persuasive essay starters examples

Persuasive Essay Guide

Persuasive Essay Examples

Last updated on: Feb 9, 2023

Free Persuasive Essay Examples to Help you Get Started

By: Caleb S.

Reviewed By: Rylee W.

Published on: Jan 28, 2020

There are many different kinds of essays, and a persuasive essay is one of them. When writing one, you will have to maintain a certain kind of voice and style throughout the essay.

We know that it could be difficult for you to adapt to a certain tone and maintain it throughout the essay.

Therefore, we gathered some easy-to-understand and high-quality persuasive essay examples to help you get started. These examples will help you know how persuasive writing is different from other kinds of writing.

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Good Persuasive Essay Examples

There are a lot of benefits of reading great and well-written essays. However, for many students, writing this type of essay would be a novel task. They may not have written it before and need help.

Essays examples come in handy in such situations. This is especially helpful before you begin to write a persuasive essay, which extends to selecting a topic. A persuasive piece of writing is based on encouraging the readers to adopt and agree with your perspective.

These essay examples help the students in the following ways.

They help the students choose from good persuasive essay topics .
They help with proper essay formatting.
They help the students know about the required essay sections.
They tell the students about the kind of content that is suitable for that particular kind of essay.
They help you make your essay an effective persuasive essay.

Reading great essay examples or samples helps you know about your weaknesses and the areas you need to focus on.

Here are some examples for your ease.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ABOUT COVID 19

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE ABOUT PRODUCT

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE 5 PARAGRAPH

How to Start a Persuasive Essay - Example

Starting your essay engaging will help to keep the readers accepting your point of view. This is important because if you go astray, the reader will lose interest and leave your essay in the middle. To avoid it, make sure that your introduction and essay start is strong and impactful.

Below is an example that gives you a better idea and makes your essay writing process easy.

HOW TO START A PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLE

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Persuasive Essay Examples for Elementary Students

At primary school, teachers assign essays to students as a way of improving their writing skills. However, the essays are very simple and not very complex, so the students easily write them.

Below are some good persuasive essay topics for primary school kids.

Persuasive Essay Examples for 3rd Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 3RD GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for 4th Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 4TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for 5th Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 5TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for Middle School

Middle school kids are better acquainted with the essays. These kids learn many things, and by now, essays have become a common part of their homework.

If you are a middle school student and looking for some essay examples, then refer below.

Persuasive Essay Examples for 6th Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 6TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for 7th Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 7TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for 8th Grade

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 8TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples for High School

High-school students are often struggling with writing a persuasive essay. However, if you get help from examples, you will easily write a good one.

Below are some persuasive essay examples to help high-school students.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 9TH GRADE

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR 10TH GRADE

Persuasive Essay Examples College

Are you looking for college persuasive essay examples? Therefore, for your help, we gathered a professionally written example that you could use for your ease.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR COLLEGE

Higher English Persuasive Essay Examples

Higher English is a standalone subject and a specialized study course. Here, the students study the language and literature together and learn how to hone their writing skills. For this, they also study different fiction and non-fiction texts and works.

Look at this example and know how a good persuasive essay looks like.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY EXAMPLES FOR HIGHER ENGLISH

How to End a Persuasive Essay - Examples

The ending is as important for your essay as the beginning. A strong conclusion will leave a lasting and strong mark on the reader. This is why you do not end your essay in haste and put ample thought into it.

Refer to the below example to know how to end your persuasive essay strongly.

HOW TO END A PERSUASIVE ESSAY - EXAMPLE

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Tips to Write a Great Persuasive Essay

Below are some helpful tips that will assist you in writing an engaging and great essay.

Your essay topic should be about something that you are passionate about. It is important because you work better when you are working on something that you like.
Know your audience fully before starting to write your essay. The essay content largely depends on your academic level. Teachers of higher grades expect the essays to be perfectly researched and written. Therefore, make it according to your teacher’s expectations.
Begin the essay with a powerful hook sentence. This could be anything like a rhetorical question, a fact, or something interesting about the main essay topic.
Add a brief and relevant thesis statement after the introduction and divide the body paragraphs according to the number of ideas.
Do proper research about both sides of the argument. It will help you counter the opposite views and put your point of view more significantly. Do not assume that the audience knows about your stance; research and tell them a better story.
Emphasize your viewpoint with strong and substantial evidence and details
Keep the tone empathetic and make the reader feel that you can relate to their experiences and emotions. This is a powerful writing technique because people trust those who know their feelings.
Divide the sections logically and maintain proper transition between the sections and the rest of the essay.
Do not add any new ideas at the end of the essay or in conclusion. This section must stick to the main ideas only. Thus, explain one or two of the core ideas and your personal opinion here.
Proofread your essay thoroughly and make sure that it is error-free and perfectly written.
Do not mix the persuasive essay with an argumentative essay; they both are different.

Following all these tips, you will be able to write an engaging and perfect persuasive essay.

However, if you still need help. Consult 5StarEssays.com , a professional writing service that provides write my essay help to high-school, college, and university students. We have a dedicated team of professional writers, ensuring you get high-quality essays and papers within the given deadline.

So, contact us now and get your essay on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 persuasive techniques.

Below are the five persuasive techniques.

Think about tone.
Know the reader’s purpose.
Establish trust and credibility.
Use rhetoric and repetition.
Pay attention to language.

How do you start a persuasive essay?

Here are some steps that you should follow and start writing a persuasive essay.

Brainstorm the topic ideas.
Research on the topic.
Create an outline.
Develop the thesis statement.
Choose a strong hook statement.
Divide the information into body paragraphs.

Arts, Persuasive Essay

Caleb S. has been providing writing services for over five years and has a Masters degree from Oxford University. He is an expert in his craft and takes great pride in helping students achieve their academic goals. Caleb is a dedicated professional who always puts his clients first.

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Tips and Tricks

Allison Bressmer

Most composition classes you’ll take will teach the art of persuasive writing. That’s a good thing.

Knowing where you stand on issues and knowing how to argue for or against something is a skill that will serve you well both inside and outside of the classroom.

Persuasion is the art of using logic to prompt audiences to change their mind or take action , and is generally seen as accomplishing that goal by appealing to emotions and feelings.

