default/files/docs/learningguide-mindmapping.pdf
- â https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
- â https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
- â https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/rebuttal_sections.html
- â http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson56/strategy-definition.pdf
- â https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/pathos-logos-and-ethos.aspx
- â https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
- â https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
- â https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html
About This Article
To write a persuasive essay, start with an attention-grabbing introduction that introduces your thesis statement or main argument. Then, break the body of your essay up into multiple paragraphs and focus on one main idea in each paragraph. Make sure you present evidence in each paragraph that supports the main idea so your essay is more persuasive. Finally, conclude your essay by restating the most compelling, important evidence so you can make your case one last time. To learn how to make your writing more persuasive, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No
- Send fan mail to authors
Reader Success Stories
Joslyn Graham
Nov 4, 2017
Did this article help you?
Jul 28, 2017
Sep 18, 2017
Jefferson Kenely
Jan 22, 2018
Chloe Myers
Jun 3, 2017
Featured Articles
Trending Articles
Watch Articles
- Terms of Use
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell or Share My Info
- Not Selling Info
wikiHow Tech Help Pro:
Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve
Home / Guides / Writing Guides / Paper Types / How to Write a Persuasive Essay
How to Write a Persuasive Essay
The entire point of a persuasive essay is to persuade or convince the reader to agree with your perspective on the topic. In this type of essay, youâre not limited to facts. Itâs completely acceptable to include your opinions and back them up with facts, where necessary.
Guide Overview
- Be assertive
- Use words that evoke emotion
- Make it personal
- Topic selection hints
Tricks for Writing a Persuasive Essay
In this type of writing, youâll find it is particularly helpful to focus on the emotional side of things. Make your reader feel what you feel and bring them into your way of thinking. There are a few ways to do that.
Be Assertive
A persuasive essay doesnât have to be gentle in how it presents your opinion. You really want people to agree with you, so focus on making that happen, even if it means pushing the envelope a little. Youâll tend to get higher grades for this, because the essay is more likely to convince the reader to agree. Consider using an Persuasive Essay Template to understand the key elements of the essay.
Use Words that Evoke Emotion
Itâs easier to get people to see things your way when they feel an emotional connection. As you describe your topic, make sure to incorporate words that cause people to feel an emotion. For example, instead of saying, âchildren are taken from their parentsâ you might say, âchildren are torn from the loving arms of their parents, kicking and screaming.â Dramatic? Yes, but it gets the point across and helps your reader experience the
Make it Personal
By using first person, you make the reader feel like they know you. Talking about the reader in second person can help them feel included and begin to imagine themselves in your shoes. Telling someone âmany people are affected by thisâ and telling them âyou are affected by this every dayâ will have very different results.
While each of these tips can help improve your essay, thereâs no rule that you have to actually persuade for your own point of view. If you feel the essay would be more interesting if you take the opposite stance, why not write it that way? This will require more research and thinking, but you could end up with a very unique essay that will catch the teacherâs eye.
Topic Selection Hints
A persuasive essay requires a topic that has multiple points of view. In most cases, topics like the moon being made of rock would be difficult to argue, since this is a solid fact. This means youâll need to choose something that has more than one reasonable opinion related to it.
A good topic for a persuasive essay would be something that you could persuade for or against.
Some examples include:
- Should children be required to use booster seats until age 12?
- Should schools allow the sale of sugary desserts and candy?
- Should marijuana use be legal?
- Should high school students be confined to school grounds during school hours?
- Should GMO food be labeled by law?
- Should police be required to undergo sensitivity training?
- Should the United States withdraw troops from overseas?
Some topics are more controversial than others, but any of these could be argued from either point of view . . . some even allow for multiple points of view.
As you write your persuasive essay, remember that your goal is to get the reader to nod their head and agree with you. Each section of the essay should bring you closer to this goal. If you write the essay with this in mind, youâll end up with a paper that will receive high grades.
Finally, if youâre ever facing writerâs block for your college paper, consider WriteWellâs template gallery to help you get started.
EasyBib Writing Resources
Writing a paper.
- Academic Essay
- Argumentative Essay
- College Admissions Essay
- Expository Essay
- Persuasive Essay
- Research Paper
- Thesis Statement
- Writing a Conclusion
- Writing an Introduction
- Writing an Outline
- Writing a Summary
EasyBib Plus Features
- Citation Generator
- Essay Checker
- Expert Check Proofreader
- Grammar Checker
- Paraphrasing Tools
Plagiarism Checker
- Spell Checker
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!
Let us improve this post!
Tell us how we can improve this post?
Grammar and Plagiarism Checkers
Grammar Basics
Plagiarism Basics
Writing Basics
Upload a paper to check for plagiarism against billions of sources and get advanced writing suggestions for clarity and style.
Get Started
How to Write Perfect Persuasive Essays in 5 Simple Steps
WHAT IS A PERSUASIVE ESSAY?
A persuasive text presents a point of view around a topic or theme that is backed by evidence to support it.
The purpose of a persuasive text can be varied. Maybe you intend to influence someone’s opinion on a specific topic, or you might aim to sell a product or service through an advertisement.
The challenge in writing a good persuasive text is to use a mix of emotive language and, in some cases, images that are supported by hard evidence or other people’s opinions.
In a persuasive essay or argument essay, the student strives to convince the reader of the merits of their opinion or stance on a particular issue. The student must utilise several persuasive techniques to form a coherent and logical argument to convince the reader of a point of view or to take a specific action.
PERSUADING PEOPLE REQUIRES A CONSISTENT APPROACH…
Persuasive texts are simple in structure. You must clearly state your opinion around a specific topic and then repeatedly reinforce your opinions with external facts or evidence. A robust concluding summary should leave little doubt in the reader’s mind. ( Please view our planning tool below for a detailed explanation. )
TYPES OF PERSUASIVE TEXT
We cover the broad topic of writing a general persuasive essay in this guide, there are several sub-genres of persuasive texts students will encounter as they progress through school. We have complete guides on these text types, so be sure to click the links and read these in detail if required.
- Argumentative Essays – These are your structured “Dogs are better pets than Cats” opinion-type essays where your role is to upsell the positive elements of your opinions to your audience whilst also highlighting the negative aspects of any opposing views using a range of persuasive language and techniques.
- Advertising – Uses persuasive techniques to sell a good or service to potential customers with a call to action.
- Debating Speeches – A debate is a structured discussion between two teams on a specific topic that a moderator judges and scores. Your role is to state your case, sell your opinions to the audience, and counteract your opposition’s opinions.
- Opinion Articles, Newspaper Editorials. – Editorials often use more subtle persuasive techniques that blur the lines of factual news reporting and opinions that tell a story with bias. Sometimes they may even have a call to action at the end.
- Reviews – Reviews exist to inform others about almost any service or product, such as a film, restaurant, or product. Depending on your experiences, you may have firm opinions or not even care that much about recommending it to others. Either way, you will employ various persuasive techniques to communicate your recommendations to your audience.
- Please note a DISCUSSION essay is not a traditional persuasive text, as even though you are comparing and contrasting elements, the role of the author is to present an unbiased account of both sides so that the reader can make a decision that works best for them. Discussions are often confused as a form of persuasive writing.
A COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON PERSUASIVE WRITING SKILLS
Teach your students to produce writing that PERSUADES and INFLUENCES thinking with this HUGE writing guide bundle covering: â Persuasive Texts / Essays â Expository Essaysâ Argumentative Essaysâ Discussions.
A complete 140 PAGE unit of work on persuasive texts for teachers and students. No preparation is required.
THE STRUCTURE OF A PERSUASIVE ESSAY
1. Introduction
In the introduction, the student will naturally introduce the topic. Controversial issues make for great topics in this writing genre. It’s a cliche in polite society to discourage discussions involving politics, sex, or religion because they can often be very divisive. While these subjects may not be the best topics of conversation for the dinner table at Thanksgiving, they can be perfect when deciding on a topic for persuasive writing. Obviously, the student’s age and abilities should be considered, as well as cultural taboos, when selecting a topic for the essay. But the point holds, the more controversial, the better.
Letâs take a look at some of the critical elements of the introduction when writing a persuasive essay:
Title: Tell your audience what they are reading.
This will often be posed as a question; for example, if the essay is on the merits of a vegetarian lifestyle, it may be called something like: To Eat Meat or Not?
Hook : Provide your audience with a reason to continue reading.
As with any genre of writing, capturing the reader’s interest from the outset is crucial. There are several methods of doing this, known as hooks. Students may open their essays with anecdotes, jokes, quotations, or relevant statistics related to the topic under discussion.
Background: Provide some context to your audience.
In this introductory section, students will provide the reader with some background on the topic. This will place the issue in context and briefly weigh some opinions on the subject.
Thesis statement: Let the audience know your stance.
After surveying the topic in the first part of the introduction, it is now time for the student writer to express their opinion and briefly preview the points they will make later in the essay.
2. Body Paragraphs
The number of paragraphs forming this essay section will depend on the number of points the writer chooses to make to support their opinion. Usually three main points will be sufficient for beginning writers to coordinate. More advanced students can increase the number of paragraphs based on the complexity of their arguments, but the overall structure will largely remain intact.
Be sure to check out our complete guide to writing perfect paragraphs here .
The TEEL acronym is valuable for students to remember how to structure their paragraphs. Read below for a deeper understanding.
Topic Sentence:
The topic sentence states the central point of the paragraph. This will be one of the reasons supporting the thesis statement made in the introduction.
These sentences will build on the topic sentence by illustrating the point further, often by making it more specific.
These sentences’ purpose is to support the paragraphâs central point by providing supporting evidence and examples. This evidence may be statistics, quotations, or anecdotal evidence.
The final part of the paragraph links back to the initial statement of the topic sentence while also forming a bridge to the next point to be made. This part of the paragraph provides some personal analysis and interpretation of how the student arrived at their conclusions and connects the essay as a cohesive whole.
3. Conclusion
The conclusion weaves together the main points of the persuasive essay. It does not usually introduce new arguments or evidence but instead reviews the arguments made already and restates them by summing them up uniquely. It is important at this stage to tie everything back to the initial thesis statement. This is the writerâs last opportunity to drive home their point, to achieve the essay’s goal, to begin with – persuade the reader of their point of view.
Ending an essay well can be challenging, but it is essential to end strongly, especially for persuasive essays. As with the hooks of the essayâs opening, there are many tried and tested methods of leaving the reader with a strong impression. Encourage students to experiment with different endings, for example, concluding the essay with a quotation that amplifies the thesis statement.
Another method is to have the student rework their ending in simple monosyllabic words, as simple language often has the effect of being more decisive in impact. The effect they are striving for in the final sentence is the closing of the circle.
Several persuasive writing techniques can be used in the conclusion and throughout the essay to amp up the persuasive power of the writing. Letâs take a look at a few.
ETHOS, PATHOS & LOGOS TUTORIAL VIDEO (2:20)
TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT PERSUASIVE ESSAY
PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES
In this article, we have outlined a basic structure that will be helpful to students in approaching the organization of their persuasive writing. It will also be helpful for the students to be introduced to a few literary techniques that will help your students to present their ideas convincingly. Here are a few of the more common ones:
Repetition: There is a reason why advertisements and commercials are so repetitive – repetition works! Students can use this knowledge to their advantage in their persuasive writing. It is challenging to get the reader to fully agree with the writerâs opinion if they donât fully understand it. Saying the same thing in various ways ensures the reader gets many bites at the âunderstandingâ cherry.
Repetition Example: “The use of plastic bags is not only bad for the environment, but it is also bad for our economy. Plastic bags are not biodegradable, meaning they will not decompose and will continue to take up space in landfills. Plastic bags are also not recyclable, meaning they will not be reused and will instead end up in landfills. Plastic bags are not only bad for the environment, but they are also bad for our economy as they are costly to dispose of and take up valuable space in landfills.”
In this example, the phrase “not only bad for the environment but also bad for our economy” is repeated multiple times to reinforce the idea that plastic bags are not just a problem for the environment but also the economy. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the point and makes it more persuasive.
It is also important to note that repetition could be used differently, such as repeating a word or phrase to create rhythm or emphasis.
Storytelling: Humans tend to understand things better through stories. Think of how we teach kids important values through time-tested fables like Peter and the Wolf . Whether through personal anecdotes or references to third-person experiences, stories help climb down the ladder of abstraction and reach the reader on a human level.
Storytelling Example: “Imagine you are walking down the street, and you come across a stray dog clearly in need of food and water. The dog looks up at you with big, sad eyes, and you cannot help but feel a twinge of compassion. Now, imagine that same scenario, but instead of a stray dog, it’s a homeless person sitting on the sidewalk. The person is clearly in need of food and shelter, and their eyes also look up at her with a sense of hopelessness.
The point of this story is to show that just as we feel compelled to help a stray animal in need, we should also feel compelled to help a homeless person. We should not turn a blind eye to the suffering of our fellow human beings, and we should take action to address homelessness in our community. It is important to remember that everyone deserves a roof over their head and a warm meal to eat. The story is designed to elicit an emotional response in the reader and make the argument more relatable and impactful.
By using storytelling, this passage creates an image in the reader’s mind and creates an emotional connection that can be more persuasive than just stating facts and figures.
Dissent: We live in a cynical age, so leaving out the opposing opinion will smack of avoidance to the reader. Encourage your students to turn to that opposing viewpoint and deal with those arguments in their essays .
Dissent Example: “Many people argue that students should not have to wear uniforms in school. They argue that uniforms stifle creativity and individuality and that students should be able to express themselves through their clothing choices. While these are valid concerns, I strongly disagree.
In fact, uniforms can actually promote individuality by levelling the playing field and removing the pressure to dress in a certain way. Furthermore, uniforms can promote a sense of community and belonging within a school. They can also provide a sense of discipline and structure, which can help to create a more focused and productive learning environment. Additionally, uniforms can save families money and eliminate the stress of deciding what to wear daily .
While some may argue that uniforms stifle creativity and individuality, the benefits of uniforms far outweigh the potential drawbacks. It is important to consider the impact of uniforms on the school as a whole, rather than focusing solely on individual expression.”
