Make your evidence clear and precise. Still, if your persuasion is successful, the result is emotionally rewarding. Avoid presenting and analyzing evidence in the introduction. More success stories Hide success stories. Persuasive essays generally have a very clear format, which helps you present your argument in a clear and compelling way.
⚖️ Argumentative vs. Persuasive Essay
Last Updated: December 2, References. This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD. Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewedtimes. The goal of a persuasive essay is to convince your readers of a certain perspective on a topic. To do this, you'll have to get them hooked with a well-crafted, how to start a persuasive essay introductory section that leads into a developed thesis statement. The best opening, however, will depend on the issue at hand, the argument you are trying to make about it, and the audience you are trying to persuade.
Before you can write an amazing introduction, you need to do some initial research so that you can tailor your introduction to the needs of the essay, your argument, and your audience. Next, briefly explain why they should care about the topic and provide some background information to help them feel comfortable with it. Lastly, hint at your opening pieces of evidence before going on to your first paragraph! For tips on how to organize your essay and avoid common errors, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.
wikiHow Account. No account yet? Create an account. Community Dashboard Write an Article Request a New Article More Ideas Edit this Article. Courses New Tech Help Pro New Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In. Home Random Browse Articles Courses New About wikiHow Easy Ways to Help Approve Questions Fix Spelling Quiz App More Things to Try We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Categories Education and Communications College University and Postgraduate Academic Writing Essays How to Begin a Persuasive Essay. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Writing Help.
Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD Last Updated: December 2, References. Part 1. You can also look up persuasive essay topics online or ask friends and family for suggestions. For example, if you want to write about juvenile crime, choose a narrow section of it, such as the practice of trying juveniles as adults in certain cases. It will make the essay much more fun to write! Choose an angle that seems the most interesting to write. Why do you feel strongly about it? What is your solution to this problem or issue? Brainstorm possible angles, choosing one that feels most interesting to you or matches most closely with your natural beliefs.
Why does the issue matter and why should others care? Once you can identify that, it will be easier to frame your argument. For example, if your topic is factory farming, your angle could be that factory farming releases large amounts of methane gas, which contribute to climate change and the global epidemic of unpredictable and increasingly violent weather. You could frame it as both an environmental and a public safety issue. Do some research to find supporting evidence. Start doing research on your topic online and in the library to build up how to start a persuasive essay knowledge base. Take notes while you read to point out any pieces of evidence you could use or any arguments that are starting to form.
Use scholarly search engines such as Google Scholar, EBSCO, or JSTOR, rather than regular searches, and try to use trustworthy sites like news agencies and. edu URLs. Come up with pieces of evidence to support your argument. As you sift through your research, start to coalesce the most accurate and striking arguments you see into pieces of supporting evidence. Sketch out a thesis statement. This will serve as the rough draft of your thesis statement. Organize your ideas into an outline. Creating an outline before you start writing will help your paper be more structured and organized. Go with a basic 5-paragraph structure, with 1 paragraph for your introduction, 3 paragraphs for 3 pieces of evidence, and 1 paragraph for your conclusion.
Jot down bullet points and brief sentences for each section to outline what you want to include. You can organize your outline with Roman numerals, regular numbers, or bullet how to start a persuasive essay feels most comfortable to you. Part 2. One way to do this is to start off with a surprising fact or interesting quotation that has to do with your subject. Begin with a brief anecdote to make the topic relatable. You can choose to relate a brief story of something that happened to you, or try relating an example in a short, story-like format, how to start a persuasive essay. His crime? Stealing a pack of gum from the convenience store across from his school. Start with a broad generalization, then zoom in on your topic. Starting your essay with a broad perspective and slowly narrowing in on the topic feels natural to write and to read, with the effect of easing the reader into your paper.
You can also do the opposite, how to start a persuasive essay, starting with a small example and slowly working outwards to maker a broader statement. Use a rhetorical question to get your reader thinking. Asking your reader a question is a direct way to start your essay, bringing the reader straight into the action and forcing them to start thinking about your topic. Present a counter-argument first to make an interesting switch. This strategy can be great for topics that are particularly emotionally fraught, that readers are likely to have opinions about already, how to start a persuasive essay.
Part 3. Write sentences introducing your specific topic. In an even greater sense, capital punishment is a statement about the society we live in. Provide any necessary background the reader will need. You should assume, unless told otherwise, that your audience has very little knowledge of your topic. This gives the reader a foothold in your paper and prepares them for the rest of the paper. Clearly state your position in your thesis statement. Your thesis statement will be the backbone of your essay, capturing your angle on your topic, what is at stake, and what you think should be done about it, based on your evidence, how to start a persuasive essay.