A persuasive essay is one that attempts to get a reader to agree with your perspective.

Ready for some tips on how to produce a well-written, well-rounded, well-structured persuasive essay? Just say yes. I don’t want to have to write another essay to convince you!

How Do I Write a Persuasive Essay?

What are some good topics for a persuasive essay, how do i identify an audience for my persuasive essay, how do you create an effective persuasive essay, how should i edit my persuasive essay.

Your persuasive essay needs to have the three components required of any essay: the introduction , body , and conclusion .

That is essay structure. However, there is flexibility in that structure.

There is no rule (unless the assignment has specific rules) for how many paragraphs any of those sections need.

Although the components should be proportional; the body paragraphs will comprise most of your persuasive essay.

How Do I Start a Persuasive Essay?

As with any essay introduction, this paragraph is where you grab your audience’s attention, provide context for the topic of discussion, and present your thesis statement.

TIP 1: Some writers find it easier to write their introductions last. As long as you have your working thesis, this is a perfectly acceptable approach. From that thesis, you can plan your body paragraphs and then go back and write your introduction.

TIP 2: Avoid “announcing” your thesis. Don’t include statements like this:

“In my essay I will show why extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.”
“The purpose of my essay is to argue that extinct animals should (not) be regenerated.”

Announcements take away from the originality, authority, and sophistication of your writing.

Instead, write a convincing thesis statement that answers the question "so what?" Why is the topic important, what do you think about it, and why do you think that? Be specific.

How Many Paragraphs Should a Persuasive Essay Have?

This body of your persuasive essay is the section in which you develop the arguments that support your thesis. Consider these questions as you plan this section of your essay:

What arguments support your thesis?
What is the best order for your arguments?
What evidence do you have?
Will you address the opposing argument to your own?
How can you conclude convincingly?

TIP: Brainstorm and do your research before you decide which arguments you’ll focus on in your discussion. Make a list of possibilities and go with the ones that are strongest, that you can discuss with the most confidence, and that help you balance your rhetorical triangle .

What Should I Put in the Conclusion of a Persuasive Essay?

The conclusion is your “mic-drop” moment. Think about how you can leave your audience with a strong final comment.

And while a conclusion often re-emphasizes the main points of a discussion, it shouldn’t simply repeat them.

TIP 1: Be careful not to introduce a new argument in the conclusion—there’s no time to develop it now that you’ve reached the end of your discussion!

TIP 2 : As with your thesis, avoid announcing your conclusion. Don’t start your conclusion with “in conclusion” or “to conclude” or “to end my essay” type statements. Your audience should be able to see that you are bringing the discussion to a close without those overused, less sophisticated signals.

If your instructor has assigned you a topic, then you’ve already got your issue; you’ll just have to determine where you stand on the issue. Where you stand on your topic is your position on that topic.

Your position will ultimately become the thesis of your persuasive essay: the statement the rest of the essay argues for and supports, intending to convince your audience to consider your point of view.

If you have to choose your own topic, use these guidelines to help you make your selection:

Choose an issue you truly care about
Choose an issue that is actually debatable

Simple “tastes” (likes and dislikes) can’t really be argued. No matter how many ways someone tries to convince me that milk chocolate rules, I just won’t agree.

It’s dark chocolate or nothing as far as my tastes are concerned.

Similarly, you can’t convince a person to “like” one film more than another in an essay.

You could argue that one movie has superior qualities than another: cinematography, acting, directing, etc. but you can’t convince a person that the film really appeals to them.

Once you’ve selected your issue, determine your position just as you would for an assigned topic. That position will ultimately become your thesis.

Until you’ve finalized your work, consider your thesis a “working thesis.”

This means that your statement represents your position, but you might change its phrasing or structure for that final version.

When you’re writing an essay for a class, it can seem strange to identify an audience—isn’t the audience the instructor?

Your instructor will read and evaluate your essay, and may be part of your greater audience, but you shouldn’t just write for your teacher.

Think about who your intended audience is.

For an argument essay, think of your audience as the people who disagree with you—the people who need convincing.

That population could be quite broad, for example, if you’re arguing a political issue, or narrow, if you’re trying to convince your parents to extend your curfew.

Once you’ve got a sense of your audience, it’s time to consult with Aristotle. Aristotle’s teaching on persuasion has shaped communication since about 330 BC. Apparently, it works.

Aristotle taught that in order to convince an audience of something, the communicator needs to balance the three elements of the rhetorical triangle to achieve the best results.

Those three elements are ethos , logos , and pathos .

Ethos relates to credibility and trustworthiness. How can you, as the writer, demonstrate your credibility as a source of information to your audience?

How will you show them you are worthy of their trust?

You show you’ve done your research: you understand the issue, both sides
You show respect for the opposing side: if you disrespect your audience, they won’t respect you or your ideas

Logos relates to logic. How will you convince your audience that your arguments and ideas are reasonable?

You provide facts or other supporting evidence to support your claims.

That evidence may take the form of studies or expert input or reasonable examples or a combination of all of those things, depending on the specific requirements of your assignment.

Remember: if you use someone else’s ideas or words in your essay, you need to give them credit.

ProWritingAid's Plagiarism Checker checks your work against over a billion web-pages, published works, and academic papers so you can be sure of its originality.

Find out more about ProWritingAid’s Plagiarism checks.

Pathos relates to emotion. Audiences are people and people are emotional beings. We respond to emotional prompts. How will you engage your audience with your arguments on an emotional level?

You make strategic word choices : words have denotations (dictionary meanings) and also connotations, or emotional values. Use words whose connotations will help prompt the feelings you want your audience to experience.
You use emotionally engaging examples to support your claims or make a point, prompting your audience to be moved by your discussion.

Be mindful as you lean into elements of the triangle. Too much pathos and your audience might end up feeling manipulated, roll their eyes and move on.

An “all logos” approach will leave your essay dry and without a sense of voice; it will probably bore your audience rather than make them care.

Once you’ve got your essay planned, start writing! Don’t worry about perfection, just get your ideas out of your head and off your list and into a rough essay format.

