Persuasive Essay Writing

How to Persuade, Convince and Cajole Your Reader

Outline

During this presentation you will learn:What a persuasive essay isHow to structure your essayHow to write an introductionThe elements you will need to include for a successful persuasive essayThe language you will need to incorporate to convince your reader

A Persuasive Essay is…

A piece of writing in which the writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to believe or do something.In order to convince your reader you need more than opinion; you need well researched facts or examples to back you opinion. Be sure to do your research!

How to Structure Your Essay

Persuasive essay writing follows a particular format. It has:

• An introduction

• A body where the argument is developed.

• A conclusion

The Introduction

Your introduction should be interesting and have a “hook” in order to capture your reader’s interest and attention.

There are several ways you can achieve this.

Different Types of Introductions

The Personal or Imaginative

The Illustrative

The Provocative

The Topical

The Informative

The Questioning

The Personal Introduction

Used when the issue has had some personal effect on your life and as a result is something you feel strongly about.

Example: As I look around the classroom I see row upon row of black blazers. In First Year I was grateful for my uniform; it helped to make me feel a part of my new school community. But, now that I am older, I cannot help but resent at times the lack of individuality.

The Illustrative or Imaginative Introduction

Used to graphically describe or illustrate a scene or situation connected with your topic.Example: As the prisoner sat in the chair water was applied to his head before it was fitted with the instrument that would deal the final blow. As the executioner flipped the switch the audience watched as his body shook in spasms. The smell of burning flesh tickled their nostrils, coupled with the stench of excrement. They watched as his eyes bulged with the force of the electrical current passing through his body. Yet still he did not die. They watched as this exercise continued on for another 15 minutes. How can we live in a civilised society and yet still practise such horrific acts of torture and call it law?

The Provocative Introduction

Used to provoke an immediate response, usually through the use of emotive languageExample: Four hundred people every year are murdered by smokers. This is not a crime of violence. It never appears in the News or in the papers but today one person will die due to inhaling the poisonous fumes of the others’ cigarettes. Some people call it smoking. I call it murder.

The Topical Introduction

Used to introduce a subject which is presently being debated in the news. The introduction refers to a recent new article on your topic.Example: “The resignation of Nan Mullan, a Health Service worker, because she faced the sack for smoking on council premises, even during her mean breaks, has brought to a head the bitter war which Strathclyde Region is waging against some of its workers.”

So read the lead story in the Evening Times last week. What is all the fuss about?

The Informative Introduction

Used to illustrate some interesting facts surrounding your topic. The facts should be used in order to support your argument.Example: 13, 703 abortions were performed in Scotland in 2007. This is 540 cases higher than the previous year. Of these cases the highest rate seems to be among women between the ages 16 to 19 with an average of 24.9 abortions per 1000 women. For many of these women it will not be their only abortion. This poses the question with the legalisation of abortion are we promoting an irresponsible and consequence free society in which murder is deemed acceptable?

The Questioning Introduction

Used in order to convey the writer’s opinion and also to start to get the reader to think about the topic. Instead of a question of quote or interesting statistic can also be used. This type of introduction can often be used in conjunction with other topical, informative and provocative introductions.Example: Have you ever considered how many books we would read if it were not for television?Elbert Hubbard once said, “Truth is stronger than fiction.”

The Thesis Statement

Your introduction will also need to include a thesis or focus statement.

There are three objectives of a thesis statement:

• It tells the reader the specific topic of your essay

• It imposes manageable limits on that topic• It suggests the organisation of your paper.

The Body

The body is the main part of your essay in which you convey your arguments and evidence in support of the opinion you have stated in your introduction.It should consist of approximately 5 paragraphs. Each paragraph is based on a solid reason to back your thesis statement. Since almost all issues have sound arguments on both sides, a good persuasive writer tries to anticipate opposing viewpoints and provide counter-arguments thus showing the reader that whilst you have carefully considered both sides of the argument, your opinion is the one with the strongest backing.

Expanding on Ideas

You already have the most important ingredients for your essay – Your Arguments and Evidence! However, these are at present in a very simple form and could not be used to argue for or against your chosen topic in an effective way.To do this properly you must EXPAND your arguments from a single phrase of sentence to a paragraph

To do so you need to ensure that you do the following:

Start each paragraph with a topic sentence which will inform the reader of the argument and how it relates back to your opinion.Provide evidenceExplain how that evidence proves your thesis and any implications it has on your topic.Show that the opinion is ascribed to othersA sentence which sums up the paragraph and idea you are trying to convey. (See example sheet)

Useful Words and PhrasesLinking words

One reasonAnother…_______ is also…Those in favour of _______ argue that…/ Those who oppose_____ argue thatSupporters also argue…../Critics point out…..Adding weight to these arguments is the fact that…..A further advantage/disadvantage of_______ is…In addition, it can also be argued that….Furthermore…..

Stating and Expanding on your Ideas

This means that…This is a recent illustration ofAs a result…The reason for this is…This can be seen whenWhat can occur is…Consequently,…There is evidence that…What this can result in…There is some proof that….This can allow….This can cause…It is acknowledged by many______presents this fact as proof that….Statistics show….This highlights/ proves/ supports

Some think….In the opinion of some….Consequently, many people feel….This shows/ suggests…This proves/ highlightsThis is why some people believe….It is thus the belief of many….Some people are therefore convinced that….To may people it appears that….Many are therefore of the opinion….As a result, some feel….Accordingly…

Your Opinion Matters

I think…In my opinion…I believe that….It seems to me that….It appears to me that….I feel that….I am convinced that….It is my opinion that….I feel this highlights/proves….

This is why I think…I agree with…To my mind….I am of the opinion that….Consequently, I believe….It is thus my belief that….As a result of this, I feel…Accordingly, ….

Your Conclusion

In your conclusion your should:

• Restate your topic and opinion

• Refer to your arguments

• Develop your personal response about why your hold this opinion.

How to Begin a Conclusion

In conclusion…

To conclude….

To sum up….

Considering this issue as a whole….

Whilst this will remain a controversial topic for many, it is obvious to me….

Sample Conclusion

To conclude, the argument over legalising euthanasia will continue to cause controversy in today’s society. It is an extremely emotive and difficult issue for both those who condemn and those who condone it. However, in my view it most empathetically should not be legalised in Britain. Human life is holy and I believe it is for God to decide when our time is up. Euthanasia is unfair on other people and this is a major concern in my opinion. It can also be abused by criminals and furthermore, people can in fact recover from life threatening illnesses – Lance Armstrong and Bob Champion are proof positive of this…..

Quick Recap

Choose and research your topic well.Plan your essay in advance using your strongest arguments. The strongest argument should always be your first. Your arguments should be organised in a logical and sequenced fashion.Choose the type of introduction you want to write. Make sure it will convey your ideas and capture the reader’s attention.Make sure that each paragraph has a topic sentence and that you link your ideas!Ensure that your opinion is clearly stated. Do not be afraid to personalise your argument.Your conclusion should restate your thesis and argument. It should also develop your personal response on why you hold this opinion.Remember – a persuasive essay should do just that! You want to convince your reader that yours is the correct and logical argument!! Therefore use convincing ideas, evidence and language to persuade them.

Persuasive Essay Checklist

A clear thesis and opinion.An introduction which captures the reader’s interestThe essay is well organised and linked. All arguments support your thesis.You have included topic sentences.There is evidence and research to support your ideas.Your opinion is clear throughout.You acknowledge and disprove the opposing sideYour conclusion restates your ideas and develops personal response.You use varied and interesting vocabulary.Your essay is technically accurate.