A Step By Step Persuasive Essay Writing Guide

Did your professor assign you a persuasive essay task? Do you have no idea where to start and how to write this important academic assignment? No need to worry!

Here you can find a step-by-step guide for learning how to write a perfect persuasive essay. Go through this article carefully before you start the writing process.

A persuasive essay is more than just an opinion but a way to convince others through strong arguments on a certain point of view.

Trying to persuade people to agree with your point of view seems impossible at first. But by following this guide, you will be able to understand the method required to persuade your audience by providing a structured opinion with solid and strongly supported arguments.

Persuasive Essay Definition

A persuasive essay is an important type of academic essay where the main aim of a writer is to convince the readers about an idea that you believe in. The essay should be based on something you have an idea about or something you can make a strong argument about.

Do not confuse a persuasive essay with an argumentative essay. Although both aim to convince the reader, in an argumentative essay, both sides of the coin is discussed in detail, unlike in a persuasive essay where the only side of the issue is uncovered.

Whether you are arguing against junk food at your high school or requesting a raise from your boss. Knowing the technique to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill everyone should know. 

A good persuasive essay must have the following two things:

• Reasons why the author is correct
• Reasons why the opposite point of view is not correct 

Keep in mind that persuasive writing is all about delivering your opinion and convincing people to change their perspective about a certain thing. 

What is the Purpose of a Persuasive Essay?

The main purpose of a persuasive essay is to explain your point of view and persuade the readers why it makes sense. It is unlike an argumentative essay that focuses on logic and reasoning as it is focused on personal opinion and emotions.

These essays explain their point of view by presenting counter-arguments and explaining why those arguments are incomplete or less effective.

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Persuasive Essay Topics

If you have not decided on the topic yet, here are some interesting persuasive essay topics and ideas you can choose from.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Beginners

• Effect of smog on people’s health.
• Is it fair to tax imported goods extra?
• Genetically modified food is not safe.
• Human behavior is a result of nature.
• Is education in prisons working?
• Pros and cons of summer classes.
• The commercial side of education.
• The best age for driving a car.
• How politicians can improve their performance.
• The risks bodybuilding has for women.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Intermediates

• Remote education is better than traditional schooling.
• How to prevent various kinds of violence at schools.
• Pros and cons of Asylums.
• The effects of pollution today.
• Is life better than it was 50 years ago?
• Should healthcare be universal?
• Do zoos help or harm animals?
• Books should never be banned.
• Is capital punishment moral?
• The war on drugs is a failure.

Persuasive Essay Topics for Advanced

• Voting should be mandatory
• Aliens are real
• Churches should pay taxes.
• Should schools start later in the morning?
• Physics is the best science
• Nobody should litter.
• Is solar energy worth the cost?
• Television is harmful to children.
• Is access to the internet a human right?
• Pros & cons of eating sweets

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

• The best TV show ever
• What is the safest country in the world?
• The writing skills for a successful person
• There are drawbacks to studying abroad.
• Do gadgets make children lonely?
• Industrial excretion is a menace.
• Hunting is immoral
• Teens should read more
• Is it time to end animal testing?
• Bullying in high school

Persuasive Essay Topics for Grade 7

• Educational loans are a trap.
• Does technology make kids lazy?
• Camping is dangerous.
• How to look busy at work?
• The causes of cancer
• Ancient art was too photographic.
• School vaccinations are obligatory
• Just buy an essay at affordable rates
• Reading books is obsolete.
• Online bullying exists

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Persuasive Essay Structure

The structure of an essay isn't as complicated or hard to remember. All you have to do is understand them and create a well-written essay.

Below is a persuasive essay structure for your help.

How to Use Arguments in Persuasive Essays?

Before you write anything to persuade someone, it is important to understand the basics of persuasive writing. This includes understanding the five elements of persuasion. These are;

Five Elements of Persuasion in Your Essay

1. Clear and Focused: In order to make a strong argument, your thesis statement needs to be clear and focused.
2. Argument: Make a strong, logical argument that is based on facts and supported by credible sources.
3. Organize Arguments: To make your essay more convincing, start by organizing your arguments so they all relate back to your thesis statement.
4. Different Types of Evidence: There are different types of evidence that can be used to support an argument. This includes statistics, proven facts, examples, etc to illustrate your point of view.
5. Conclusion: Write a strong conclusion that makes your essay perfect.

Persuasive Strategies

When writing your essay, it is important to make sure that your arguments are reasonable and logical. You must also provide evidence to support your points. In order to be persuasive, your essay must also be emotionally appealing. Aristotle, many years ago, described the three basic principles of persuasive writing. They are known as the elements of rhetoric. These are;

• Ethos: Use authoritative resources to support your arguments.
• Pathos: When writing to persuade someone, focus on their morals, values, and beliefs.
• Logos: When trying to persuade someone to agree with you, it is important to use logic and evidence. This will help them see that your argument makes sense and is based on reality.

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How to Start a Persuasive Essay?

The following are steps you can take when you start writing an essay that will convince your reader of the value in what's being said.

• 1. Choose a Topic

  The first step in writing a persuasive essay is choosing the right topic. It should be interesting enough to grab your reader's attention and make them want more, so you'll need some research skills. Browse through trending topics or look at lists of important issues that may suit what you're passionate about - this will help when selecting a good essay topic.