In this example, the writer presents the opposing viewpoint (uniforms stifle creativity and individuality) and then provides counterarguments to refute it. By doing so, the writer can strengthen their own argument and present a more convincing case for why uniforms should be worn in school.
A Call to Action: A staple of advertising, a call to action can also be used in persuasive writing. When employed, it usually forms part of the conclusion section of the essay and asks the reader to do something, such as recycle, donate to charity, sign a petition etc.
A quick look around reveals to us the power of persuasion, whether in product advertisements, newspaper editorials, or political electioneering; persuasion is an ever-present element in our daily lives. Logic and reason are essential in persuasion, but they are not the only techniques. The dark arts of persuasion can prey on emotion, greed, and bias. Learning to write persuasively can help our students recognize well-made arguments and help to inoculate them against the more sinister manifestations of persuasion.
Call to Action Example: “Climate change is a pressing issue that affects us all, and it’s important that we take action now to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the planet for future generations. As a society, we have the power to make a difference and it starts with small changes that we can make in our own lives.
I urge you to take the following steps to reduce your carbon footprint:
- Reduce your use of single-use plastics
- Use public transportation, carpool, bike or walk instead of driving alone.
- Support clean energy sources such as solar and wind power
- Plant trees and support conservation efforts
It’s easy to feel like one person can’t make a difference, but the truth is that every little bit helps. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for the planet.
So, let’s take action today and make a difference for a better future, it starts with minor changes, but it all adds up and can make a significant impact. We need to take responsibility for our actions and do our part to protect the planet.”
In this example, the writer gives a clear and specific call to action and encourages the reader to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and protect the planet. By doing this, the writer empowers the reader to take action and enables them to change.
Now, go persuade your students of the importance of perfecting the art of persuasive writing!
A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING FACT AND OPINION
This HUGE 120 PAGE resource combines four different fact and opinion activities you can undertake as a WHOLE GROUP or as INDEPENDENT READING GROUP TASKS in either DIGITAL or PRINTABLE TASKS.
20 POPULAR PERSUASIVE ESSAY TOPICS FOR STUDENTS
Writing an effective persuasive essay demonstrates a range of skills that will be of great use in nearly all aspects of life after school.
In essence, if you can influence a person to change their ideas or thoughts on a given topic through how you structure your words and thoughts, you possess a very powerful skill.
Be careful not to rant wildly. Use facts and other people’s ideas who think similarly to you in your essay to strengthen your concepts.
Your biggest challenge in getting started may be choosing a suitable persuasive essay topic. These 20 topics for a persuasive essay should make this process a little easier.
- WHY ARE WE FASCINATED WITH CELEBRITIES AND WEALTHY PEOPLE ON TELEVISION AND SOCIAL MEDIA?
- IS IT RIGHT FOR SCHOOLS TO RAISE MONEY BY SELLING CANDY AND UNHEALTHY FOODS TO STUDENTS?
- SHOULD GIRLS BE ALLOWED TO PLAY ON BOYS SPORTING TEAMS?
- IS TEACHING HANDWRITING A WASTE OF TIME IN THIS DAY AND AGE?
- SHOULD THERE BE FAR GREATER RESTRICTIONS AROUND WHAT CAN BE POSTED ON THE INTERNET?
- SHOULD PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES HAVE TO TAKE DRUG TESTS?
- ARE TEENAGE PREGNANCY SHOWS A NEGATIVE OR POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON VIEWERS?
- SHOULD GAMBLING BE PROMOTED IN ANY WAY IN SPORTS EVEN THOUGH IT BRINGS IN LARGE AMOUNTS OF REVENUE?
- SHOULD SPORTING TEAMS THAT LOSE BE REWARDED BY RECEIVING INCENTIVES SUCH AS HIGH DRAFT PICKS AND / OR FINANCIAL BENEFITS?
- SHOULD SHARKS THAT ATTACK PEOPLE BE DESTROYED? SHOULD WE GET INVOLVED IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS AND ISSUES THAT DONâT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COUNTRY?
- SHOULD WE GET INVOLVED IN FOREIGN CONFLICTS AND ISSUES THAT DONâT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR COUNTRY?
- COULD VIDEO GAMES BE CONSIDERED AS A PROFESSIONAL SPORT?
- IF YOU WERE THE LEADER OF YOUR COUNTRY AND HAD A LARGE SURPLUS TO SPEND, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?
- WHEN SHOULD A PERSON BE CONSIDERED AND TREATED AS AN ADULT?
- SHOULD SMOKING BECOME AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY?
- SHOULD THE VOTING AGE BE LOWERED?
- DOES PROTECTIVE PADDING IN SPORTS MAKE IT MORE DANGEROUS?
- SHOULD CELL PHONES BE ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM?
- IS TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE A WASTE OF TIME?
- SHOULD WE TEACH ETIQUETTE IN SCHOOLS?
PERSUASIVE PROMPTS FOR RELUCTANT WRITERS
If your students need a little more direction and guidance, here are some journal prompts that include aspects to consider.
- Convince us that students would be better off having a three-day weekend . There are many angles you could take with this, such as letting children maximize their childhood or trying to convince your audience that a four-day school week might actually be more productive.
- Which is the best season? And why? You will really need to draw on the benefits of your preferred season and sell them to your audience. Where possible, highlight the negatives of the competing seasons. Use lots of figurative language and sensory and emotional connections for this topic.
- Aliens do / or don’t exist? We can see millions of stars surrounding us just by gazing into the night sky, suggesting alien life should exist, right? Many would argue that if there were aliens we would have seen tangible evidence of them by now. The only fact is that we just donât know the answer to this question. It is your task to try and convince your audience through some research and logic what your point of view is and why.
- Should school uniforms be mandatory? Do your research on this popular and divisive topic and make your position clear on where you stand and why. Use plenty of real-world examples to support your thoughts and points of view.
- Should Smartphones be banned in schools? Whilst this would be a complete nightmare for most students’ social lives, maybe it might make schools more productive places for students to focus and learn. Pick a position, have at least three solid arguments to support your point of view, and sell them to your audience.
VISUAL JOURNAL PROMPTS FOR PERSUASIVE WRITING
Try these engaging, persuasive prompts with your students to ignite the writing process . Scroll through them.
Persuasive Essay Examples (Student Writing Samples)
Below are a collection of persuasive essay samples. Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail. Please take a moment to read the persuasive texts in detail and the teacher and student guides highlight some of the critical elements of writing a persuasion.
Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of persuasive text writing.
We recommend reading the example either a year above or below, as well as the grade you are currently working with, to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.
VIDEO TUTORIALS FOR PERSUASIVE WRITING
OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO PERSUASIVE ESSAY WRITING
Teaching Resources
Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.
WHERE CAN I FIND A COMPLETE UNIT OF WORK ON HOW TO WRITE PERSUASIVE ESSAYS?
We pride ourselves on being the web’s best resource for teaching students and teachers how to write a persuasive text. We value the fact you have taken the time to read our comprehensive guides to understand the fundamentals of writing skills.
