HOW TO WRITE A PERSUASIVE ESSAY?

Have you ever wonder how to write a persuasive essay? Here are some tips for you!

  1. Prepare your essay before you write it.

Preparing for your essay is just as important as writing it. A good preparation lead to success.

  • First you must choose the stance you will take on your chosen topic. What viewpoint will you be taking? It’s important to outline this in your plan, as you will need to make sure you maintain the same viewpoint throughout your essay.
  • Secondly, you must get to know your target audience. Who are you writing for? What viewpoint do they take? Are they against your view? Supportive of it? Or a neutral reader that you are trying to persuade?
  • Thirdly, conduct detailed research. Know the ins and outs of your chosen topic. Not only should you know your view in detail, but also know the opposing viewpoint, by doing so, you are able to counteract any arguments that they may think of.
  1. Plan your essay in detail.

One you have fully prepared for your persuasive essay, you must then write a detailed plan, creating the format in which you will write. One example of this is:

  • Introduction: The main point of an introduction is to grab the attention of the reader. There are many ways of doing this. One example is the use of an interesting or shocking fact. Once you have gained the attention of the reader, you can then begin with an overview of the topic you are presenting, as well as the viewpoint that you are going to take, make sure this is clear, so that the reader can have a good understanding of your stance.
  • Body: The body of your persuasive essay should be used to show the reader why they should support your perspective. Use at least one piece of evidence per paragraph, using it to justify your viewpoint. You can even use multiple pieces of evidence to strengthen your argument.
  • Opposing view: (Optional): If you want a strong essay, then you could use your research that you have prepared to disprove evidence from any opposing arguments. You must be explicit here, explain why this opposing view is wrong, then explain why your argument is a stronger one.
  • Conclusion: Use your conclusion to sum up your overall argument. Start by stating the same view that you have in your introduction. Then sum up each of your body arguments. Finish with a strong statement, concluding your point of view.

Draft your essay

  • Do not do your essay all at once. Overworking yourself will only leave you straining your mind, which will result in ideas being rushed.
  • Break up the time in which you write your essay. Write a paragraph, then come back in ten minutes and read it over, this will help you to spot easy mistakes and will also allow you to strengthen your argument.
  • Draft your essay various times, changing a few paragraphs each time. This will allow you to present the strongest argument possible, while also helping you make sure that your argument is consistent throughout your essay.
Writing persuasively is a skill that can help you in your career. If you enjoy writing, you can even make a living from freelance writing. To help you interview successfully with clients, check out the Deliberate Directions guide to hiring a freelance writer.