persuasive essay paragraph outline

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Persuasive Essay Outline – Examples, Templates & Structure

Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Writing a good persuasive essay can help convince others of a point that means a lot to you. It can be anything from an environmental crisis to something as simple as the importance of ebooks to the modern reader. But how do you write a persuasive essay? Where do you even start? Right here! I’ll explain everything you need to know and even show you an example of a persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive essays are meant to convince someone or a group of people to agree with you on a certain topic or point of view. As the writer, you’ll use definitive evidence, simple reasoning, and even examples to support your argument and persuade them to understand the point of the essay.

Why Write a Persuasive Essay?

Believe it or not, you’ll have to form convincing arguments throughout real life. This could be in the form of college essays or academic essays, speeches for debate club that requires a valid argument, or even presenting an idea for change to your town council.

Argumentative vs. Persuasive Essay

An argumentative essay presents an argument on a specific topic and tries to persuade people to accept that argument as valid. It uses evidence, logic, and sometimes counterarguments to support the main point.

A persuasive essay is similar but presents an argument and focuses more on appealing to the reader’s emotions and values to convince them of your point of view. Think of it as convincing vs. persuading. And, yes, persuasive essays can also use evidence, but they often rely more on personal anecdotes and moral appeals to plead their case.

Let me give you an example. I’m a content writer, but I’m also a published author. If I were going to write an argumentative essay, I’d probably choose a topic like “Do you think authors should self-edit their work?”

But if I were doing a persuasive essay with a similar angle, the topic would look more like “The benefits of self-editing for authors.” Make sense?

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Basically, the main difference between argumentative and persuasive essays is all in the emphasis placed on logic and emotion.

How Many Paragraphs in a Persuasive Essay?

A decent persuasive essay should be around five or six paragraphs with double line spacing, depending on the topic, and can range from 500-2000 words in length. This includes your introduction and conclusion.

Introduction of a Persuasive Essay Example

Our world is facing a crisis, and that crisis is plastic pollution! Every day, a disgusting amount of plastic waste is just dumped into our oceans, killing and harming innocent marine life and ultimately affecting the entire food chain, including us.

Even though there is a clear and present danger that plastic presents, there are still a lot of people and corporations that continue to use single-use plastics with zero regards for their impact on our environment. It’s time for people to really look around and take some responsibility.

We can make a change by learning and using environmentally friendly alternatives in our everyday lives. So, in this essay, I’ll argue that using reusable bags, water bottles, and containers is not only necessary for the health of our precious planet but also a simple and effective way to make a real difference.

A Persuasive Essay Structure

As persuasive essay writers, you can write it however you like, but to follow a traditional persuasive essay structure, use this basic layout to get an effective paper:

• An Introduction: You need a good hook to grab the reader’s attention, a thesis statement presenting the main argument, and a roadmap of the essay, so they know what to expect.
• The Body Paragraphs: 2-3 paragraphs should suffice to provide strong evidence, examples, and any reasoning to support the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea. 
• The Counterargument: This section acknowledges and refutes the opposing viewpoint, strengthening your argument but still without being as forward as an argumentative essay.
• A Conclusion or Closing Statement: Here is where you would summarize the main points of the essay and a restatement of the thesis, including a call to action for the reader and/or a final thought.

In the end, a persuasive essay usually consists of 5-6 paragraphs and needs to be clear, concise, and logically structured to really persuade the reader on the point.

Tips for Persuasive Writing

• Choose a strong, clear thesis statement that presents your argument well.
• Know your audience and tailor your language and arguments to them. You’ll need a different approach if you’re speaking to a group of teenagers versus a team of adults.
• Use credible and reliable sources to support your argument so no one can second guess your point.
• Expect that people will have counterarguments and prepare a few talking points to address them.
• Use strong pieces of evidence and back them up with facts, statistics, examples, and personal anecdotes. Putting a personal touch on it helps ground the essay and lets people know you’re serious about the topic.
• Use an emotional appeal to engage the reader and make a personal connection to your argument. Basically, tug at their heartstrings and play into their guilt.
• Use clear and concise wordage. Try and avoid confusing technical jargon that might confuse people, and maintain a consistent tone throughout the essay.
• Make sure you’re confident and use an assertive tone but avoid being overly aggressive or confrontational. That will just spark a fight.
• Finish up with a powerful call to action or a final thought that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or listener.
• Use the same font throughout your essay, even for headings and titles. Go with easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Times New Roman, or Garamond.
• Proofread and edit your essay for clarity, grammar, and style. I cannot stress this one enough. If you’re not confident, use programs like Grammarly to help spot typos and inconsistencies.

Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas

If you’re stuck on some ideas of what to form your essay around, here’s a list of some popular topics to inspire you.

• Importance of recycling and reducing waste in today’s climate.
• The need for stricter gun control laws all over the world.
• A paper on abortion rights in today’s age.
• Benefits of alternative energy sources over fossil fuels and how we can be using them.
• How social media has negative impacts on mental health in kids.
• Key benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet and how it can help the planet.
• The value of a college education.
• Rise of plastic pollution on the environment and sea life and how it is affecting us.
• Why physical exercise and leading an active lifestyle are important.
• The dangers of texting while driving.
• How our public schools need better funding.
• Benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace both online and in-person.

Any of these could be used as logical arguments. Still, to make a persuasive argument from either of them, just follow the basic persuasive essay outline examples I’ve given you.

Example of a Persuasive Essay

Introduction.

In today’s age of ever-changing technology, the way we consume and experience books have changed dramatically in just a short time. While physical books were once the only option, ebooks have grown increasingly popular in recent years. In my essay, I’ll argue that, while we all still love paperbacks and hardcovers, ebooks offer so many benefits over physical books, making them the number one choice for most readers today.

Body Paragraph 1: Convenience

Ebooks are convenient; there’s just no denying it. They’re easily accessible through devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, and they allow readers to carry hundreds of books with them at all times. This makes them perfect for traveling or heading to work, or even going to the gym. Readers can now have an entire library with them without the added weight of physical books. Plus, ebooks are easily bought online with just the click of a button, further adding to their convenience.

Body Paragraph 2: Customization

Ebooks offer a level of customization that physical books just can’t match. For one, the font size can be adjusted for easier reading, which is great for those who have eyesight problems. The background color can also be changed from light to dark to reduce eye strain. Personally, as someone who suffers from Meniere’s disease, this is a great feature. All of these options make ebooks a great choice for people with visual impairments, neurological disorders, or reading difficulties.

Body Paragraph 3: Affordability

Ebooks are often far cheaper than physical books, especially when purchased in bulk. You can get an entire series for a fraction of the cost of one paperback. This makes them a more accessible option for budget-conscious readers and people who simply don’t have the disposable funds for books. Also, tons of ebooks are available for free, which is a great option for readers that are looking for ways to save money but keep up with their reading habits.

Body Paragraph 4: Environmentally Friendly

626,000 tons of paper is used to produce all the books we see published every year. That’s a scary number when you consider the rate of deforestation and the state of our world in terms of global warming. We simply can’t afford to move ahead at a rate like that. Ebooks help tackle the issue because they require zero trees to produce.

In conclusion, ebooks offer endless benefits over physical books, including convenience, customization, and affordability. While physical books will always hold a special place in our hearts, you have to admit that the benefits of ebooks just can’t be ignored. For modern, busy, on-the-go readers, ebooks are the preferred choice. It’s time to embrace the digital age and make the switch to ebooks.

Now Write Your Persuasive Essay!

I hope this guide has helped you figure out persuasive essay writing and how to put together powerful arguments. Just stick to the facts and ease the reader into your point with gentle arguments that continue to prove your point. Don’t be afraid to get personal if it can help the essay and convince the reader.

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Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Outline

Learn How to Create a Persuasive Essay Outline

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A persuasive essay requires a writer to take a clear stance on a topic and convince the readers to accept their point-of-view.

With a combination of good arguments and emotional appeal, you can ensure that your message resonates effectively with your audience. 

But before you dive into writing, you need a roadmap—an outline. Outlining is an essential step that allows you to organize your points and present them in a logical way. Moreover, it makes the writing process smoother and easier.

So how do you start with a persuasive essay outline? Read on to learn how to create an effective outline and get outline examples to help you out!

• 1. What is a Persuasive Essay Outline?
• 2. Steps to Create a Persuasive Essay Outline  
• 3. Persuasive Essay Outline Template
• 4. Persuasive Essay Outline Examples

What is a Persuasive Essay Outline?

A persuasive essay outline serves as a blueprint for your entire essay. It ensures that your essay is well-structured, logically sound, and, most importantly, persuasive. 

At its core, a persuasive essay aims to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or argument. Your outline is the tool that helps you achieve this goal effectively. It does that by organizing your thoughts, ideas, and evidence in a systematic way, making it easier for your readers to follow your reasoning. 

The main goals of a persuasive paper outline include:

• To organize your thoughts, arguments, and evidence about a topic
• To ensure proper division of word count, paragraphs, and sections
• To ensure the logical flow of the arguments you will use

Persuasive Essay Outline Format

A standard outline for a persuasive essay consists of five paragraphs, each with a specific role within the essay. However, the number of paragraphs can vary according to the chosen topic.

Let's break down the structure of a persuasive essay outline:

Introduction (One-Paragraph - 7-8 Sentences) 

• Hook - A famous quotation, question, fact, or insight in 1-2 sentences 
• Background Information about the Topic
• Thesis Statement - A strong argument in 1 sentence

Body Paragraphs (3 Paragraphs At least)

• Topic Sentence - First sentence of a paragraph that presents the main point or argument of that paragraph.
• Supporting Evidence - This can include statistics, facts, examples, anecdotes, or quotations from experts.
• Analysis/Discussion - Explaining the evidence mentioned and its relevance to the overall argument.
• Transitions - They connect a paragraph with the next paragraph to ensure a sense of flow.

Conclusion (7-8 sentences)

• Restating the Thesis - This reminds your readers of your main argument and reinforces its importance.
• Summarizing Key Points - This helps tie everything together and reinforces your argument's strength.
• Call to Action or Final Thought - Concluding sentence that aims to leave a lasting impression on your readers. 

Moreover, ensure correct page formatting to ensure the readability and helpfulness of your outline. Here are some recommendations:

• Font Style:                 Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial
• Font Size:                   12pt 
• Line Spacing:            Double-spacing
• Alignment:                 Left-Aligned
• Margins:                     One-inch on all sides
• Word Count:              As per instructions & requirements

Steps to Create a Persuasive Essay Outline  

Now that you know the main purpose and basic format of an outline, you are ready to begin outlining. Here is a step-wise guide to writing a persuasive essay outline:

Persuasive Essay Introduction 

The outline for a persuasive essay starts with an introduction paragraph. The introduction is your first chance to grab the reader’s attention. Here are some of the strategies you should follow to create an outline for an engaging introduction. 

1. Think About Your Topic 

The first step for your outline is to decide your essay topic . Carefully choosing your topic and stance will set the tone for the whole essay. Moreover, only after confirming your topic, you can proceed to research and gather evidence.

Ran out of topic ideas? Check out our list of 200+ engaging persuasive essay topics to get inspiration.

2. Determine Your Target Audience

A persuasive essay aims to persuade the readers, which can’t be possible without knowing them. So it is better to determine your target audience before starting writing. It will help you choose those points that best suit the audience. 

For example, writing for kids and adults is different. Similarly, some groups are also sensitive to specific issues, making you adjust your tone and arguments accordingly.

3. Begin With a Hook Statement 

Begin your essay outline with a hook statement related to your topic. It creates interest regarding the topic by demonstrating your knowledge. Similarly, it also provides concrete proof of the writer’s viewpoint. 

The best hooks for starting a persuasive essay include quotations, anecdotes, questions, and statistical facts and figures. 

For Example:

• Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada.
• Elbert Hubbard once said, "Truth is stronger than fiction."

4. Provide Background Information

Add some background information or context about the topic. However, never share the detailed arguments and evidence in this section. Instead, just introduce the topic and explain why it is debatable. 

5. Develop a Thesis Statement 

Craft a thesis statement that presents your main argument. This statement will serve as the foundation for your essay. Add your thesis statement at the end of your introduction outline, as it is often the last sentence of the introduction.

Here are a few examples of persuasive thesis statements:

• Access to public restrooms should be given to homeless people to improve their living standards.
• Celebrities should not be considered role models because of their engagement in illegal activities.

This is how your introduction outline will look like:

Persuasive Essay Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs present your detailed arguments and analyses. Here you present evidence supporting your arguments and convince your audience of your stance.

Below are the elements that outline for each body paragraph should include:

1. Topic Sentence 

Remember, each body paragraph focuses on a single idea that supports the larger thesis. It presents, explains, and discusses one point in detail to persuade the audience. 

This main point of a paragraph is expressed in the topic sentence, which is the first sentence of the paragraph. It indicates to the reader what the paragraph is about. 

2. Supporting Details 

After the topic sentence, you can add supporting details and credible evidence to your outline. It can be in the form of facts, statistics, real-life examples, quotations, and anecdotes.  Make sure to add citations along in your outline so you don’t forget the source later.

3. Transitions  

End your body paragraphs with a concluding sentence to tie the ideas together. Add transition words to connect all the ideas in an essay logically. Use words like similarly, in contrast, therefore, thus, however, nevertheless, etc.

Here is what the outline for the body paragraphs will include:

Persuasive Essay Conclusion

Persuasive writing usually ends by summarizing the important details of your essay. It is written to give closure to the main arguments. The outline for a conclusion should include a restatement of your thesis, a summary of key points, and a compelling closing statement.

1. Restatement of Thesis

Rewrite in thesis in different to reinforce it in light of the arguments presented above. This ties all your argument presented body paragraphs to the central point of the essay.

