How to Write a Persuasive Essay,�� How to Write a Persuasive Essay Step by Step
WebOct 7, · How to Draft Your Essay 1. Outline your essay. Persuasive essays generally have a very clear format, which helps you present your Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins WebJan 9, · Wrap up your essay with a strong final statement about your stance on the subject. Your conclusion should be firm and final in persuading the reader toward your WebJan 27, · Know both sides of the argument and use evidence that supports your opinion. Structure Your Essay - Follow a clear structure when writing your essay. This WebJun 2, · Persuasive writing tips and strategies 1 Choose wording carefully. Word choice—the words and phrases you decide to use—is crucial in persuasive writing as a ... read more
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. Look for a topic that has a lot of depth or complexity. You may feel incredibly passionate about pizza, but it may be difficult to write an interesting essay on it. A subject that you're interested in but which has a lot of depth — like animal cruelty or government earmarking — will make for better subject material.
Consider opposing viewpoints when thinking about your essay. If you think it will be hard to come up with arguments against your topic, your opinion might not be controversial enough to make it into a persuasive essay. On the other hand, if there are too many arguments against your opinion that will be hard to debunk, you might choose a topic that is easier to refute. Make sure you can remain balanced. A good persuasive essay will consider the counterarguments and find ways to convince readers that the opinion presented in your essay is the preferable one. Keep your focus manageable. Your essay is likely to be fairly short; it may be 5 paragraphs or several pages, but you need to keep a narrow focus so that you can adequately explore your topic.
For example, an essay that attempts to persuade your readers that war is wrong is unlikely to be successful, because that topic is huge. Choosing a smaller bit of that topic -- for example, that drone strikes are wrong -- will give you more time to delve deeply into your evidence. Come up with a thesis statement. Your thesis statement presents your opinion or argument in clear language. It is usually placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. It is important for schools to provide fresh, healthy meals to students, even when they cost more. You do need to convey exactly what you will argue. Brainstorm your evidence. Once you have chosen your topic, do as much preparation as you can before you write your essay. This means you need to examine why you have your opinion and what evidence you find most compelling.
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. Generating ideas is the most important step here. Research, if necessary. Once you have your ideas together, you may discover that some of them need research to support them. If you have a librarian available, consult with him or her! Librarians are an excellent resource to help guide you to credible research. Part 2. Outline your essay.
Persuasive essays generally have a very clear format, which helps you present your argument in a clear and compelling way. Here are the elements of persuasive essays: An introduction. 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 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. 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. Connect your focused topic to the broader world. Come up with your hook. Your hook is a first sentence that draws the reader in. Your hook can be a question or a quotation, a fact or an anecdote, a definition or a humorous sketch. As long as it makes the reader want to continue reading, or sets the stage, you've done your job. It also encourages the reader to continue reading to learn why they should imagine this world. Write an introduction. Many people believe that your introduction is the most important part of the essay because it either grabs or loses the reader's attention.
A good introduction will tell the reader just enough about your essay to draw them in and make them want to continue reading. 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. Structure your body paragraphs.
At a minimum, write three paragraphs for the body of the essay. Each paragraph should cover a single main point that relates back to a part of your argument. These body paragraphs are where you justify your opinions and lay out your evidence. Remember that if you don't provide evidence, your argument might not be as persuasive. 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. 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. Agreed-upon facts from reliable sources give people something to hold onto. If possible, use facts from different angles to support one argument.
This makes a case against the death penalty working as a deterrent. If the death penalty were indeed a deterrent, why wouldn't we see an increase in murders in states without the death penalty? You want to make sure that your argument feels like it's building, one point upon another, rather than feeling scattered. Use the last sentence of each body paragraph to transition to the next paragraph. In order to establish flow in your essay, you want there to be a natural transition from the end of one paragraph to the beginning of the next.
Here is one example: [9] X Research source 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? Add a rebuttal or counterargument. You might not be required to do this, but it makes your essay stronger. Imagine you have an opponent who's arguing the exact opposite of what you're arguing. Think of one or two of their strongest arguments and come up with a counterargument to rebut it. 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. Write your conclusion at the very end of your essay.
