Steps to Writing a Persuasive Essay

1. Read and understand the prompt or writing

directions. What are you being asked to write about?

o One to three paragraphs containing details that will

convince the reader that your idea is a good one.

Example: Persuasive Writing Task

o One paragraph that addresses reader concerns or

objections (counterarguments) and shows how they
can

In this writing test, you will write a persuasive essay or

letter. Your writing will be scored on how well you:

be dealt with. For example: Some people say [possible

objection], but the fact is [your response to the

state your position on the topic

objections.] Some people say that nuclear energy is

dangerous, but statistics show that it is actually
verysafe.

describe the points in support of your position,

including examples and other evidence;
anticipate and address readers concerns and
arguments against your position; and

Conclusions:
o Restate your thesis in a new way.

use grammar, spelling, punctuation, and

capitalization.

o Make a call to action and ask for the readers help, if

appropriate.

2. Decide on a topic or issue. If you get to choose your

topic, select something that you feel strongly about or
that youfeel competent discussing. If the topic is
assigned, think about the best way to approach it.

7. Revise.

3. Make a list of pros and cons for your issue. PROS What makes your idea a good one? CONS Consider
youraudience. What arguments might they make
against your idea?
4. Write a thesis statement. In a single sentence, state
your proposal or position. Whats the main idea that
youre tryingto get across to your audience? What do
you want the reader to agree to?
5. Organize and outline ideas. Select your best
arguments to support your opinion. Use one paragraph
to address a readercounterargument. Topic Sentence:
First reason why your idea is a good one.
Supporting Details:
#1: Facts, Examples, Statistics, Interview Quotation,
Expert Opinion, Anecdotes
#2: Facts, Examples, Statistics, Interview Quotation,
Expert Opinion, Anecdotes
#3: Facts, Examples, Statistics, Interview Quotation,
Expert Opinion, Anecdotes

Have you used specific details to persuade?

(anecdotes, examples, statistics, interview quotations,
expertopinions, or facts)
Have you answered objections that your audience
might make?
Does the beginning capture the readers attention?
Does the ending contain a clear call to action?
Do you have an interesting title that hints at the topic
and captures the readers attention?
Have you used a variety of sentence types?
Did you include transitional words and phrases to
connect your ideas?
8. Proofread and edit. Check your spelling, grammar,
and punctuation. Are your paragraphs indented? Is the
verbtense consistent? Are all names spelled correctly
and capitalized? Have you avoided writing run-on
sentences andsentence fragments?
9. Write your draft. Use blue or black ink. Skip lines.
Write on one side of the paper only. Include a title on
the topline.

o Use a lead that grabs the readers attention.

10. Read your summary one last time before you turn it
in. Look for careless spelling, punctuation, and
grammarerrors, especially omitted words or letters.
Cross out errors neatly with a single line and write the
correction above.

o Give background information about the situation.

Writing a Persuasive Speech

o Include a thesis statement that gives your opinion.

To write a persuasive speech you need to:

6. Write your essay.

Introduction:

Body Paragraphs

Come up with a controversial topic, one that

will spawn heated debates regardless of your
position.

Research the topic thoroughly. Know the pros

and cons of the topic.

Understand the perspective of your audience.

You should have a stronghold on how the
audience views the topic that you are writing
about so that you can better relate to them.

Grasp the obstacles that your audience face or

have with the topic. It is through understanding
these obstacles that you can tackle them.

Present your strategy for eradicating the

obstacles. You must know how to diffuse the
tension that surround the obstacles by having a
plan for complete eradication.

Pull it all together to make a proper conclusion.

The conclusion is what hooks your audience.

Essential steps for writing a persuasive essay:

1.

2.

3.

Identify your main idea or point of view.

Your purpose will be to persuade your audience
to accept this idea or point of view.
Identify your audience. To write an effective
persuasive essay, try to understand your
audience. For example, are your readers
undecided about your issue? Or are your
readers hostile to your point of view?
Considering your audience, identify the
strongest supporting points for your
persuasion.

4.

Identify the most significant opposing

view. Explaining and then refuting the
opposing view strengthens the credibility and
scope of your essay.

How to organize your persuasive essay:

Introduction

Your introduction should hook your reader's

attention and provide background information
on your topic or controversy.

The paragraph should end with a clear

statement of your main idea or point of view.

Body paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should present the

points in support of your main idea.

Each body paragraph should focus on one

point.

Be sure to provide evidence or examples for

each point.

Opposing view

After presenting your supporting points,

develop one paragraph to accurately explain
and then refute the most significant opposing
view.

Conclusion

Creatively restate your main idea and

supporting points.

Try to leave your audience even more

connected to your topic and persuaded by your
main idea or perspective.

Introduction

agree with your position.

Use an interesting grabber to get thereaders

attention. [quotation,rhetorical statement,
anecdote,startling fact or statistic]

Provide evidence to support your

Give a bit of background informationabout the

situation youre discussing.

anecdotes, interview quotations, or

Finish with a thesis statement thatstates the main

idea of the essay andclearly expresses your opinion.
Body Paragraphs

opinions: facts, statistics, examples,

expert opinions.
One of the body paragraphs should
address objections someone might

Start each body paragraph with atopic sentence.

make towards your opinion. Tell the

Each paragraph should give a

reader why their possible objection

different reason for the reader to

(counterargument) will not be a

problem.

B. Possible concession toward opposing argument

Use transitional words and phrases to

C. Elaboration to back your point.

connect ideas.

D. Clincher

Concluding Paragraph

III. Third argument or reason to support your position:

Restate your thesis is a new way.

A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason

Make a call to action to request the

B. Possible concession toward opposing argument

readers help.

C. Elaboration to back your point.

Persuasive Essay Outline

D. Clincher

Introduction:

IV. Opposing Viewpoint: (This is optional, however

highly

A. Get the readers attention by using a "hook."

B. Give some background information if necessary.

recommended, so that the reader will know you have

considered

C. Thesis or focus statement.

another point of view and have a rebuttal to it.)

I. First argument or reason to support your position:

A. Opposing point to your argument.

A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason

B. Your rebuttal to the opposing point.

B. Possible concession toward opposing argument

C. Elaboration to back your rebuttal.

C. Elaboration to back your point.

Conclusion:

D. Clincher

A. Summary of main points or reasons

II. Second argument or reason to support your position:

B. Restate thesis statement.

A. Topic sentence explaining your point and reason

C. Personal comment or a call to action.