After you’ve written your draft, evaluate your work. What works and what doesn’t? For help with evaluating and revising your work, check out this ProWritingAid post on manuscript revision .

After you’ve evaluated your draft, revise it. Repeat that process as many times as you need to make your work the best it can be.

When you’re satisfied with the content and structure of the essay, take it through the editing process .

Grammatical or sentence-level errors can distract your audience or even detract from the ethos—the authority—of your work.

You don’t have to edit alone! ProWritingAid’s Realtime Report will find errors and make suggestions for improvements.

You can even use it on emails to your professors:

Try ProWritingAid with a free account.

How Can I Improve My Persuasion Skills?

You can develop your powers of persuasion every day just by observing what’s around you.

How is that advertisement working to convince you to buy a product?
How is a political candidate arguing for you to vote for them?
How do you “argue” with friends about what to do over the weekend, or convince your boss to give you a raise?
How are your parents working to convince you to follow a certain academic or career path?

As you observe these arguments in action, evaluate them. Why are they effective or why do they fail?

How could an argument be strengthened with more (or less) emphasis on ethos, logos, and pathos?

Every argument is an opportunity to learn! Observe them, evaluate them, and use them to perfect your own powers of persuasion.

Be confident about grammar

Check every email, essay, or story for grammar mistakes. Fix them before you press send.

Allison Bressmer is a professor of freshman composition and critical reading at a community college and a freelance writer. If she isn’t writing or teaching, you’ll likely find her reading a book or listening to a podcast while happily sipping a semi-sweet iced tea or happy-houring with friends. She lives in New York with her family. Connect at linkedin.com/in/allisonbressmer.

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay (This Convinced My Professor!)

Meredith Sell

You can make your essay more persuasive by getting straight to the point.

In fact, that's exactly what we did here, and that's just the first tip of this guide. Throughout this guide, we share the steps needed to prove an argument and create a persuasive essay.

This AI tool helps you improve your essay > This AI tool helps you improve your essay >

Key takeaways: - Proven process to make any argument persuasive - 5-step process to structure arguments - How to use AI to formulate and optimize your essay

Why is being persuasive so difficult?

"Write an essay that persuades the reader of your opinion on a topic of your choice."

You might be staring at an assignment description just like this 👆from your professor. Your computer is open to a blank document, the cursor blinking impatiently. Do I even have opinions?

The persuasive essay can be one of the most intimidating academic papers to write: not only do you need to identify a narrow topic and research it, but you also have to come up with a position on that topic that you can back up with research while simultaneously addressing different viewpoints.

That’s a big ask. And let’s be real: most opinion pieces in major news publications don’t fulfill these requirements.

The upside? By researching and writing your own opinion, you can learn how to better formulate not only an argument but the actual positions you decide to hold.

Here, we break down exactly how to write a persuasive essay. We’ll start by taking a step that’s key for every piece of writing—defining the terms.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay is exactly what it sounds like: an essay that persuades . Over the course of several paragraphs or pages, you’ll use researched facts and logic to convince the reader of your opinion on a particular topic and discredit opposing opinions.

While you’ll spend some time explaining the topic or issue in question, most of your essay will flesh out your viewpoint and the evidence that supports it.

The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay

If you’re intimidated by the idea of writing an argument, use this list to break your process into manageable chunks. Tackle researching and writing one element at a time, and then revise your essay so that it flows smoothly and coherently with every component in the optimal place.

1. A topic or issue to argue

This is probably the hardest step. You need to identify a topic or issue that is narrow enough to cover in the length of your piece—and is also arguable from more than one position. Your topic must call for an opinion , and not be a simple fact .

It might be helpful to walk through this process:

Identify a random topic
Ask a question about the topic that involves a value claim or analysis to answer
Answer the question

That answer is your opinion.

Let’s consider some examples, from silly to serious:

Topic: Dolphins and mermaids

Question: In a mythical match, who would win: a dolphin or a mermaid?

Answer/Opinion: The mermaid would win in a match against a dolphin.

Topic: Autumn

Question: Which has a better fall: New England or Colorado?

Answer/Opinion: Fall is better in New England than Colorado.

Topic: Electric transportation options

Question: Would it be better for an urban dweller to buy an electric bike or an electric car?

Answer/Opinion: An electric bike is a better investment than an electric car.

Your turn: Walk through the three-step process described above to identify your topic and your tentative opinion. You may want to start by brainstorming a list of topics you find interesting and then going use the three-step process to find the opinion that would make the best essay topic.

2. An unequivocal thesis statement

If you walked through our three-step process above, you already have some semblance of a thesis—but don’t get attached too soon!

A solid essay thesis is best developed through the research process. You shouldn’t land on an opinion before you know the facts. So press pause. Take a step back. And dive into your research.

You’ll want to learn:

The basic facts of your topic. How long does fall last in New England vs. Colorado? What trees do they have? What colors do those trees turn?
The facts specifically relevant to your question. Is there any science on how the varying colors of fall influence human brains and moods?
What experts or other noteworthy and valid sources say about the question you’re considering. Has a well-known arborist waxed eloquent on the beauty of New England falls?

As you learn the different viewpoints people have on your topic, pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of existing arguments. Is anyone arguing the perspective you’re leaning toward? Do you find their arguments convincing? What do you find unsatisfying about the various arguments?

Allow the research process to change your mind and/or refine your thinking on the topic. Your opinion may change entirely or become more specific based on what you learn.

Once you’ve done enough research to feel confident in your understanding of the topic and your opinion on it, craft your thesis.

Your thesis statement should be clear and concise. It should directly state your viewpoint on the topic, as well as the basic case for your thesis.

Thesis 1: In a mythical match, the mermaid would overcome the dolphin due to one distinct advantage: her ability to breathe underwater.

Thesis 2: The full spectrum of color displayed on New England hillsides is just one reason why fall in the northeast is better than in Colorado.

Thesis 3: In addition to not adding to vehicle traffic, electric bikes are a better investment than electric cars because they’re cheaper and require less energy to accomplish the same function of getting the rider from point A to point B.

Your turn: Dive into the research process with a radar up for the arguments your sources are making about your topic. What are the most convincing cases? Should you stick with your initial opinion or change it up? Write your fleshed-out thesis statement.