You should use the strongest, clearest, and how to start a persuasive essay concise language you can to show your readers exactly what you think and why. Besides serving as an interesting insight into what the area was like before development, it provides crucial habitat for native plants and animals that may otherwise turn to residential space and face endangerment in urban an environment. Hint at your evidence to transition into your first body paragraph. This allows the essay to move smoothly from your introductory material into supporting evidence. Part 4. Avoid presenting and analyzing evidence in the introduction. However, you should leave deep descriptions of your arguments and analyses of your evidence for later on in your body paragraphs.
This allows you to focus completely on hooking and how to start a persuasive essay the reader to the topic and helps you to avoid spoiling your ideas before you can fully back them up. In many places, one effect is a growing numbness towards the issue at all. Police officers report that Keep your argument clear, but present it in a smooth, subtle way. This can interrupt the flow of the essay, making it a less satisfying and less how to start a persuasive essay reading experience. Leave out unnecessary details. Ample background information is sometimes necessary, but make sure every detail you include is necessary to persuade your reader. Including extra facts will bog them down and make your essay seem unfocused and even boring.
Steer clear of extremely broad introductions.
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Besides, the COVID pandemic is driving the increased interest in distance learning. However, there is controversy about whether this form of training is sufficient enough. This essay aims to examine online and homeschooling in a historical and contemporary context and to confirm the thesis that such activity is at least equivalent to a standard type of education. Some people know which profession to choose from childhood, while others decide much later in life. However, and whenever you come to it, you may have to elaborate on it in your personal statement or cover letter.
Assigned with an essay about friendship? Digging through your memories and finding strong arguments for this paper can be an enjoyable experience. I bet you will cope with this task effortlessly as we can help you with the assignment. When you are assigned an autobiography to write, tens, and even hundreds of questions buzzing in your head. How to start your life story? What to include? How to make your memoir flow? A life experience essay combines the elements of narration, description, and self-reflection. Writing an essay about life experience prompts students to do the following: evaluate their behavior in specific Who has made a significant impact in your life and why?
Essay on the topic might be challenging to write. One is usually asked to write such a text as a college admission essay. A topic for this paper can be of your choice or pre-established by the institution. Are you about to start writing a financial assistance essay? Most probably, you are applying for a scholarship that will provide additional funding for your education or that will help you meet some special research objectives. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. If you continue, we will assume that you agree to our Cookies Policy. Learn More.
Persuasive Essay. First, you will already have an opinion and an understanding of the arguments for and against your perspective. Second, you can go through the writing process more quickly. A great idea is to set a deadline for stopping research. Immerse yourself until then. This way, you can stay on pace to finish before your final deadline. By the end of this research process, you should crystalize your position on the topic. They will show you good ways to structure your argument. Simultaneously, it can reveal any apparent holes in your position. Take notes on the most convincing lines of support. And always cite your sources correctly. Look for examples of persuasive essays that defend a point of view opposite to yours.
Study them carefully. Use this knowledge to strengthen your research and essay. And then spend hours staring at a blank page. Make your persuasive essay outline! Just turn each of your ideas into grammatical sentences. Later, read your draft, correcting typos, and making small improvements as you go. If you like your essay, great! If you dislike your essay, take notes. Use those notes as you begin the process of revising and editing your essay. Repeat this as many times as necessary. But still, if you have the opportunity, give your essay to a friend and ask for feedback.
Good feedback can greatly improve your text. Make your persuasive essay shine! Background: describe the context of the discussed issue and familiarize the reader with the argument. Definitions: if your essay dwells upon a theoretical subject matter, be sure to explain the complicated terms. Thesis statement: state the purpose of your piece of writing clearly and concisely. This is the most substantial sentence of the entire essay, so take your time formulating it. Topic sentence: linking each new idea to the thesis, it introduces a paragraph.
Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 45 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 4,, times. A persuasive essay is an essay used to convince a reader about a particular idea or focus, usually one that you believe in. Your persuasive essay could be based on anything about which you have an opinion or that you can make a clear argument about. Whether you're arguing against junk food at school or petitioning for a raise from your boss, knowing how to write a persuasive essay is an important skill that everyone should have.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer. To write a persuasive essay, start with an attention-grabbing introduction that introduces your thesis statement or main argument. Then, break the body of your essay up into multiple paragraphs and focus on one main idea in each paragraph. Make sure you present evidence in each paragraph that supports the main idea so your essay is more persuasive. Finally, conclude your essay by restating the most compelling, important evidence so you can make your case one last time. To learn how to make your writing more persuasive, keep reading! Did this summary help you?
Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. wikiHow Account. No account yet? Create an account. Community Dashboard Write an Article Request a New Article More Ideas Edit this Article. Courses New Tech Help Pro New Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In. Home Random Browse Articles Courses New About wikiHow Easy Ways to Help Approve Questions Fix Spelling Quiz App More Things to Try We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together.
Learn why people trust wikiHow. Categories Education and Communications College University and Postgraduate Academic Writing Essays How to Write a Persuasive Essay. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Sample Persuasive Essays. Related Articles. Article Summary. Co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD Last Updated: August 5, References Approved. Sample Persuasive Essays Sample Persuasive Essay. Sample Persuasive Historical Essay. Part 1. Read the prompt carefully. In most cases, you will be given a specific assignment for your persuasive essay.
Look for language that gives you a clue as to whether you are writing a purely persuasive or an argumentative essay. Give yourself time. If you can, make the time to craft an argument you'll enjoy writing. Allow yourself enough time to brainstorm, write, and edit. Whenever possible, start early. Examine the rhetorical situation. All writing has a rhetorical situation, which has five basic elements: the text here, your essay , the author you , the audience, the purpose of the communication, and the setting. This is when you look at the facts, definition meaning of the issue or the nature of it , quality the level of seriousness of the issue , and policy plan of action for the issue.
To look at the facts, try asking: What happened? What are the known facts? How did this issue begin? What can people do to change the situation? To look at the definition, ask: What is the nature of this issue or problem? What type of problem is this? What category or class would this problem fit into best? To examine the quality, ask: Who is affected by this problem? How serious is it? What might happen if it is not resolved? To examine the policy, ask: Should someone take action? Who should do something and what should they do? Consider your audience. Obviously, your instructor is your primary audience, but consider who else might find your argument convincing.
You might target the school administrators, in which case you could make a case about student productivity and healthy food. Pick a topic that appeals to you. Because a persuasive essay often relies heavily on emotional appeals, you should choose to write on something about which you have a real opinion. Pick a subject about which you feel strongly and can argue convincingly. Look for a topic that has a lot of depth or complexity. You may feel incredibly passionate about pizza, but it may be difficult to write an interesting essay on it. A subject that you're interested in but which has a lot of depth — like animal cruelty or government earmarking — will make for better subject material.
Consider opposing viewpoints when thinking about your essay. If you think it will be hard to come up with arguments against your topic, your opinion might not be controversial enough to make it into a persuasive essay. On the other hand, if there are too many arguments against your opinion that will be hard to debunk, you might choose a topic that is easier to refute. Make sure you can remain balanced. A good persuasive essay will consider the counterarguments and find ways to convince readers that the opinion presented in your essay is the preferable one. Keep your focus manageable. Your essay is likely to be fairly short; it may be 5 paragraphs or several pages, but you need to keep a narrow focus so that you can adequately explore your topic.
For example, an essay that attempts to persuade your readers that war is wrong is unlikely to be successful, because that topic is huge. Choosing a smaller bit of that topic -- for example, that drone strikes are wrong -- will give you more time to delve deeply into your evidence. Come up with a thesis statement. Your thesis statement presents your opinion or argument in clear language. It is usually placed at the end of the introductory paragraph. It is important for schools to provide fresh, healthy meals to students, even when they cost more. You do need to convey exactly what you will argue. Brainstorm your evidence. Once you have chosen your topic, do as much preparation as you can before you write your essay. This means you need to examine why you have your opinion and what evidence you find most compelling.
A mind map could be helpful. Start with your central topic and draw a box around it. Then, arrange other ideas you think of in smaller bubbles around it. Connect the bubbles to reveal patterns and identify how ideas relate. Generating ideas is the most important step here. Research, if necessary. Once you have your ideas together, you may discover that some of them need research to support them. If you have a librarian available, consult with him or her! Librarians are an excellent resource to help guide you to credible research.
Part 2. Outline your essay. Persuasive essays generally have a very clear format, which helps you present your argument in a clear and compelling way. Here are the elements of persuasive essays: An introduction. You should also provide your thesis statement, which is a clear statement of what you will argue or attempt to convince the reader of. Body paragraphs. How to write it? This is a widespread problem for both high school and college students around world. Ideal essay introduction corresponds to three criteria: it should be topic-allied, logical and concise. This is a clear paraphrase of the topic combining with a short answer to all parts of the assignment. In introduction persuasive work, there is no extra information: if an opinion is asked in assignment, it is briefly mentioned.
If the task is asked for causes, they are noticed in the introduction. It cannot be broad or concrete. If the topic asks for British retirees, you cannot speak about Europeans or Russians.
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