2. Summary of Arguments

Add a short summary of the arguments you presented to remind your readers of the key points that support your thesis.

3. Concluding Thoughts

Think of a powerful concluding statement for your persuasive essay. It can be a call to action, a question, or an insight. Your concluding statement should be powerful, and thought-provoking, and reinforce the importance of your argument. 

Watch the video below to get some tips on making outlines:

Persuasive Essay Outline Template

Here is a persuasive outline template that will help you make your essay outline. Simply fill in the blanks after identifying your main arguments and evidence.

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Persuasive Essay Outline Examples

Below are the persuasive essay outline samples and examples to get a better idea of writing this type of essay.

Persuasive Essay Outline 5th Grade

Persuasive Essay Outline Middle School

Persuasive Essay Outline College

5-paragraph Persuasive Essay Outline Template

Persuasive Essay Outline Worksheet

Argumentative Persuasive Essay Outline

Abortion Persuasive Essay Outline

Animal Testing Persuasive Essay Outline

Global Warming Persuasive Essay Outline

Want to read complete persuasive essays about these topics? Check out our interesting persuasive essay examples .

To Conclude,

Crafting a persuasive essay outline is like sculpting the foundation of a powerful argument. Through careful planning and organization, you can not only capture your readers' attention but also sway their opinions. Your outline serves as the compass, guiding you through the journey of persuasive writing. 

So with the help of the format, steps, and examples provided above, you are now ready to embark on your persuasive journey.

Still need help writing your essay? Don’t worry!

MyPerfectWords.com provides quality essay writing help  with your academic essays. Our professional writers have advanced qualifications from US-based institutes and years of experience writing top-quality & original persuasive essays. 

So hire our persuasive essay writing service and get a well-written essay according to your specified outline format.

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Persuasive Essay Outline

Persuasive Essay Outline explanation

• Structure of a five paragraph persuasive essay
• Introduction (3-5 sentences)
• Hook: Grab the reader’s attention with a quote, scenario, question, vivid description, etc. Must be related to your topic. (1-2 sentences)
• Thesis statement: Simply and clearly state your position on the issue(1 sentence )
• Three arguments. Choose three arguments you can use to convince your reader of your position. Briefly state these arguments here. (1-3 sentences)
• Paragraph 2 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one and find your first argument. Then write a paragraph about it.
• Use specific examples to support your argument
• Write a transition sentence.
• Paragraph 3 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one and find your second argument. Write a paragraph about it .
• Use specific examples to support your argument. You should authoritative websites to give facts, statistics, supporting quotations, studies, research, etc.
•  Write a transition sentence.
• Paragraph 4 (5-8 sentences)
• Go back to paragraph one and find your third argument. Write a paragraph about it.
• Conclusion (3-5 sentences)
• Summarize—restate your thesis statement and three arguments in different words
• Make a closing statement. Tie your closing statement back to your opening hook.

Outline Persuasive Essay

• Directions: Use the outline form below to organize your persuasive essay. Choose your topic and three arguments to support your opinion. Section I is for your introduction. Section II is for the body (one paragraph for each argument). Section III is for your conclusion. Topic___________________________________________________________________ I. Introduction

 a. Hook _______________________________________________________

b. Thesis statement______________________________________________

c. Argument #1_________________________________________________

d. Argument #2_________________________________________________

e. Argument #3_________________________________________________

II. Body  Paragraph #1

      a. Argument #1_________________________________________________

      b.  Example #1____________________________________________

      c. Example #2____________________________________________

      d. Example #3____________________________________________

      e. Transition_____________________________________________

     Body Paragraph #2

      a. Argument #2 _________________________________________________

      Body Paragraph #3

      a. Argument #3 _________________________________________________

       b.  Example #1____________________________________________

      c. Example #2____________________________________________

III. Conclusion

a. Restate thesis (different words)__________________________________

b. Restate arguments (different words)___ ____________________________

c. Clincher (tie it all together)______________________________________

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay outline | Guidelines & examples

How to Write an Essay Outline | Guidelines & Examples

Published on August 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay outline is a way of planning the structure of your essay before you start writing. It involves writing quick summary sentences or phrases for every point you will cover in each paragraph , giving you a picture of how your argument will unfold.

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Table of contents

Organizing your material, presentation of the outline, examples of essay outlines, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay outlines.

At the stage where you’re writing an essay outline, your ideas are probably still not fully formed. You should know your topic  and have already done some preliminary research to find relevant sources , but now you need to shape your ideas into a structured argument.

Creating categories

Look over any information, quotes and ideas you’ve noted down from your research and consider the central point you want to make in the essay—this will be the basis of your thesis statement . Once you have an idea of your overall argument, you can begin to organize your material in a way that serves that argument.

Try to arrange your material into categories related to different aspects of your argument. If you’re writing about a literary text, you might group your ideas into themes; in a history essay, it might be several key trends or turning points from the period you’re discussing.

Three main themes or subjects is a common structure for essays. Depending on the length of the essay, you could split the themes into three body paragraphs, or three longer sections with several paragraphs covering each theme.

As you create the outline, look critically at your categories and points: Are any of them irrelevant or redundant? Make sure every topic you cover is clearly related to your thesis statement.

Order of information

When you have your material organized into several categories, consider what order they should appear in.

Your essay will always begin and end with an introduction and conclusion , but the organization of the body is up to you.

Consider these questions to order your material:

• Is there an obvious starting point for your argument?
• Is there one subject that provides an easy transition into another?
• Do some points need to be set up by discussing other points first?

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Within each paragraph, you’ll discuss a single idea related to your overall topic or argument, using several points of evidence or analysis to do so.

In your outline, you present these points as a few short numbered sentences or phrases.They can be split into sub-points when more detail is needed.

The template below shows how you might structure an outline for a five-paragraph essay.

• Thesis statement
• First piece of evidence
• Second piece of evidence
• Summary/synthesis
• Importance of topic
• Strong closing statement

You can choose whether to write your outline in full sentences or short phrases. Be consistent in your choice; don’t randomly write some points as full sentences and others as short phrases.

Examples of outlines for different types of essays are presented below: an argumentative, expository, and literary analysis essay.

Argumentative essay outline

This outline is for a short argumentative essay evaluating the internet’s impact on education. It uses short phrases to summarize each point.

Its body is split into three paragraphs, each presenting arguments about a different aspect of the internet’s effects on education.

• Importance of the internet
• Concerns about internet use
• Thesis statement: Internet use a net positive
• Data exploring this effect
• Analysis indicating it is overstated
• Students’ reading levels over time
• Why this data is questionable
• Video media
• Interactive media
• Speed and simplicity of online research
• Questions about reliability (transitioning into next topic)
• Evidence indicating its ubiquity
• Claims that it discourages engagement with academic writing
• Evidence that Wikipedia warns students not to cite it
• Argument that it introduces students to citation
• Summary of key points
• Value of digital education for students
• Need for optimism to embrace advantages of the internet

Expository essay outline

This is the outline for an expository essay describing how the invention of the printing press affected life and politics in Europe.

The paragraphs are still summarized in short phrases here, but individual points are described with full sentences.

• Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages.
• Provide background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press.
• Present the thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.
• Discuss the very high levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe.
• Describe how literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites.
• Indicate how this discouraged political and religious change.
• Describe the invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg.
• Show the implications of the new technology for book production.
• Describe the rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.
• Link to the Reformation.
• Discuss the trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention.
• Describe Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation.
• Sketch out the large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics.
• Summarize the history described.
• Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period.

Literary analysis essay outline

The literary analysis essay outlined below discusses the role of theater in Jane Austen’s novel Mansfield Park .

The body of the essay is divided into three different themes, each of which is explored through examples from the book.

• Describe the theatricality of Austen’s works
• Outline the role theater plays in Mansfield Park
• Introduce the research question : How does Austen use theater to express the characters’ morality in Mansfield Park ?
• Discuss Austen’s depiction of the performance at the end of the first volume
• Discuss how Sir Bertram reacts to the acting scheme
• Introduce Austen’s use of stage direction–like details during dialogue
• Explore how these are deployed to show the characters’ self-absorption
• Discuss Austen’s description of Maria and Julia’s relationship as polite but affectionless
• Compare Mrs. Norris’s self-conceit as charitable despite her idleness
• Summarize the three themes: The acting scheme, stage directions, and the performance of morals
• Answer the research question
• Indicate areas for further study

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You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

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Writing a Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays convince readers to accept a certain perspective. Writing a persuasive essay therefore entails making an argument that will appeal to readers, so they believe what you say has merit. This act of appealing to readers is the art of persuasion, also known as rhetoric. In classical rhetoric, persuasion involves appealing to readers using ethos, pathos, and logos.

In this tutorial, we refer to the sample persuasive draft and final paper written by fictional student Maggie Durham.

THE ART OF PERSUASION

Ethos refers to establishing yourself as a credible source of information. To convince an audience of anything, they must first trust you are being earnest and ethical. One strategy to do this is to write a balanced discussion with relevant and reliable research that supports your claims. Reliable research would include quoting or paraphrasing experts, first-hand witnesses, or authorities. Properly citing your sources, so your readers can also retrieve them, is another factor in establishing a reliable ethos. When writing for academic purposes, expressing your argument using unbiased language and a neutral tone will also indicate you are arguing fairly and with consideration of others having differing views.

When you appeal to your readers’ emotions, you are using pathos. This appeal is common in advertising that convinces consumers they lack something and buying a certain product or service will fulfill that lack. Emotional appeals are subtler in academic writing; they serve to engage a reader in the argument and inspire a change of heart or motivate readers toward a course of action. The examples you use, how you define terms, any comparisons you draw, as well as the language choices you use can draw readers in and impact their willingness to go along with your ideas.

Consider that one purpose of persuasion is to appeal to those who do not already agree with you, so it will be important to show that you understand other points of view. You will also want to avoid derogatory or insulting descriptions or remarks about the opposition. You wouldn’t want to offend the very readers you want to persuade.

Establishing an appeal of logos is to write a sound argument, one that readers can follow and understand. To do this, the facts and evidence you use should be relevant, representative, and reliable, and the writing as a whole should be well organized, developed, and edited.

STEPS FOR WRITING PERSUASIVELY

Step one: determine the topic.

The first step in writing a persuasive essay is to establish the topic. The best topic is one that interests you. You can generate ideas for a topic by prewriting, such as by brainstorming whatever comes to mind, recording in grocery-list fashion your thoughts, or freewriting in complete sentences what you know or think about topics of interest.

Whatever topic you choose, it needs to be:

• Interesting : The topic should appeal both to you and to your intended readers.
• Researchable : A body of knowledge should already exist on the topic.
• Nonfiction : The information about the topic should be factual, not based on personal opinions or conspiracy theories.
• Important : Your reader should think the topic is relevant to them or worthy of being explored and discussed.

Our sample student Maggie Durham has selected the topic of educational technology. We will use Maggie’s sample persuasive draft and final paper as we discuss the steps for writing a persuasive essay.

Step Two: Pose a Research Question

Once you have a topic, the next step is to develop a research question along with related questions that delve further into the first question. If you do not know what to ask, start with one of the question words: What? Who? Where? When? Why? and How? The research question helps you focus or narrow the scope of your topic by identifying a problem, controversy, or aspect of the topic that is worth exploration and discussion. Some general questions about a topic would be the following:

• Who is affected by this problem and how?
• Have previous efforts or polices been made to address this problem? – What are they?
• Why hasn’t this problem been solved already?

For Maggie’s topic of educational technology, potential issues or controversies range from data privacy to digital literacy to the impact of technology on learning, which is what Maggie is interested in. Maggie’s local school district has low literacy rates, so Maggie wants to know the following:

• Are there advantages and/or disadvantages of technology within primary and secondary education?
• Which types of technology are considered the best in terms of quality and endurance?
• What types of technology and/or programs do students like using and why?
• Do teachers know how to use certain technologies with curriculum design, instruction, and/or assessment?

Step Three: Draft a Thesis

A thesis is a claim that asserts your main argument about the topic. As you conduct your research and draft your paper, you may discover information that changes your mind about your thesis, so at this point in writing, the thesis is tentative. Still, it is an important step in narrowing your focus for research and writing.

The thesis should

1. be a complete sentence,

2. identify the topic, and

3. make a specific claim about that topic.

In a persuasive paper, the thesis is a claim that someone should believe or do something. For example, a persuasive thesis might assert that something is effective or ineffective. It might state that a policy should be changed or a plan should be implemented. Or a persuasive thesis might be a plea for people to change their minds about a particular issue.

Once you have figured out your research question, your thesis is simply the answer. Maggie’s thesis is “Schools should supply technology aids to all students to increase student learning and literacy rates.” Her next step is to find evidence to support her claim.

Step Four: Research

Once you have a topic, research question, and thesis, you are ready to conduct research. To find sources that would be appropriate for an academic persuasive essay, begin your search in the library. The Purdue Global Library has a number of tutorials on conducting research, choosing search teams, types of sources, and how to evaluate information to determine its reliability and usefulness. Remember that the research you use will not only provide content to prove your claim and develop your essay, but it will also help to establish your credibility as a reliable source (ethos), create a logical framework for your argument (logos), and appeal to your readers emotionally (pathos).

Step Five: Plan Your Argument; Make an Outline

Once you have located quality source information—facts, examples, definitions, knowledge, and other information that answers your research question(s), you’ll want to create an outline to organize it. The example outline below illustrates a logical organizational plan for writing a persuasive essay. The example outline begins with an introduction that presents the topic, explains the issue, and asserts the position (the thesis). The body then provides the reasoning for the position and addresses the opposing viewpoints that some readers may hold. In your paper, you could modify this organization and address the opposing viewpoints first and then give the reasoning for your viewpoints, or you can alternate and give one opposing viewpoint then counter that with your viewpoint and then give another opposing viewpoint and counter that with your viewpoint.

