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How to Write a Great Persuasive Essay

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Written by Sarina Jones
Posted: September 27, 2021
Last update date: March 22, 2024
7 min read

Would you like to write a persuasive essay that will be used as a perfect example of a persuasive essay for others? Composing memorable writing takes skills that everyone can learn by reading this guide. We’ll lead you through the process of informing and convincing your readers.

Upon finishing this article, you’ll:

  • Learn how to write a persuasive essay introduction, body, and conclusion;
  • Get expert tips to improve your paper strength;
  • Learn techniques that will improve your essay’s argument;
  • Know how to pick words that clearly convey your point;
  • Discover how to balance the general mood of your essay by combining facts and emotions.

As the clock is ticking and submission deadlines are drawing near, let’s move on to the parts that will improve your ability to write persuasive essays.


Key Features and Objectives of Persuasive Essays

A persuasive essay is a unique writing that tries to persuade the reader to think differently about a subject. Take a look at the following salient qualities of persuasive essays:

  • Emotional Appeal: You can craft an engaging story beyond bare facts by establishing a connection with your audience. Arouse the reader’s emotions. Write about situations or instances that emotionally resonate with them.
  • Strong Evidence: It’s vital to provide a solid base for your argument. Use strong proof to support your arguments, such as figures, facts, or instances. As a result, your essay becomes more compelling and credible.
  • Clearly Stated Opinion: Have a well-defined opinion. The thesis statement, or key concept, should point your opinion in an essay to the reader.

Persuasion is a way to compel readers to view things your way and, if your work is worth it, adopt this point of view. Besides, persuasive writing influences readers to either agree with us or do something about it. Therefore, the goal is to spread our ideas, influence people’s opinions, and motivate them to take action.

Persuasive vs. Argumentative Essays: What Is the Difference?

Even though both persuasive and argumentative essays want to convince the reader, they differ in their goals, how they sound, and how they introduce evidence and talk to the audience.

Objectives

Persuasive essays try to make readers agree by appealing to emotions, convictions, or moral principles. The primary objective is to connect with the reader and help them comprehend the writer’s point of view. On the other hand, controversial argumentative essays concentrate on providing arguments and evidence for their opinions.

Tone

Persuasive writings have an emotional tone that makes the reader feel something. This emotional appeal boosts the essay’s strength. Contrarily, argumentative writings practice a formal tone. They stay true to the facts and present a neutral point of view.

Use of Evidence

Persuasive essays may use emotional appeals, such as:

  • personal stories;
  • anecdotes;
  • metaphors;
  • passionate language;
  • rhetorical questions;
  • figurative language.

Argumentative writings primarily rely on the rationality and factual basis:

  • numbers;
  • credible sources;
  • expert opinions;
  • actual instances;
  • past events.

Approach to the Audience

All types of essay writing have a different strategy for reaching their audience. A good persuasive essay tries to understand, predict, and use the readers’ emotions and build empathy.

In argumentative essays, the audience approach is akin to formulating a coherent case in a formal context. The author works on logical arguments and avoids any prejudice or skepticism motivated by feelings, as well as transitions in argumentative essays for a smoother flow.

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How Does the Structure of a Persuasive Essay Look?

A persuasive essay follows a defined format. Basic persuasive essays typically consist of five paragraphs. In the introduction’s first paragraph, you introduce your topic and state your thesis. The next three paragraphs, known as the body, are where you present your evidence and arguments. Finally, in the last paragraph, the conclusion, you summarize your argument and urge the reader to take action. Keep it simple and clear so everyone can easily understand

Developing a well-crafted outline for a persuasive essay before writing helps arrange ideas and guarantees a logical flow. As a result, your persuasive essay structure will guide the audience through your thoughts, increase the essay’s receptive quality, and aid in gaining interest among readers.

Write a Captivating Introduction

Every writer knows that starting your persuasive essay outline with an engaging hook is essential. This applies to your introductory paragraph as well. Think of an engaging hook as a movie teaser. Movie teasers are intriguing enough to captivate your readers, but not overwhelming. Achieving a balance between being informative and engaging is key; don’t assume your readers grasp everything. Use a relevant quote or a compelling statistic as your introduction hook.

The hook is a tantalizing lure that pulls the reader in. Select the one that grabs the reader’s attention and is related to the subject of your essay:

  • anecdote or personal story;
  • wise quotes from famous people;
  • rhetorical questions;
  • surprising statistical facts.

Give Background Details

After using a hook, it’s time to give some context. Present an overview of the subject and any background knowledge that may be required. Remain succinct: you are not looking to overpower the reader with details just yet.

State Your Thesis Statement

The thesis statement informs the reader about the purpose of a persuasive essay. Put your position on the matter in one powerful sentence. To let others know what will be coming from the remaining parts of your paper put yourself in the reader’s shoes. Thus, ensure your thesis is simple to read and understand.