As a general rule, it's a good idea to restate each of your main points and end the whole paper with a probing thought. If it's something your reader won't easily forget, your essay will have a more lasting impression. 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? Part 3. Understand the conventions of a persuasive essay. 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. Go to source You should use multiple types of evidence carefully when writing a persuasive essay.
This helps your reader know exactly what you are arguing. Use a variety of persuasion techniques to hook your readers. The art of persuasion has been studied since ancient Greece. While it takes a lifetime to master, learning the tricks and tools will make you a better writer almost immediately. For example, on a paper about allowing Syrian refugees, you could use: Pathos, Ethos, and Logos : These are the 3 cornerstones of rhetoric. Pathos is about emotion, ethos is about credibility, and logos is about logic. These 3 components work together to help you develop a strong argument. 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.
Repetition: Keep hammering on your thesis. Tell them what you're telling them, tell them it, then tell them what you told them. They'll get the point by the end. Example: Time and time again, the statistics don't lie -- we need to open our doors to help refugees. Social Validation: Quotations reinforce that you aren't the only one making this point. It tells people that, socially, if they want to fit in, they need to consider your viewpoint. 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.
Agitation of the Problem: Before offering solutions, show them how bad things are. Give them a reason to care about your argument. 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. Be authoritative and firm. You need to sound an expert, and like you should be trustworthy. Cut out small words or wishy-washy phrase to adopt a tone of authority. It is not worth the risks environmentally or economically. This, I imagine, will be a good thing. Challenge your readers. Persuasion is about upending commonly held thoughts and forcing the reader to reevaluate.
While you never want to be crass or confrontational, you need to poke into the reader's potential concerns. Is it fair that we actively promote drinking as a legitimate alternative through Campus Socials and a lack of consequences? 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. Acknowledge, and refute, arguments against you. While the majority of your essay should be kept to your own argument, you'll bullet-proof your case if you can see and disprove the arguments against you.
Save this for the second to last paragraph, in general. 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. Part 4. Give yourself a day or two without looking at the essay. If you've planned ahead, this won't be hard. Then, come back to the essay after a day or two and look it over. The rest will give you a fresh set of eyes and help you spot errors. Any tricky language or ideas that needed time might be revisited then. Read through your draft. A common error with many student writers is not spending enough time revisiting a first draft. Read through your essay from start to finish.
Consider the following: [17] X Research source 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? Revise where necessary. Revision is more than simple proofreading. You may need to touch up your transitions, move paragraphs around for better flow, or even draft new paragraphs with new, more compelling evidence.
Be willing to make even major changes to improve your essay. You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend or classmate to look at your essay. Proofread carefully. Use the spell checker on your computer to check the spellings of the words if applicable. Read through your essay aloud, reading exactly what is on the page. Whether you go to college in person or online, at some point you're going to have to write a persuasive essay. All writing is written to someone. With that in mind, you need to begin by understanding your audience. Are you writing for middle-aged conservatives or for a cross-section of leftist Gen-Z undergrads? Write directly to that audience. It is always a mistake to assume your audience will understand what you meant to say.
In fact, it can be helpful to imagine that your readers are both lazy and uncharitable really! This might seem obvious, but every persuasive argument should establish a clear claim. What exactly are you arguing for? If the audience has to guess, you've already lost their attention. You can avoid that problem by developing a strong thesis statement right out the gate. Reference it frequently to keep your reader focused on the matter at hand as you build each part of your argument. The trick to composing a solid thesis statement that can motivate an entire essay is to do your research first.
That way, you won't commit to a position you can't make a compelling case for. If your thesis statement is too broad — "I argue that we should do something to combat climate change" — the argument will be both harder to establish and less interesting. But if your thesis statement has a tight focus — "I argue that local governments can combat climate change by funding urban gardening projects" — you will be able to present specific, convincing evidence. Your argument will be much more compelling and actionable. Once you've stated your claim, create a roadmap for your audience. Let the readers know exactly what to expect by explaining what you are going to do and how you are going to do it. Use keywords to guide the reader, like "first" and "second.