The outline below also considers the alternatives to the position—certainly, there are other ways to think about or address the issue or situation. Considering the alternatives can be done in conjunction with looking at the opposing viewpoints. You do not always have to disagree with other opinions, either. You can acknowledge that another solution could work or another belief is valid. However, at the end of the body section, you will want to stand by your original position and prove that in light of all the opposing viewpoints and other perspectives, your position has the most merit.

Sample Outline of a Persuasive Argument

• 1. Introduction: Tell them what you will tell them.
• a. Present an interesting fact or description to make the topic clear and capture the reader’s attention.
• b. Define and narrow the topic using facts or descriptions to illustrate what the situation or issue is (and that is it important).
• c. Assert the claim (thesis) that something should be believed or done about the issue. (Some writers also briefly state the reasons behind this claim in the thesis as Maggie does in her paper when she claims that schools should supply tablets to students to increase learning , engagement, and literacy rates ).
• 2. Body: Tell them.
• a. Defend the claim with logical reasons and practical examples based on research.
• b. Anticipate objections to the claim and refute or accommodate them with research.
• c. Consider alternate positions or solutions using examples from research.
• d. Present a final point based on research that supports your claim in light of the objections and alternatives considered.
• 3. Conclusion: Tell them what you told them.
• a. Recap the main points to reinforce the importance of the issue.
• b. Restate the thesis in new wording to reinforce your position.
• c. Make a final remark to leave a lasting impression, so the reader will want to continue this conversation and ideally adopt the belief or take the action you are advocating.

In Maggie’s draft, she introduced the topic with facts about school ratings in Texas and then narrowed the topic using the example of her local school district’s literacy rates. She then claimed the district should provide each student a tablet in order to increase learning (and thus, literacy rates).

Maggie defends her claim with a series of examples from research that proved how access to tablets, technology-integrated curriculums, and “flipped classrooms” have improved literacy rates in other districts. She anticipates objections to her proposal due to the high cost of technology and counter argues this with expert opinions and examples that show partnerships with businesses, personalized curriculums that technology makes possible, and teacher training can balance the costs. Maggie included an alternative solution of having students check out tablets from the library, but her research showed that this still left students needing Wi-Fi at home while her proposal would include a plan for students to access Wi-Fi.

Maggie concluded her argument by pointing out the cost of not helping the students in this way and restated her thesis reaffirming the benefits, and then left the reader with a memorable quote.

Click here to see Maggie’s draft with feedback from her instructor and a peer. Sample Persuasive Draft

Feedback, Revision, and Editing

After you write a draft of your persuasive essay, the next step is to have a peer, instructor, or tutor read it and provide feedback. Without reader feedback, you cannot fully know how your readers will react to your argument. Reader feedback is meant to be constructive. Use it to better understand your readers and craft your argument to more appropriately appeal to them.

Maggie received valuable feedback on her draft from her instructor and classmate. They pointed to where her thesis needed to be even more specific, to paragraphs where a different organization would make her argument more convincing, to parts of the paper that lacked examples, sentences that needed revision and editing for greater clarity, and APA formatting that needed to be edited.

Maggie also took a critical look at her paper and looked back at her writing process. One technique she found helpful was to read her paper aloud because it let her know where her wording and organization were not clear. She did this several times as she revised and again as she edited and refined her paper for sentence level clarity and concision.

In the end, Maggie produced a convincing persuasive essay and effective argument that would appeal to readers who are also interested in the way technology can impact and improve student learning, an important topic in 2014 when this paper was written and still relevant today.

Click here to see Maggie’s final draft after revising and editing. Sample Persuasive Revised

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Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Outline

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Persuasive Essay Outline - Detailed Guide with Examples

By: Caleb S.

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Jan 21, 2020

A persuasive essay is written to convince readers of the writer's point of view. In addition, writers present relevant and convincing evidence that supports their stance on a topic. Also, a persuasive essay is different from an argumentative essay.

To persuade the reader, you should be able to present factual evidence. Your argument becomes more convincing when your points are backed up with facts and supporting information. Therefore, when you write a persuasive essay, it's important to take the time and create an organized outline.

However, if you don’t have any idea, read this blog and know everything about the persuasive essay outline.

On this Page

What is a Persuasive Essay Outline?

A persuasive essay outline is a great way to keep track of your thoughts and ideas. It helps you stay focused on the writing process. It makes the essay writing phase easy without forgetting the main points.

The main purpose of the persuasive essay outline is to:

• Convince the readers of your opinion.
• Organize your ideas and thoughts.
• Explain the main headings and elements of the essay.

Moreover, it is important to keep your writing organized, not just for you but also for the readers to understand better.

However, before you start writing your outline for a persuasive essay, choose an interesting topic that will grab the readers’ attention.

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Persuasive Essay Outline Format

To write an essay like professionals and with clarity, create the outline with proper persuasive essay format. Here is a sample outline format to follow.

How to Write a Persuasive Essay Outline?

Writing a persuasive essay outline doesn't have to be difficult when you follow these simple steps.

1- Persuasive Essay Introduction

The outline of a persuasive essay starts with the introductory paragraph. The purpose of a persuasive essay introduction is to both engage and educate the reader. Therefore, the introduction of your essay should be catchy to grab readers’ attention, making them want to read further.

Here are some of the elements that you should add to your essay introduction.

• Start with a Hook

Start your essay with an interesting hook to grab the reader’s attention. You can also start your essay with an interesting fact, quote, or statistics related to your persuasive essay topic.

However, keep the target audience in mind and then start writing the essay. You should know what readers want to study.

• Provide Background Information

After the hook statement, provide some background information about the topic. However, do not add all the information that you will include in the main body.

• Write a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is written at the end of the introduction. This statement summarizes the main idea that you will present in your essay and the purpose of choosing that specific topic.

Moreover, it will form the base of the entire essay, including the points discussed in the body paragraphs. Therefore, write a strong thesis statement that conveys the exact idea of your essay.

Here is an example of a thesis statement for a persuasive paper.

2- Persuasive Essay Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs discuss the main issue in detail, using facts and supporting evidence. The number of paragraphs depends on the topic and its scope. However, each paragraph should focus on a single idea and its supporting claims.

The content in the body paragraphs will prove your stance and decide whether the readers will support your topic or not.

Here is how you can support your arguments in the body paragraphs.

• Provide Facts

It is easy to convince someone if you present credible facts related to that specific issue.

Just like facts, statistics will also be solid proof to back your argument. Therefore, make sure that you are collecting authentic facts and statistics.

To make your writing more authentic and reliable, you should include quotes from credible sources. It will increase the reliability of your essay. Also, if you mentioned and quoted some authentic name, it shows that you are an informed person.

Give real-life examples that are relevant to the chosen topic. Real-life examples help readers relate to the situation and see your perspective in high definition.

Always start your body paragraph with a topic sentence. That topic sentence is the summary of the idea presented in a particular paragraph. Every paragraph should have a different and relevant idea. Do not add multiple ideas in a single paragraph; it will create confusion and disrupt your essay’s structure.

The body of a good persuasive essay will look something like this:

3- Persuasive Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is the final step in your persuasive essay. When you conclude your persuasive writing, restate the thesis statement and main points.

Further, it is written to give closure to the argument by reinforcing what is already discussed in the essay.

Start your conclusion by restating your thesis statement, important points, and supporting arguments. Remember to stick to what you have added in the essay and not try to be creative by introducing new ideas.

Add what has been discussed, and proved, in the essay and stick to it. Also, add a personal comment related to the topic and engage readers by leaving food for thought to ponder.

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Persuasive Essay Outline Examples

Following are persuasive essay outline samples that guide you better on how this type of writing should be done.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE TEMPLATE

PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE COLLEGE

PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE HIGH SCHOOL

PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

5 PARAGRAPH PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

ABORTION PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

ARGUMENTATIVE PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

VACCINE PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

GLOBAL WARMING PERSUASIVE ESSAY OUTLINE

Now you are aware of the basic steps involved in writing a persuasive essay outline. However, if you still need some help to craft a winning college persuasive essay, consult 5StarEssays.com.

Our skilled writers guarantee that they follow the proper persuasive essay structure and write on any type of essay. Also, all your do my essay requests are processed fast by professional writers.

So, contact us now and avail of the best essay writing services at affordable rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important components of persuasive writing.

The three main components of persuasion are logos, ethos, and pathos. The first two elements should be used for a persuasive argument. At the same time, the third element can compel people to feel an emotion that will drive them in your direction.

What are the four parts of the persuasive essay outline?

The four main parts of the persuasive essay outline are:

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs
• Antithesis Paragraph

Medical school essay, Linguistics

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

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• Persuasive Essay Guide - How to Write a Persuasive Essay

• Persuasive Essay Topics Ideas to Craft an A-Worthy Essay

• Free Persuasive Essay Examples to Help you Get Started

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• Persuasive Essay Outline
• How to Write an Essay Outline: Full Guide With Examples

Table of Contents

Persuasive essay outline toolkit.

• How to write an outline for an argumentative essay

Once you are done with these steps, this is what your structure will look like

Introduction.

• Present the significance of environmental issues in today's world.
• Highlight the role of education in addressing environmental challenges.

Environmental education in schools is vital for cultivating a generation that values and actively participates in sustainable practices.

Understanding Environmental Education

• Define environmental education and its objectives.
• Discuss its relevance in fostering environmental awareness.

Benefits of Environmental Education

• Examine how environmental education helps students develop critical thinking skills
• Explain how it instills a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

Practical Applications of Environmental Education

• Provide examples of schools or educational programs successfully implementing environmental education
• Discuss the positive outcomes and impacts on students and their communities.
• Reiterate the thesis statement, emphasizing the importance of environmental education
• Summarize the key points presented in the essay.

This is what your outline will look like

Firstly, the essay will discuss environmental education by defining it and discussing its relevance in fostering awareness. Secondly, the essay will shed light on the benefits of environmental education while emphasizing how it helps students develop critical thinking skills, and instill a sense of responsibility towards the environment. Lastly, some practical applications of environmental education will be discussed by providing real-world examples and discussing their outcomes and impact on students.

How to write an outline for a persuasive essay

1. identify the topic.

The first and crucial step in crafting an effective outline for a persuasive essay is to pinpoint the specific topic you will be addressing. Clearly stating your chosen topic is essential because it provides your readers with a clear understanding of what your essay will discuss. It sets the stage for the persuasive argument you're about to make.

If you are writing an essay on environmental education, your topic can be “The Importance of Environmental Education in Schools for a Sustainable Future”

2. Define the objective

Once your topic is defined, the next step is to clarify the objective of your persuasive essay. In the realm of persuasion, your primary goal is to convince your readers that your viewpoint is valid and worthy of their support. This is the essence of persuasive writing.

If your objective is to persuade your readers, you can state, “The purpose of this essay is to persuade readers to implement environmental education in schools to foster a sustainable future”

3. Craft the thesis

Within your outline, dedicate a section to crafting a compelling thesis statement . Your thesis is the backbone of your persuasive essay, encapsulating your stance and the reasons why your perspective holds true.

Continuing the example, your thesis statement for the topic could be, “Environmental education in schools is vital for cultivating a generation that values and actively participates in sustainable practices.”

4. Main points

Now, let's delve into outlining the main components of your essay. A persuasive essay typically comprises an introduction that introduces the central argument, followed by multiple body paragraphs that delve into sub-arguments supporting the main claim.

The main points for your essay could be :

5. Sub-points

After introducing the main points of your essay, the next step involves in-depth elaboration on each of these points, substantiated by relevant examples. In this section, you will explicitly outline the main points to be discussed and specify the examples that will reinforce your arguments.

• Examine how environmental education helps students develop critical thinking skills.

All will be explained with examples and backed with statistical data.

6. Evidence and citations

A persuasive essay demands proper citations and attribution of information, examples, quotes, and data that support your arguments. Within your outline, clearly specify the sources from which you will draw evidence.

You can cite real-world examples, and case studies, and provide information on the need for environmental education.

7. Introduction and hook

The introduction is where you captivate your readers' attention and arouse their curiosity. In persuasive writing, a well-crafted hook, often in the form of a compelling question, serves as the gateway to your essay.

You can start the introduction with a question to create a hook like “Can you remember the last time your school had a subject on environmental education, if yes? Did it talk about anything more than three types of pollution?”. Then you continue to present the significance and role of education in addressing environmental challenges.

8. Conclusion

Once you've presented your key points and arguments, it's time to wrap up your essay persuasively. A persuasive essay's conclusion should address opposing viewpoints and reiterate why your position is the most valid one.

In the conclusion, you will restate the thesis by emphasizing the importance of environmental education and then summarize key points you made in the essay

9. Transitions

Transition words play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless flow of your writing, facilitating smooth transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and topics. Persuasive essays generally use cause-and-effect transitions for the purpose of creating persuasion

You can use words like “furthermore”, and “for instance” to transition from an idea, concept, or sentence to another

10. Refine and review

Lastly, take a moment to review and refine your outline. Ensure that it maintains logical coherence and comprehensiveness. Make any necessary revisions as you assess the structure and content for clarity and persuasiveness.

Finally, during the review, you will need to ensure that each point flows logically and you have included all the necessary information and didn’t add any extra points.

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What is a Persuasive Essay? Full Persuasive Essay Guide

In a world where effective communication is crucial, mastering persuasive writing is essential. It transcends simply expressing opinions by enabling you to influence others and clearly articulate your message. Say goodbye to difficulties in making your point; join us as we explore how to craft persuasive essays that are both informative and genuinely compelling in our guide!

