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Persuasive Essay structure
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Persuasive Essay
What is the purpose?
Purpose?
The purpose of a persuasive text can be varied. Maybe you are intending to influence someone's opinion on a specific topic or you might be aiming to sell a product or service.
The challenge in writing a good persuasive text is to use a mix of emotive language and in some cases images that are supported by hard evidence or other people's opinions.
The challenge
Persuasive texts are simple in structure. You simply need to:
Clearly state your opinion.
The basics
Reinforce with facts or evidence.
Finish with a strong conclusion.
Structure
The outline follows a standard essay structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion
Introduction
Key elements
In the introduction you will, naturally, introduce the topic.
The introduction of your persuasive essay should provide background information on the problem you cover and outline your position on it. And though you need a hook to get readers interested, don’t keep them in suspense: a persuasive essay is not a narrative or a novel; make it short, clear, and concise.
Introduction
Title
1. Title
This will often be posed as a question, for example, if the essay is on the merits of a vegetarian lifestyle it may be called something like: To Eat Meat or Not?
It is often easier to write your title after finishing your essay.
Hook
2. Hook
Capturing the reader's interest from the outset is crucial. There are a number of methods of doing this, known as hooks. You may decide to open your essay with an anecdote, a joke, a quotation, or a relevant statistic related to your topic.
Check our resource site for hook ideas.
3. Background
Background
In this section of the introduction, you will provide the reader with some background to the topic. This will place the issue in context and briefly weigh up some of the different opinions on the subject.
4. Thesis
Thesis statement
After stating the topic in the first part of the introduction, it is now time for you to express your own opinion and briefly preview the points you will make later in the essay.
You need to plan out the points of your essay before you can write the thesis statement.
Body
3 Paragraphs
1.
Ethos
Body
The number of paragraphs that will form this section of the essay will depend on the number of points the writer chooses to make to support their opinion.
For now we will keep that to 3 points.
2.
Pathos
3.
Logos
Structure
Each paragraph should be structured in this way:
Claim: The overall thesis the writer will argue for.
Data: Evidence gathered to support the claim. (We call the “data” a concrete detail or “CD”.)
Warrant: Explanation of why or how the data supports the claim; the underlying assumption that connects your data to your claim. (We call the “warrant” commentary or
analysis.)
Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim.
Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.
Paragraph
structure
Example
Example of 1 body paragraph
Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
Data: Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity.
Warrant: Due to the fact that cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.
Counterclaim: Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass transit systems.
Rebuttal: While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work; thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation's population.
As a paragraph:
Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution. Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity. Due to the fact that cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution. Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass transit systems. While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work; thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation's population.
Conclusion
A good concluding paragraph for a persuasive essay should summarize your opinion and all your key arguments in about 3-5 sentences.
Conclusion
Do's
DO's
Repeat the main points that you made within your paper in different words.
Use parallel sentences.
Use simple language.
Establish the importance of your conclusion:
- Look at the topic within a bigger context
- Presenting an ideal picture
- Calling your reader to action.
Don'ts
DON'Ts
- Summarize.
- Repeat your thesis statement - you need to rephrase it.
- Bring up minor points.
- Introduce new information.
- Use the phrases “in summary” and “in conclusion.”