How to Write a Persuasive Essay 2

Essay writing is simple. With the ideas continuously generating from the writer’s mind, it is indeed straightforward and easy to make However, there are instances when writing is monotonous. Then, there is a call for the writer to strive for new conventions that may add some spice to the entirety of the manuscript. In most cases, essays are written in various types and objectives. The given types of essay possess individual features that classify it from the rest. For example, the descriptive/narrative essay is used mostly in the field of literature and aims to describe/narrate/present/discuss certain circumstances, characters, places, and even emotions involved. Similarly, the comparison essay speaks to the contrasting/evaluating/linking of two subjects. Moreover, the persuasive essay primarily tackles to a certain point of view on a writer and focuses on the arguments that will make the point of view valid and acceptable to the general number of readers. Thus, this manual is created to present useful guidelines in making an effective essay – particularly persuasive in nature.

The Persuasive Essay: a Description

The persuasive essay is among the most frequent tool used by educators to bring out plausible ideas from writers in dealing with ambivalent and situational issues, topics, and cases. It can also be a potent instrument to develop a strong sense of critical analysis and observation among individuals particularly in reasoning through writing. The term persuade is directed in supporting an existing idea or initiating a new belief in replacement of the old. This type of essay is taking a PRO or ANTI position. To persuade is to convince, influence, and control. Similar to argumentative essay in dealing with in favor or against point of views, persuasive essay differs in terms of objective and focus. In objective, it mainly convinces while in focus, it may be pro or anti and will stand on the chosen pick by providing concrete generalizations. The persuasive essay usually highlights a single side only – either a pro or an anti.

How to Write a Persuasive Essay?

In writing an excellent persuasive essay, here are some helpful and effective tips to be taken at hand:

Raising the Base: Introduction

In general, introductions or the opening is a general overview of the entire manuscript. It briefly presents the general idea of what is expected in the preceding parts of the essay. Working as the stimulating element – hooker or grabber of attention, introduction must create and sustain the interest of the readers and will make them continue reading up to the end.

There are several ways to interestingly introduce a topic, such as using a universal fact or familiar quotation, posing a intriguing question, citing an unusual detail, referring to a popular person/organization/place, creating a strong/exaggerated or outrageous statement, relating an anecdote or a statistical figure, or presenting an illustration.

Examples

Universal Fact

In the biblical creation of the human beings, God created the man from dirt. But on scientific knowledge, man is created through a union of sperm and an egg cell. This essay…

Familiar Quotation

“Knowledge is power.” When Sir Francis Bacon wrote this in Religious Meditations, Of Heresies in 1597, he knew that this will change the perception towards awareness and learning. Thus, this essay…

Intriguing Question

If God knows that the microbes are harmful to people, why did He allowed such organisms to exist on earth? In relation to the question, this essay…

Unusual Detail

Dressed in shinning linen, one cold night of summer, the ladies of San Jose are heading to the ancient church to do traditional ritual of appreciation. The origin of this tradition remains as a great mystery of the past. This essay…

Popular Person/Organization/Place

Kofi Annan, the head of United Nations situated in Geneva, Switzerland believed that poverty is preventable. Poverty as a universal nuisance is ancient. The following discussion in this essay presents…

Strong/Exaggerated or Outrageous Statement

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, popularly known as AIDS is a secret, detrimental, and fastest growing disease in the world. In this essay…

Anecdote

I remember myself as a child asking my mother about the distance of stars on the earth’s surface. Most of the time, she will just answer me, “Too far, my darling!” Discontented with her response, I will just keep quiet and linger on the thought that someday I will reach and grab with my bare hands. This paper…

Statistical Figure

Records from The World Fact Book of the CIA state that the world’s population as of July 2006 (est.) figured out to be 6,525,170,264. This essay deals with…

Illustration

Boracay Island, one of the most frequently visited beaches in the Philippines is famous with its fine, powdery, white sand and crystal clear waters. In this paper…

In persuasive essay, it is best to use the conventions of universal fact or familiar quotation, popular person/organization/place, statistical figure, or presenting an illustration. The presence of accurate details will add to the credibility of the writer’s point of view.

In the introduction, there should be a clear thesis statement that serves as the indication of the topic, scope, and style. It serves as the main support of the discussion. Developing a thesis aids the writer to select appropriate sources and limit the scope of the discussion. Through the thesis statement, the readers are able to know what to expect from the essay.

Example

The Internet replaced some traditional means of communication today. Sending a letter will no longer need an envelope or stamp. The given advantages of Internet in the communication process improve the quality of living. This essay will practically discuss the role of Internet in the communication process by using relevant situations that are common among people today.

The introduction can make or break the essay’s totality. As a general tip in writing introduction, there is a need to determine the circumstances of writing – the writer’s intention, topic, style, etc. Most importantly, the writer must have a definite idea or sufficient information to provide in the essay regardless of some given considerations. With reference to the aforementioned conventions, writing introduction will be easier and more interesting.