Persuasive Essay Definition

This type of essay persuades the reader to agree with your viewpoint by presenting convincing arguments, research, and ideas. You rely on logic and reason to demonstrate why your perspective is more valid than others. You must present clear arguments supported by compelling facts. Several key elements should be included in these essays:

• A clear thesis statement or main idea that guides your essay's focus.
• An opening paragraph that introduces your thesis statement and sets the stage for your argument.
• Body paragraphs that use specific research evidence to support your points.
• Smooth transitions between paragraphs that connect ideas clearly and engagingly.
• Addressing counterarguments to acknowledge and refute opposing viewpoints.
• A conclusion that reinforces your central idea without repeating it word for word.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays rely on three key elements called modes of persuasion . These were introduced by Aristotle, a famous philosopher, to help make arguments strong and convincing.

First, there's logos , which means using evidence and logical reasoning to support your points. It's crucial to clearly state your main argument and back it up with solid evidence. Remember, what counts as convincing evidence can vary depending on who you're trying to persuade.

Next up is pathos , which involves appealing to people's emotions. Sharing personal stories can be really effective here because they help readers connect emotionally with your argument. Plus, personal anecdotes can give your essay a unique voice.

Lastly, there's ethos , which is all about building trust and credibility with your audience. The way you write your essay—whether it's serious, funny, or sincere—can affect how readers see you. Using reliable sources and showing empathy can also help establish your credibility. And when you're making claims, it's important to consider what your readers already believe and try to address any doubts they might have.

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay in 7 Steps

Writing a persuasive essay usually follows a structured format: introduction, body, conclusion . Unlike argument essays, which involve discussing and attacking alternate views, persuasive essays aim to convince the reader of your argument's validity. They're a bit more gentle and understanding in tone. To craft a solid persuasive essay, follow the 7 steps in this section. And while you're at it, don't forget to explore our guide on how to write an argumentative essay , too. These two types of assignments are the most common in school and college.

Step 1: Topic Selection and Research

Choosing a good topic is where you start when writing a persuasive essay. Think about things that really interest you and make you feel strongly. But it's not just about what you like; you also need to think about what matters to your readers. Do some digging to learn more about your topic. Look into different parts of it by checking out reliable sources like books, websites, and academic articles.

While you're doing your research, keep an eye out for different opinions and new ideas about your topic. This helps you get ready for arguments against your point of view. It's also important to see if there's enough evidence out there to back up what you believe. Having lots of evidence makes it easier to make a strong case.

For more help on picking a topic, check out our persuasive essay topics .

Step 2: Develop a Strong Thesis Statement

A well-developed thesis statement should be specific, concise, and debatable. Avoid saying things that are too vague or broad, as they won't give your essay a clear direction. Instead, try to come up with a thesis that clearly says what you believe and encourages people to think about it critically.

Make sure your thesis statement is backed up by the evidence you found in your research. Use facts, numbers, or opinions from experts to support what you're saying and make your argument stronger.

Also, think about how your thesis statement fits into your whole persuasive essay. It should not only outline your main argument but also give a hint about why it's important.

Step 3: Create an Outline

An academic persuasive essay outline typically follows the 'classical' structure, which is based on techniques used by ancient Roman rhetoricians. Here are the basic elements your outline should include:

Step 4: Write the Introduction

When writing a persuasive essay introduction, it should not only give background information but also frame it as a problem or issue, known as the exigence. Presenting a clearly defined problem and proposing the thesis as a solution makes for a compelling introduction, as readers naturally want to see problems solved.

Here's a breakdown of an effective persuasive essay introduction:

• Hook : Begin with a brief anecdote that highlights an emerging issue, capturing the reader's attention.
• Context : Provide background information related to the topic.
• Problem : Connect the anecdote with the emerging issue, presenting it as a problem in need of addressing.
• Debate : Mention briefly the existing debate surrounding how to respond to the problem.
• Claim : Conclude the introduction by hinting at how you intend to address the problem, presented in a conversational tone as part of an ongoing dialogue.

Step 5: Delve into Body Paragraphs

The core of a persuasive essay lies in presenting a claim supported by reasoning and evidence. This means that much of the essay's body is dedicated to providing supporting reasons backed by evidence. A common approach taught in schools and colleges is the PEAS formula:

• Point : Start by explaining your reason clearly. For example, 'Another reason why we need to recycle is because...'
• Evidence : After explaining your reason, give proof that supports it. You can mention facts or share what experts say. You might say, ' I saw in a study that.. .' or ' Scientists have found that.. .'
• Analysis : Explain how your proof supports your reason. You can say, ' This means that.. .' or ' This shows us that... '
• Summary/So what? : Finish by quickly summarizing everything you said before. Then, explain why it's important or what it means for your argument.

Step 6: Address Counterarguments

When you're dealing with counterarguments, pick the response strategy that matches your argument.

• If you agree with some points from the counterargument, acknowledge them and explain why they're not important for your topic. 
• If the counterargument uses different evidence, say why it's not trustworthy. 
• If the counterargument looks at evidence in a different way, explain why their understanding is wrong. 
• If the counterargument weakens your point with evidence, explain why it doesn't actually disprove your argument.

Use phrases like these to introduce counterarguments:

• Some researchers say...
• Critics argue that...
• Others might think...
• There's a different view that...

And transition like this from counterargument to response:

• While some of that makes sense, I still believe...
• Even if that's true, it doesn't change the fact that...
• Those points are interesting, but they don't affect my argument because...
• I see where you're coming from, but I can't agree because...

Step 7: Conclude with a Call to Action or a Memorable Closing Statement

A good persuasive conclusion should do two things:

• Summarize the main points of your essay. If it's a longer essay, using phrases like 'I have argued that' can help, but for shorter essays, it might not be needed since the reader will remember the main ideas.
• Address the ' So what? ' or ' Now what? ' challenge. Imagine your reader asking, 'Okay, I'm convinced by your essay, but why are these ideas important? What should I do with them? Do you expect things to change?' Depending on whether your essay aims to change how people think or act, offer brief action points or insights into the implications of your ideas.

Consider ending with an anecdote, fact, or quote that highlights the significance of your argument.

Also, take a look at our guide on how to write a synthesis essay . It's a common type of assignment you'll encounter in school and college.

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Persuasive Essay Examples

Here are great examples of persuasive essays to inspire you. If you like the writing style of our authors, you can buy essay paper from them, who will ensure a high-quality document specifically tailored to your needs!

5 Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Here are some additional tips to enhance your essay from our persuasive essay writing service :

• Start with a Captivating Hook : Grab your reader's attention from the beginning with an engaging hook. Instead of using common approaches like surprising facts or quotes, try incorporating a unique angle or a suspenseful story related to your topic.
• Build Your Credibility : It's crucial to establish your credibility to persuade your audience to trust your argument. In addition to presenting well-researched facts and statistics, share personal experiences or insights to demonstrate your expertise. Citing lesser-known experts or studies can also provide a fresh perspective and show a thorough exploration of the topic.
• Clearly State Your Thesis: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that effectively addresses the nuances of your argument. Take time to consider the wording of your thesis and how it aligns with your essay's direction. Provide a brief overview of the main points you'll cover to give readers a clear roadmap.
• Use Persuasive Language : Choose words and phrases that evoke emotion and urgency, compelling the reader to take action. Experiment with rhetorical devices like parallelism or repetition to add depth to your argument. Maintain a tone that balances assertiveness with respect.
• Appeal to Emotions and Logic : While emotional appeals can be powerful, support them with solid logic and evidence. Supplement personal anecdotes with relevant data, expert opinions, or logical reasoning for a well-rounded perspective. Anticipate and address potential counterarguments to demonstrate thorough consideration of the issue.

To bring it all together, you now understand the power of persuasion - it teaches you how to express your ideas clearly and convincingly. This means you can speak up for what you believe in, making society more active and informed. These skills are super useful not just in school but also in jobs and everyday life. And, if you want to make things easier, you can always check out our essay service . We'll save you time and give you some extra help with your writing!

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What are the 7 Tips for Persuasive Essays?

How do i make a persuasive essay.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• Rewrote the whole article except the samples which are good and new, and FAQs section
• Added new writing steps
• Researched new information overall

1. Gladd, J. (2020, August 18). Tips for Writing Academic Persuasive Essays . Pressbooks. https://idaho.pressbooks.pub/write/chapter/structure-of-academic-persuasive-essays/

How to Write a Great Persuasive Essay

Table of contents

• 1 Key Features and Objectives of Persuasive Essays
• 2.1 Objectives
• 2.3 Use of Evidence
• 2.4 Approach to the Audience
• 3.1.1 Give Background Details
• 3.1.2 State Your Thesis Statement
• 4.1.1 Making Point
• 4.1.2 Presenting Facts
• 4.1.3 Connecting With Emotions
• 5.1 Example of Outline for Persuasive Essay
• 6.1 Create a Strong Title
• 6.2 Share Your Audience’s Interests
• 6.3 Use Language and Rhetorical Devices
• 6.4 Integrate References and Citations
• 6.5 Avoid Fallacies
• 6.6 Employ Storytelling
• 6.7 Try Persuasive Techniques
• 6.8 Don’t Depend Too Much on Emotion
• 6.9 Stay Focused
• 6.10 Edit And Make a Persuasive Essay Format
• 7.1.1 “Imagine if…”
• 7.1.2 “Picture this…”
• 7.1.3 “Have you ever wondered…”
• 7.2.1 “For instance…”
• 7.2.2 “For example…”
• 7.2.3 “Specifically…”
• 7.2.4 “In particular…”
• 7.2.5 “Namely…”
• 7.3.1 “For example…”
• 7.3.2 “Thus…”
• 7.3.3 “As an example…”
• 7.3.4 “In the instance of…”
• 7.3.5 “In other words…”
• 7.3.6 “To illustrate…”
• 7.4.1 “To this end…”
• 7.4.2 “Keeping this in mind…”
• 7.4.3 “For this purpose…”
• 7.4.4 “Therefore…”
• 7.5.1 “Also…”
• 7.5.2 “Furthermore…”
• 7.5.3 “Additionally…”
• 7.5.4 “However…”
• 7.6.1 “On the other hand…”
• 7.6.2 “In spite of…”
• 7.6.3 “Yet…”
• 7.7.1 “With this in mind…”
• 7.7.2 “As a result of…”
• 7.7.3 “Because of this…”
• 7.7.4 “For this reason…”
• 7.8 The Final Secret Of Good Persuasive Essays

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. Use powerful words like “love” and “safety,” which resonate deeply, influencing feelings and decisions.
• Strong Evidence: It’s vital to provide a solid base for your argument. Strengthen your claims with compelling words such as “results” and “proven,” which emphasize the reliability and effectiveness of your evidence. 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.

These elements work together to compel the reader to view things your way and, ideally, adopt this viewpoint. Persuasive writing not only spreads ideas but also motivates action by influencing opinions.

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.

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. In contrast, argumentative essays focus on rational, logical arguments backed by factual evidence.

The tone in persuasive essays often involves more emotional language to connect with the reader on a personal level. Phrases like “imagine if” or “picture this” can be used to draw readers into a scenario, making it feel real and urgent. On the other hand, argumentative essays use a more formal and detached tone, relying on an objective presentation of facts.

Use of Evidence

Persuasive essays often incorporate emotional appeals to connect more deeply with the reader. Effective types of emotional evidence include:

• Personal Stories: Engage the reader by sharing real-life experiences.
• Anecdotes: Provide short, impactful examples to illustrate points.
• Metaphors: Use symbolic language to create vivid comparisons.
• Passionate Language: Employ emotionally charged words to enhance persuasion.
• Rhetorical Questions: Pose questions to provoke thought without needing an actual answer.
• Figurative Language: Use similes and other figures of speech to emphasize and embellish points.

Argumentative essays rely on logic and evidence to substantiate claims. Key forms of rational evidence include:

• Statistical Data: Present numbers to support arguments quantitatively.
• Credible Sources: Cite established authorities to add validity.
• Expert Opinions: Include insights from individuals recognized in their fields.
• Documented Instances: Reference specific cases or examples that illustrate your point.
• Historical Evidence: Use past events to establish context and precedent.

Approach to the Audience

All types of essay writing have a different strategy for reaching their audience. Persuasive essays attempt to understand, predict, and influence the reader’s emotions, using direct and engaging language.

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.

Begin with a compelling hook that grabs attention. Consider using:

• An Intriguing Question : Pose a thought-provoking question to pique curiosity.
• A Surprising Statistic : Share a statistic that highlights the urgency or importance of the topic.
• A Relevant Quote : Use a quote that reflects the central theme of your essay and inspires readers.
• A Vivid Anecdote : Tell a brief, engaging story that sets up your argument or shows why the topic is relevant.

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

Conclude your introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement. This statement should:

• Assert Your Position : Clearly express your stance on the topic, ensuring it is debatable and substantial.
• Guide the Reader : Serve as a roadmap for the arguments you will present in the body of your essay.

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. Here, your arguments find a voice, and evidence bolsters your stance. Let’s explore how to construct these paragraphs effectively:

• Topic Sentence : Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea you will discuss. This sentence should link back to your thesis statement and outline the argument you’ll expand upon in the paragraph.
• Statistical Data : Quantify your argument with relevant numbers.
• Expert Testimony : Bring in perspectives from authorities in the field to add credibility.
• Examples and Anecdotes : Concrete examples and personal stories can make your argument more relatable and emotionally appealing.
• Powerful Adjectives and Verbs : Choose words that convey strong emotions or action to persuade your audience.
• Rhetorical Questions : Use these to challenge the reader’s thinking and engage them more deeply in the topic.
• Direct Address : Occasionally speak directly to the reader to make your argument more personal and urgent.
• Concluding Sentence : Each paragraph should end with a sentence that summarizes the main point discussed and leads smoothly into the next paragraph. This helps maintain the flow of your essay and reinforces the cohesion between your arguments.
• Transitions : Employ transitional phrases to ensure a smooth progression from one paragraph to the next. Phrases like “furthermore,” “moreover,” and “however,” help maintain the rhythm of your narrative and clarify the relationships between your points.

