It's the night before your essay is due, and you haven't even started. Your mind is blank, and you don't know how to convince your teacher with your words.

The good news is that there are some tips and tricks that can persuasive essay writing much easier.

In this blog, we'll explain the parts of a persuasive essay and give helpful tips and examples along the way. By the end, you'll have all the steps to create a winning essay that will convince your readers to see things your way.

Let's take a closer look at these steps.

What is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay presents logical arguments with emotional appeal.

Usually, persuasive essays start with a question that the writer argues for or against throughout the essay.

For example: should kids be allowed to play video games on weekdays?

The writer would then spend the rest of the essay supporting their claim with reasons and evidence.

Persuasive essays often include counterarguments. These are arguments that oppose the writer's position.

Including counterarguments makes persuasive essays more interesting and forces the writer to think critically about their position.

For example, someone opposing the argument might say that playing video games leads to poor grades.

The original writer could refute this claim by pointing to studies that show no correlation between bad grades and playing video games.

The best persuasive essays are well-researched and use data to support their claims.

However, persuasive essays are not just about logic. They also need to include emotional appeal.

After all, people are more likely to be persuaded by an argument that speaks to their feelings.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay

When writing a persuasive essay, you must keep these three Greek terms in mind. They are:

• Ethos (appeal to ethics)
• Pathos (appeal to emotion)
• Logos (appeal to logic)

A good essay will use all ethos, pathos, and logos to convince the reader that the argument presented is valid.

Let's take a closer look at each one.

1- Ethos - the Credibility Element

The persuasive power of ethos lies in the character or credibility of the person making the argument.

For an argument to be persuasive, the person presenting it must be someone the audience trusts.

This could be because they are an expert on the subject or because they have first-hand experience with it. Either way, ethos establishes the speaker's credibility and makes the audience more likely to trust what they have to say.

2- Pathos - the Emotional Element

While ethos deals with the character of the person making the argument, pathos has to do with the audience's emotions. A persuasive argument will tap into the audience's emotions and use them to sway their opinion.

This could be done through stories or anecdotes that evoke an emotional response or by using language that stirs certain feelings.

3- Logos - the Logical Element

The final element of persuasion is logos, which appeals to logic. A persuasive argument will use sound reasoning and evidence to convince the audience that it is valid. This could be done through data or using persuasive techniques like cause and effect.

Using all these elements of a persuasive essay can make your argument much more effective.

How To Write a Persuasive Essay

Writing persuasive essays can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be.

With the following simple steps, you can turn an ordinary essay into one that makes a lasting impression.

How To Start a Persuasive Essay

Here is a complete guide on how to start a persuasive essay. Follow these steps to compose a perfect essay every time.

Brainstorm All Possible Angles

The first step in writing a persuasive essay is brainstorming. You need to come up with an angle for your essay that will make it unique and interesting.

For example, let's say you're writing about the death penalty. A lot has been said on this topic, so it might be hard to find an angle that hasn't been covered already.

But if you think about it, there are many different ways to approach the issue.

Maybe you could write about the personal experiences of someone affected by the death penalty. Or maybe you could write about the economic costs of the death penalty.

There are many possibilities here - it's all about thinking creatively.

Select Your Topic

Once you've brainstormed a few ideas, it's time to choose your topic. Pick the angle you think will most effectively persuade your reader.

Once you've chosen your topic, it's time to research. Use statistics, expert opinions, and real-life examples to support your position.

Choose Your Side

Now that you've researched, it's time to take a side in the debate. Remember, you must take a strong stance on one side of the issue.

After deciding your stance, research and support it with evidence.

Appeal to Human Emotions

One of the most effective ways to persuade someone is by appealing to their emotions.

Make your reader feel something, whether it's anger, sadness, empathy, or even amusement. You'll be well on your way to convincing them of your point of view.

Anticipate Possible Objections

Of course, not everyone will agree with you, and that's okay!

The important thing is that you anticipate some of those objections and address them head-on in your essay.

This shows that you take your reader's objections seriously and are confident in your position.

Organize Your Evidence

What Are The Steps To Write Your Persuasive Essay?