We also understand some of you just don’t have the luxury of time or the resources to create engaging resources exactly when you need them.
If you are time-poor and looking for an in-depth solution that encompasses all of the concepts outlined in this article, I strongly recommend looking at the â Writing to Persuade and Influence Unit. â
Working in partnership with Innovative Teaching Ideas , we confidently recommend this resource as an all-in-one solution to teach how to write persuasively.
This unit will find over 140 pages of engaging and innovative teaching ideas.
PERSUASIVE ESSAY WRITING CHECKLIST AND RUBRIC BUNDLE
The Ultimate Guide to Opinion Writing for Students and Teachers
Top 5 Persuasive Writing Techniques for Students
5 Top Persuasive Writing Lesson Plans for Students and Teachers
23 Persuasive writing Topics for High School students
How to Write an Advertisement: A Complete Guide for Students and Teachers
How to Start an Essay with Strong Hooks and Leads
Persuasive Essay Writing
How to Write a Persuasive Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide
13 min read
Published on: Jan 3, 2023
Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024
People also read
Easy and Unique Persuasive Essay Topics with Tips
The Basics of Crafting an Outstanding Persuasive Essay Outline
Ace Your Next Essay With These Persuasive Essay Examples!
Persuasive Essay About Gun Control - Best Examples for Students
Top Examples of Persuasive Essay about Covid-19
Learn How To Write An Impressive Persuasive Essay About Business
Learn How to Craft a Compelling Persuasive Essay About Abortion With Examples!
Make Your Point: Tips and Examples for Writing a Persuasive Essay About Online Education
Learn How To Craft a Powerful Persuasive Essay About Bullying
Craft an Engaging Persuasive Essay About Smoking: Examples & Tips
Learn How to Write a Persuasive Essay About Social Media With Examples
Craft an Effective Argument: Examples of Persuasive Essay About Death Penalty
Share this article
It's the night before the essay is due, and you haven't even started. Your mind is blank, and you have no idea what words will persuade your teacher.
The good news is that some tips and tricks can make the process of writing a persuasive essay much easier.
In this blog, we'll break down the components of a persuasive essay and provide helpful tips and examples along the way. By the end, you should have all the guidelines to create a winning essay that will persuade your readers to see things your way.
Let's take a closer look at all these steps.
On This Page On This Page -->
What is a Persuasive Essay?
A persuasive essay presents logical arguments with emotional appeal.
Typically, persuasive essays begin with a question that the writer spends the essay arguing in favor of or opposition to.Â
For example: should kids be allowed to play video games on weekdays?Â
The writer would then spend the rest of the essay backing up their claim with reasons and evidence.Â
Persuasive essays often include counterarguments. These arguments oppose the writer's position.Â
By including counterarguments, persuasive essays become more interesting. They also force the writer to think critically about their position.
For example, an opponent of the previous argument might say that playing video games leads to poor grades.Â
The original writer could deny this claim by pointing to studies that show no correlation between bad grades and playing video games.
The best persuasive essays are well-researched and use data to support their claims.Â
However, persuasive essays are not just about logic. They also need to include emotional appeal.Â
After all, people are more likely to be persuaded by an argument that speaks to their feelings.Â
Elements of a Persuasive EssayÂ
When a persuasive essay is a task, you must keep these three greek terms in mind. They are:
- Ethos (appeal to ethics)Â
- Pathos (appeal to emotion)
- Logos (appeal to logic)
A good essay will use all of these elements to convince the reader that the argument presented is valid.Â
Let's take a closer look at each one.
Ethos - the Credibility ElementÂ
The persuasive power of ethos lies in the character or credibility of the person making the argument.Â
For an argument to be persuasive, the person presenting it must be someone that the audience trusts.Â
This could be because they are an expert on the subject or because they have first-hand experience with it. Either way, ethos establishes the speaker's credibility and makes the audience more likely to trust what they have to say.
Pathos -the Emotional ElementÂ
While ethos deals with the character of the person making the argument, pathos has to do with the audience's emotions. A persuasive argument will tap into the audience's emotions and use them to sway their opinion.
This could be done through stories or anecdotes that evoke an emotional response or by using language that stirs certain feelings.
Logos - the Logical ElementÂ
The final element of persuasion is logos, which appeals to logic. A persuasive argument will use sound reasoning and evidence to convince the audience that it is valid. This could be done through data or using persuasive techniques like cause and effect.
Using all these elements of a persuasive essay can make your argument much more effective.Â
How To Write a Persuasive Essay
Writing persuasive essays can be challenging, but they don't have to be.
With the following simple steps, you can quickly turn an ordinary essay into one that will make a lasting impression.Â
Tough Essay Due? Hire a Writer!
How To Start a Persuasive EssayÂ
Here is a complete guide on how to start a persuasive essay. Follow them to compose a perfect essay every time.Â
Brainstorm All Possible AnglesÂ
The first step in writing a persuasive essay is brainstorming. You need to develop an angle for your essay that will make it unique and interesting.Â
For example, let's say you're writing about the death penalty. A lot has been said on this topic, so it might be hard to find an angle that hasn't been covered already.Â
But if you think about it, there are many different ways to approach the issue.Â
Maybe you could write about the personal experiences of someone affected by the death penalty. Or maybe you could write about the economic costs of the death penalty.Â
There are many possibilities here - it's all about thinking creatively.
Select Your Topic
Once you've brainstormed a few ideas, it's time to choose your topic. Pick the angle you think will most effectively persuade your reader.Â
Once you've chosen your topic, it's time to research. Use statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples to support your position.Â
Choose Your Side
Now that you've researched, it's time to take a side in the debate. Remember, you must take a strong stance on one side of the issue.Â
After deciding your stance, research and support it with evidence.
Appeal to Human EmotionsÂ
One of the most effective ways to persuade someone is by appealing to their emotions.Â
After all, we're not robots - we're human beings and always make decisions based on our feelings.Â
Make your reader feel something, whether it's anger, sadness, empathy, or even amusement. You'll be well on convincing them of your point of view.Â
Anticipate Possible Objections.
Of course, not everyone will agree, and that's okay!Â
The important thing is that you anticipate some of those objections and address them head-on in your essay.Â
This shows that you take your reader's objections seriously and are confident in your position.Â
Organize Your EvidenceÂ
Once you have all of your evidence collected, it's time to start organizing it into an outline for your essay. Â
Organizing your essay is a key step in the writing process. It helps you keep track of all the evidence you've gathered and structure your argument in an organized way.
What Are The Steps To Write Your Persuasive Essay?
Now that you have your topic essay outline, it's time to move on to the actual writing.
Here are the steps you need to take:
Step 1: Create a Compelling Introduction
You want to hook your readers with a great opening for your persuasive essay, so they'll want to keep reading.
Here are 3 tips for writing an attention-grabbing introduction for your next essay.
- Use a strong hook statement
Your hook statement should immediately draw the reader in and make them want to learn more.Â
A good hook statement will vary depending on whether you're writing for an academic or more casual audience.Â
Still, some good options include a quote, an interesting statistic, or a rhetorical question.