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:

✏️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:

• Ethos uses ethical principles to establish trust.
• Logos builds a solid basis for your argument through the use of logic.
• 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.

Transition Words as Part of a Persuasive Sentence

Similarly to persuasive words, transition words play a crucial role in persuasive writing, seamlessly guiding readers from one idea to the next. These interesting words are one of the most powerful components of persuasive texts and persuasive essay essentials , which act as a bridge, ensuring a smooth flow of thoughts and arguments and enhancing the coherence and persuasiveness of the text.

By using transitional speech phrases such as “furthermore,” “in addition,” and “more importantly” in persuasive language, writers can emphasize key points, reinforce their arguments, and lead the reader toward a compelling conclusion. In persuasive writing strategies, these small power words enable a stronger connection with the audience, making the message clearer and more convincing.

Phrases to Introduce Your Topic

Introducing your topic effectively is vital in persuasive speech writing, captivating your audience from the outset. Here are four powerful phrases as persuasive language examples:

“Did you know that…”

Ex 1: Did you know that approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic are in the oceans yearly? That’s a no brainer!

Ex 2: Did you know that a copy machine, also known as a photocopier, was invented by Chester Carlson in 1938?

“Imagine if…”

Ex 1: Imagine if we could harness solar energy to power entire cities, reducing our carbon footprint dramatically.

Ex 2: Imagine if small businesses thrived with enhanced support, powering local economies and fostering innovation.

“Picture this…”

Ex 1: Picture this: A skilled writer effortlessly weaves persuasive sentences through powerful strategies to make words that persuade the reader with finesse, generating better results.

Ex 2: Picture this: persuasive language words can sway minds and shape opinions.

“Have you ever wondered…”

Ex 1: Have you ever wondered how the power of persuasion can make a person feel special and valued?

Ex 2: Have you ever wondered how the most persuasive words on a page can sense and speak to the reader’s deepest desires?

Employing these engaging persuasive phrases will  help you with persuasive essay writing , piquing curiosity, inciting reflection, and laying the groundwork for a compelling argument that captivates your readers and leaves a lasting impact.

Phrases to Introduce Evidence

In persuasive writing, evidence plays a huge role, a vital role in supporting claims convincingly. These persuasive essay words and phrases strategies enhance the impact of your evidence:

“For instance…”

Ex 1: The new educational program yielded impressive results; for instance, student attendance increased by 20%.

Ex 2: Persuasive words and phrases can be incredibly influential; for instance, they can sway opinions and inspire action.

“For example…”

Ex 1: Many countries have successfully implemented universal healthcare, for example, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Ex 2: Modern technology has transformed communication, for example, social media platforms.

“Specifically…”

Ex 1: The survey identified multiple concerns, specifically inadequate public transportation and rising housing costs.

Ex 2: The study focused on specific age groups, specifically teenagers between 14 and 18.

“In particular…”

Ex 1: People are often drawn to the word free and, in particular, “free stuff” because of the enticing sense of getting something without cost.

Ex 2: The book with words in the English language explored multiple themes, in particular, emphasizing challenges faced by marginalized communities.

“Namely…”

Ex 1: The point of persuasion, namely captivating the reader’s attention, is to entice them with the idea of receiving something for free and ultimately influence their decision.

Ex 2: The seminar covered various topics, namely climate change and sustainable agriculture.

“Such as…”

Ex 1: Many fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as oranges, an excellent source of vitamin C.

Ex 2: Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, are gaining popularity.

Phrases to Introduce an Example

Effectively introducing examples of persuasive words for essays enriches your arguments. Here are six phrases with powerful writing and persuasive sentences examples for concise illustration:

Ex 1: For example, in a debate course, the point is to develop compelling arguments that leave no room for any excuse.

Ex 2: Athletes achieve greatness through dedication. For example, Serena Williams earned numerous Grand Slam titles.

“Thus…”

Ex 1: Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, thus, reducing heart disease risk.

Ex 2: Proper waste management promotes sustainability, thus, safeguarding ecosystems.

“As an example…”

Ex 1: Volunteer work offers valuable experiences; as an example, community clean-ups foster civic responsibility.

Ex 2: Learning a new language enhances human cognition; as an example, it improves memory.

“In the instance of…”

Ex 1: In the instance of severe weather, robust disaster preparedness ensures safety.

Ex 2: In the instance of water scarcity, rainwater harvesting becomes crucial.

“In other words…”

Ex 1: The funding supports educational programs, in other words, enhancing student experiences.

Ex 2: The marketing campaign aims to boost brand visibility; in other words, increase awareness.

“To illustrate…”

Ex1: To illustrate deforestation’s impact, compare forested and eroded regions.

Ex 2: Complex projects require diverse collaboration to illustrate teamwork’s significance.

Phrases to Make Suggestions

To convey suggestions effectively, consider using these phrases:

“To this end…”

Ex 1: To this end, implement a recycling program to promote environmental sustainability.

Ex 2: The project aims to improve community health. To this end, invest in accessible healthcare facilities.

“Keeping this in mind…”

Ex 1: Keeping this in mind, incorporate mindfulness practices in the workplace to reduce stress.

Ex 2: Keeping this in mind, students’ diverse learning needs should be considered before designing the curriculum.

“For this purpose…”

Ex 1: For this purpose, introduce workshops and training sessions to enhance employee engagement.

Ex 2: For this purpose, repurpose an unused area for a dedicated brainstorming space to foster creativity.

“Therefore…”

Ex 1: The current system faces inefficiencies; therefore, implement automation to enhance efficiency.

Ex 2: The study indicates potential risks; therefore, explore sustainable production approaches.

Phrases to Transition Between Information

To maintain a smooth flow of information, utilize these phrases:

“Also…”

Ex 1: The study found significant improvements in reading skills. Also, students demonstrated increased confidence in-class participation.

Ex 2: The company invested in renewable energy. Also, they implemented sustainable packaging practices.

“Furthermore…”

Ex 1: The research supports the hypothesis. Furthermore, it highlights potential applications in real-world scenarios.

Ex 2: The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, it encourages community engagement in environmental conservation.

“Additionally…”

Ex 1: The project achieved its primary goals. Additionally, it garnered positive feedback from stakeholders.

Ex 2: The program promotes healthy eating habits. Additionally, it offers personalized fitness plans to participants.

“However…”

Ex 1: The preliminary data suggest positive outcomes. However, further research is required to draw definitive conclusions.

Ex 2: The product received positive customer reviews. However, there is still room for improvement based on feedback.

Phrases to Contrast Points

To highlight contrasts between points, consider using these transition words for compare and contrast :

“On the other hand…”

Ex 1: The study supports the new hypothesis. On the other hand, previous research suggests alternative interpretations.

Ex 2: The company increased profits through cost-cutting measures. On the other hand, employee satisfaction declined.

“In spite of…”

Ex 1: In spite of challenging circumstances, the project was completed ahead of schedule.

Ex 2: In spite of financial constraints, the company launched an innovative advertising campaign.

“Yet…”

Ex 1: The product received positive feedback, yet, sales did not meet expectations.

Ex 2: She excels in verbal arguments and public speaking, yet her ability to write is equally impressive.

Phrases for Conclusions and Summarizing

To  make a conclusion in an argumentative essay effectively, consider using these convincing words for persuasive writing:

“With this in mind…”

Ex 1: With this in mind, it is crucial to prioritize environmental conservation efforts to ensure a sustainable future.

Ex 2: Effective time management is essential for productivity. With this in mind, individuals should spend less time idle talking and strive to prioritize tasks and set clear goals.

“As a result of…”

Ex 1: As a result of the implementation of energy-saving measures, electricity consumption was significantly reduced.

Ex 2: The research findings were groundbreaking, and as a result of this discovery, new treatment options can be explored.

“Because of this…”

Ex 1: The project team demonstrated exceptional collaboration, and because of this, they achieved remarkable outcomes.

Ex 2: The funding cuts affected educational programs, and because of this, students’ access to resources was limited.

“For this reason…”

Ex 1: The safety measures were upgraded in the workplace in a limited time, for this reason, ensuring a secure working environment for employees.

Ex 2: The data analysis revealed concerning trends in line, and for this reason, further investigation is warranted.

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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Persuasive Essay Outline: Guide on Structure & Examples

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A persuasive essay is a type of academic writing that implies convincing a reader to accept the arguments. Students may use an emotional style that will make readers follow your ideas. But an organized persuasive essay outline is required as well. It will help to develop a clear position and divide your paper into theses that will look persuasive. You should draw some basic paper’s structure up before you start writing. This way, you will have an organized outline in front and won’t miss any important details. In this guide, we will tell you why it is important to make an outline for any persuasive essay, and what parts it consists of. Besides, you will find several templates and examples prepared by our  essay writers .  

What Is a Persuasive Essay Outline and Why Is It Important?

A persuasive essay outline is a basic map of your writing that shows the number of paragraphs and how your arguments will be organized. It maps out the order your paragraphs will appear and gives a hint on what information should be included in each section. There are many ways to organize your key ideas in your outline:

• Bulletin points
• Numbered list

A persuasive essay is where students should prove their point of view. For this very reason, drafting an outline for a persuasive essay allows for an emotional component and helps not to get confused in your supporting proofs. Besides, an outline allows you to save your precious time. In fact, after drawing up a plan, an essay writing process is limited to just expanding your ready-made arguments. Therefore, this paper’s plan is an excellent way to systematize knowledge and focus on key points. Find various persuasive essay examples for a better understanding.

How to Write Persuasive Essay Outline

Before you write a persuasive essay outline, shape the topic and the main statement of your paper. Next, determine key arguments which you will convince readers in. Make sure that you have sufficient research materials to use. Usually, the essay plan consists of these 3 components:  

• Introduction presenting your topic.
• Text body offering and supporting your arguments.
• Conclusion giving some food for thought.

Follow these easy steps to make the right plan and get a high-quality persuasive essay. Further, we will discuss each step in more detail based on our experience and skills. At this point, you can simply  buy persuasive essay from our writers to avoid any writing hassle.

Introduction for Your Persuasive Essay Outline

A persuasive essay introduction  outline is usually drawn up following a standard structure. Here’s what you should include:  

• Background information
• Thesis statement

Start with a good hook so that you can grasp reader’s attention from the very beginning. It may be any brief statistical information, some quote on the topic, or even a joke – everything that will help to start your essay in an interesting manner. Then, familiarize your readers with some context. You should also have an effective thesis statement. To create such try to use  Thesis Statement Maker . Later on, you will provide arguments that will prove it. For now, you should write a persuasive statement that will briefly present 3 main arguments. Don’t disclose all your ideas too early. Here, you should just jot down your main opinion and how you will prove it. Following such structure ensures that you write an intriguing introduction.  

Body Paragraphs in Your Outline of Persuasive Essay

Always keep in mind that a persuasive essay body paragraph outline is the gist of your writing. Therefore, choose three  arguments , back them up with facts, and compile a synergy. That is, achieve a smooth topic presentation. Thanks to our template, you will be able to provide facts and explain each point in detail. Follow this structure to validate your opinion. Outline for each body paragraph:

• Topic sentence of a paragraph presenting your argument and reasoning.
• Supporting facts that prove your point.
• Counterargument and rebuttal of an opposite opinion.
• Further discussion.
• Transition sentence.

Don’t hesitate to include an opposite point of view in reasoning and use transitional sentences as well. This will make your presentation more coherent, and if you add a little bit of statistics, the paper will look more illustrative and informative. Be sure to double-check each paragraph to detect and correct any grammar or stylistic mistakes.

Conclusion: Outline of Persuasive Essay

After you have revealed key arguments, it’s just about time to summarize what you have said in a persuasive essay conclusion. Here, you will mention what you have discussed and explained before and shape your final thoughts. Rephrase a thesis presented in your introduction and repeat the arguments to achieve the information coherence. Here’s how an outline will look:

• Summary of key points
• Rephrased thesis
• Implications or call to action.

As you see, you can also add a call to action or some question to reflect on. You may refer to any scholarly work so that readers see your contribution. Likewise, you can share predictions on your topic – make your conclusion memorable or use  Conclusion Generator by StudyCrumb to find more ideas. Try the  college essay writing service if you already feel tired from reading.

Persuasive Essay Outline Format

Still, a persuasive essay is a formal paper, so it is important to stick to the persuasive essay format outline. Even though there are no clear criteria, academic experts suggest to keep your plan well-organized. Here’re several useful suggestions:

• Font We recommend choosing the one that will be convenient for you to read. One of the most popular is Times New Roman. Georgia and Arial are also often used.
• Spacing For most academic tasks, double line spacing will be sufficient – this is a common requirement.
• Alignment Instead of aligning the text on the left side, format it edgewise. This will make your outline look more harmonious. However, this rule doesn’t apply to essays.
• Word count You need to discuss this matter with your teacher or research advisor. But usually, 500-2000 words are enough for your essay. Consider this when outlining your ideas.

Formatting will make any text look attractive and organized. After all, you will use this structure during the writing process, and you surely don’t want to get lost in some messy draft.

Persuasive Essay Outline Template

With the outline template for a persuasive essay before your eyes, you can start compiling your paper faster. Usually, a catchy structure is used, which doesn’t change depending on the topic. It successfully defines the purpose of an essay, and a seemingly bulky plan will be easy to master.

• Introduction Hook, context of the topic, definitions, and thesis.
• Main body Main arguments related to your thesis, proof of your view point, results of your personal analysis.
• Conclusion Summarize key arguments presented in the main body, restate your position, and add questions or statements that will make your reader think.

This structure will help you write a persuasive essay for any college or university. It may come in handy for professional publications or even as a public speech draft.