Tangents will only confuse your audience. Aim for a coherent, logical flow that is easy for the reader to track. Creating a good roadmap can be a lot harder than it sounds. To make it easier, draft an outline of your entire paper before writing it. However, arguments stem from opinions. That's why we construct arguments in the first place: We have opinions, and we want other people to agree with them. It's not enough to state your opinion with rhetorical flair. This isn't Twitter. You've got to back yourself up with good evidence and research. Statistics can be very convincing. It's hard to object to cold, hard numbers. Of course, stats can also be manipulated or misinterpreted, so be sure to provide the full context for any data you use and credit your sources. Good examples, including testimony and anecdotes, can strengthen your point.
Examples are vivid and exciting in a way that numbers aren't, which can help your reader see things from a new perspective.
Last Updated: October 7, References Approved. 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 There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 45 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 4,, 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. 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. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. wikiHow Account. No account yet? Create an account. Coupons Tech Help Pro Random Article About Us. Quizzes Contribute Train Your Brain Game Improve Your English. Popular Categories. Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies.
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Sample Persuasive Historical Essay. Part 1. Read the prompt carefully. In most cases, you will be given a specific assignment for your persuasive essay. Look for language that gives you a clue as to whether you are writing a purely persuasive or an argumentative essay. Give yourself time. If you can, make the time to craft an argument you'll enjoy writing. Allow yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, and edit. Whenever possible, start early. Examine the rhetorical situation. All writing has a rhetorical situation, which has five basic elements: the text here, your essay , the author you , the audience, the purpose of the communication, and the setting.
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? Consider your audience. Obviously, your instructor is your primary audience, but consider who else might find your argument convincing.
You might target the school administrators, in which case you could make a case about student productivity and healthy food. 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. Look for a topic that has a lot of depth or complexity. You may feel incredibly passionate about pizza, but it may be difficult to write an interesting essay on it. A subject that you're interested in but which has a lot of depth — like animal cruelty or government earmarking — will make for better subject material.
Consider opposing viewpoints when thinking about your essay. If you think it will be hard to come up with arguments against your topic, your opinion might not be controversial enough to make it into a persuasive essay. On the other hand, if there are too many arguments against your opinion that will be hard to debunk, you might choose a topic that is easier to refute. Make sure you can remain balanced. A good persuasive essay will consider the counterarguments and find ways to convince readers that the opinion presented in your essay is the preferable one. Keep your focus manageable. Your essay is likely to be fairly short; it may be 5 paragraphs or several pages, but you need to keep a narrow focus so that you can adequately explore your topic. For example, an essay that attempts to persuade your readers that war is wrong is unlikely to be successful, because that topic is huge.
Choosing a smaller bit of that topic -- for example, that drone strikes are wrong -- will give you more time to delve deeply into your evidence. Come up with a thesis statement. Your thesis statement presents your opinion or argument in clear language. It is usually placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. It is important for schools to provide fresh, healthy meals to students, even when they cost more. You do need to convey exactly what you will argue.
How To Write A Persuasive Essay,5 Simple Steps for Writing a Persusive Essay
WebJan 9, · Wrap up your essay with a strong final statement about your stance on the subject. Your conclusion should be firm and final in persuading the reader toward your WebJun 2, · Persuasive writing tips and strategies 1 Choose wording carefully. Word choice—the words and phrases you decide to use—is crucial in persuasive writing as a WebOct 7, · How to Draft Your Essay 1. Outline your essay. Persuasive essays generally have a very clear format, which helps you present your Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins WebJan 27, · Know both sides of the argument and use evidence that supports your opinion. Structure Your Essay - Follow a clear structure when writing your essay. This ... read more
Write sentences introducing your specific topic. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9. It may sound motivating only for those who have never lived it through. Good persuaders know how to convince an audience and even move people to action. Co-authors: This allows you to focus completely on hooking and introducing the reader to the topic and helps you to avoid spoiling your ideas before you can fully back them up.
Read through your essay aloud, reading exactly what is on the page. Pro Tip: It is always a mistake to assume your audience will understand what you meant to say. We decided if I can write a paper and convince him to purchase it, he'll get it, even with the twelve thousand dollar price tag. Français: commencer un essai persuasif. How to. Part 3.
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