Your persuasive essay’s thesis statement is your main point, the core, clear idea you’re arguing. For a relatable write-up, keep it clear and direct. Use real examples to support your claim, making it relatable. Your thesis statement should engage readers immediately, guiding them into your argument. Think of it as a roadmap, outlining your stance without confusion. A persuasive thesis grabs attention and clearly states your position, setting the tone for your entire write-up. In your introduction, the thesis statement should be one of the final sentences. Your thesis statement should aim at explaining your essay’s purpose from your point of view. Afterward, use information from reliable sources. Consider also adding a call to action to support your argument.

Consider your essay’s introductory paragraph as its doorway. Since it’s the first part of your persuasive paper outline the reader will see, it has to spark their interest. Let’s look at some advice on how to build a strong essay opening.

The Secrets of an Effective Body Paragraph

In the heart of your persuasive essay lie its body paragraphs. There, your arguments find a voice, and evidence bolsters your stance. Plan meticulously to work up these paragraphs effectively. Begin by brainstorming ideas and selecting the most relevant ones for your essay. Once your thoughts are clear, organize them into a coherent plan.

  • When composing your persuasive essay body paragraphs, it is essential to craft a persuasive paragraph outline.
  • Remember, the efficient use of transition phrases is critical to improving the flow of your argument.
  • Commence one paragraph at a time with a persuasive essay topic sentence that introduces the central idea.
  • Use plain, concise language; avoid complexity and jargon. Be direct and clear, ensuring every sentence serves a purpose.
  • Employ an active voice for clarity and engage readers with real-world examples.
  • Bolster your points with data, statistics, expert quotes, and real-world examples. Discuss a particular reason or example that supports the writer’s viewpoint. It may incorporate emotions, values, and personal experiences.

Counterargument in Persuasive Essay

In the heart of your essay, the body paragraphs, your arguments come to life. Every paragraph is vital to your reader’s conviction. Let’s explore the nuances of writing a convincing body paragraph.

Making Point

Verify the logic of each paragraph’s arguments. Start off a persuasive essay with a statement that describes the primary idea. Add sentences that clarify and present proof to back up this statement. Your reader will easily follow your thinking process if you use this strategy.

Presenting Facts

Support your claims with evidence. Use numbers to increase trustworthiness, expert perspectives to support your position, and real-life instances to make your persuasive arguments less abstract. When your ideas are well supported, your essay persuades readers that what you’re saying is true.

Connecting With Emotions

‘The heart has its reasons, of which reason knows nothing,’ said Blaise Pascal. You might craft a thousand arguments, but the charm of a single good joke will capture your reader’s heart. Use jokes or vibrant vocabulary to connect with your audience emotionally and make your arguments memorable in the art of speaking and writing persuasively.

How to Finish a Persuasive Essay

The concluding statement for your persuasive essay holds great importance within your arguments and evidence. It acts as a concise summary, encapsulating your main points. Keep it clear and straightforward, ensuring your primary argument is easily comprehensible. Avoid lengthy sentences, use transition sentences, and never introduce new information. Your conclusion should align with the body of your essay, maintaining consistency in tone and content.

Maintaining a clear connection to your thesis and main arguments is key. This way, you get to emphasize your central point without ambiguity. An essay should include a conclusion that inspires readers to stand up and applaud. Here are the main points on how to properly conclude your essay:

  • Summarize your essay’s primary points. Bring up the key aspects and supporting data that you have provided throughout.
  • Restate your thesis for a persuasive essay in a new light. Sum up the main ideas you tried to get across in your work.
  • Finish with an interesting quote. It can be a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a reflection on how your persuasive essay topics for college connect to other important ideas.
  • Don’t introduce new concepts in your final chapter. It is not the place for new arguments, ideas, or information. Otherwise, start to write the next parts of the persuasive essay immediately!

A well-structured persuasive essay outline template is essential. It helps you avoid pitfalls, especially when you examine concepts from your point of view. Sticking to an essay outline is one surefire way to ensure a coherent academic paper. Consider professional essay writing services to assist with outlining. They’ll help you save time and improve your essay’s format. Professional writers offer a streamlined approach that allows you to present supporting facts with arguments and evidence in your essay.

Example of Outline for Persuasive Essay

Here, we provide you with a template that makes your writing seamless. A structure simplifies what might seem like a cumbersome process, making your writing more straightforward.

Here’s a persuasive essay outline example:

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✏️Template for body paragraphs:

Paragraph 1: My first reason for supporting ________________ is ________________.

Paragraph 2: Another reason for my position on  ________________ is ________________.

Paragraph 3: Another perspective may argue that  ________________, but I disagree because ________________.

This structured approach simplifies the process. This also applies when it comes to generating persuasive essay outline examples. You’ll find your persuasive writing process more direct. Follow this outline for a high-quality persuasive essay so you can excel in various contexts. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a contest, application paper, or debate.

Remember, the best persuasive essay reflects your beliefs. It should be a well-documented expression of your opinions. Make sure you stay concise and let your words resonate with clarity to convince the reader. Your persuasive essay will shine and engage your audience.