- Make sure your thesis statement is clear and concise
Your thesis statement is the main argument of your essay, so it needs to be stated clearly and concisely in your introduction.
 A good thesis statement will be specific and limit the scope of your argument so that it can be fully addressed in the body of your paper.
- Use a transition
Transitions are important in writing for academic and non-academic audiences because they help guide the reader through your argument.Â
A good transition will introduce the main point of your next paragraph while still maintaining the connection to the previous one.
Step 2: Write The Body Paragraphs
Here is a formula for structuring your body paragraphs in a persuasive essay.Â
This formula will ensure that each body paragraph is packed with evidence and examples while still being concise and easy to read.
- The Topic Sentence
Every body paragraph should start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence is a key sentence that sums up the paragraph's main point.Â
It should be clear, concise, and direct.Â
For example, if you were writing a paragraph about the importance of exercise, your topic sentence might be this:
"Regular exercise is essential for good physical and mental health."
See how that sentence gives a clear overview of what the rest of the paragraph will be about.
- Relevant Supporting Sentences
Once your topic sentence is down, it's time to fill the rest of the paragraph with relevant supporting sentences.Â
These sentences should provide evidence to support the claims made in the topic sentence.Â
For the exercise example, we might use sentences like this:
"Exercise has been shown to improve heart health, reduce stress levels, and boost brain power."
"A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type II diabetes."
See how each sentence ties back to the paragraph's main point. That's what you want your supporting sentences to do.
- Closing Sentence
Last but not least, every body paragraph should end with a closing (or transition) sentence. This sentence should briefly summarize the main points of the paragraph and introduce the next point that will be discussed in the following paragraph.Â
For the exercise example, the closing sentence might look like this:
"So, as you can see, there are many compelling reasons to make exercise a regular part of your routine."
How to End a Persuasive Essay
The end of your essay is just as important as the introduction. You must leave your readers with a lasting impression and ensure your argument convinces them.Â
To do this, you'll want to craft a persuasive conclusion that ties together all the points you have made in the essay.
Here is a video explaining the body paragraphs in a persuasive essay. Check it out for more information.Â
Step 1: Write a Persuasive Conclusion
Here are a few tips to help make sure your persuasive essay conclusion is as effective and persuasive as possible.Â
- Restate Your Thesis
Begin your essay conclusion by restating the thesis statement you began within your introduction. Doing so will remind readers of what you set out to prove and provide a sense of closure.
- Summarize Your Arguments
 You can also use your conclusion to summarize the main points of your argument. This will help readers recall the evidence you presented and reinforce why it supports your thesis.Â
- Offer a Call to Action
Lastly, don't forget to include a call to action in your essay conclusion. This can be anything from a persuasive plea to a persuasive suggestion.Â
Step 2: Â Polish Up Your Essay
After youâÂÂre done with the essay, take a few minutes to read through it. Ensure that your persuasive points and evidence are clear, concise, and persuasive.Â
Also, double-check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Ensure that all of your persuasive points are properly explained and make sense to the reader.Â
If youâÂÂre not confident in your persuasive writing skills, you can enlist a friend or family member to read through it and provide feedback.
You can follow a proofreading checklist after completing your essay to ensure you are on track.
By following these steps, youâÂÂll end up with a persuasive essay that will impress anyone who reads it!
Format Of A Persuasive EssayÂ
Once you have your persuasive essay topic, it's time to craft an essay structure. Crafting the perfect persuasive essay format is essential for ensuring your paper has maximum persuasive power.
Here are some tips for formatting an effective persuasive essay.
- Increase the Readability of Your TextÂ
Ensure that you have adhered to all the paragraphing requirements of your instructor.Â
Double-check that your margins are set properly. A margin of 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides is the standard for most written documents.
This makes it easier for readers to focus and extract important information quickly.
- Use Easy-to-Read Font
Choose a font that is easy to read and professional. Stay away from script fonts or anything too fancy or difficult to read. Stick with basic fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.
- Keep a Defined Alignment
Align your persuasive essay to the left margin. This makes it easier for readers to follow along with your argument without having to do too much extra scrolling.Â
By following these simple tips, you'll be able to craft the perfect persuasive essay format.
Persuasive Essay Examples
Here are some examples of persuasive essays that can help you get the gist of essay writing.
Persuasive essay on the preservation of nature
Persuasive essay examples pdf
Example of a persuasive essay about covid-19
Check out some more persuasive essay examples  here for more inspiration.
Good Persuasive Essay Topics
The right persuasive essay topics can make or break your essay. Here are a few examples of persuasive essay topics that can help you.Â
- Should the government increase taxes on sugary foods to reduce obesity?Â
- Do standardized tests accurately measure student intelligence and aptitude?Â
- Should studying a foreign language be mandatory in schools?Â
- Should all high school students complete community service hours before graduating?Â
- Are video games affecting the concentration and cognitive development of children?Â
- Should genetically modified foods be labeled as such in stores?Â
- Are the current copyright laws protecting artists and content creators enough?Â
- Should college tuition be reduced for all students?Â
- Is the use of animals in medical research ethical?Â
- Should the use of drones be regulated by the government?Â
- Should college athletes receive payment for their performance?Â
- Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school?Â
- Is drug testing in schools an effective way to prevent substance abuse?Â
- Does social media promote a healthy lifestyle or contribute to cyber bullying?Â
- Should the voting age be lowered to 16?Â
If youâÂÂre stuck with choosing topics, these are great persuasive essay topics  to get you started!Â
Pick one of these and craft an essay that will leave your readers thinking.Â
Tips to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make a lasting impression on your reader:
Pick A Topic You're Passionate About
First, you need to choose a topic you're passionate about. It will be easier to write about the topic if you care about the essay.Â
This will make it easier to develop persuasive arguments, and you'll be more motivated to do research.
Research Your Topic Thoroughly
After picking a persuasive essay topic, you need thorough research. This will help you gain a better understanding of the issue, which in turn will make your essay stronger. This will also ensure that you fully grasp all counterarguments on your topic.
Know Your Audience
Knowing your audience before writing is important. Are you writing to your classmates? Your teacher? The general public? Once you know your audience, you can tailor your argument to them.Â
Knowing your audience will help determine the tone and approach of your essay.
Hook The Reader's Attention
The first few sentences of your essay are crucial - they must grab the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading.Â
One way to do this is by starting with a shocking statistic or an interesting story. The reader will be instantly hooked and will be enticed to read more.
Research Both SidesÂ
A good persuasive essay will consider both sides of an issue and present a well-rounded view. This means researching both sides of the argument before taking a stance.Â
Make sure to consider all the evidence before making up your mind - otherwise, your argument won't be as strong as it could be.
Ask Rhetorical Questions
Rhetorical questions are not meant to be answered but rather to make the reader think about the issue.Â
For example, "How can we expect our children to succeed in school if they don't have enough resources?"Â
Questions like this can help engage readers and get them thinking about solutions rather than just complaining about problems.
Emphasize Your Point
It's important to reiterate your main points throughout the essay so that readers don't forget what they are supposed to argue for or against by the time they reach the end of the paper.
