Writing a Persuasive Essay

Writing a persuasive essay is simply writing to convince others that your way of thinking is the correct one. In order to do this one must be very “persuasive” in their argument. The facts and sources have to be laid out cleanly and presented in such a way that it covers any potential question or argument from the reader.

The first thing you’ll do before beginning your persuasive essay is select a topic, preferably one that you feel strongly about. The more you believe in your subject the more persuasive your writing will be. The topic you choose should be something you are well versed in so that your passion will show in the essay.

Begin by gathering your facts and sources to present your argument with. Do your research to clarify some of the vague points, if there are any. Ask yourself questions that you think the reader may come up with, especially if they may not be as familiar with the topic as you are. The more you reach out and cover any far-reaching possibilities, the more persuasive your argument is going to be. Research any area of the topic that may not be quite as clear as the rest and determine the answers along with the facts and sources to support them.

Present possible arguments against your essay. By practicing this exercise you are preparing yourself for possible rebuttal and you’ll have quick, concise answers to put those questions to rest. Being prepared in this manner will quickly dispel any doubt the reader may have towards your paper.

Once you’ve gotten your facts and values straight and the argument you plan on making, determine the proper sequence to present them in. In your opening paragraph you’ll need to introduce the reader to your subject and explain why you feel the way you do about this particular topic. Using a few main points, which you will later elaborate on in following paragraphs, you’ll state your persuasion in such a way that the reader will want to read more.

In the following paragraphs establish your authority on the topic by stating facts and don’t be afraid to quote where you get your sources from. This tells the reader that not only do you believe in your topic but there are others that do too. Speak with an active voice. Make sure that for every statement you make, you have a well rounded argument to support it. Don’t be afraid to punch holes in your argument when you sit back and read your draft. By doing this you are preparing yourself for any possible argument coming from the readers. Keep the flow going through your sentences and paragraphs. If you jump around too much or have a jerky kind of movement in the essay, the reader won’t flow right through to the end. They’ll be forced to stop wherever there’s an awkward part in the essay and this will give them pause to think of rebuttal questions. By leading them smoothly to the concluding paragraph, you’ll forestall any questions and the reader will be more likely to sit back and say “You know what? I agree”.

Don’t wander off on tangents. Remain tight and focused on your arguments. Remember when you used to argue with your parents to let you drive the car? You didn’t wander off into other areas. You stayed on top of the subject which was the car, and drove the point home every chance you got. Writing a persuasive essay is much the same way. Reread the essay after you’re done writing and ask yourself if your argument made sense and whether or not you are convinced that it’s a valid point. If not, then recheck your facts and sources to ensure that you are making the correct argument about the point.