3. Evidence to back up your thesis

This is a typical place for everyone from undergrads to politicians to get stuck, but the good news is, if you developed your thesis from research, you already have a good bit of evidence to make your case.

Go back through your research notes and compile a list of every …

… or other piece of information that supports your thesis.

This info can come from research studies you found in scholarly journals, government publications, news sources, encyclopedias, or other credible sources (as long as they fit your professor’s standards).

As you put this list together, watch for any gaps or weak points. Are you missing information on how electric cars versus electric bicycles charge or how long their batteries last? Did you verify that dolphins are, in fact, mammals and can’t breathe underwater like totally-real-and-not-at-all-fake 😉mermaids can? Track down that information.

Next, organize your list. Group the entries so that similar or closely related information is together, and as you do that, start thinking through how to articulate the individual arguments to support your case.

Depending on the length of your essay, each argument may get only a paragraph or two of space. As you think through those specific arguments, consider what order to put them in. You’ll probably want to start with the simplest argument and work up to more complicated ones so that the arguments can build on each other.

Your turn: Organize your evidence and write a rough draft of your arguments. Play around with the order to find the most compelling way to argue your case.

4. Rebuttals to disprove opposing theses

You can’t just present the evidence to support your case and totally ignore other viewpoints. To persuade your readers, you’ll need to address any opposing ideas they may hold about your topic.

You probably found some holes in the opposing views during your research process. Now’s your chance to expose those holes.

Take some time (and space) to: describe the opposing views and show why those views don’t hold up. You can accomplish this using both logic and facts.

Is a perspective based on a faulty assumption or misconception of the truth? Shoot it down by providing the facts that disprove the opinion.

Is another opinion drawn from bad or unsound reasoning? Show how that argument falls apart.

Some cases may truly be only a matter of opinion, but you still need to articulate why you don’t find the opposing perspective convincing.

Yes, a dolphin might be stronger than a mermaid, but as a mammal, the dolphin must continually return to the surface for air. A mermaid can breathe both underwater and above water, which gives her a distinct advantage in this mythical battle.

While the Rocky Mountain views are stunning, their limited colors—yellow from aspen trees and green from various evergreens—leaves the autumn-lover less than thrilled. The rich reds and oranges and yellows of the New England fall are more satisfying and awe-inspiring.

But what about longer trips that go beyond the city center into the suburbs and beyond? An electric bike wouldn’t be great for those excursions. Wouldn’t an electric car be the better choice then?

Certainly, an electric car would be better in these cases than a gas-powered car, but if most of a person’s trips are in their hyper-local area, the electric bicycle is a more environmentally friendly option for those day-to-day outings. That person could then participate in a carshare or use public transit, a ride-sharing app, or even a gas-powered car for longer trips—and still use less energy overall than if they drove an electric car for hyper-local and longer area trips.

Your turn: Organize your rebuttal research and write a draft of each one.

5. A convincing conclusion

You have your arguments and rebuttals. You’ve proven your thesis is rock-solid. Now all you have to do is sum up your overall case and give your final word on the subject.

Don’t repeat everything you’ve already said. Instead, your conclusion should logically draw from the arguments you’ve made to show how they coherently prove your thesis. You’re pulling everything together and zooming back out with a better understanding of the what and why of your thesis.

A dolphin may never encounter a mermaid in the wild, but if it were to happen, we know how we’d place our bets. Long hair and fish tail, for the win.

For those of us who relish 50-degree days, sharp air, and the vibrant colors of fall, New England offers a season that’s cozier, longer-lasting, and more aesthetically pleasing than “colorful” Colorado. A leaf-peeper’s paradise.

When most of your trips from day to day are within five miles, the more energy-efficient—and yes, cost-efficient—choice is undoubtedly the electric bike. So strap on your helmet, fire up your pedals, and two-wheel away to your next destination with full confidence that you made the right decision for your wallet and the environment.

3 Quick Tips for Writing a Strong Argument

Once you have a draft to work with, use these tips to refine your argument and make sure you’re not losing readers for avoidable reasons.

1. Choose your words thoughtfully.

If you want to win people over to your side, don’t write in a way that shuts your opponents down. Avoid making abrasive or offensive statements. Instead, use a measured, reasonable tone. Appeal to shared values, and let your facts and logic do the hard work of changing people’s minds.

Choose words with AI

You can use AI to turn your general point into a readable argument. Then, you can paraphrase each sentence and choose between competing arguments generated by the AI, until your argument is well-articulated and concise.

2. Prioritize accuracy (and avoid fallacies).

Make sure the facts you use are actually factual. You don’t want to build your argument on false or disproven information. Use the most recent, respected research. Make sure you don’t misconstrue study findings. And when you’re building your case, avoid logical fallacies that undercut your argument.

A few common fallacies to watch out for:

Strawman: Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opposing argument to make it easier to refute.
Appeal to ignorance: Arguing that a certain claim must be true because it hasn’t been proven false.
Bandwagon: Assumes that if a group of people, experts, etc., agree with a claim, it must be true.
Hasty generalization: Using a few examples, rather than substantial evidence, to make a sweeping claim.
Appeal to authority: Overly relying on opinions of people who have authority of some kind.

The strongest arguments rely on trustworthy information and sound logic.

Research and add citations with AI

We recently wrote a three part piece on researching using AI, so be sure to check it out . Going through an organized process of researching and noting your sources correctly will make sure your written text is more accurate.

3. Persuasive essay structure

If you’re building a house, you start with the foundation and go from there. It’s the same with an argument. You want to build from the ground up: provide necessary background information, then your thesis. Then, start with the simplest part of your argument and build up in terms of complexity and the aspect of your thesis that the argument is tackling.

A consistent, internal logic will make it easier for the reader to follow your argument. Plus, you’ll avoid confusing your reader and you won’t be unnecessarily redundant.

The essay structure usually includes the following parts:

Intro - Hook, Background information, Thesis statement
Topic sentence #1 , with supporting facts or stats
Concluding sentence
Topic sentence #2 , with supporting facts or stats
Concluding sentence Topic sentence #3 , with supporting facts or stats
Conclusion - Thesis and main points restated, call to action, thought provoking ending

Are You Ready to Write?

