Persuasive Essay Structure
When you’re trying to convince your audience of an idea or argument
Introduction
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Hook – interesting first sentence
Background information – give context to your argument/subject; familiarize the reader with the content
Definitions – define any terms that the reader might find usual/unfamiliar
Thesis – a clear, concise statement of your main argument; the overall idea you’ll be arguing. Your thesis
will also serve as a roadmap for the rest of your essay, giving the reader a general idea of the path your
argument will follow.
Each Body Paragraph
• Only one point to support your thesis per paragraph
• Topic sentence
• reflects the main idea of the paragraph
• links back to support the thesis
• Evidence – information from a reliable outside source (not your own opinion) that supports the main idea
of the paragraph
• Analysis – show how your evidence supports your argument; build your argument
Conclusion
• Tie up the essay – briefly sum up the main point
• Establish significance (see “So What?” handout)
• Bonus: give the reader food for thought
Topic + Evidence
Topic + Evidence
Topic + Evidence
Thesis (Main Idea/ argument)
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Updated June 2012