The Persuasive Essay

What is a Persuasive essay?

• A convincing case in favor of, or in opposition to, an argument
• Difference from an expository essay
  • Bias
  • Taking a side
  • Carefully argued perspective

Persuasive Essay

• Requires the student to…
  • Appeal to the reader’s sense of logic
    • Present specific and relevant evidence
    • Well-organized structure
  • Use evidence to support your viewpoint
    • Statistics
    • Facts
    • Quotations from experts
    • Examples
• Consider opposing views
  • Anticipate concerns and questions
  • Respond to these points
  • Explain why your viewpoint is best
• Present a strong conclusion
  • Evidence and explanations should build to a strong ending
  • Summarize your view in a clear and memorable way
  • May include a call to action
• Do use a pleasant and reasonable tone
  • Logic and fairness will keep it strong
• Don’t use sarcasm or name-calling
  • Weakens an argument

Choose a topic

• The first step is choosing a topic
• Brainstorm ideas
  • Needs to have depth and support
• Pick a topic in which you strongly believe
  • Easier to defend your ideas
  • Makes your paper more convincing

• Consider the opposing viewpoints

More about the topic

• You must take a stand
• No room for wishy-washy declarations

• Write about something with which you are familiar
• You will know something about it and be willing to research to learn more

• The topic should be something upon which there is a reasonable difference of opinion
• The topic must be very specific

Prewriting-Brainstorming

• Do your research
• Use at least three sources
  • Never use just one source
• Will strengthen your argument
• Will help you understand the counter-arguments
• Will help persuade reader by showing verifiable facts

Prewriting-Drafting

• Use an active voice
• Avoid passive language

• Use third person point of view
• You need lots of research to back up your position
• First person weakens your research
  • Sounds like just an opinion

• Be clear
• Use concise, clear language
• Unnecessary wordiness will detract from the clarity

Drafting

• Arrange the essay
• Introduction with strong thesis statement
• Body paragraphs
  • Each one will take one reason from the thesis statement and offer proof that the reason is valid
  • Each one will include three smaller points defending the reason from the thesis statement
    • Add citations to help drive home the message that these are facts rather than just opinions
  • Each one will end with a transitional sentence to the next paragraph
    • Keeps the reading smooth

• Dissect the counter-arguments
• Can be separate paragraph

• Mention the counter argument to each reason
• Should be shot down with persuasive, rational arguments
  • Emotions have no place in this type of essay
  • Spell out why the counter-argument is wrong
  • Use facts to dissuade the readers from the counter-argument

• Build a solid conclusion
• Tie together the entire essay
• Drive home the main argument once more
• Remind the reader of your strongest sources
• Reader should be convinced that your position is valid and supported by facts

Outline

• Introduction
• Hook (attention-grabbing opening sentence)
• Background information
  • Three sentences leading up to your main idea or perspective on the topic
• Thesis statement
  • Subject + argument about the subject + three reasons for your argument or viewpoint

• Body paragraphs
• Each paragraph should focus on one reason listed in the thesis statement (topic sentence)
• Each paragraph should include three details, in the way of evidence or examples (support/detail sentences)
• Each paragraph should end with a transition to the next reason or paragraph (closing sentence)
• One paragraph can be included to accurately explain and then refute the most significant opposing view

• Conclusion
• Creatively rephrase your thesis statement
• Summarize the main supporting points
• Leave the reader with a sense of closure

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