Persuasive essays are a great way to hone your research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Approach this assignment well, and you’ll learn how to form opinions based on information (not just ideas) and make arguments that—if they don’t change minds—at least win readers’ respect. ‍

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Persuasive Essay Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Effective Persuasive Essay

14 min read

What is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay is a form of writing that aims to convince its audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific course of action.

The writer takes a clear position on an issue and attempts to convince the readers through different persuasive techniques, such as evidence and anecdotes. The point is to resonate with the readers emotionally AND logically on a specific issue.

It's like being a lawyer in a courtroom, making a compelling argument to sway the jury (your readers) to your side. The goal of a persuasive essay can vary, from changing the readers’ opinion on a controversial topic to inspiring them to support a cause or take action on an issue.

What’s the Difference Between Persuasive & Argumentative Essays?

Persuasive and argumentative essays are often confused with each other, but they have distinct differences in terms of their purpose and approach.

Here are the main differences between persuasive vs. argumentative essays:

The 3 Elements of Persuasion

Before we get into the writing steps, we must understand the basic elements of persuasion. These elements, known as "ethos," "pathos," and "logos," are fundamental to crafting a persuasive essay that resonates with your audience and effectively conveys your message.

Ethos: Building Credibility and Trust

Ethos, derived from the Greek word for "character," focuses on establishing your credibility as a writer and gaining the trust of your readers. It involves establishing one's authority, expertise, and reliability in the eyes of the audience. In a persuasive essay, ethos is often established through:

Demonstrating expertise on the subject matter.
Citing credible sources and references.
Maintaining a respectful and professional tone.
Acknowledging and addressing opposing viewpoints.

These steps can help you gain the trust of your readers. Ethos provides them a reason to trust you and listen to your arguments.

Pathos: Stirring Emotions and Empathy

Pathos is the emotional appeal aimed at evoking specific emotions or empathy from the audience. It seeks to connect with readers on a personal and emotional level. In a persuasive essay, pathos can be incorporated by:

Using vivid and emotionally charged language.
Sharing compelling anecdotes or stories.
Appealing to the values and beliefs of the audience.
Highlighting the human or emotional impact of the topic.

The emotional aspect is essential to good persuasive writing. Still, it should be used in moderation to be effective.

Logos: Employing Logic and Reasoning

Logos appeals to the reader's sense of logic and reason. It involves presenting a well-structured, logical argument supported by evidence. In a persuasive essay, logos is evident through:

Presenting clear and well-structured arguments.
Providing factual evidence, statistics, and research findings.
Using logical reasoning and deductive or inductive arguments.
Addressing and refuting counterarguments effectively.

When used together, these three elements can be effective tools for persuasion. By utilizing all three elements, the speaker increases the chances of influencing their audience. You can read more about ethos, pathos, and logos to understand them better and ensure their correct usage in your writing.

Here is a video you can watch about the three persuasive techniques:

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays are very common, especially for students. However, they are challenging to write if you don’t know where to start. Here are the steps that can help make your writing process easier.

Step 1: Select an Interesting Topic & Define Your Position

Choosing a topic is the most crucial part. Your topic should be engaging and debatable, in which you can clearly define your position. Here are some tips for selecting a topic:

Identify Your Interests: You should consider something that is interesting to you too, as this will make it easier and enjoyable for you to write about it.
Consider Your Audience: Think about who your target audience is. Your topic should resonate with them and be relevant to their interests, concerns, or beliefs.
Define Your Position: Clearly define your stance or position on your potential topics. Ask yourself: What do I want to persuade my audience to believe or do regarding this topic? What are the key points or arguments I will use to support my position?
Avoid Overly Broad or Narrow Topics: Ensure that your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow. An overly broad topic may lack focus, while an overly narrow one may not provide enough material for a persuasive argument.

Step 2: Research & Gather Evidence

Gather credible sources, statistics, facts, and evidence to support your argument. Conducting thorough research uncovers the themes, arguments, and discussions about your topic, helping you find the best arguments you need.

While collecting information, take detailed notes so you can cite sources later. You also have to evaluate the evidence and priotize those points that can better support your position.

Step 3: Make an Outline

Now that you’ve gathered your main points, you need to organize them in a logical structure. Outline the structure of your essay with a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Here are the main points you should include in your first outline:

Thesis Statement: State the main thesis of your essay. presents your main argument. It should clearly mention your position on the topic and how you are going to argue for it.
Body Paragraphs: The body paragraph outline should contain the topic sentence and supporting points. Mention clear and concise topic sentences that introduce the main point of each paragraph.
Supporting Evidence: Also add supporting evidence, examples, statistics, or quotes for each paragraph that bolster your argument. Ensure each piece of evidence is relevant and directly supports your point.
Conclusion: If your persuasive essay aims to prompt a specific action or response from the reader, include a call to action in your outline. Clearly state what you want your audience to think or do after reading your essay.

See this outline format below to understand better:

Persuasive Essay Outline Format

Want to learn more about making an outline? Check out our complete guide to crafting a persuasive essay outline .

Step 4: Write Your First Draft

With a solid outline in place, it's time to start crafting your persuasive essay's first draft. Follow these guidelines to write your initial draft effectively:

Follow the Outline: Refer to your outline as your roadmap. Begin by writing the introduction, followed by the body paragraphs, addressing each point in the order outlined. Finish with the conclusion.
Write Freely: In the first draft, focus on getting your ideas down on paper without worrying too much about perfection. Don't be overly concerned about grammar, spelling, or word choice at this stage; you can edit and refine later.
Maintain a Consistent Tone: Maintain a tone that aligns with your persuasive goals, whether it's authoritative, passionate, or empathetic. Consistency in tone will help your argument come across convincingly.
Support with Evidence: As you develop your arguments in the body paragraphs, ensure that each point is supported with strong evidence, examples, statistics, or quotes from credible sources.
Address Counterarguments: Incorporate responses to potential counterarguments where relevant, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the issue and reinforcing your position.
Be Concise and Clear: Write concisely, expressing your ideas clearly and avoiding unnecessary jargon or complexity. The clarity of your arguments is crucial for persuading your audience.

