Beginner’s Persuasive Essay Writing Guide
What’s it like to prepare a persuasive essay on the first place? Imagine you’re a lawyer holding a speech in front of the jury. The future of your client depends on whether you’ll manage to persuade the jury your point of view is the only correct, true, and the one to rely on.
Just like in the courtroom, there’s also an opposing point of view in persuasive essays you also have to study and take into consideration when preparing your paper. As far as good persuasive essay topics go, instructors usually assign themes which normally imply having two pretty opposite points of view. What’s needed from you?
- Study all given points of view under different angles
- Pick a side which you believe is true
- Gather pieces of evidence to prove your point
- Gather pieces of evidence to show the opposing point of view is wrong
- Study the target audience
- Think of stylistic means and logical arguments to appeal to your audience in this particular case
- Draw up a persuasive paper which triggers both emotions and logic
Did you know professional lawyers study the jury lineup before the hearing, gathering as much info as possible on the members to then fetch most engaging and to-the-point arguments. If the set of jury was different next time, chances are high arguments would be different.
How to write a persuasive essay in 5 steps
First and foremost, you have to choose a position in the argument and be ready to defend your point of view, stick to your guns and still on your ground for as long as needed to persuade audience you’re right.
Secondly, you have to know your audience. In school or college, you don’t have to dig deep. Shallow analysis will suffice to show that you’re aware of the basics. After all, you’re not a lawyer yet, and you’re not in the courtroom defending a client yet too!
Thirdly, proper persuasive compositions are based on thorough in-depth research of all the opposing parties. It means that you have not only to find evidence to support your point of view, you also have to look up proof the opposite side is wrong. Quotes, references, background data, article extracts, videos and images – depending on how much creative freedom you have, the mentioned assets will do.
Fourthly, identify most convincing pieces of evidence and focus on them, as well as on those of the opposing party. If you miss on some aces up the sleeve of your opponents, you’re going to lose. Therefore, think of preemptive strikes beforehand to tackle counter-attacks with even more persuasive proof.
And fifthly, prepare a solid thesis statement which will leave no doubts as for where do you stand in the argument. Plus, a strong thesis should disarm the opposing side and leave them as little room for maneuver as possible.
Essentials of the persuasive essay outline
Persuasive essay format has a bit different structure than analytical or descriptive compositions. The main difference lies in this extra paragraph in the main body which is 100% dedicated to wearing down arguments of the opposing point of view and proving it’s wrong.
How to start a persuasive essay doesn’t matter, all what’s important is win over the audience and make them stick to your position. As of today, they are considered most difficult and time-taking compositions to complete. What is a persuasive essay without a strong research, emotional triggers and bullet-proof logics backed up by undeniable evidence? Right you are, it’s anything but an A material. So get ready to spend an evening or two working on your paper properly.
Free persuasive essay examples
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