Persuasive essays can be difficult to write, but following simple tips can help make the process easier.Â
In this blog, we've outlined the components of a persuasive essay and provided some tips on how to write one. We also shared examples of persuasive essays that scored high marks on standardized tests.Â
If you are looking for an essay writing service , look no further than CollegeEssay.org! Our experienced essay writer can provide the assistance you need to produce an essay that meets the highest standards.
Let our persuasive essay writer handle the hard work and get you started on your path to success.
Try our AI essay writer and elevate your writing to new heights today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Persuasive Essays
How long should a persuasive essay be.
Generally speaking, persuasive essays should be between 500-750 words. However, the length of your essay will depend on the instructions given by your teacher or professor.
What Techniques Are Used In Persuasive Essays?
Persuasive techniques include facts and statistics, emotion and logic, personal stories, analogies and metaphors, pathos, ethos, and logos.
How Do I Make My Persuasive Essay More Convincing?
To make your essay more convincing, cite reliable sources, use persuasive language, and provide strong evidence and arguments.
How Is Persuasive Writing Different From Argumentative Writing?
The main difference between persuasive and argumentative writing is that persuasive writing seeks to convince or persuade the reader. On the other hand, argumentative writing seeks to debate an issue.
Cathy A. (Literature, Marketing)
For more than five years now, Cathy has been one of our most hardworking authors on the platform. With a Masters degree in mass communication, she knows the ins and outs of professional writing. Clients often leave her glowing reviews for being an amazing writer who takes her work very seriously.
Paper Due? Why Suffer? Thatâs our Job!
Keep reading
- Privacy Policy
- Cookies Policy
- Terms of Use
- Refunds & Cancellations
- Our Writers
- Success Stories
- Our Guarantees
- Affiliate Program
- Referral Program
- AI Essay Writer
Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.
persuasive essay
What is persuasive essay definition, usage, and literary examples, persuasive essay definition.
A persuasive essay (purr-SWEY-siv ESS-ey) is a composition in which the essayistâs goal is to persuade the reader to agree with their personal views on a debatable topic. A persuasive essay generally follows a five-paragraph model with a thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion, and it offers evidential support using research and other persuasive techniques.
Persuasive Essay Topic Criteria
To write an effective persuasive essay, the essayist needs to ensure that the topic they choose is polemical, or debatable. If it isnât, thereâs no point in trying to persuade the reader.
For example, a persuasive essayist wouldnât write about how honeybees make honey; this is a well-known fact, and thereâs no opposition to sway. The essayist might, however, write an essay on why the reader shouldnât put pesticides on their lawn, as it threatens the bee population and environmental health.
A topic should also be concrete enough that the essayist can research and find evidence to support their argument. Using the honeybee example, the essayist could cite statistics showing a decline in the honeybee population since the use of pesticides became prevalent in lawncare. This concrete evidence supports the essayistâs opinion.
Persuasive Essay Structure
The persuasive essay generally follows this five-paragraph model.
Introduction
The introduction includes the thesis, which is the main argument of the persuasive essay. A thesis for the essay on bees and pesticides might be: âBees are essential to environmental health, and we should protect them by abstaining from the use of harmful lawn pesticides that dwindle the bee population.â
The introductory paragraph should also include some context and background info, like beesâ impact on crop pollination. This paragraph may also include common counterarguments, such as acknowledging how some people donât believe pesticides harm bees.
Body Paragraphs
The body consists of two or more paragraphs and provides the main arguments. This is also where the essayistâs research and evidential support will appear. For example, the essayist might elaborate on the statistics they alluded to in the introductory paragraph to support their points. Many persuasive essays include a counterargument paragraph to refute conflicting opinions.
The final paragraph readdresses the thesis statement and reexamines the essayistâs main arguments.
Types of Persuasive Essays
Persuasive essays can take several forms. They can encourage the reader to change a habit or support a cause, ask the reader to oppose a certain practice, or compare two things and suggest that one is superior to the other. Here are thesis examples for each type, based on the bee example:
- Call for Support, Action, or Change : âStop using pesticides on your lawns to save the environmentally essential bees.â
- Call for Opposition : âOppose the big businesses that havenât conducted environmental studies concerning bees and pesticides.â
- Superior Subject : âNatural lawn care is far superior to using harmful pesticides.â
The Three Elements of Persuasion
Aristotle first suggested that there were three main elements to persuading an audience: ethos, pathos, and logos. Essayists implement these same tactics to persuade their readers.
Ethos refers to the essayistâs character or authority; this could mean the writerâs name or credibility. For example, a writer might seem more trustworthy if theyâve frequently written on a subject, have a degree related to the subject, or have extensive experience concerning a subject. A writer can also refer to the opinions of other experts, such as a beekeeper who believes pesticides are harming the bee population.
Pathos is an argument that uses the readerâs emotions and morality to persuade them. An argument that uses pathos might point to the number of bees that have died and what that suggests for food production: âIf crop production decreases, it will be impoverished families that suffer, with perhaps more poor children having to go hungry.â This argument might make the reader empathetic to the plight of starving children and encourage them to take action against pesticide pollution.
The logos part of the essay uses logic and reason to persuade the reader. This includes the essayistâs research and whatever evidence theyâve collected to support their arguments, such as statistics.
Terms Related to Persuasive Essays
Argumentative Essays
While persuasive essays may use logic and research to support the essayistâs opinions, argumentative essays are more solely based on research and refrain from using emotional arguments. Argumentative essays are also more likely to include in-depth information on counterarguments.
Persuasive Speeches
Persuasive essays and persuasive speeches are similar in intent, but they differ in terms of format, delivery, emphasis, and tone .
In a speech, the speaker can use gestures and inflections to emphasize their points, so the delivery is almost as important as the information a speech provides. A speech requires less structure than an essay, though the repetition of ideas is often necessary to ensure that the audience is absorbing the material. Additionally, a speech relies more heavily on emotion, as the speaker must hold the readerâs attention and interest. In Queen Elizabeth Iâs âTilbury Speech,â for example, she addresses her audience in a personable and highly emotional way: âMy loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear.â
Examples of Persuasive Essay
1. Martin Luther King, Jr., âLetter From Birmingham Jailâ
Dr. King directs his essay at the Alabama clergymen who opposed his call for protests. The clergymen suggested that King had no business being in Alabama, that he shouldnât oppose some of the more respectful segregationists, and that he has poor timing. However, here, King attempts to persuade the men that his actions are just:
I am in Birmingham because injustice is here. Just as the prophets of the eight century B.C. left their villages and carried their âthus saith the Lordâ far beyond the boundaries of their hometowns, and just as the Apostle Paul left his village of Tarsus and carried the gospel of Jesus Christ to the far corners of the Greco-Roman world, so am I compelled to carry the gospel of freedom beyond my hometown.
Here, King is invoking the ethos of Biblical figures who the clergymen wouldâve respected. By comparing himself to Paul, heâs claiming to be a disciple spreading the âgospel of freedomâ rather than an outsider butting into Alabamaâs affairs.