4-Paragraph Persuasive Essay Outline Template

Usually, little depends on a number of paragraphs. This brief form is often preferred to cover smaller theses. For a 4-paragraph persuasive essay outline template, standard structure will be suitable. All you need is to include enough relevant information. Here’s an example you can consider:  

• Cast a hook
• Provide background on the subject
• Present a thesis statement and arguments
• Share your point of view on this argument
• Complement your viewpoint with supporting examples
• Transition sentence
• Integrate all elements specified above
• Sum up your main arguments
• Restate your thesis and mention that it was proved
• Include call to action

5-Paragraph Persuasive Essay Outline Template

Most often, students use a five-paragraph persuasive essay outline. In this case, the reader will be able to learn more details. There are more paragraphs here than in the previous version. Therefore, you can expand your idea and provide more details on the thesis and your arguments.

• Captivating hook
• Context on the subject
• Thesis statement with arguments listed
• Topic sentence introducing your reasoning
• Proofs that back up your point
• Opposing opinion and its rebuttal
• In-depth analysis
• Include all elements mentioned above
• Summarize your key points
• Restate your thesis
• Provide food for thought

Persuasive Essay Outline Example

Above, we have suggested schematic examples of a persuasive essay outline, which are suitable for compiling any essay. We recommend choosing a better idea, which will be revealed in the text using arguments. This will be impossible without an in-depth study of the topic. Here’s an outline example for an essay on  Reasons for Displaying Compassion.

Persuasive Essay Outline Worksheet

When compiling a persuasive essay outline worksheet, it is important to start the plan with a schematic representation. Select keywords and use them as a basis to write logical paragraphs. To make it clear, we have prepared an essay outline on the topic  Need to Renew the Bus Fleet .

Argumentative Persuasive Essay Outline

Argumentative persuasive essay outline doesn’t differ much from a classic persuasive essay, but you should provide a strong argument. The reader will get not only an emotional component, but also facts that will further convince him. Usually, this scheme is used for scientific and deep essays, for which emotions alone won’t be enough. Hover over the elements of this example to get an overall idea.  

• Introduce the problem
• Give an interesting fact
• Provide arguments supporting your main thesis
• Write a topic sentence presenting your argument
• Back it up with your personal opinion and reliable information
• Unite body paragraphs with transitions
• Give a reworded thesis, change the arguments as well
• Work out a clincher section.

Abortion Persuasive Essay Outline

The problem of abortion has several debetable aspects, so abortion persuasive essay online should be compiled based on your personal beliefs. Most often, you should mention the value of people's lives and then develop arguments leaning towards emotional aspects.

Look through this example and find out how structure your paper on abortion.  

Global Warming Persuasive Essay Outline

When compiling a global warming persuasive essay outline, you should pay special attention to the facts and researchers’ forecasts. Be sure to write about the live situation and what it will result in. All of these are included in our schematic plan below.

Outline for a Persuasive Essay: Final Thoughts

Outline for persuasive essay is an important part during preparation of any convincing text. Keep the reader involved and write using the emotional component, which in this case is allowed. The introductory thesis must be analyzed based on the arguments with references to statistics and scientific research. This is the only way to write a high-quality persuasive essay full of topic-related information. If you are not sure how to enhance your persuasive essay with supporting facts, get in touch with our professional writers. They are experienced in writing all sorts of academic papers with quality in mind. Don’t worry if you have an urgents order – as our customer you can enjoy a timely essay turnaround.  

FAQ About Persuasive Essay Outlines

1. how long is a persuasive essay outline.

In most cases, a persuasive essay outline size depends on the thoroughness of the described problem and the number of arguments. An average plan has 5 paragraphs, including an introduction, the main text consisting of 3 paragraphs with arguments, and a conclusion. We recommend writing short but succinct sentences. Don’t dilute the essence and promote a particular argument in a comprehensible way.

2. What comes first in a persuasive essay?

The first step in any persuasive essay is the introduction that doesn’t vary in types. It describes the problem discussed in your paper and the reason why the reader should pay attention to your text. Besides, an introductory paragraph presents a student’s point of view on the situation. Additionally, the arguments supporting the position should be briefly described here. Usually, 5 sentences or 100 words are enough for this task.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

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Writing a Persuasive Essay Outline [+ PDF Template and Samples]

• by Lesley V.
• August 21, 2023 November 9, 2023

For college students, persuasive essays are about arguments. You learn how to choose and organize them in a paper for the audience to agree with you.

You research, analyze examples, and compile the most reasoning information on the topic. A persuasive essay outline is an instrument to create a compelling, A-worthy paper.

This guide is here to make outlining less challenging and time-consuming:

Here you’ll find the formatting rules for an argumentative persuasive essay. After reading, you’ll know what to include in the outline and how to structure it. (Let alone the bonus: a free PDF template for creating persuasive essay outlines!)

Let’s dive right in.

What is a Persuasive Essay Outline?

It reminds the table of contents in blog posts or books, listing the paragraphs or chapters.

Middle school and college students craft essay outlines as bullet points or checklists.

Why write outlines for college papers

• Note down the research so you don’t miss anything while writing
• Systemize the knowledge to choose the most reasoning claims for your essay
• Organize core points and prescribe evidence for every argument
• Structure an essay beforehand to save your time and ease the process

With a detailed plan at hand, you won’t struggle with a “what-to-write-next” dilemma. You’ll expand ready-made and already-organized arguments. Even 5th-grade students learn to craft outlines for their papers, i.e., this skill is worth time and effort.

How to Write an Outline for a Persuasive Essay

A college level persuasive essay has a 5-paragraph structure (1). Follow it when writing your outline:

• Start with an introduction.
• Go on with 3 body paragraphs, each with a new argument and evidence to support your point.
• Finish your outline with a conclusion.

Below you’ll find the elements to mention in each paragraph.

Introduction

You don’t have to write an introductory paragraph word by word in your outline. All you need is to specify the following elements in brief:

• Hook: Decide on a catchy opening sentence to win the reader’s interest.
• Background Info: Introduce your essay topic. What issue will you discuss?
• Thesis: Specify which side of that issue you’ll support with arguments and evidence.

Body Paragraphs

A standard structure prescribes three body paragraphs in a college essay. But it’s not a strict rule to follow.

The number of sections depends on several factors:

• How many claims you’ll use to persuade readers.
• How long your essay should be.
• Whether you add a paragraph with opposite views.

Add as many paragraphs to your essay outline as required to communicate your thesis. Note the following for each:

• Topic sentence: What argument will you use to persuade readers about your thesis?
• Example: Specify the evidence you’ll use to support your point. (Statistics, facts, and any other relevant information)
• Transition: Think of a transitional sentence to the next paragraph. How to glue all the info to sound logical and coherent?

The final paragraph of your persuasive research essay should have the following:

• Thesis restatement: Don’t copy but rewrite it with different words.
• Summary: Remind the reader about all the key points you discussed in your essay’s body. Thus, you’ll establish the significance of your position again.
• Food for thought: Leave the reader with a call to action or a question to think about after they checked your paper.

5-Paragraph Persuasive Essay Outline: Your PDF Template

Below is your free PDF version of an outline for persuasive essay. It specifies the core elements (2): All you need is to fill it in with relevant information about your topic. Feel free to use it as a worksheet or a sample for essay outlines.

This persuasive essay outline template saves you time on paper structuring. Here you can take notes on arguments, claims, and evidence you’ll use in a draft. All in one place to organize thoughts and not miss anything while writing.

Writing a Persuasive Essay Outline: Examples

And now, to practice.

Say you write a college level persuasive essay. The topic is “Journal writing is therapeutic.”

That’s what your outline might look like:

Please note: The above outline is a sample. It’s here for help and informative purposes only. So, don’t copy but feel free to use it as a reference when writing outlines for your own works.

Another persuasive essay outline example:

Let’s say the topic is “Trump era brings the end of democracy to the entire world.”

In this post, I’ve demonstrated how to do an outline for a persuasive essay. Now you have a template and samples to consider for your own works. So:

• Follow the formatting rules.
• Ensure you add all the arguments and up-to-date examples to support your claims.
• Note down everything in brief to ease the writing process.

A persuasive essay outline is a map. It showcases all the information you need to mention for the audience to agree with your points. It’s an essay plan to organize your paper for better coherence and engagement.

References:

• https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/persuasive-essays  
• https://valenciacollege.edu/students/learning-support/winter-park/communications/documents/SampleArgumentOutline.pdf

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Tips and Tricks

Allison Bressmer

Most composition classes you’ll take will teach the art of persuasive writing. That’s a good thing.

Knowing where you stand on issues and knowing how to argue for or against something is a skill that will serve you well both inside and outside of the classroom.

Persuasion is the art of using logic to prompt audiences to change their mind or take action , and is generally seen as accomplishing that goal by appealing to emotions and feelings.

A persuasive essay is one that attempts to get a reader to agree with your perspective.

Ready for some tips on how to produce a well-written, well-rounded, well-structured persuasive essay? Just say yes. I don’t want to have to write another essay to convince you!

How Do I Write a Persuasive Essay?

What are some good topics for a persuasive essay, how do i identify an audience for my persuasive essay, how do you create an effective persuasive essay, how should i edit my persuasive essay.

Your persuasive essay needs to have the three components required of any essay: the introduction , body , and conclusion .

That is essay structure. However, there is flexibility in that structure.

There is no rule (unless the assignment has specific rules) for how many paragraphs any of those sections need.

Although the components should be proportional; the body paragraphs will comprise most of your persuasive essay.

How Do I Start a Persuasive Essay?

As with any essay introduction, this paragraph is where you grab your audience’s attention, provide context for the topic of discussion, and present your thesis statement.

TIP 1: Some writers find it easier to write their introductions last. As long as you have your working thesis, this is a perfectly acceptable approach. From that thesis, you can plan your body paragraphs and then go back and write your introduction.

TIP 2: Avoid “announcing” your thesis. Don’t include statements like this:

• “In my essay I will show why extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.”
• “The purpose of my essay is to argue that extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.”

Announcements take away from the originality, authority, and sophistication of your writing.

Instead, write a convincing thesis statement that answers the question "so what?" Why is the topic important, what do you think about it, and why do you think that? Be specific.

How Many Paragraphs Should a Persuasive Essay Have?

This body of your persuasive essay is the section in which you develop the arguments that support your thesis. Consider these questions as you plan this section of your essay:

• What arguments support your thesis?
• What is the best order for your arguments?
• What evidence do you have?
• Will you address the opposing argument to your own?
• How can you conclude convincingly?

TIP: Brainstorm and do your research before you decide which arguments you’ll focus on in your discussion. Make a list of possibilities and go with the ones that are strongest, that you can discuss with the most confidence, and that help you balance your rhetorical triangle .

What Should I Put in the Conclusion of a Persuasive Essay?

The conclusion is your “mic-drop” moment. Think about how you can leave your audience with a strong final comment.

And while a conclusion often re-emphasizes the main points of a discussion, it shouldn’t simply repeat them.

TIP 1: Be careful not to introduce a new argument in the conclusion—there’s no time to develop it now that you’ve reached the end of your discussion!

TIP 2 : As with your thesis, avoid announcing your conclusion. Don’t start your conclusion with “in conclusion” or “to conclude” or “to end my essay” type statements. Your audience should be able to see that you are bringing the discussion to a close without those overused, less sophisticated signals.

If your instructor has assigned you a topic, then you’ve already got your issue; you’ll just have to determine where you stand on the issue. Where you stand on your topic is your position on that topic.

Your position will ultimately become the thesis of your persuasive essay: the statement the rest of the essay argues for and supports, intending to convince your audience to consider your point of view.

If you have to choose your own topic, use these guidelines to help you make your selection:

• Choose an issue you truly care about
• Choose an issue that is actually debatable

Simple “tastes” (likes and dislikes) can’t really be argued. No matter how many ways someone tries to convince me that milk chocolate rules, I just won’t agree.

It’s dark chocolate or nothing as far as my tastes are concerned.

Similarly, you can’t convince a person to “like” one film more than another in an essay.

You could argue that one movie has superior qualities than another: cinematography, acting, directing, etc. but you can’t convince a person that the film really appeals to them.

Once you’ve selected your issue, determine your position just as you would for an assigned topic. That position will ultimately become your thesis.

Until you’ve finalized your work, consider your thesis a “working thesis.”

This means that your statement represents your position, but you might change its phrasing or structure for that final version.

When you’re writing an essay for a class, it can seem strange to identify an audience—isn’t the audience the instructor?

Your instructor will read and evaluate your essay, and may be part of your greater audience, but you shouldn’t just write for your teacher.

Think about who your intended audience is.

For an argument essay, think of your audience as the people who disagree with you—the people who need convincing.

That population could be quite broad, for example, if you’re arguing a political issue, or narrow, if you’re trying to convince your parents to extend your curfew.

Once you’ve got a sense of your audience, it’s time to consult with Aristotle. Aristotle’s teaching on persuasion has shaped communication since about 330 BC. Apparently, it works.

Aristotle taught that in order to convince an audience of something, the communicator needs to balance the three elements of the rhetorical triangle to achieve the best results.

Those three elements are ethos , logos , and pathos .

Ethos relates to credibility and trustworthiness. How can you, as the writer, demonstrate your credibility as a source of information to your audience?

How will you show them you are worthy of their trust?

• You show you’ve done your research: you understand the issue, both sides
• You show respect for the opposing side: if you disrespect your audience, they won’t respect you or your ideas

Logos relates to logic. How will you convince your audience that your arguments and ideas are reasonable?

You provide facts or other supporting evidence to support your claims.

That evidence may take the form of studies or expert input or reasonable examples or a combination of all of those things, depending on the specific requirements of your assignment.

Remember: if you use someone else’s ideas or words in your essay, you need to give them credit.

