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Persuasive Essay: Definition
When you write an essay to convince the reader about your opinion on a subject, it is formally known as a persuasive essay. Sometimes this can also be called an argumentative essay, but there are technically some stylistic differences between them.
To write an effective persuasive essay, you must first construct a solid argument. So, how do we structure a solid argument? Aristotle to the rescue! Aristotle developed the three interlocking parts of an essay (or Elements of Rhetoric) that work together to persuade an audience.
These three parts are:
Ethos (or "character"): The audience must feel like your opinion is credible, or they will never listen to what you have to say. Make sure you use reliable sources to back the claim in your persuasive essay.
Pathos (or "experience" or "emotion"): The reader has to care about your topic to be influenced, so write your persuasive essay in a way that appeals to their experiences or emotions.
Logos (or "reason"): Use logic when writing your essay. Effective persuasive essays are a balance between solid facts and rational feelings.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher (384 BC-322 BC). He is considered one of the most influential philosophers, and he contributed to various fields, including math, science, political science, and philosophy. Aristotle developed many ideas still discussed today, such as the structure of persuasion.
Standard Terms in Persuasive Writing
Your thesis statement may be referred to as a claim. Claims are written in different styles:
- Definitional claim: argues whether the topic "is" or "is not" something.
- Factual claim: argues whether something is true or false.
- Policy claim: defines an issue and its best solution.
- Passive agreement claim: seeks audience agreement without expecting action on their part.
- Immediate action claim: also seeks audience agreement but expects them to do something.
- Value claim: judges whether something is right or wrong.
In a persuasive essay, you can:
- Defend a position: Provide proof that supports your claim and refute the opponent's claim without saying they're wrong.
- Challenge a claim: Use evidence to show how an opposing view is invalid.
- Qualify a claim: If no compelling information is available to completely refute the opposing idea, admit some parts of the claim are true. Then, point out the parts of the opposing idea that are not true because this weakens the opposing argument. The valid part of the opposing argument is called a concession.
What Are Some Persuasive Essay Topics?
If possible, pick a topic for your persuasive essay that interests you because it ensures your passion will shine through in your writing. Any debatable topic has the potential to be crafted into a persuasive essay.
For example:
- Universal healthcare.
- Gun control.
- The effectiveness of homework.
- Reasonable speed limits.
- Taxes.
- The military draft.
- Drug testing for social benefits.
- Euthanasia.
- The death penalty.
- Paid family leave.
Persuasive Essay: Structure
A Persuasive essay follows the standard essay format with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Introduction
You should begin by reeling your audience in with an interesting quote, a shocking statistic, or an anecdote that catches their attention. Introduce your subject, then state your argument in the form of a claim that defends, challenges, or qualifies a claim. You can also outline the persuasive essay's main points.
Body Paragraphs
Defend your claim in the body paragraphs. You can also challenge or qualify the opposing viewpoint using verifiable sources. Take the time to investigate the opposite opinion to add depth to your subject knowledge. Then, separate each of your main points into their own paragraphs, and devote a section of your essay to disproving the rival belief.
Conclusion
The conclusion is your space to bring the message home to the reader and is your final opportunity to persuade them that your belief is correct. After restating the claim and reinforcing the main points, appeal to your audience with a call to action, a brief discussion of questions your essay raises, or a real-world consequence.
When discussing subjects we feel strongly about with friends and family, we say things like "I think" or "I feel." Avoid beginning statements with these phrases in persuasive essays because they weaken your argument. By making your claim, you are already telling your audience what you believe, so including these unnecessary phrases in your persuasive essay shows a lack of confidence.
Persuasive Essay: Outline
Once you've picked a topic, done the research, and brainstormed, you're about ready to start writing your persuasive essay. But wait, there's more! An outline will organize your main points and sources, giving your persuasive essay a roadmap to follow. Here's the main structure:
I. Introduction
A. Hook
B. Introduction to the topic
C. Thesis statementII. Body paragraph (the number of body paragraphs you include will vary)
A. Main point B. Source and discussion of source C. Transition to next point/opposing belief
III. Body paragraph
A. State opposing belief
B. Evidence against opposing belief
C. Transition to conclusion
IV. Conclusion
A. Summarize main points
B. Restate thesis
C. Call to action/questions raised/consequences
Persuasive Essay: Example
While you read the following example of a persuasive essay, find the immediate action claim in the introduction and see how the writer defends their position by using reputable sources. Further, what does the writer say in the conclusion to make a final attempt at persuading the audience?
To summarize:
- The example persuasive essay uses an immediate action claim to outline the topic. It is an immediate action claim because it states a problem and requests grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers to do something about it. The stated opinion that excess food should be donated to food banks clarifies that the essay is persuasive.
- The body paragraph uses respected sources (USDA, EPA) to defend the claim to the audience. It challenges an opposing point. The example persuasive essay follows a logical path to its conclusion.
- The conclusion of the example persuasive essay changes the wording of the claim to summarize the argument without insulting the audience's intelligence. The last sentence makes a final attempt to persuade the audience by appealing to their rational and moral emotions.
Persuasive Essay - Key Takeaways
- A persuasive essay attempts to convince the audience of your opinion using reliable sources to back your claim.
- When writing a persuasive essay, you can defend a claim you wish to support, challenge a claim using evidence against it, or qualify a claim if it cannot be completely refuted using concessions to discuss its valid points.
- Using a combination of credibility, emotion, and logic is the key to crafting an effective persuasive essay.
- Avoid using "I think" or "I feel" statements in your persuasive essay because they weaken your message.
- If you can agree or disagree with it, you can turn it into a persuasive essay.
1 Lang, Nancy, and Peter Raymont. Margaret Atwood: A Word After a Word After a Word is Power. 2019.
2 "How We Fight Food Waste in the US." Feeding America. 2022.
3 "Key Statistics and Graphics." USDA Economic Research Service. 2021.
4 "Reduce Wasted Food By Feeding Hungry People." United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2021.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Persuasive Essay
What is a Persuasive Essay?
A Persuasive Essay offers an opinion on a topic and attempts to convince an audience it is correct.
What is the structure of a Persuasive Essay?
A Persuasive Essay includes a thesis statement written into an Introduction, followed by Body Paragraphs, and a Conclusion.
What are some topics I can write about in a Persuasive Essay?
Any topic you can agree or disagree with has the potential to be crafted into a Persuasive Essay including:
- Universal healthcare
- Gun control
- The effectiveness of homework
- Reasonable speed limit
- Taxes
- The military draft
- Drug testing for social benefits
- Euthanasia
- The death penalty
- Paid family leave
What are some examples of persuasive essays?
Some examples of persuasive essays are:
- "Ain't I a Woman" by Sojourner Truth
- "Kennedy Inauguration Speech" by John F. Kennedy
- "Freedom or Death" by Emmeline Pankhurst
- "The Pleasure of Books" by William Lyon Phelps
Why is writing persuasive essays important?
Writing persuasive essays is important because it teaches you how to examine both sides of an issue and helps you recognize a persuasive tone.
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