2. Garrett Hardin, âThe Tragedy of Commonsâ
Hardin argues that a society that shares resources is apt to overuse those resources as the population increases. He attempts to persuade readers that the human populationâs growth should be regulated for the sake of preserving resources:
The National Parks present another instance of the working out of the tragedy of commons. At present, they are open to all, without limit. The parks themselves are limited in extentâthere is only one Yosemite Valleyâwhereas population seems to grow without limit. The values that visitors seek in the parks are steadily eroded. Plainly, we must soon cease to treat the parks as commons, or they will be of no value to anyone.
In this excerpt, Harden uses an example that appeals to the readerâs logic. If the human population continues to rise, causing park visitors to increase, parks will continue to erode until thereâs nothing left.
Further Resources on Persuasive Essays
We at SuperSummary offer excellent resources for penning your own essays .
Find a list of famous persuasive speeches at Highspark.co .
Read up on the elements of persuasion at the American Management Association website.
Related Terms
- Argumentative Essay
Persuasive Essay Guide
Persuasive Essay Examples
30+ Free Persuasive Essay Examples To Get You Started
People also read
A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Effective Persuasive Essay
200+ Persuasive Essay Topics to Help You Out
Learn How to Create a Persuasive Essay Outline
Read Excellent Examples of Persuasive Essay About Gun Control
How to Write a Persuasive Essay About Covid19 | Examples & Tips
Crafting a Convincing Persuasive Essay About Abortion
Learn to Write Persuasive Essay About Business With Examples and Tips
Check Out 12 Persuasive Essay About Online Education Examples
Persuasive Essay About Smoking - Making a Powerful Argument with Examples
Are you looking to improve your persuasive writing skills?
One of the best ways to do that is by reading persuasive essay examples. These examples can show you how to structure your arguments effectively.
But finding good examples can be a challenge. Don't worry, though â we've gathered some helpful persuasive essays for you right here!
So, if you're in search of persuasive essay examples to help you write your own, you're in the right place.
Keep reading this blog to explore various examples
- 1. Persuasive Essay Examples For Students
- 2. Persuasive Essay Examples for Different Formats
- 3. Persuasive Essay Outline Examples
- 4. Persuasive Essay Format Example
- 5. How to Write A Persuasive Essay With Examples
- 6. How to End a Persuasive Essay Examples
- 7. Catchy Persuasive Essay Topics
Persuasive Essay Examples For Students
A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader of the authorâs point of view.
To find the right path for your essay, it's helpful to go through some examples. Similarly, good essay examples also help to avoid any potential pitfalls and offer clear information to the readers to adopt.
Here are some persuasive essay examples pdf:
3rd-grade Persuasive Essay Example
4th-grade Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay Example 5th-grade pdf
Persuasive Essay Examples for 6th Grade pdf
7th-grade Persuasive Essay Example
8th-grade Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay Examples Grade 10
11th-grade Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Writing Example For Kids
Persuasive Essay Examples High School
The following are good persuasive essay examples for high school. Having a look at them will help you understand better.
High-school Persuasive Essay Example
Examples of Persuasive Essay in Everyday Life
Persuasive Essay Examples for Middle School
Check out these persuasive essay examples for middle school to get a comprehensive idea of the format structure.
Persuasive Essay Examples Middle School
Short Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay Examples for College Students
Essay writing at the college level becomes more difficult and complicated. We have provided you with top-notch college persuasive and argumentative essay examples here.
Read them to understand the essay writing process easily.
Persuasive Essay Examples College
Higher English Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay About Smoking
Argumentative and Persuasive Examples
Persuasive Essay Examples For University
It becomes even more challenging to draft a perfect essay at the university level. Have a look at the below examples of a persuasive essay to get an idea of writing one.
University Persuasive Essay Example
5 Paragraph Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay Examples for Different Formats
A persuasive essay can be written in several formats. For instance, you can write the usual 5-paragraph essay, or even something longer or shorter.
Below are a few sample essays in various common formats.
Persuasive Essay Examples 5 Paragraph
Persuasive Essay Examples 3 Paragraph
Short Persuasive Essay Examples
These examples tell you how to remain convincing and persuasive regardless of the essay format you use.
Persuasive Essay Outline Examples
Creating an impressive outline is the most important step for writing a persuasive essay. It helps to organize thoughts and make the writing process easier.
A standard outline consists of the following sections.
- Introduction
- Body Paragraphs
Have a look at the following persuasive essay outline template examples.
Persuasive Essay Outline
Persuasive Essay Template
Persuasive Essay Format Example
A persuasive essay outline is bound to follow a specific format and structure. The main elements of a persuasive essay format are as follows.
- Font: Times New Roman, Georgia, or Arial
- Font Size: 16pt for the headlines and 12pt for the rest of the text
- Alignment: Justified
- Spacing: Double spacing
- Word Count: It usually contains 500 to 2000 words
How to Write A Persuasive Essay With Examples
Planning an essay before starting writing is essential to produce an organized and structured writing piece. So, it is better to understand the concept beforehand to impress your instructor.
The below example will show a good starting to an essay.
A Good Start for a Persuasive Essay - Short Example
How to Start a Persuasive Essay Examples
The introduction is the first part of an essay and your first chance to grab the reader's attention. It should clearly state the essay's purpose and give the reader a clear idea of what to expect.
A compelling persuasive essay introduction must have the following elements.
- Hook statement + topic
- A strong thesis statement
- Your arguments
Here are some examples of persuasive essay introductions to help you make a compelling start:
Introduction Persuasive Essay Example
Persuasive Essay Thesis Statement Examples
Persuasive Essay Hook Examples
How to End a Persuasive Essay Examples
Just like the introduction, the conclusion of the persuasive essay is equally important. It is considered as the last impression of your writing piece to the audience.
A good conclusion paragraph must include the following aspects.
- Restate the thesis statement or hypothesis
- Summarize the key arguments
- Avoid being obvious
- Include a call to action
Have a look at the document to explore the sample conclusions of a persuasive essay.
Conclusion Persuasive Essay Examples
Catchy Persuasive Essay Topics
Now that you have read some good examples, it's time to write your own persuasive essay.
But what should you write about? You can write persuasive essays about any topic, from business and online education to controversial topics like abortion , gun control , and more.
Here is a list of ten persuasive essay topics that you can use to grab your reader's attention and make them think:
- Should the government increase taxes to fund public health initiatives?
- Is the current education system effective in preparing students for college and the workplace?
- Should there be tighter gun control laws?
- Should schools have uniforms or a dress code?
- Are standardized tests an accurate measure of student performance?
- Should students be required to take physical education courses?
- Is undocumented immigration a legitimate cause for concern in the United States?
- Is affirmative action still necessary in todayâs society?
- How much, if any, regulation should there be on technology companies?
- Is the death penalty an appropriate form of punishment for serious crimes?
Check out two examples on similar topics:
Political Persuasive Essay Examples
Persuasive Essay Examples About Life
Need more topic ideas? Check out our extensive list of unique persuasive essay topics and get started!
But if you're still feeling stuck, don't worry. Our persuasive essay writing service is here to the rescue!
Our experienced writers specialize in creating top-notch essays on a wide range of topics. Whether it's a challenging persuasive essay or any other type, we've got you covered.
Take advantage of our reliable essay writing service today!
Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!
Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.
Paper Due? Why Suffer? Thatâs our Job!
Keep reading
RCL Blogs: Jamie Lynch
CAS137H-007 with Dr. Bodaski
RCL Blog #3 – Persuasive Essay Proposal
For my persuasive essay, I will be taking the stance that âthe NRA should back mandating the use of smart gun technology for all handguns in order to limit unregulated circulation of firearms.â This is a question of policy that deals with something called âghost guns,â which are privately made, untraceable firearms. I am interested in going into more depth about this topic due to my proximity to New York city, and my observation in the rise in crime. I donât feel as safe going into the city as I did many years ago, and this, in large part, is a result of increased firearm use on subway platforms. I also feel strongly about gun control as a whole, and how it needs to be stronger. Far too many communities, synogogues, supermarkets and schools have been targets of terrorist attacks. I would like to look deeper into legislation that has been made against illegal weapons, and what has yet to be passed.Â
For my body paragraphs, I will first discuss what ghost guns are in general, and why they are an increasing problem in American cities. This will set the basis for my argument to the NRA, giving context and explaining why advocacy for new legislation needs to be promoted.Â
The next part of my argument will introduce âsmart gunâ technology, and explain why this is a feasbile way to regulate ghost guns. Smart gun technology requires a fingerprint before use of the firearm. If the original purchaser of a ghost gun kit tries to use the gun, they will be unable to. Furthermore, if the original user of the weapon is a known criminal, their fingerprint will register and he/she will also be unable to access the artillery.Â
The final body paragraph will be about punishments for those caught with ghost guns, and will cite current legislation that has already been passed. This will reinforce the argument that certain shootings can, in fact, be stopped through increased regulation.Â
The book that I chose to use for my research is called â Policing Gun Violence: Strategic Reforms for Controlling Our Most Pressing Crime Problemâ by Anthony A. Braga and Phillip J. Cook. This will serve beneficial for my research because it was published this past year, and addresses ghost guns, smart gun technologies, and crie rates in cities. The authors are a criminology professor and a professor of public policy at the University of Pennsylvania and Duke, respectively.
The three research questions that will guide my issue brief are: How big of an impact are ghost guns having in cities? Is mandating smart gun technology feasible on unregulated guns? What can the NRA do to encourage or mandate such legislation?
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Rebuttal 1: The first part of the rebuttal strikes back by first mentioning that any gains caused by a dress code would be very modest, and even insignificant when compared to the damage done. In even suggests that such tactics might be a way of tricking kids. Rebuttal 2: Part 2 deflects the responsibility away from kids and back towards adults ...
Wondering how to write a persuasive essay outline? đŤ Indeed, this is a challenging question. Read our article to figure the persuasive essay definition đ and learn the main parts of a persuasive essay. We've prepared a compilation of đ great persuasive essay outline examples & a description of persuasive essay parts and their structure. Don't miss it!
The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay. If you're intimidated by the idea of writing an argument, use this list to break your process into manageable chunks. ... The essay structure usually includes the following parts: Intro - Hook, Background information, Thesis statement; Topic sentence #1, with supporting facts or stats;
Outline your argument. Outlining your entire essay before you get to writing it can help you organize your thoughts, research, and lay out your essay structure. Detail all your main points and pair them with all of the relevant, supporting evidence from your sources cited. 5. Write your introduction.
TIP 1: Some writers find it easier to write their introductions last. As long as you have your working thesis, this is a perfectly acceptable approach. From that thesis, you can plan your body paragraphs and then go back and write your introduction. TIP 2: Avoid "announcing" your thesis.
Pick a topic that appeals to you. Because a persuasive essay often relies heavily on emotional appeals, you should choose to write on something about which you have a real opinion. Pick a subject about which you feel strongly and can argue convincingly. [3] 6. Look for a topic that has a lot of depth or complexity.
Every essay you write will have 3 parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Think of the organization of an essay like this: Intro - Tell your reader what you're going to write about. Body - Write about it. Conclusion - Tell them what you wrote about. Let's go through each of those parts for a persuasive essay.
As you write your persuasive essay, remember that your goal is to get the reader to nod their head and agree with you. Each section of the essay should bring you closer to this goal. If you write the essay with this in mind, you'll end up with a paper that will receive high grades. Finally, if you're ever facing writer's block for your ...
Persuasive Essay Structure. A well-structured persuasive essay is essential to effectively convey your argument and persuade your audience. The structure typically consists of three main parts: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. A persuasive essay should be at least five paragraphs long.
Thesis statement: Let the audience know your stance. After surveying the topic in the first part of the introduction, it is now time for the student writer to express their opinion and briefly preview the points they will make later in the essay. 2. Body Paragraphs.
2 Steps to Write a Persuasive Essay. 2.1 Prepare for Writing Your Persuasive Essay. 2.2 Conduct Advanced Academic Research. 2.3 Outline Your Essay. 2.4 How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Introduction. 2.5 Write the Body of the Essay. 2.6 Make a Solid Conclusion. 2.7 Edit and Proofread Your Essay.
Here are the steps you need to take: Step 1: Create a Compelling Introduction. You want to hook your readers with a great opening for your persuasive essay, so they'll want to keep reading. Here are 3 tips for writing an attention-grabbing introduction for your next essay. Use a strong hook statement.
Typical structure for a persuasive essay: Introduction. Body paragraphs (3 or more) Conclusion. This is the fundamental layout: you will start with one paragraph as an introduction, then go on to write three or more paragraphs containing the body of your essay, then finally your conclusion, wrapping everything up with a neat little bow on top.
Detail the subject which will be discussed. Present your thesis statement to provide the reader with your take on the subject. Body 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc Paragraphs. The body of the essay is traditionally made up of three paragraphs but you are free to write more or less depending on the information you wish to present.
The first major component of a persuasive essay is the position, which is the belief of the writer about which side is stronger.For example, Roberto's position is that the company should not be ...
When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading. For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument ...
The term "persuasive" is an adjective derived from verb "persuade," which means "to convince somebody.". A persuasive essay is full of all the convincing techniques a writer can employ. It presents a situation, and takes a stand - either in its favor, or against it - to prove to readers whether it is beneficial or harmful for them.
Persuasive Essay Definition. A persuasive essay (purr-SWEY-siv ESS-ey) is a composition in which the essayist's goal is to persuade the reader to agree with their personal views on a debatable topic. A persuasive essay generally follows a five-paragraph model with a thesis, body paragraphs, and conclusion, and it offers evidential support using research and other persuasive techniques.
Make a claim. Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim. Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim) Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives. The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays.
Persuasive Essay Format Example. A persuasive essay outline is bound to follow a specific format and structure. The main elements of a persuasive essay format are as follows. Font: Times New Roman, Georgia, or Arial. Font Size: 16pt for the headlines and 12pt for the rest of the text. Alignment: Justified.
RCL Blog #3 - Persuasive Essay Proposal. For my persuasive essay, I will be taking the stance that "the NRA should back mandating the use of smart gun technology for all handguns in order to limit unregulated circulation of firearms.". This is a question of policy that deals with something called "ghost guns," which are privately made ...