Writing a Persuasive Essay

The purpose of this guide is to offer strategies for preparing a strong persuasive essay or debate. It will sharpen skills you might not realize you already have, making your work more accurate, clear, concise, logical, convincing, and respectful of opposing arguments.

What is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay makes a convincing argument in favor of or in opposition to an issue. Unlike a factual essay, a persuasive essay employs bias, or takes a side, in a carefully-argued point of view.

If you're a little nervous about tackling a persuasive essay, relax. You probably know more about persuasion than you think you do. Every day you express your opinions on fashion, sports, current events, entertainment, classes, or people. When you try to convince others of your views, you give reasons for your opinions. That is the start of any good persuasive essay or debate.

Gather Your Thoughts and Take the Next Step

Let's take those everyday situations and shape them into a model. Think before you speak or write, and outline your thoughts:

• State your case.
• Listen to the answer.
• Respond with specifics. Offer good, factual supporting evidence or information.
• Be respectful, and avoid personal attacks.
• Stay on the subject.
• Sum up your case.

Organization: The Anatomy of Persuasion

The keys to an effective persuasive essay are organization and support. Some refer to the structure with the acronym POSSE, which stands for:

• Position/Thesis
• Organization
• Support
• Style
• Effective Conclusion

Others see the structure as consisting of an introduction/thesis statement, the body, and conclusion. Either way, an effective opinion or persuasive essay must accomplish the following:

• Clearly state your purpose and opinion.
• State a main point of argument.
• Communicate the basic idea of that argument, with supporting evidence, and offer informed rebuttal of opposing views.

Position/Thesis Statement: Express Yourself

The thesis statement is the "mind" of your essay. Everything else must point back to it, to truly make the best case. Generally, it should be one or two sentences long.

The mind works best when organized. Ask yourself some questions before you write your thesis statement, and take the time to clarify the answers:

• "What am I going to discuss?"
• "How will I argue and support my views?"
• "Which reasons will I give? Do I have evidence?"

Building the Body of the Argument: Stronger is Better

The body develops the thesis statement in order to give weight to your opinion and to advance the argument with each paragraph.

Organization & Support: Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

Paragraphs should have an organized flow of thoughts, each one set off by a strong topic sentence. Topic sentences guide readers to each point in the argument, leading them steadily to the conclusion. They're the "muscle" of your essay, and they show that you:

• Can demonstrate an understanding of the opposing arguments relating to the issue. An understanding of the arguments makes one better equipped to persuade someone to accept a particular view.
• Can counter another opinion with relevant evidence, and sound, respectful analysis. There should be no personal attacks against another author or speaker, and no extreme language.
• Can present a logical flow of thoughts. The essay should be organized, and should not focus on unimportant details.
• Can make a convincing argument. The essay should be more than a simple list of facts.

Saying it with Style

What words should you use to make your essay crystal clear and well-written? Before you write, read some examples of opinion and editorial articles in prominent newspapers and magazines. You may also want to highlight phrases from these categories: transition, emphasis, and counterpoint. Use a different color highlighter for each category.

Effective phrases for transition:

• "Regarding"
• "Admittedly"
• "Consequently"
• "As a result"
• "Ultimately"
• "According to"
• "For this reason"

Effective phrases for emphasis:

• "Moreover"
• "In fact"
• "Additionally"
• "For example"
• "In point of fact"
• "As a matter of fact"
• "Indeed"

Effective phrases for counterpoint:

• "Conversely"
• "On the other hand"
• "However"
• "Nevertheless"
• "Notwithstanding"
• "Nonetheless"
• "Yet"
• "Despite"
• "Although"
• "Instead"

Effective Conclusion: The Big Finish

In the conclusion, restate the thesis and argument, with supporting detail. An author's goal in writing an effective conclusion is to have the last word, and to express it effectively, leaving the reader with a strong impression.

A Writer's Persuasion Checklist

• Does the author demonstrate an understanding of the opposing arguments relating to the issue?
• Does the author counter the arguments with a rebuttal?
• Are remarks thoughtful and respectful?
• Is the essay organized?
• Is the essay convincing?
• Do all of the paragraphs work together to support the essay's thesis?
• Is the conclusion sound and strong?

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