Top 10 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Once you realize how to write a persuasive essay structure, you’ll manage to create it quickly and efficiently. We’ve gathered all the necessary information and general steps to convince the audience of your credibility and gain your reader’s favor. Consider the following steps for writing a persuasive essay:

Create a Strong Title

Make an impressive title for your persuasive essay by emphasizing the key point, arousing curiosity, and employing impactful words. Aim for the best impression, be straightforward, and consider tone.

Share Your Audience’s Interests

To establish a connection, find topics your audience is interested in or can relate to. Talk about the experiences and beliefs that each person has. Show respect to those who have different points of view. They are far more likely to comprehend and concur with your text when you create a bridge between your thoughts and theirs.

Use Language and Rhetorical Devices

The use of rhetorical devices in writing increases its persuasiveness. These language techniques make your text stylish and help to explain ideas. Alliteration, hyperbole, similes, and metaphors are a few examples.

Successful rhetorical arguments combine three essential elements of a persuasive essay:

  1. Ethos uses ethical principles to establish trust.
  2. Logos builds a solid basis for your argument through the use of logic.
  3. Pathos draws on emotional reasoning to arouse feelings and form a bond. If you want to reach a deeper connection with your readers, add pathos to an essay.

Making use of these tools strengthens your message. Additionally, try active words and phrases to persuade people, keep them interested, and make your point stick in their minds.

Integrate References and Citations

Incorporating proof from reliable sources to support your ideas is key to knowing how to write a persuasive essay effectively. Readers are likelier to believe you, and expert judgment lends credibility to your viewpoint.

In addition to acknowledging the original sources, proper citations assist you in avoiding plagiarism. Citations are a great way to honor and recognize other people’s ideas.

Avoid Fallacies

Just one violation of the logical sequence or any other error you write in a convincing essay, the reader no longer believes your words. It sounds unfair, but this is the sad truth: fallacies can doubt the information you provide. To be convincing, rely only on solid justifications and direct evidence.

Employ Storytelling

Who doesn’t like to read a good story? Tell about your or someone’s adventure, and share a funny anecdote or an instructive incident with your audience. It engages readers emotionally and gets the thoughts out of their heads about how long a persuasive essay is. Using storytelling, you establish a connection and transform your message from words into an experience.

To add a personal touch to your story, employ the first-person perspective. It invites the reader to join you on a unique journey and to see the case through your eyes.

Try Persuasive Techniques

Your ideas will have more flair and effect if you use persuasive techniques. Let’s take a look at three effective ones:

  • Rhetorical Questions: Ask questions that don’t require an answer. It grabs attention and makes readers consider what you’ve said. For example, “Did you notice how…” or “Ever thought about what would happen if…”.
  • Rebuttal: To support your position, respond to criticisms. Recognize opposing viewpoints and provide a counterargument for why yours is stronger. For example, you want to refute the argument that eating healthy is expensive. Your counterargument may look like “While choosing healthier food options may initially cost a little more, long-term gains greatly exceed the initial outlay.”
  • Call to Action: Attract readers to accept your point of view or do something. Drive someone to act, reflect, or think about a concept you’ve provided in your persuasive argument essay. For example, ‘Break the silence now! Later, you will thank yourself.’

Don’t Depend Too Much on Emotion

What a persuasive essay needs is balance. If you do not want to make your essay a drama novel, balance emotion and evidence. While the emotional aspect captivates the audience, having supporting data for your claims gives them greater trust.

Ensure facts or expert opinions support all emotional appeals. By striking a balance, you can avoid writing your essay just based on your emotions. Instead, you get a custom persuasive essay with a compelling story that appeals to the reader’s intellect and sentiments.

Stay Focused

Imagine you started contemplating the Napoleon era, only to conclude a persuasive essay with the unexpected subject of fur costs in Hawaii. Such a change damages your original intent and confuses the reader. By reviewing your thesis repeatedly, you make sure each section makes sense concerning your main point.

Edit And Make a Persuasive Essay Format

Have you recently completed your essay and found it too long to read over again? Take a deep breath, because making edits turns your essay into a well-written, convincing composition. Your work gets elevated during the polishing process, which makes it more comprehensible and persuasive for your readers.

Still not sure about editing? Papersowl.com can be a valuable resource for crafting a persuasive essay, providing a well-structured argument and evidence to support your point of view. With experienced writers, you can trust that your paper will be carefully written with a focus on detail and precision.

The Final Secret Of Good Persuasive Essays

To sum up, convincing essays require an appealing story, skillful persuasion techniques, and editing for clarity. Now, to write truly well, remember to use both active and passive voice in equal measure. “I did it” is an example of a persuasive essay written in a clear and direct active voice. Saying “It was done by me” in the passive voice gives your sentence additional meaning and depth.

Understanding when to apply each voice helps you write clearly and wisely. Therefore, experiment with both voices to create essays that persuade and remain in the reader’s memory forever. Or, at least, until you get the best grade!

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