Step 5: Proofread & Revise

Once you've completed the first draft, take a break to gain some distance from your work. When you return, begin the revision process. Focus on refining your arguments, improving clarity, and ensuring that your essay flows logically.

Proofread: Carefully proofread your first draft for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Improve the essay format and clarity wherever possible.
Seek Feedback: Share your first draft with peers, teachers, or writing tutors to obtain feedback on the persuasiveness, clarity, and overall effectiveness of your essay. Use this feedback to make necessary improvements.
Polish Your Draft: After incorporating feedback and revising accordingly, refine your essay to its final form. Ensure that it aligns with your outline and effectively conveys your persuasive message.
Cite Sources: Remember to include proper citations for all sources used within your essay. Follow the citation style specified by your instructor or guidelines.

Persuasive Essay Structure

A well-structured persuasive essay is essential to effectively convey your argument and persuade your audience. The structure typically consists of three main parts: the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

A persuasive essay should be at least five paragraphs long. With one introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. However, the number of body paragraphs can extend based on your topic.

Introduction

The essay introduction serves as the gateway to your persuasive essay. Its primary purpose is to grab the reader's attention, provide context for your argument, and present your thesis statement—the core of your persuasive message. Here's how to craft an engaging introduction:

Hook: Start with a compelling hook—a catchy phrase, a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, or a relevant anecdote that draws the reader in and piques their interest.
Background Information: Offer a brief overview of the topic to provide context and ensure that your readers understand the issue at hand. Keep this section concise and relevant.
Thesis Statement: Conclude your introduction with a clear and concise thesis statement . This statement should clearly state your position on the topic and preview the main points you'll be discussing in the body of your essay.

Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs form the core of your persuasive essay, where you present your point of view and build your case. Here's how to structure and write effective body paragraphs:

Topic Sentence: Start each body paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point or argument of that paragraph.
Supporting Evidence: Follow the topic sentence with relevant evidence, examples, statistics, quotes, or facts that support your argument. Ensure that your evidence is credible and directly relates to your point.
Analysis: After presenting your evidence, analyze it thoroughly. Explain how the evidence supports your thesis and persuades the reader. Discuss the implications and significance of the evidence.
Transition: Use transition sentences at the end of each body paragraph to link it to the next one. These transitions ensure that your essay flows smoothly, maintaining coherence.

The conclusion is where you bring your persuasive essay to a close, summarizing your main points, restating your thesis, and leaving a lasting impression. Follow these guidelines for an effective conclusion:

Summarize Main Points: Begin by summarizing the key points you've made in the body of your essay. Concisely restate the main arguments you presented.
Restate Thesis: Reiterate your thesis statement in slightly different words. Emphasize the central message of your essay.
Closing Statement: End your conclusion with a thought-provoking or memorable closing statement. This statement should leave a lasting impact on the reader, encouraging them to reflect on your argument.
Avoid New Information: Do not introduce new information or arguments in the conclusion. It should provide a sense of closure rather than introducing new ideas.

Persuasive Essay Format

After writing the complete essay according to the structure above, you need to ensure correct formatting. Formatting ensures that your essay is readable and presentable.

There are several standardized formatting styles used in writing, such as APA and MLA . If you are writing a persuasive essay as an assignment, always ask your instructor about their preferred format.

Meanwhile, you should format your essay according to these common guidelines:

Font Style: Times New Roman.
Font Size: 12pt
Line Spacing: Double-spaced.
Alignment: Left Alignment
Indent: First-Line indent

Persuasive Essay Examples

Studying persuasive essay examples can be immensely helpful in understanding how to craft a compelling and effective persuasive essay.

Check out these sample essays below:

Persuasive Essay on Social Media (PDF)

Persuasive Essay Samples (PDF)

Persuasive Essay on Abortions (PDF)

Persuasive Essay Sample - Death Penalty

Persuasive Essay on the Preservation of Nature

Want more examples? We’ve got you covered! Head to our persuasive essay examples blog to find persuasive papers on various topics.

Persuasive Essay Topics

Selecting an engaging and relevant topic is the first step in crafting a persuasive essay. Here are a few persuasive essay prompts and ideas to spark your inspiration:

Advocate for the reduction of single-use plastics to combat plastic pollution.
Argue for the inclusion of financial literacy education in high school curricula.
Argue for responsible usage and regulations to combat negative influence of social media.
Persuade readers of the benefits of universal healthcare.
Take a stance on the importance of online privacy and stronger data protection laws.
Argue for electoral reform, such as ranked-choice voting, to improve the fairness and effectiveness of elections.
Convince your audience of the benefits of supporting local businesses and shopping locally.
Make a case for stricter penalties against human trafficking.
Argue for increased public funding for the arts to support creativity and cultural enrichment.
Argue for or against the use of artificial intelligence and automation in the workplace.

Need more ideas? Check out our compilation of 200+ persuasive essay topics and find the best topic.

Tips for Writing Stand-Out Persuasive Essays

Now that you know the writing steps and have read some examples, you are able to write a good persuasive essay. However, you can make it even better with the following tips and techniques:

Clarity and Conciseness: Write in a clear and concise way. Avoid jargon or overly complex language to make your message easily understandable.
Use Persuasive Techniques: Employ persuasive language and rhetoric techniques, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, to appeal to your audience's emotions, ethics, and logic. Use powerful verbs, descriptive adjectives, and vivid metaphors to make your writing engaging.
Tell a Compelling Story: Use storytelling techniques to illustrate your points. Engaging narratives can make your arguments more relatable and memorable.
Provide Real-Life Examples: Support your arguments with concrete, real-life examples and case studies. Personal anecdotes or case stories can be particularly persuasive.
Address the Reader Directly: Use the second-person point of view (you) to address the reader directly, making your essay more engaging and relatable.
Maintain a Confident Tone: Maintain a confident and assertive tone throughout your essay. Confidence in your message can persuade readers to adopt your viewpoint.
Provide Solutions: Suggest practical solutions or actions that can be taken to address the issue you're discussing. Offering a path forward can be persuasive.

To conclude,

From understanding the fundamentals of persuasion to learning the writing steps, you now know how to craft an essay that engages and compels your audience to accept your position. Additionally, with the help of our examples and tips, you can make your arguments even stronger.

