The Persuasive Essay
• ENG 3UI
• Ms. Frayne
The Typical 5 Paragraph Essay
Introduction
(Hook - Thesis – Argument Indicators)
1st Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
2nd Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
3rd Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
Conclusion
(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments Universal Statement)
Think Beyond “5”
Paragraphs . . .
Hook – Introduce topic
(anecdote, definition, description, questions, etc.?)
Thesis and Argument Indicators
Introduction
1st Supporting Argument
(Hook - Thesis – Argument Indicators)
Example #1 (P-E-E)
1st
Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
1st Supporting Argument
Example #2 (P-E-E)
2nd Supporting Argument
2nd Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
Example #1 (P-E-E)
3rd Supporting Argument
Example #1 (P-E-E)
3rd Supporting Argument
(Point - Evidence - Explanation)
3rd Supporting Argument
Example #2 (P-E-E)
Conclusion
(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments Universal Statement)
Conclusion
(Restate Thesis - Recap Arguments - Universal
Statement)
The Persuasive Essay
 In the persuasive essay, you must defend
your side of an argument. You are no longer
merely showing, you are convincing.
 It is always best to take a side that you believe
in, preferably with the most supporting
evidence.
The Persuasive Essay must:
 present a side and make a case for it,
 consider and refute alternative /counter arguments,
*Be aware of other sides, but be fair to them; dismissing them
completely may weaken your own argument).
 prove to the undecided reader that the opinion
presented is the best one.
Counter-Argument
 When you write an essay you present a thesis and offer
evidence to support its truth . . .
 When you counter-argue, you consider a possible
argument against your thesis. It allows you to
anticipate and pre-empt objections that a skeptical
reader might have.
Counter-Argument has 2 Stages:
1. Turn against your argument to challenge it
Many people may [believe/argue/feel/think/suppose/etc.] that [state the counterargument]
It is often [argued/imagined/supposed/etc.] that [state the counter-argument]
[It would be easy to/One could easily] [think/believe/argue/etc.] that [state the counterargument]
It might [seem/appear/look/etc.] as if [state the counter-argument here]
2. Turn back to your argument to re-affirm it.
What this argument [overlooks/fails to consider/does not take into account] is ...
This view [seems/looks/sounds] [convincing/plausible/persuasive/etc.] at first, but ...
. . . but, . . . yet,
. . . however,
. . . nevertheless , . . . Still
Where to Put a Counter-Argument?
 as part of your introduction—before you propose your
thesis—where the existence of a different view is the
motive for your essay, the reason it needs writing;
 as a section or paragraph just after your introduction, in
which you lay out the expected reaction or standard
position before turning away to develop your own;
 as a quick move within a paragraph, where you imagine a
counter-argument not to your main idea but to the subidea that the paragraph is arguing or is about to argue
In addition to using counter-arguments,
a good persuasive essay includes . . .
Tools of Persuasion
 Logic—convincing facts/evidence;
 Rhetorical Devices—writing techniques that
help state your case eloquently, in a way that will
reach the hearts and minds of your audience;
 Persistence—rarely are people persuaded
immediately or easily.
Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical Question
Can we really expect the school to keep paying from its
limited resources?
Emotive language
Imagine being cast out into the street, cold, lonely and
frightened.
Parallel structures
To show kindness is praiseworthy; to show hatred is
evil.
Contrast
Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind.
Description and
Imagery (i.e. using
metaphor, simile and
personification)
While we wait and do nothing, we must not forget that
the fuse is already burning.
Power of Three
I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just?
Repetition
Evil minds will use evil means.
Hyperbole (using
While we await your decision, the whole school holds its
breath.
exaggeration for effect)
Sources
 Elmore, Phil. “The Tools of Persuasion.” Phil Elmore
Individual Authoring Services. Web. 25 November
2004
 Harvey, Gordon. “Counter-Argument.” Harvard
University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. 1999. Web.
2 October 2010.
 Oldham, Davis. “What is a Counter-Argument?”.
Shoreline Community College. Web. 2 October 2010.
 “The Persuasive Essay.” The Department of English,
University of Victoria. 1995. Web. 2 October 2010.