Persuasive Essay Writing
How to Persuade, Convince
and Cajole Your Reader
Outline
During this presentation you
will learn:
What a persuasive essay is
How to structure your essay
How to write an introduction
The elements you will need to include for a
successful persuasive essay
The language you will need to incorporate
to convince your reader
A Persuasive Essay is…
A piece of writing in which the writer
takes a position FOR or AGAINST an
issue and writes to convince the
reader to believe or do something.
In order to convince your reader you
need more than opinion; you need
well researched facts or examples to
back you opinion. Be sure to do your
research!
How to Structure Your Essay
Persuasive essay writing follows a
particular format. It has:
• An introduction
• A body where the argument is
developed.
• A conclusion
The Introduction
Your introduction should be
interesting and have a “hook” in order
to capture your reader’s interest and
attention.
There are several ways you can
achieve this.
Different Types of Introductions
The Personal or Imaginative
The Illustrative
The Provocative
The Topical
The Informative
The Questioning
The Personal Introduction
Used when the issue has had some
personal effect on your life and as a result
is something you feel strongly about.
Example: As I look around the classroom I
see row upon row of black blazers. In First
Year I was grateful for my uniform; it helped
to make me feel a part of my new school
community. But, now that I am older, I
cannot help but resent at times the lack of
individuality.
The Illustrative or Imaginative
Introduction
Used to graphically describe or illustrate a scene or situation
connected with your topic.
Example: As the prisoner sat in the chair water was applied
to his head before it was fitted with the instrument that would
deal the final blow. As the executioner flipped the switch the
audience watched as his body shook in spasms. The smell
of burning flesh tickled their nostrils, coupled with the stench
of excrement. They watched as his eyes bulged with the
force of the electrical current passing through his body. Yet
still he did not die. They watched as this exercise continued
on for another 15 minutes. How can we live in a civilised
society and yet still practise such horrific acts of torture and
call it law?
The Provocative Introduction
Used to provoke an immediate response,
usually through the use of emotive
language
Example: Four hundred people every year
are murdered by smokers. This is not a
crime of violence. It never appears in the
News or in the papers but today one
person will die due to inhaling the
poisonous fumes of the others’ cigarettes.
Some people call it smoking. I call it
murder.
The Topical Introduction
Used to introduce a subject which is presently
being debated in the news. The introduction
refers to a recent new article on your topic.
Example: “The resignation of Nan Mullan, a
Health Service worker, because she faced the
sack for smoking on council premises, even during
her mean breaks, has brought to a head the bitter
war which Strathclyde Region is waging against
some of its workers.”
So read the lead story in the Evening Times last
week. What is all the fuss about?
The Informative Introduction
Used to illustrate some interesting facts
surrounding your topic. The facts should be used
in order to support your argument.
Example: 13, 703 abortions were performed in
Scotland in 2007. This is 540 cases higher than
the previous year. Of these cases the highest rate
seems to be among women between the ages 16
to 19 with an average of 24.9 abortions per 1000
women. For many of these women it will not be
their only abortion. This poses the question with
the legalisation of abortion are we promoting an
irresponsible and consequence free society in
which murder is deemed acceptable?
The Questioning Introduction
Used in order to convey the writer’s opinion
and also to start to get the reader to think
about the topic. Instead of a question of
quote or interesting statistic can also be
used. This type of introduction can often
be used in conjunction with other topical,
informative and provocative introductions.
Example: Have you ever considered how
many books we would read if it were not for
television?
Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is
stronger than fiction.”
The Thesis Statement
Your introduction will also need to include a
thesis or focus statement.
There are three objectives of a thesis
statement:
• It tells the reader the specific topic of your
essay
• It imposes manageable limits on that topic
• It suggests the organisation of your paper.
The Body
The body is the main part of your essay in which
you convey your arguments and evidence in
support of the opinion you have stated in your
introduction.
It should consist of approximately 5 paragraphs.
Each paragraph is based on a solid reason to
back your thesis statement.