Now that you have your topic and essay outline, it's time to start writing.

Here are the steps you need to take:

Step 1: Create a Compelling Introduction

You want to hook your readers with a great opening for your persuasive essay, so they'll want to keep reading.

Here are 3 tips for writing an attention-grabbing introduction for your next essay:

• Use a strong hook statement

Your hook statement should immediately draw the reader in and make them want to learn more.

A good hook statement will vary depending on whether you're writing for an academic or more casual audience.

Some good options include a quote, an interesting statistic, or a rhetorical question.

• Make sure your thesis statement is clear and concise

Your thesis statement is the main argument of your essay, so it needs to be stated clearly and concisely in your introduction.

A good thesis statement will be specific and limit the scope of your argument so that it can be fully addressed in the body of your paper.

• Use a transition

Transitions are important in writing for academic and non-academic audiences because they help guide the reader through your argument.

A good transition will introduce the main point of your next paragraph while still maintaining the connection to the previous one.

Step 2: Write The Body Paragraphs

Here is a formula for structuring your body paragraphs in a persuasive essay.

This formula will ensure that each body paragraph is packed with evidence and examples while still being concise and easy to read.

• The Topic Sentence

Every body paragraph should start with a topic sentence. A topic sentence is a key sentence that sums up the paragraph's main point.

It should be clear, concise, and direct.

For example, if you were writing a paragraph about the importance of exercise, your topic sentence might be this:

"Regular exercise is essential for good physical and mental health."

See how that sentence gives a clear overview of what the rest of the paragraph will be about.

• Relevant Supporting Sentences

Once your topic sentence is down, it's time to fill the rest of the paragraph with relevant supporting sentences.

These sentences should provide evidence to support the claims made in the topic sentence.

For the exercise example, we might use sentences like this:

"Exercise has been shown to improve heart health, reduce stress levels, and boost brain power."

How to End a Persuasive Essay

When you finish writing a persuasive essay, your conclusion is just as important as the introduction. It's your last chance to leave a strong impression and convince your readers.

To do this effectively:

• Restate Your Thesis: Start your conclusion by reminding readers of your main argument. This brings everything full circle.
• Summarize Your Arguments: Recap the key points you made throughout your essay. This reinforces why your thesis is valid.
• Offer a Call to Action: End with a call to action. This could be a suggestion for what readers should do next or a compelling reason to act on your argument.

You can follow a proofreading checklist after completing your essay to ensure you are on track.

Format of A Persuasive Essay

Once you've chosen your topic, it's time to structure your essay effectively for maximum impact.

Here are some tips:

• Increase Readability: Make sure your paragraphs are clear and easy to follow. Use 1-inch margins and a readable font like Times New Roman or Arial.
• Use Easy-to-Read Font: Stick to basic fonts to ensure your essay is easy on the eyes and professional.
• Keep Defined Alignment: Align your text to the left margin for clarity and ease of reading.

Persuasive Essay Examples

Check out some examples of persuasive essays to understand how they are structured and written. Here are some persuasive essay examples to inspire you.

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Choosing the right topic is crucial for your persuasive essay. Here are some examples of topics that might interest you:

• Should the government increase taxes on sugary foods to reduce obesity?
• Do standardized tests accurately measure student intelligence?
• Should studying a foreign language be mandatory in schools?
• Should college athletes receive payment for their performance?

If you're stuck with choosing topics, these are great persuasive essay topics to get you started! 

Tips to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay

Here are some tips to help you write a persuasive essay that makes a strong impact:

• Pick A Topic You're Passionate About: Choose a topic that matters to you. It'll make your writing more engaging.
• Research Your Topic Thoroughly: Gather enough information to support your arguments and understand counterarguments.
• Know Your Audience: Tailor your writing to your audience—whether it's your classmates, teacher, or the public.
• Hook The Reader's Attention: Start with an interesting fact or story to grab your reader's interest from the beginning.
• Research Both Sides: Present a balanced view by exploring both sides of the argument.
• Ask Rhetorical Questions: Engage your readers by posing questions that make them think about the issue.
• Emphasize Your Point: Throughout your essay, reinforce your main points to ensure they stick with your readers.