With this knowledge and techniques, you're now ready to embark on your persuasive writing endeavors. So start writing persuasive papers without hesitation and inspire others to see the world through your lens.

Moreover, if you need further writing help, consider using our persuasive essay writing service which is equipped with a team of seasoned writers ready to offer their expertise. Our writing professionals are committed to crafting essays that are insightful, well-researched, and impactful - tailored to your specific needs!

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Writing a Persuasive Essay

Persuasive essays convince readers to accept a certain perspective. Writing a persuasive essay therefore entails making an argument that will appeal to readers, so they believe what you say has merit. This act of appealing to readers is the art of persuasion, also known as rhetoric. In classical rhetoric, persuasion involves appealing to readers using ethos, pathos, and logos.

In this tutorial, we refer to the sample persuasive draft and final paper written by fictional student Maggie Durham.

THE ART OF PERSUASION

Ethos refers to establishing yourself as a credible source of information. To convince an audience of anything, they must first trust you are being earnest and ethical. One strategy to do this is to write a balanced discussion with relevant and reliable research that supports your claims. Reliable research would include quoting or paraphrasing experts, first-hand witnesses, or authorities. Properly citing your sources, so your readers can also retrieve them, is another factor in establishing a reliable ethos. When writing for academic purposes, expressing your argument using unbiased language and a neutral tone will also indicate you are arguing fairly and with consideration of others having differing views.

When you appeal to your readers’ emotions, you are using pathos. This appeal is common in advertising that convinces consumers they lack something and buying a certain product or service will fulfill that lack. Emotional appeals are subtler in academic writing; they serve to engage a reader in the argument and inspire a change of heart or motivate readers toward a course of action. The examples you use, how you define terms, any comparisons you draw, as well as the language choices you use can draw readers in and impact their willingness to go along with your ideas.

Consider that one purpose of persuasion is to appeal to those who do not already agree with you, so it will be important to show that you understand other points of view. You will also want to avoid derogatory or insulting descriptions or remarks about the opposition. You wouldn’t want to offend the very readers you want to persuade.

Establishing an appeal of logos is to write a sound argument, one that readers can follow and understand. To do this, the facts and evidence you use should be relevant, representative, and reliable, and the writing as a whole should be well organized, developed, and edited.

STEPS FOR WRITING PERSUASIVELY

Step one: determine the topic.

The first step in writing a persuasive essay is to establish the topic. The best topic is one that interests you. You can generate ideas for a topic by prewriting, such as by brainstorming whatever comes to mind, recording in grocery-list fashion your thoughts, or freewriting in complete sentences what you know or think about topics of interest.

Whatever topic you choose, it needs to be:

Interesting : The topic should appeal both to you and to your intended readers.
Researchable : A body of knowledge should already exist on the topic.
Nonfiction : The information about the topic should be factual, not based on personal opinions or conspiracy theories.
Important : Your reader should think the topic is relevant to them or worthy of being explored and discussed.

Our sample student Maggie Durham has selected the topic of educational technology. We will use Maggie’s sample persuasive draft and final paper as we discuss the steps for writing a persuasive essay.

Step Two: Pose a Research Question

Once you have a topic, the next step is to develop a research question along with related questions that delve further into the first question. If you do not know what to ask, start with one of the question words: What? Who? Where? When? Why? and How? The research question helps you focus or narrow the scope of your topic by identifying a problem, controversy, or aspect of the topic that is worth exploration and discussion. Some general questions about a topic would be the following:

Who is affected by this problem and how?
Have previous efforts or polices been made to address this problem? – What are they?
Why hasn’t this problem been solved already?

For Maggie’s topic of educational technology, potential issues or controversies range from data privacy to digital literacy to the impact of technology on learning, which is what Maggie is interested in. Maggie’s local school district has low literacy rates, so Maggie wants to know the following:

Are there advantages and/or disadvantages of technology within primary and secondary education?
Which types of technology are considered the best in terms of quality and endurance?
What types of technology and/or programs do students like using and why?
Do teachers know how to use certain technologies with curriculum design, instruction, and/or assessment?

Step Three: Draft a Thesis

A thesis is a claim that asserts your main argument about the topic. As you conduct your research and draft your paper, you may discover information that changes your mind about your thesis, so at this point in writing, the thesis is tentative. Still, it is an important step in narrowing your focus for research and writing.

The thesis should

1. be a complete sentence,

2. identify the topic, and

3. make a specific claim about that topic.

In a persuasive paper, the thesis is a claim that someone should believe or do something. For example, a persuasive thesis might assert that something is effective or ineffective. It might state that a policy should be changed or a plan should be implemented. Or a persuasive thesis might be a plea for people to change their minds about a particular issue.

Once you have figured out your research question, your thesis is simply the answer. Maggie’s thesis is “Schools should supply technology aids to all students to increase student learning and literacy rates.” Her next step is to find evidence to support her claim.

Step Four: Research

Once you have a topic, research question, and thesis, you are ready to conduct research. To find sources that would be appropriate for an academic persuasive essay, begin your search in the library. The Purdue Global Library has a number of tutorials on conducting research, choosing search teams, types of sources, and how to evaluate information to determine its reliability and usefulness. Remember that the research you use will not only provide content to prove your claim and develop your essay, but it will also help to establish your credibility as a reliable source (ethos), create a logical framework for your argument (logos), and appeal to your readers emotionally (pathos).

Step Five: Plan Your Argument; Make an Outline

Once you have located quality source information—facts, examples, definitions, knowledge, and other information that answers your research question(s), you’ll want to create an outline to organize it. The example outline below illustrates a logical organizational plan for writing a persuasive essay. The example outline begins with an introduction that presents the topic, explains the issue, and asserts the position (the thesis). The body then provides the reasoning for the position and addresses the opposing viewpoints that some readers may hold. In your paper, you could modify this organization and address the opposing viewpoints first and then give the reasoning for your viewpoints, or you can alternate and give one opposing viewpoint then counter that with your viewpoint and then give another opposing viewpoint and counter that with your viewpoint.

