I think you’ll agree with me that writing persuasive essays can sometimes be difficult, as you have to effectively convince your audience and readers!
Although this type of essay is a common requirement in schools, often we find ourselves lost in a sea of the many ways to write them.
So this blog article sourced from Prentice Hall’s Grammar and Composition provides you the step-by-step guide in writing persuasive essays.
Before starting though, consider that generally, the three stages of writing for all types of essays are: prewriting, writing and revising.
Step 1: Plan your topic accordingly
First, choose a topic appropriate to the length requirement of your persuasive essay that allows for factual analysis and defence of your argument as you persuade your audience and readers.
Second, it is also important to consider your audience’s or reader’s knowledge of the topic.
Third, while you are formulating your main idea, consider the arguments that may arise against your topic and answer them in your persuasive essay. It is also highly helpful if you gather evidence to counter-argue any opposing arguments against your topic.
Step 2: Determine your essay’s main idea
In writing your persuasive essay’s main idea, it is necessary to set it accordingly with your essay’s purpose. Do note that your main idea should be direct, significant, and supportable.
After you have determined your main idea, break it down into statements that can help support your latter arguments.
Most importantly, research for supporting information that you can use in order to establish your main idea.
Step 3: Build your defense
Here I have provided a perfect structure in building your defense (with examples):
Main idea: The nomination of vice-presidential candidates by the major parties should be made more democratic and systematic.
| Argument For | Argument Against | Counterarguments For |
| The potential responsibilities of the vice-president are too important to permit leaving the choice entirely up to the presidential nominee. | Actually, the vice-president’s job, given its undemanding nature, could be filled by almost anyone. | Regardless of what the vice-president actually does, four of our last seven presidents have been former vice-presidents. |
Step 4: Write your content
In writing your content, make sure that you create a draft incorporating steps 1 to 4, then follow your draft as you continue writing. This will help you create a clean structure and establish the coherence of your essay.
Next, as you write, use your knowledge and convictions to choose opinions and arguments that you can completely support.
Another important factor to consider as you write your content is your audience’s or reader’s response to your opinion and arguments.
Aside from determining your essay’s topic, main idea, and defense, do not forget to also gather examples, facts, details, reasons and even incidents. You should use these things to strongly persuade your audience and readers.
Once you have written your content completely, make sure that all supporting information and statements are arranged coherently and logically.
Note that in writing persuasive or argumentative essays, it is also good to concede to some arguments of opposing topics. However, make sure that these points you concede to are few and are written at the beginning of your essay and do not let these points undermine your own topic.
Step 5: Note: write your essay with purpose and a reasonable, convincing tone.
Make sure that the weight of your purpose and your tone are clear as you write your persuasive essay.
You can establish the purpose and tone of your essay through using direct, concrete and specific words.
Also, make sure to use formal and reasonable language and writing style. This can help you establish a firm tone as you get on with your essay.
Lastly! Do not forget that all your opinions, points and arguments MUST HAVE logical and clear connections to one another and to your topic and main idea.
But wait! There’s more!
Here are some Revision Tips!
- Make sure to revise your essay by checking the unity and clarity of your structure.
- Be sure that your tone in your essay is fair, forceful and consistent.
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