Persuasive essays, which aim to convince the reader of a certain opinion on a topic, are very interesting and fun to write, but also difficult to start with. Whether you're writing an essay for a school assignment, a letter to a government official, or for a newspaper editor, logical organization and a compelling opening paragraph are essential to creating a strong initial impression.
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Part 1 of 4: Reviewing Ideas and Outline the Introduction
Step 1. Select a topic, if it doesn't already exist
To choose your own topic, think about recent events that you find interesting, that represent your principles, or that you would like to learn more about. You can also search the internet for persuasive essay topics or ask friends and family for advice. Make sure you choose a narrow and specific topic so you can focus on the discussion.
- For example, if you want to write about juvenile crime, choose a narrower aspect, such as prosecuting teenagers as adults in certain cases.
- Try to choose a topic that really interests you. Writing is so much more fun.
- The subject of the essay may be predetermined, such as for a school assignment or to be sent to the government or newspapers.
Step 2. Choose the angle of discussion that seems most interesting to write about
After choosing a topic, start thinking about what you want to convey. What part has had the strongest impact on you? What is your solution to this problem? Review various aspects, choose the one that is most interesting or in accordance with your beliefs.
- Ask yourself what is at stake in the matter. Why is the issue important and why should people care? Once you've identified that, it's easy to frame the argument.
- For example, if your topic is intensive livestock farming, the point of discussion might be the use of large amounts of methane gas, which contributes to climate change and global epidemics of extreme and unpredictable weather changes. You can frame it as an environmental issue as well as a public safety issue.
Step 3. Do some research to find supporting evidence
Start researching topics on the internet and libraries to increase your knowledge. Take note of usable evidence or arguments that are starting to form. While you won't be using most of your research in your introduction, this knowledge will help you discuss it more effectively.
Use a scientific search engine like Google Scholar, EBSCO, or JSTOR instead of a typical search engine, and take from trusted sites like news agencies and.edu URLs
Step 4. Find 3-5 pieces of evidence to support the argument
When doing research, put together the most accurate and prominent arguments in the body of supporting evidence. In a persuasive essay, this supporting evidence can trigger judgment (logos), ethics (ethos), and emotion (pathos).
- Mention the evidence briefly in the introductory paragraph. So it's important that you know this before you start writing.
- Evidence that appeals to reader ethics is that which comes from trusted sources. For example, if you are writing an essay about the use of euthanasia, you could mention the work or quotes of doctors or nurses who have been directly involved with the procedure.
- In a paper persuading people to reduce their use of water, the evidence that appeals to logic is, “Increasing water use not only depletes energy resources, it adds to the bill.”
- In papers persuading people to adopt animals from shelters, you should appeal to the emotional side, such as, “Milo, a golden retriever puppy, was found by the side of the road when he was only 4 weeks old. If it is not adopted from the overcrowded shelter, it must be shut down.”
Step 5. Compose a thesis statement
After gathering your preliminary research, rethink your chosen angle of discussion and expand upon it, if you can. Write 1-2 short sentences that hint at the evidence that will be presented later. It serves as a rough draft of the thesis statement.
For example, if you started with the statement that the death penalty should be illegal worldwide, expand it into a thesis such as, "The death penalty should be banned worldwide for humanitarian reasons, and also because it is not effective in preventing crime."
Step 6. Organize ideas in an outline
Making an outline before starting to write will make the paper more structured and organized. Try a basic 5 paragraph structure, with 1 introductory paragraph, 3 paragraphs outlining the evidence, and 1 concluding paragraph. Make bullet points and write short sentences for each section.
- The paper can be longer than this, but try not to be shorter as you won't be able to include all the evidence needed.
- You can set the outline with Roman numerals, regular numbers, or bullet points, whichever is most convenient.
Part 2 of 4: Compose Attention-grabbing Sentences
Step 1. Use surprising facts or quotes to capture the reader's interest
Some attention-grabbing sentences are placed at the beginning of the essay so that they can grab the reader's attention and explain the significance of the argument. One way is to start your essay with a surprising fact or an interesting quote that relates to the topic. Choose a one-line quote or statistic to grab the reader's focus and entice them to read further.
- For example, in a paper persuading people to support prison reform, start with a statement like this, “The United States has the largest prison population in the world. The closest country, China, has a 25% lower prison population.”
- As an introduction to a paper on the death penalty, you could use a quote like this: "When discussing the death penalty, there are two phrases that are often talked about, 'revenge an eye for an eye' and 'an eye for an eye vengeance ends up blinding the world'".
- If you use one of these approaches, remember to include a short 1 sentence explanation of why you included it. Don't just start with a quote or statistic, then jump right into the background information.
Step 2. Start with a short anecdote to keep the reader engaged
Anecdotes are a great way to draw the reader's attention to an essay that relies heavily on emotional argument. On the other hand, it can also be used as a strategy to personalize topics that are less related to humans. You can choose a familiar story or an event you've experienced, or try to relate the examples in a short story-style format.
- For example, in a paper on reforming the justice system for youth, you might say, “Yohan Krisna was only 14 years old when he was sent to the police station prison. The crime? Stealing a pack of chewing gum at the convenience store across from his school.”
- If you're using a personal anecdote, make sure the format matches the first-person narrative. If this essay is for a school assignment, ask the teacher.
