Q&A for How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Your introduction should introduce the topic of your essay and provide any important background information for understanding the position you are arguing for. Most importantly, your introduction should contain a thesis statement that clearly articulates what position you are taking on the central issue, why you are taking that position, and how you will go about defending that position.

Your persuasive essay should include an introduction that clearly states your position, body paragraphs that offer support for that position, a paragraph that acknowledges and refutes counterarguments, and a conclusion.

Make sure that you clearly state the larger topic of your essay in addition to the specific stance you are arguing. Use clear and precise evidence and rhetorical strategies to support your stance.

As outlined in this article, you need to understand the topic, choose a position to defend, craft a clear thesis statement, provide evidence to support your position, and use rhetorical strategies to try to persuade your reader.

One of the most important persuasive techniques is providing solid evidence and examples to support your argument (appealing to reason). You can also use techniques such as appealing to authority (citing notable experts on your topic), appealing to emotion (trying to sway how the reader feels about your argument) and appealing to trust (helping the reader feel that you are someone they can believe in and rely on).

You can write a persuasive essay on almost any topic, provided it’s a topic that lends itself to arguing in favor of different positions. For example, you might choose a moral or ethical problem (for example, whether or not it’s morally right to eat animal products) or argue against or in favor of an academic theory. You can also use a persuasive essay as a call to action (e.g., trying to convince people to switch to solar power).

A hook -- an interesting fact, story, or quote -- is usually your best opening. You want the first sentence to grab someone immediately and get them to keep reading. This is easier said than done, but if it interested you while researching or thinking it will likely interest other people.

In general, try to have around three examples for each paragraph. Keep in mind that most professors will prefer quality over quantity. Two good examples would be a lot better than three bad examples that either don't support your point or downright contradict it.

Yes, it is certainly okay to (briefly) list your arguments in your opening paragraph. This can work well in longer essays, or if your points fit together in a way not immediately obvious to the reader. Be careful to not give too much away, though. Save the actual arguments for the body paragraphs.

Adverbs, especially -ly words, are excellent transitional words. It's also possible to use prepositional phrases at the beginning of your sentences to transition. Some examples: additionally, consequently, similarly, moreover, however, on the other hand, finally, in sum, in conclusion.

End your essay with a thorough conclusion that sums clearly up the points in your body paragraphs and leaves your reader with a final thought to muse on. Get your title from the last sentence in your essay.

Instead of statistic-based arguments and evidence, use common sense and "most people believe" arguments. If you don't have access to information, your instructor will not expect an essay with strong fact-based evidence.

You should provide an equal amounts of both.

Unless your instructor says otherwise, yes. Your essay is an argument about what you believe, so having personal pronouns can be unavoidable at times.

If you can't search for the information online, you should go to a library instead. You can also find someone who knows about the information you're looking for, and ask them questions.

As many as you want! There is no right or wrong number to use. In general, just think of each paragraph as a mini-argument or point. Use as many as you need to convince someone.

Put in interesting or shocking facts.

Consider your point of view on the topic. Once you know what side you are on, clearly state that in the first sentence and follow that through. For example, if you disagree, you could ask a question about gender stereotypes and whether they should still exist.

Yes, you can bring up your own point of view in a persuasive essay.

End it with a climax to your main point. Perhaps relate it to a reader's daily life.

You should end it with your thesis statement. Refer to Part 2, Step 8 for more information on thesis statements.

You could use facts, if these are available. Like did your preferred book sell more copies than the other book? Did it receive better reviews? Otherwise, just explain why you think the book is better using commonly agreed upon metrics. Were the characters more complex and realistic? Was the author's writing very expressive or poetic? Was the plot full of exciting action? Just write about why you prefer the one book over the other.

A conclusion sums up your argument. A good conclusion will leave an impact on the reader leave them thinking.

That's always a possibility, but as long as you have met the requirements of a persuasive essay, then your essay would be considered successful. You don't have to change everyone's minds with your essay.

An interesting fact, story, or quote is usually your best opening. You want the first sentence to grab someone immediately and get them to keep reading. This is easier said than done, but if it interested you while researching or thinking, it will likely interest other people.

A hook -- an interesting fact, story, or quote -- is usually your best opening. You want the first sentence to grab people immediately and get them to keep reading. This is easier said than done, but if it interested you while researching or thinking, it will likely interest other people.

Because no one is immortal, that's just how life is. Everyone has to die at some point and it's just the "when" that varies.

The formatting options vary depending on the context in which you're using the quote. You can look up MLA formatting guidelines for specific information on how to format quotations within an essay. For example, you could include a portion of a quote as part of one of your larger sentences and then cite the author and page number directly after the quote in parentheses, like (Smith, 10).

You should typically write them in 3rd person.

This is a separate skill that needs its own practice, and has its own pitfalls. Proofreading, which is the same as reviewing, requires that you switch off what you know about this text, and texts in general. Of course, you must have excellent spelling skills and know where to look up what you don't know. As to how, put it away for a day, get some rest, and then read it attentively. Make sure there are no logical skips, too; each step must be in the text.