Creating the Building Blocks: Body

While the introduction serves as the essay’s overview, the body, on the other hand contains the details. The purpose of the body is to explicate the author’s point of view. Hence, it is used to support or justify the thesis points and most especially the chosen idea. The body of the essay is actually composed of several paragraphs that talk about the points of the essay. In this part, the writer can incorporate personal views on the topic but it must go along with related literature or succinct reference. This is particularly essential in academic-type of essay where personal views or observation should be supported by facts in order to make the essay credible.

To create a comprehensive body, extensive research is recommended. Specific details like scientific principles, statistical facts and findings, definition, opinions from experts, examples, and anecdotes can be used to maintain truthfulness, accuracy, and credibility. Since the body consists most of the discussion, it is very helpful to break it into sub-discussions. This will facilitate unity of thoughts and concentration on a certain point of view. Traditionally, a good body is composed of at least three paragraphs. Each of these paragraphs must be backed up with solid reasons that support the thesis statement.

In elaborating points, persuasive essays need to support the claims with evidences. Add cross-references to relevant passages in the full notes particularly passages that offer more detailed evidence with which to define and support each proposition or those which offer more extended summaries of the arguments involved. The use of statistics, researches, real-life experiences and body of knowledge, or examples, are considered as best resort. Here are several techniques to be used in elaboration:

Hypothetical Instance is used in creating arguments especially when in aiming the readers to see a different point of view. It uses cues such as what if or supposed that.

Clarifying a position focuses on the need to provide further explanations especially to something being assumed.

Thinking through a process is characterized by the presence of first, second, third, next, then, etc. that will inform the reader about a progression – start to end.

In drawing comparisons, the writer can choose something alike to what is being pointed out. Two patterns – alternating or opposing is recommended.

Making analysis by looking into at the parts and progression of the discussion will assist the readers to understand the essay’s thoughts.

Using analogy in explaining point of views especially by identifying significant likeness between ideas or objects familiar to readers, but actually quite different, is helpful.

In the body, it contains the most bulk of explanations. Given that all point of views or issues have feasible reasons or sound arguments on both sides of the question, a good persuasive writer try to predict the presence of opposing viewpoints and immediately provide counter-arguments along with the main points in the essay that will substantiate such. One of the several paragraphs should be used to discuss opposing viewpoints and the writer’s counter-argument.

As a general rule in writing the body, it is important for the writer to construct clear sentences and paragraphs. This will help the reader understand your points well. Revise the ordering of main points until the writer is satisfied and have found the most illuminating and persuasive sequence in which to lead the reader through them. From time to time, try to remind the reader what the main position is. In passages of texts that intend to be cited, make sure there is some note because it is important to acknowledge it. In introducing new sub-topic, the use of signifiers or transitional words like meanwhile, further, furthermore, etc. is perfect. Also, integrate phrases or sentences that would connect the new topic to the main thesis. Anticipate a reader who, in observing some specific feature of a work, will ask ‘So what?.’ The intention that the essay advances need to be reiterated. Then, the writer can seize the last chance to check that the point of view do reflect your own beliefs or, at the very least, that they still seem to be both reasonable and interesting. Lastly, complex ideas should be converted in clearer and simple ones.

The Finishing Touch: Conclusion

The conclusion is the part after the essay’s body. This serves as the summary of the entire essay as it recap all points or arguments raised in the discussion. A typical conclusion usually restates the essay’s thesis or point of view. In the conclusion, summarizing the main points enables the reader to recall the writer’s position. In order to do this effectively, the writer can paraphrase the main points of the argument.

A persuasive essayist can also write a personal comment or concluding remarks that enable readers to reflect or think about the essay’s message. A call to action or a clincher is effective. In doing this, here are some recommended actions:

With a Prediction can be used with a narrative or a cause and effect discussion. It may propose or forecast what the results may or may not be in the situation discussed or in similar situations.

With a Question lets your readers make their personal predictions and draw their individual conclusions.

With a Quotation may summarize, predict, question, or call for action.

With Recommendations stresses the actions or remedies that should be taken.

Conclusions are generally expected to wrap-up the entire essay. Oftentimes, writers would think that making a conclusion needs less effort considering that it is mostly a summary of the essay along with some ending remarks. But, a good persuasive writer should take into consideration that most readers of essays usually do not have the sufficient time to read the entire work, hence, most of them would rely in the introduction, scan the main body, and read the conclusion.

General Tips

Essay writing in requires planning.

Researching is indispensable.

For coherence, unity, and precision, outline the parts if the essay before writing it.

In writing persuasive essays, start using an effective grabber or hooker of the reader's attention.

Have a solid opinion that the reader’s will accept.

Concentrate on the chosen point of view or idea.

It is advisable to deal on the facts that are supported by evidences.

It is useful to repeat the point of view in some parts of the essay.

In making a persuasive essay, the writer must only give valuable details.

It is also essential that the details are easily understood even by the common readers.

In technical instances, it is probably helpful to cite examples or change technical terms into less complex ones to relay the point.

Conclude with a restatement of what the writer would like the reader to do or believe.

Maintain dynamics in writing.

Observe proper grammar, correct spelling, and exact word use.

Revise. Revise. And revise once more.