ProWritingAid's Plagiarism Checker checks your work against over a billion web-pages, published works, and academic papers so you can be sure of its originality.

Find out more about ProWritingAid’s Plagiarism checks.

Pathos relates to emotion. Audiences are people and people are emotional beings. We respond to emotional prompts. How will you engage your audience with your arguments on an emotional level?

• You make strategic word choices : words have denotations (dictionary meanings) and also connotations, or emotional values. Use words whose connotations will help prompt the feelings you want your audience to experience.
• You use emotionally engaging examples to support your claims or make a point, prompting your audience to be moved by your discussion.

Be mindful as you lean into elements of the triangle. Too much pathos and your audience might end up feeling manipulated, roll their eyes and move on.

An “all logos” approach will leave your essay dry and without a sense of voice; it will probably bore your audience rather than make them care.

Once you’ve got your essay planned, start writing! Don’t worry about perfection, just get your ideas out of your head and off your list and into a rough essay format.

After you’ve written your draft, evaluate your work. What works and what doesn’t? For help with evaluating and revising your work, check out this ProWritingAid post on manuscript revision .

After you’ve evaluated your draft, revise it. Repeat that process as many times as you need to make your work the best it can be.

When you’re satisfied with the content and structure of the essay, take it through the editing process .

Grammatical or sentence-level errors can distract your audience or even detract from the ethos—the authority—of your work.

You don’t have to edit alone! ProWritingAid’s Realtime Report will find errors and make suggestions for improvements.

You can even use it on emails to your professors:

Try ProWritingAid with a free account.

How Can I Improve My Persuasion Skills?

You can develop your powers of persuasion every day just by observing what’s around you.

• How is that advertisement working to convince you to buy a product?
• How is a political candidate arguing for you to vote for them?
• How do you “argue” with friends about what to do over the weekend, or convince your boss to give you a raise?
• How are your parents working to convince you to follow a certain academic or career path?

As you observe these arguments in action, evaluate them. Why are they effective or why do they fail?

How could an argument be strengthened with more (or less) emphasis on ethos, logos, and pathos?

Every argument is an opportunity to learn! Observe them, evaluate them, and use them to perfect your own powers of persuasion.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Allison Bressmer is a professor of freshman composition and critical reading at a community college and a freelance writer. If she isn’t writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her reading a book or listening to a podcast while happily sipping a semi-sweet iced tea or happy-houring with friends. She lives in New York with her family. Connect at linkedin.com/in/allisonbressmer.

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Persuasive Essay Writing

How to Write a Persuasive Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

13 min read

Published on: Jan 3, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

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It's the night before the essay is due, and you haven't even started. Your mind is blank, and you have no idea what words will persuade your teacher. 

The good news is that some tips and tricks can make the process of writing a persuasive essay much easier.

In this blog, we'll break down the components of a persuasive essay and provide helpful tips and examples along the way. By the end, you should have all the guidelines to create a winning essay that will persuade your readers to see things your way.

Let's take a closer look at all these steps.

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What is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay presents logical arguments with emotional appeal.

Typically, persuasive essays begin with a question that the writer spends the essay arguing in favor of or opposition to. 

For example: should kids be allowed to play video games on weekdays? 

The writer would then spend the rest of the essay backing up their claim with reasons and evidence. 

Persuasive essays often include counterarguments. These arguments oppose the writer's position. 

By including counterarguments, persuasive essays become more interesting. They also force the writer to think critically about their position.

For example, an opponent of the previous argument might say that playing video games leads to poor grades. 

The original writer could deny this claim by pointing to studies that show no correlation between bad grades and playing video games.

The best persuasive essays are well-researched and use data to support their claims. 

However, persuasive essays are not just about logic. They also need to include emotional appeal. 

After all, people are more likely to be persuaded by an argument that speaks to their feelings. 

Elements of a Persuasive Essay 

When a persuasive essay is a task, you must keep these three greek terms in mind. They are:

• Ethos (appeal to ethics) 
• Pathos (appeal to emotion)
• Logos (appeal to logic)

A good essay will use all of these elements to convince the reader that the argument presented is valid. 

Let's take a closer look at each one.

Ethos - the Credibility Element 

The persuasive power of ethos lies in the character or credibility of the person making the argument. 

For an argument to be persuasive, the person presenting it must be someone that the audience trusts. 

This could be because they are an expert on the subject or because they have first-hand experience with it. Either way, ethos establishes the speaker's credibility and makes the audience more likely to trust what they have to say.

Pathos -the Emotional Element 

While ethos deals with the character of the person making the argument, pathos has to do with the audience's emotions. A persuasive argument will tap into the audience's emotions and use them to sway their opinion.

This could be done through stories or anecdotes that evoke an emotional response or by using language that stirs certain feelings.

Logos - the Logical Element 

The final element of persuasion is logos, which appeals to logic. A persuasive argument will use sound reasoning and evidence to convince the audience that it is valid. This could be done through data or using persuasive techniques like cause and effect.

Using all these elements of a persuasive essay can make your argument much more effective. 

How To Write a Persuasive Essay

Writing persuasive essays can be challenging, but they don't have to be.

With the following simple steps, you can quickly turn an ordinary essay into one that will make a lasting impression. 

Tough Essay Due? Hire a Writer!

How To Start a Persuasive Essay 

Here is a complete guide on how to start a persuasive essay. Follow them to compose a perfect essay every time. 

Brainstorm All Possible Angles 

The first step in writing a persuasive essay is brainstorming. You need to develop an angle for your essay that will make it unique and interesting. 

For example, let's say you're writing about the death penalty. A lot has been said on this topic, so it might be hard to find an angle that hasn't been covered already. 

But if you think about it, there are many different ways to approach the issue. 

Maybe you could write about the personal experiences of someone affected by the death penalty. Or maybe you could write about the economic costs of the death penalty. 

There are many possibilities here - it's all about thinking creatively.

Select Your Topic

Once you've brainstormed a few ideas, it's time to choose your topic. Pick the angle you think will most effectively persuade your reader. 

Once you've chosen your topic, it's time to research. Use statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples to support your position. 

Choose Your Side

Now that you've researched, it's time to take a side in the debate. Remember, you must take a strong stance on one side of the issue. 

After deciding your stance, research and support it with evidence.

Appeal to Human Emotions 

One of the most effective ways to persuade someone is by appealing to their emotions. 

After all, we're not robots - we're human beings and always make decisions based on our feelings. 

Make your reader feel something, whether it's anger, sadness, empathy, or even amusement. You'll be well on convincing them of your point of view. 

Anticipate Possible Objections.

Of course, not everyone will agree, and that's okay! 

The important thing is that you anticipate some of those objections and address them head-on in your essay. 

This shows that you take your reader's objections seriously and are confident in your position. 

Organize Your Evidence 

Once you have all of your evidence collected, it's time to start organizing it into an outline for your essay.  

Organizing your essay is a key step in the writing process. It helps you keep track of all the evidence you've gathered and structure your argument in an organized way.

What Are The Steps To Write Your Persuasive Essay?

Now that you have your topic essay outline, it's time to move on to the actual writing.

Here are the steps you need to take:

Step 1: Create a Compelling Introduction

You want to hook your readers with a great opening for your persuasive essay, so they'll want to keep reading.

Here are 3 tips for writing an attention-grabbing introduction for your next essay.

• Use a strong hook statement

Your hook statement should immediately draw the reader in and make them want to learn more. 

A good hook statement will vary depending on whether you're writing for an academic or more casual audience. 

Still, some good options include a quote, an interesting statistic, or a rhetorical question.

• Make sure your thesis statement is clear and concise

Your thesis statement is the main argument of your essay, so it needs to be stated clearly and concisely in your introduction.

 A good thesis statement will be specific and limit the scope of your argument so that it can be fully addressed in the body of your paper.

• Use a transition

Transitions are important in writing for academic and non-academic audiences because they help guide the reader through your argument. 

A good transition will introduce the main point of your next paragraph while still maintaining the connection to the previous one.

Step 2: Write The Body Paragraphs

Here is a formula for structuring your body paragraphs in a persuasive essay. 

This formula will ensure that each body paragraph is packed with evidence and examples while still being concise and easy to read.

• The Topic Sentence

Every body paragraph should start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence is a key sentence that sums up the paragraph's main point. 

It should be clear, concise, and direct. 

For example, if you were writing a paragraph about the importance of exercise, your topic sentence might be this:

"Regular exercise is essential for good physical and mental health."

See how that sentence gives a clear overview of what the rest of the paragraph will be about.

• Relevant Supporting Sentences

Once your topic sentence is down, it's time to fill the rest of the paragraph with relevant supporting sentences. 

These sentences should provide evidence to support the claims made in the topic sentence. 

For the exercise example, we might use sentences like this:

"Exercise has been shown to improve heart health, reduce stress levels, and boost brain power."

"A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, and type II diabetes."

See how each sentence ties back to the paragraph's main point. That's what you want your supporting sentences to do.

• Closing Sentence

Last but not least, every body paragraph should end with a closing (or transition) sentence. This sentence should briefly summarize the main points of the paragraph and introduce the next point that will be discussed in the following paragraph. 

For the exercise example, the closing sentence might look like this:

"So, as you can see, there are many compelling reasons to make exercise a regular part of your routine."

How to End a Persuasive Essay

The end of your essay is just as important as the introduction. You must leave your readers with a lasting impression and ensure your argument convinces them. 

To do this, you'll want to craft a persuasive conclusion that ties together all the points you have made in the essay.

Here is a video explaining the body paragraphs in a persuasive essay. Check it out for more information. 

Step 1: Write a Persuasive Conclusion

Here are a few tips to help make sure your persuasive essay conclusion is as effective and persuasive as possible. 

• Restate Your Thesis

Begin your essay conclusion by restating the thesis statement you began within your introduction. Doing so will remind readers of what you set out to prove and provide a sense of closure.

• Summarize Your Arguments

 You can also use your conclusion to summarize the main points of your argument. This will help readers recall the evidence you presented and reinforce why it supports your thesis. 

• Offer a Call to Action

Lastly, don't forget to include a call to action in your essay conclusion. This can be anything from a persuasive plea to a persuasive suggestion. 

Step 2:  Polish Up Your Essay

After you’re done with the essay, take a few minutes to read through it. Ensure that your persuasive points and evidence are clear, concise, and persuasive. 

Also, double-check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Ensure that all of your persuasive points are properly explained and make sense to the reader. 

If you’re not confident in your persuasive writing skills, you can enlist a friend or family member to read through it and provide feedback.

You can follow a proofreading checklist after completing your essay to ensure you are on track.

By following these steps, you’ll end up with a persuasive essay that will impress anyone who reads it!

Format Of A Persuasive Essay 

Once you have your persuasive essay topic, it's time to craft an essay structure. Crafting the perfect persuasive essay format is essential for ensuring your paper has maximum persuasive power.

Here are some tips for formatting an effective persuasive essay.

• Increase the Readability of Your Text 

Ensure that you have adhered to all the paragraphing requirements of your instructor. 

Double-check that your margins are set properly. A margin of 1 inch (2.5 cm) on all sides is the standard for most written documents.

This makes it easier for readers to focus and extract important information quickly.

• Use Easy-to-Read Font

Choose a font that is easy to read and professional. Stay away from script fonts or anything too fancy or difficult to read. Stick with basic fonts like Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri.

• Keep a Defined Alignment

Align your persuasive essay to the left margin. This makes it easier for readers to follow along with your argument without having to do too much extra scrolling. 

By following these simple tips, you'll be able to craft the perfect persuasive essay format.

Persuasive Essay Examples

Here are some examples of persuasive essays that can help you get the gist of essay writing.

Persuasive essay on the preservation of nature

Persuasive essay examples pdf

Example of a persuasive essay about covid-19

Check out some more  persuasive essay examples  here for more inspiration.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

The right persuasive essay topics can make or break your essay. Here are a few examples of persuasive essay topics that can help you. 

• Should the government increase taxes on sugary foods to reduce obesity? 
• Do standardized tests accurately measure student intelligence and aptitude? 
• Should studying a foreign language be mandatory in schools? 
• Should all high school students complete community service hours before graduating? 
• Are video games affecting the concentration and cognitive development of children? 
• Should genetically modified foods be labeled as such in stores? 
• Are the current copyright laws protecting artists and content creators enough? 
• Should college tuition be reduced for all students? 
• Is the use of animals in medical research ethical? 
• Should the use of drones be regulated by the government? 
• Should college athletes receive payment for their performance? 
• Should students be allowed to have cell phones in school? 
• Is drug testing in schools an effective way to prevent substance abuse? 
• Does social media promote a healthy lifestyle or contribute to cyber bullying? 
• Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

If you’re stuck with choosing topics, these are great  persuasive essay topics  to get you started! 

Pick one of these and craft an essay that will leave your readers thinking. 

Tips to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make a lasting impression on your reader:

Pick A Topic You're Passionate About

First, you need to choose a topic you're passionate about. It will be easier to write about the topic if you care about the essay. 

This will make it easier to develop persuasive arguments, and you'll be more motivated to do research.

Research Your Topic Thoroughly

After picking a persuasive essay topic, you need thorough research. This will help you gain a better understanding of the issue, which in turn will make your essay stronger. This will also ensure that you fully grasp all counterarguments on your topic.

Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience before writing is important. Are you writing to your classmates? Your teacher? The general public? Once you know your audience, you can tailor your argument to them. 

Knowing your audience will help determine the tone and approach of your essay.

Hook The Reader's Attention

The first few sentences of your essay are crucial - they must grab the reader's attention and make them want to keep reading. 

One way to do this is by starting with a shocking statistic or an interesting story. The reader will be instantly hooked and will be enticed to read more.

Research Both Sides 

A good persuasive essay will consider both sides of an issue and present a well-rounded view. This means researching both sides of the argument before taking a stance. 