Since almost all issues have sound arguments on
both sides, a good persuasive writer tries to
anticipate opposing viewpoints and provide
counter-arguments thus showing the reader that
whilst you have carefully considered both sides of
the argument, your opinion is the one with the
strongest backing.
Expanding on Ideas
You already have the most important
ingredients for your essay – Your
Arguments and Evidence!
However, these are at present in a very
simple form and could not be used to argue
for or against your chosen topic in an
effective way.
To do this properly you must EXPAND your
arguments from a single phrase of
sentence to a paragraph
To do so you need to ensure that
you do the following:
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence which
will inform the reader of the argument and how it
relates back to your opinion.
Provide evidence
Explain how that evidence proves your thesis and
any implications it has on your topic.
Show that the opinion is ascribed to others
A sentence which sums up the paragraph and idea
you are trying to convey. (See example sheet)
Useful Words and Phrases
Linking words
One reason
Another…
_______ is also…
Those in favour of _______ argue that…/ Those
who oppose_____ argue that
Supporters also argue…../Critics point out…..
Adding weight to these arguments is the fact
that…..
A further advantage/disadvantage of_______ is…
In addition, it can also be argued that….
Furthermore…..
Stating and Expanding on your
Ideas
This means that…
This is a recent illustration of
As a result…
The reason for this is…
This can be seen when
What can occur is…
Consequently,…
There is evidence that…
What this can result in…
There is some proof that….
This can allow….
This can cause…
It is acknowledged by many
______presents this fact as proof
that….
Statistics show….
This highlights/ proves/ supports
Some think….
In the opinion of some….
Consequently, many people
feel….
This shows/ suggests…
This proves/ highlights
This is why some people
believe….
It is thus the belief of many….
Some people are therefore
convinced that….
To may people it appears that….
Many are therefore of the
opinion….
As a result, some feel….
Accordingly…
Your Opinion Matters
I think…
In my opinion…
I believe that….
It seems to me that….
It appears to me
that….
I feel that….
I am convinced that….
It is my opinion that….
I feel this
highlights/proves….
This is why I think…
I agree with…
To my mind….
I am of the opinion
that….
Consequently, I
believe….
It is thus my belief
that….
As a result of this, I
feel…
Accordingly, ….
Your Conclusion
In your conclusion your should:
• Restate your topic and opinion
• Refer to your arguments
• Develop your personal response
about why your hold this opinion.
How to Begin a Conclusion
In conclusion…
To conclude….
To sum up….
Considering this issue as a whole….
Whilst this will remain a controversial
topic for many, it is obvious to me….
Sample Conclusion
To conclude, the argument over legalising
euthanasia will continue to cause controversy in
today’s society. It is an extremely emotive and
difficult issue for both those who condemn and
those who condone it. However, in my view it
most empathetically should not be legalised in
Britain. Human life is holy and I believe it is for
God to decide when our time is up. Euthanasia is
unfair on other people and this is a major concern
in my opinion. It can also be abused by criminals
and furthermore, people can in fact recover from
life threatening illnesses – Lance Armstrong and
Bob Champion are proof positive of this…..
Quick Recap
Choose and research your topic well.
Plan your essay in advance using your strongest arguments. The
strongest argument should always be your first. Your arguments
should be organised in a logical and sequenced fashion.
Choose the type of introduction you want to write. Make sure it will
convey your ideas and capture the reader’s attention.
Make sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence and that you
link your ideas!
Ensure that your opinion is clearly stated. Do not be afraid to
personalise your argument.
Your conclusion should restate your thesis and argument. It should
also develop your personal response on why you hold this opinion.
Remember – a persuasive essay should do just that! You want to
convince your reader that yours is the correct and logical
argument!! Therefore use convincing ideas, evidence and language
to persuade them.
Persuasive Essay Checklist
A clear thesis and opinion.
An introduction which captures the reader’s interest
The essay is well organised and linked. All arguments
support your thesis.
You have included topic sentences.
There is evidence and research to support your ideas.
Your opinion is clear throughout.
You acknowledge and disprove the opposing side
Your conclusion restates your ideas and develops personal
response.
You use varied and interesting vocabulary.
Your essay is technically accurate.