Step 3. Start with broad generalizations, then narrow down the topic
Start the essay with a broad perspective and then slowly narrow it down if the topic feels natural to write and read, with the effect of making it easier for the reader. You can also go the other way, starting with a small example and slowly expanding it to make a broader statement.
- For example, in an essay about conserving water, you might write, "Even before science demonstrated how necessary water is for survival, humans understood the importance, and even the sanctity, of this source of energy."
- Try to avoid clichés like, “Since ancient times” or “The dictionary defines _ as …”
Step 4. Use rhetorical questions to get the reader thinking
Asking readers is a direct way to start an essay, bringing readers to action and forcing them to think about your topic. This prefix feels natural and interesting, but make sure you choose questions that really provoke thought, not ones that already have clear answers.
For example, in an essay on animal protection, you might write, “Many people know that animal species will become extinct, but have you ever wondered how many species have gone extinct since you were born?
Step 5. Present counter arguments at the beginning to create tension
Starting an essay with counter-arguments is an intrigue that can make you seem like both a writer and a thinker, even before presenting the evidence. This strategy is good for topics that are emotional in nature, and readers already have their own opinion on the matter.
For example, in an essay against the use of euthanasia, you might write, "According to its proponents, euthanasia is a generous and painless way to end an unwanted life, and they have a point."
Part 3 of 4: Introducing the Topic and Thesis
Step 1. Write 1–2 sentences introducing a specific topic
Once you've captured your readers, show them what your topic is and why it's important. In a few sentences, write down why you are bringing it up, why they should care, and why the overall issue is important.
For example, in an essay against the death penalty, you might write, “The death penalty affects only a small percentage of the population directly, but its innate effect-the effect on the convict's family and friends, on those who read and hear it-is much greater. In a broader sense, the death penalty is a reflection of our own society.”
Step 2. Provide the background the reader needs
Assume that the audience has very little knowledge of the topic, unless otherwise stated. Your job is to fill those gaps with information that is directly related to the argument, which can be facts, historical background, or organized information. This gives readers a foundation to understand your paper and prepares them for further information.
- For example, in a persuasive essay on gun control, you might write, “Gun control laws have a long and worrying history in the United States, and understanding the evolution of these laws is critical to understanding the state of gun use today.”
- Background information can be written in 2-3 sentences or a whole paragraph, depending on the essay itself.
Step 3. Explain your position in the thesis statement
The thesis statement is the backbone of the essay, explaining the angle of the topic, what is at stake, and what you think should be done based on the evidence. In general, they are 1–2 sentences long, but can be longer for wider essays. Use the strongest, clearest and most concise language to show your thoughts to the reader.
For example, in an essay persuading people to oppose a new park project, you might write, “No matter how great a new park may be to city dwellers, natural green spaces are very important to society. Apart from serving as an interesting overview of the area prior to development, the pristine nature is also a crucial habitat for local flora and fauna which would otherwise move to residential areas and face dangers and endanger the surrounding environment
Step 4. List the evidence for the transition to the first core paragraph
In or after your thesis statement, you can also mention evidence that will be presented elsewhere, with particular emphasis on the first main paragraph. This allows the essay to flow smoothly from introductory material to supporting evidence.
For example, in an essay supporting the use of euthanasia, you might write, "The effectiveness of euthanasia is most evident in the case of patients with severe, incurable disease." Sentences like this can be placed at the end of the introductory paragraph or at the beginning of the first main paragraph
Part 4 of 4: Avoiding Common Mistakes
Step 1. Do not present and analyze the evidence in the introduction
Evidence is strong and interesting information, it's only natural that you want to go straight to it. However, you should place a description of the argument and analysis of the evidence in the main paragraph. This way, you can fully focus on engaging the reader and introducing the topic, as well as preventing ideas from being elaborated on until they are fully endorsed.
For example, in an essay against the use of alcohol while driving, you might use an interesting statistic such as, "Every 2 minutes, one person is injured in a collision under the influence of alcohol." However, avoid statistical analysis such as, “We all likely know at least one person who has been involved in a traffic incident under the influence of alcohol, and that means this problem has far-reaching consequences. In many places, one of the effects is complete abandonment of the matter. Police reported that…”
Step 2. Write the argument clearly, but present it subtly
The reader should recognize the thesis statement and the main argument, but do not make it too obvious. This can disrupt the flow of the essay making it less satisfying and less persuasive. Instead, present the argument in a strong but subtle way that shows the reader that they've reached an important sentence without feeling pressured.
For example, avoid writing things like, “I will prove that…” or “This essay will show that…”. These types of phrases are depressing and unnecessary
Step 3. Leave out unimportant details
Sufficient background information is necessary, but make sure that all the details you enter are necessary to persuade the reader. The extra facts will tire them out and make the essay seem unfocused, even boring.
- For example, facts about bee flight patterns may be interesting, but irrelevant for a paper on why the world needs to protect bee populations.
- You also don't need to include “book report” information, such as the full title, author, or year of publication of the book you wrote about this persuasive essay, unless the information has a specific purpose. Complete references can be written in the bibliography or source page.
Step 4. Avoid overly broad introductions
While the general introduction can feel natural and convincing at times, don't make it too broad. Persuasive essays are written to convince readers to take a certain stance on an issue, not necessarily to take them back to the history of the creation of mankind.