Make sure to consider all the evidence before making up your mind - otherwise, your argument won't be as strong as it could be.

Ask Rhetorical Questions

Rhetorical questions are not meant to be answered but rather to make the reader think about the issue. 

For example, "How can we expect our children to succeed in school if they don't have enough resources?" 

Questions like this can help engage readers and get them thinking about solutions rather than just complaining about problems.

Emphasize Your Point

It's important to reiterate your main points throughout the essay so that readers don't forget what they are supposed to argue for or against by the time they reach the end of the paper.

Persuasive essays can be difficult to write, but following simple tips can help make the process easier. 

In this blog, we've outlined the components of a persuasive essay and provided some tips on how to write one. We also shared examples of persuasive essays that scored high marks on standardized tests. 

If you are looking for an essay writing service , look no further than CollegeEssay.org! Our experienced essay writer can provide the assistance you need to produce an essay that meets the highest standards.

Let our persuasive essay writer handle the hard work and get you started on your path to success.

Try our AI essay writer and elevate your writing to new heights today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Persuasive Essays

How long should a persuasive essay be.

Generally speaking, persuasive essays should be between 500-750 words. However, the length of your essay will depend on the instructions given by your teacher or professor.

What Techniques Are Used In Persuasive Essays?

Persuasive techniques include facts and statistics, emotion and logic, personal stories, analogies and metaphors, pathos, ethos, and logos.

How Do I Make My Persuasive Essay More Convincing?

To make your essay more convincing, cite reliable sources, use persuasive language, and provide strong evidence and arguments.

How Is Persuasive Writing Different From Argumentative Writing?

The main difference between persuasive and argumentative writing is that persuasive writing seeks to convince or persuade the reader. On the other hand, argumentative writing seeks to debate an issue.

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40 Strong Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, Ads, and More)

Learn from the experts.

The more we read, the better writers we become. Teaching students to write strong persuasive essays should always start with reading some top-notch models. This round-up of persuasive writing examples includes famous speeches, influential ad campaigns, contemporary reviews of famous books, and more. Use them to inspire your students to write their own essays. (Need persuasive essay topics? Check out our list of interesting persuasive essay ideas here! )

• Persuasive Essays
• Persuasive Speeches
• Advertising Campaigns

Persuasive Essay Writing Examples

From the earliest days of print, authors have used persuasive essays to try to sway others to their own point of view. Check out these top persuasive essay writing examples.

Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf

Sample lines: “Outwardly, what is simpler than to write books? Outwardly, what obstacles are there for a woman rather than for a man? Inwardly, I think, the case is very different; she has still many ghosts to fight, many prejudices to overcome. Indeed it will be a long time still, I think, before a woman can sit down to write a book without finding a phantom to be slain, a rock to be dashed against. And if this is so in literature, the freest of all professions for women, how is it in the new professions which you are now for the first time entering?”

The Crisis by Thomas Paine

Sample lines: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

Sample lines: “As I have tried to show, modern writing at its worst does not consist in picking out words for the sake of their meaning and inventing images in order to make the meaning clearer. It consists in gumming together long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else, and making the results presentable by sheer humbug.”

Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ‘well timed’ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’ We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”

Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Sample lines: “Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.”

Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Roger Ebert

Sample lines: “‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime.”

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin

Sample lines: “Methinks I hear some of you say, must a man afford himself no leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.”

The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sample lines: “Of course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work—the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside—the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don’t show their effect all at once.”

Open Letter to the Kansas School Board by Bobby Henderson

Sample lines: “I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. … Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. … We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him. It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories.”

Open Letter to the United Nations by Niels Bohr

Sample lines: “Humanity will, therefore, be confronted with dangers of unprecedented character unless, in due time, measures can be taken to forestall a disastrous competition in such formidable armaments and to establish an international control of the manufacture and use of the powerful materials.”

Persuasive Speech Writing Examples

Many persuasive speeches are political in nature, often addressing subjects like human rights. Here are some of history’s most well-known persuasive writing examples in the form of speeches.

I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Woodrow Wilson’s War Message to Congress, 1917

Sample lines: “There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.”

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration

Sample lines: “I here and now make this condition that we will not be denied the privilege without molestation of visiting at any time the tombs of our ancestors, friends, and children. Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished. Even the rocks, which seem to be dumb and dead as they swelter in the sun along the silent shore, thrill with memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people, and the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors, and our bare feet are conscious of the sympathetic touch.”

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Sample lines: “What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations do as well. … If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”

I Am Prepared to Die, Nelson Mandela

Sample lines: “Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another. … This then is what the ANC is fighting. Our struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by our own suffering and our own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live.”

The Struggle for Human Rights by Eleanor Roosevelt

Sample lines: “It is my belief, and I am sure it is also yours, that the struggle for democracy and freedom is a critical struggle, for their preservation is essential to the great objective of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security. Among free men the end cannot justify the means. We know the patterns of totalitarianism—the single political party, the control of schools, press, radio, the arts, the sciences, and the church to support autocratic authority; these are the age-old patterns against which men have struggled for 3,000 years. These are the signs of reaction, retreat, and retrogression. The United Nations must hold fast to the heritage of freedom won by the struggle of its people; it must help us to pass it on to generations to come.”

Freedom From Fear by Aung San Suu Kyi

Sample lines: “Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying. So free men are the oppressed who go on trying and who in the process make themselves fit to bear the responsibilities and to uphold the disciplines which will maintain a free society. Among the basic freedoms to which men aspire that their lives might be full and uncramped, freedom from fear stands out as both a means and an end. A people who would build a nation in which strong, democratic institutions are firmly established as a guarantee against state-induced power must first learn to liberate their own minds from apathy and fear.”

Harvey Milk’s “The Hope” Speech

Sample lines: “Some people are satisfied. And some people are not. You see there is a major difference—and it remains a vital difference—between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide. We’ve been tarred and we’ve been brushed with the picture of pornography. In Dade County, we were accused of child molestation. It is not enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good that friend may be.”

The Union and the Strike, Cesar Chavez

Sample lines: “We are showing our unity in our strike. Our strike is stopping the work in the fields; our strike is stopping ships that would carry grapes; our strike is stopping the trucks that would carry the grapes. Our strike will stop every way the grower makes money until we have a union contract that guarantees us a fair share of the money he makes from our work! We are a union and we are strong and we are striking to force the growers to respect our strength!”

Nobel Lecture by Malala Yousafzai

Sample lines: “The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough. Why do leaders accept that for children in developing countries, only basic literacy is sufficient, when their own children do homework in algebra, mathematics, science, and physics? Leaders must seize this opportunity to guarantee a free, quality, primary and secondary education for every child. Some will say this is impractical, or too expensive, or too hard. Or maybe even impossible. But it is time the world thinks bigger.”   

Persuasive Writing Examples in Advertising Campaigns

Ads are prime persuasive writing examples. You can flip open any magazine or watch TV for an hour or two to see sample after sample of persuasive language. Here are some of the most popular ad campaigns of all time, with links to articles explaining why they were so successful.

Nike: Just Do It

The iconic swoosh with the simple tagline has persuaded millions to buy their kicks from Nike and Nike alone. Teamed with pro sports-star endorsements, this campaign is one for the ages. Blinkist offers an opinion on what made it work.

Dove: Real Beauty

Beauty brand Dove changed the game by choosing “real” women to tell their stories instead of models. They used relatable images and language to make connections, and inspired other brands to try the same concept. Learn why Global Brands considers this one a true success story.

Wendy’s: Where’s the Beef?

Today’s kids are too young to remember the cranky old woman demanding to know where the beef was on her fast-food hamburger. But in the 1980s, it was a catchphrase that sold millions of Wendy’s burgers. Learn from Better Marketing how this ad campaign even found its way into the 1984 presidential debate.

De Beers: A Diamond Is Forever

A diamond engagement ring has become a standard these days, but the tradition isn’t as old as you might think. In fact, it was De Beers jewelry company’s 1948 campaign that created the modern engagement ring trend. The Drum has the whole story of this sparkling campaign.

Volkswagen: Think Small

Americans have always loved big cars. So in the 1960s, when Volkswagen wanted to introduce their small cars to a bigger market, they had a problem. The clever “Think Small” campaign gave buyers clever reasons to consider these models, like “If you run out of gas, it’s easy to push.” Learn how advertisers interested American buyers in little cars at Visual Rhetoric.

American Express: Don’t Leave Home Without It

AmEx was once better known for traveler’s checks than credit cards, and the original slogan was “Don’t leave home without them.” A simple word change convinced travelers that American Express was the credit card they needed when they headed out on adventures. Discover more about this persuasive campaign from Medium.

Skittles: Taste the Rainbow

These candy ads are weird and intriguing and probably not for everyone. But they definitely get you thinking, and that often leads to buying. Learn more about why these wacky ads are successful from The Drum.

Maybelline: Maybe She’s Born With It

Smart wordplay made this ad campaign slogan an instant hit. The ads teased, “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.” (So many literary devices all in one phrase!) Fashionista has more on this beauty campaign.

Coca-Cola: Share a Coke

Seeing their own name on a bottle made teens more likely to want to buy a Coke. What can that teach us about persuasive writing in general? It’s an interesting question to consider. Learn more about the “Share a Coke” campaign from Digital Vidya.

Always: #LikeaGirl

Talk about the power of words! This Always campaign turned the derogatory phrase “like a girl” on its head, and the world embraced it. Storytelling is an important part of persuasive writing, and these ads really do it well. Medium has more on this stereotype-bashing campaign.   

Editorial Persuasive Writing Examples

Newspaper editors or publishers use editorials to share their personal opinions. Noted politicians, experts, or pundits may also offer their opinions on behalf of the editors or publishers. Here are a couple of older well-known editorials, along with a selection from current newspapers.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1897)

Sample lines: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.”

What’s the Matter With Kansas? (1896)

Sample lines: “Oh, this IS a state to be proud of! We are a people who can hold up our heads! What we need is not more money, but less capital, fewer white shirts and brains, fewer men with business judgment, and more of those fellows who boast that they are ‘just ordinary clodhoppers, but they know more in a minute about finance than John Sherman,’ we need more men … who hate prosperity, and who think, because a man believes in national honor, he is a tool of Wall Street.”

America Can Have Democracy or Political Violence. Not Both. (The New York Times)

Sample lines: “The nation is not powerless to stop a slide toward deadly chaos. If institutions and individuals do more to make it unacceptable in American public life, organized violence in the service of political objectives can still be pushed to the fringes. When a faction of one of the country’s two main political parties embraces extremism, that makes thwarting it both more difficult and more necessary. A well-functioning democracy demands it.”

The Booster Isn’t Perfect, But Still Can Help Against COVID (The Washington Post)

Sample lines: “The booster shots are still free, readily available and work better than the previous boosters even as the virus evolves. Much still needs to be done to build better vaccines that protect longer and against more variants, including those that might emerge in the future. But it is worth grabbing the booster that exists today, the jab being a small price for any measure that can help keep COVID at bay.”

If We Want Wildlife To Thrive in L.A., We Have To Share Our Neighborhoods With Them (Los Angeles Times)

Sample lines: “If there are no corridors for wildlife movement and if excessive excavation of dirt to build bigger, taller houses erodes the slope of a hillside, then we are slowly destroying wildlife habitat. For those people fretting about what this will do to their property values—isn’t open space, trees, and wildlife an amenity in these communities?”   

Persuasive Review Writing Examples

Book or movie reviews are more great persuasive writing examples. Look for those written by professionals for the strongest arguments and writing styles. Here are reviews of some popular books and movies by well-known critics to use as samples.

The Great Gatsby (The Chicago Tribune, 1925)

Sample lines: “What ails it, fundamentally, is the plain fact that it is simply a story—that Fitzgerald seems to be far more interested in maintaining its suspense than in getting under the skins of its people. It is not that they are false: It is that they are taken too much for granted. Only Gatsby himself genuinely lives and breathes. The rest are mere marionettes—often astonishingly lifelike, but nevertheless not quite alive.”

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (The Washington Post, 1999)

Sample lines: “Obviously, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone should make any modern 11-year-old a very happy reader. The novel moves quickly, packs in everything from a boa constrictor that winks to a melancholy Zen-spouting centaur to an owl postal system, and ends with a scary surprise. Yet it is, essentially, a light-hearted thriller, interrupted by occasional seriousness (the implications of Harry’s miserable childhood, a moral about the power of love).”

Twilight (The Telegraph, 2009)

Sample lines: “No secret, of course, at whom this book is aimed, and no doubt, either, that it has hit its mark. The four Twilight novels are not so much enjoyed, as devoured, by legions of young female fans worldwide. That’s not to say boys can’t enjoy these books; it’s just that the pages of heart-searching dialogue between Edward and Bella may prove too long on chat and too short on action for the average male reader.”

To Kill a Mockingbird (Time, 1960)

Sample lines: “Author Lee, 34, an Alabaman, has written her first novel with all of the tactile brilliance and none of the preciosity generally supposed to be standard swamp-warfare issue for Southern writers. The novel is an account of an awakening to good and evil, and a faint catechistic flavor may have been inevitable. But it is faint indeed; novelist Lee’s prose has an edge that cuts through cant, and she teaches the reader an astonishing number of useful truths about little girls and about Southern life.”

The Diary of Anne Frank (The New York Times, 1952)

Sample lines: “And this quality brings it home to any family in the world today. Just as the Franks lived in momentary fear of the Gestapo’s knock on their hidden door, so every family today lives in fear of the knock of war. Anne’s diary is a great affirmative answer to the life-question of today, for she shows how ordinary people, within this ordeal, consistently hold to the greater human values.”   

What are your favorite persuasive writing examples to use with students? Come share your ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, the big list of essay topics for high school (120+ ideas) ..

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