• 2. Take a Side

  What are your thoughts about the issue? Which side do you take? And what will be your suggestions? Take time and think about these points in detail.

• 3. Research Your Topic

  The persuasive essay should provide a detailed and compelling set of convincing evidence in support of your arguments such as relevant examples, facts, and quotes from experts. It will be necessary to undertake in-depth research to achieve this point. 

• 4. Think About the Essay Structure

  Determine what type of evidence you intend to include in your essay and think about the order in which you are going to present it.

• 5. Support Your Argument

  Use solid facts and statistics that you have gathered from your research or personal experiences. Cite all the sources to avoid the risk of plagiarism. Facts and statistics should be written in a way to back up your argument successfully.

• 6. Counter Argument

  Counter arguments are one of the main parts of a persuasive essay since you cannot present and explain your ideas fully without them.

  Explain the things that you like about it and then the points that you do not agree with. Present your argument and the reasons that make it better than the presented counter-argument.

  Your goal is to persuade the audience to see why your side of the argument is more effective and useful. Remember that there is no right or wrong side, just the more effective one.

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Persuasive Essay Outline

Creating a persuasive essay outline is important for an organized and effective piece of writing. Many students think that writing an outline is a waste of their time, which is wrong. You will do the work quickly when you know about the topic and the points you want to add to it.

Writing an outline is the first step in how to write an effective essay. Below, we have explained some main points that are involved in creating a persuasive essay outline.

Research the Topic

Researching the topic is the first thing you must do when creating an outline for your persuasive essay. Research the main and important information about your topic and outline the points you would add to your essay.

Persuasive Essay Introduction

An introductory paragraph is the first section of an essay. Here you will introduce your main topic idea and structure your introduction before writing it.

1. The hook of the essay
2. The thesis statement
3. Introduce the main arguments

Persuasive Essay Body Paragraphs

The main body is the fleshy part of the essay and includes all the main arguments. The following is the basic structure of the body paragraphs.

a. Argument Number 1

1. Counter Argument
2. Evidence of your Main Argument

b. Argument Number 2

1. Counter Argument
2. Evidence of your Main Argument

c. Argument Number 3

1. Counter Argument
2. Evidence of your Main Argument

The argument paragraphs could be more than three but make sure that all of them are relevant.

Persuasive Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is the closing of an essay, and how to write a conclusion for a persuasive essay is one of the main questions that many students ask. Instead of adding everything, try to be brief and just mention the essence of the entire essay.

Use the below persuasive essay outline template to structure your essay.

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How To Write A Persuasive Essay?

Writing a great essay requires careful outlining and attention to each and every detail. Usually, the persuasive essay format contains three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion.

Here are the steps you need to follow to write a perfect persuasive essay.

• 1. Write an Essay Introduction

The essay introduction paragraph should grab the reader’s attention by providing some background information on the topic. It must include a strong thesis statement to explain your stance on the topic.

• 2. Add a Relevant but Brief Thesis Statement

A thesis statement comes after the introduction. When writing a thesis statement for a persuasive essay, make sure that you do not give away all the information in it. Just add the main point and give a hint of what the essay will be about.

• 3. Main Essay Body Paragraphs

Include all the arguments and support them with logical reasoning. Each body paragraph should only discuss one particular point. After that, include one to two paragraphs to explain and prove the opposing point of view.

Usually, there are three body paragraphs in a persuasive essay, making it a 5-paragraph essay. Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence. Research relevant facts to support your thesis statement in the body paragraphs.

• 4. Essay Conclusion

How to end a persuasive essay effectively? The conclusion of an essay should restate the main argument with some final thoughts. You can also add a call to action and ask the readers to do something.

• 5. Proofreading

Check your arguments when editing a persuasive essay. Make sure your language is appropriate and that the overall essay structure isn't too complex.

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Persuasive Essay Examples

It is a good practice to read some persuasive essay examples before you start writing your persuasive essay. It will really help you to clear your thoughts and see how the essay needs to be organized with all the important elements of persuasion, facts, and statistics.

Here is an example that you can read to help you better understand the persuasive essay structure.

Persuasive Essay Example (PDF)



Persuasive Essay Samples

We have included some sample persuasive essays to help you better understand how to write an effective persuasive essay.

Persuasive Essay on use of Public Transport (PDF)



Persuasive Essay Example About Life (PDF)



Persuasive Essay Format (PDF)



Persuasive Essay Template (PDF)



Hopefully, now you know what is a persuasive essay and how to write a perfect one. You can also read our free essays and find interesting ideas for your persuasive essay assignment.

With this persuasive essay guide, you'll be able to write your college essay in no time. If there are areas of the process that still seem unclear or difficult for whatever reason, don't hesitate to ask someone who can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three persuasive techniques?

Three persuasive techniques are as follows:

• Ethos
• Pathos
• Emotions

What makes a good persuasive essay?

To write a good persuasive essay, you need to do research and be aware of the reader's interest. You should also have a good understanding of both sides of the issue. In your essay, you should not only state why your opinion is correct but also why the opposing view is wrong.

What is the most important part of a persuasive essay?

The thesis statement is an important part of a persuasive essay. A thesis statement in a persuasive essay is a clear position on a debatable topic that the writer supports.

How many paragraphs should a persuasive essay have?

There is no limit to the number of paragraphs you can write in a persuasive essay. You can use 2-3-4 paragraphs.