The outline below also considers the alternatives to the position—certainly, there are other ways to think about or address the issue or situation. Considering the alternatives can be done in conjunction with looking at the opposing viewpoints. You do not always have to disagree with other opinions, either. You can acknowledge that another solution could work or another belief is valid. However, at the end of the body section, you will want to stand by your original position and prove that in light of all the opposing viewpoints and other perspectives, your position has the most merit.

Sample Outline of a Persuasive Argument

1. Introduction: Tell them what you will tell them.
a. Present an interesting fact or description to make the topic clear and capture the reader’s attention.
b. Define and narrow the topic using facts or descriptions to illustrate what the situation or issue is (and that is it important).
c. Assert the claim (thesis) that something should be believed or done about the issue. (Some writers also briefly state the reasons behind this claim in the thesis as Maggie does in her paper when she claims that schools should supply tablets to students to increase learning , engagement, and literacy rates ).
2. Body: Tell them.
a. Defend the claim with logical reasons and practical examples based on research.
b. Anticipate objections to the claim and refute or accommodate them with research.
c. Consider alternate positions or solutions using examples from research.
d. Present a final point based on research that supports your claim in light of the objections and alternatives considered.
3. Conclusion: Tell them what you told them.
a. Recap the main points to reinforce the importance of the issue.
b. Restate the thesis in new wording to reinforce your position.
c. Make a final remark to leave a lasting impression, so the reader will want to continue this conversation and ideally adopt the belief or take the action you are advocating.

In Maggie’s draft, she introduced the topic with facts about school ratings in Texas and then narrowed the topic using the example of her local school district’s literacy rates. She then claimed the district should provide each student a tablet in order to increase learning (and thus, literacy rates).

Maggie defends her claim with a series of examples from research that proved how access to tablets, technology-integrated curriculums, and “flipped classrooms” have improved literacy rates in other districts. She anticipates objections to her proposal due to the high cost of technology and counter argues this with expert opinions and examples that show partnerships with businesses, personalized curriculums that technology makes possible, and teacher training can balance the costs. Maggie included an alternative solution of having students check out tablets from the library, but her research showed that this still left students needing Wi-Fi at home while her proposal would include a plan for students to access Wi-Fi.

Maggie concluded her argument by pointing out the cost of not helping the students in this way and restated her thesis reaffirming the benefits, and then left the reader with a memorable quote.

Click here to see Maggie’s draft with feedback from her instructor and a peer. Sample Persuasive Draft

Feedback, Revision, and Editing

After you write a draft of your persuasive essay, the next step is to have a peer, instructor, or tutor read it and provide feedback. Without reader feedback, you cannot fully know how your readers will react to your argument. Reader feedback is meant to be constructive. Use it to better understand your readers and craft your argument to more appropriately appeal to them.

Maggie received valuable feedback on her draft from her instructor and classmate. They pointed to where her thesis needed to be even more specific, to paragraphs where a different organization would make her argument more convincing, to parts of the paper that lacked examples, sentences that needed revision and editing for greater clarity, and APA formatting that needed to be edited.

Maggie also took a critical look at her paper and looked back at her writing process. One technique she found helpful was to read her paper aloud because it let her know where her wording and organization were not clear. She did this several times as she revised and again as she edited and refined her paper for sentence level clarity and concision.

In the end, Maggie produced a convincing persuasive essay and effective argument that would appeal to readers who are also interested in the way technology can impact and improve student learning, an important topic in 2014 when this paper was written and still relevant today.

Click here to see Maggie’s final draft after revising and editing. Sample Persuasive Revised

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Apr 14, 2023

Powerful Persuasive Essay Examples That Will Spark Your Creativity

Are you looking to make a difference with your writing? Discover the power of persuasion with these inspiring essay examples and expert tips. Learn how to craft compelling arguments that will capture your reader's attention and inspire them to take action. Unlock your potential and start making a difference today!

Are you looking to improve your persuasive essay writing skills? Whether you're a student writing for an assignment, a professional looking to make a compelling argument, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, this blog post is for you.

Persuasive essays require you to take a position on a particular issue and use evidence and persuasive language to convince your readers to see things from your perspective. While they can be challenging, writing persuasive essays is an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills and improve your writing abilities.

In this blog post, we'll provide you with expert tips on how to create persuasive essays that captivate and convince your audience. We'll also share some inspiring examples that demonstrate effective persuasive writing techniques. From the importance of vaccination to the need for gun control, our examples cover a range of topics and show how to structure your essay and use persuasive language to sway your readers.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced writer, this blog post will equip you with the tools and knowledge to create compelling and persuasive essays that will leave a lasting impact.

What is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive writing, often referred to as argumentative essay writing, employs reasoning and logical arguments to demonstrate that one concept holds more validity than another. Its goal is to convince the reader to embrace a specific perspective or engage in a certain action. This style of writing is common in both academic and personal contexts. Typically, such essays start with a query which the author then addresses throughout the piece, arguing for or against it. The argument is built on robust evidence and sound logic, incorporating factual statements, rational explanations, illustrative examples, and expert quotations.

How to Create Persuasive Essays

Crafting a persuasive essay requires a combination of solid research, careful planning, and effective writing techniques. Here are some tips to help you create a persuasive essay that will make a lasting impact:

1. Understand Your Audience

Before you begin writing, it's important to know your target audience. Who are you writing for? What are their interests, beliefs, and values? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your arguments to resonate with them and increase your chances of persuading them.

2. Conduct Thorough Research

To write a persuasive essay, you need to have a deep understanding of your topic. Conducting thorough research will help you gather the necessary evidence to support your arguments. Make use of reputable sources such as academic journals, government reports, and expert opinions to ensure that your essay is grounded in facts.

3. Develop a Clear Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the backbone of your essay. It should be a clear and concise statement that sums up your argument and sets the tone for the rest of your essay. Make sure to include it in your introduction and refer to it throughout the essay.

4. Use Persuasive Language

In a persuasive essay, it's important to use language that is compelling and convincing. Use rhetorical devices such as repetition, metaphors, and analogies to drive your point home. Avoid using overly emotional language, as it can detract from your credibility.

5. Address Counterarguments

Acknowledge and address potential counterarguments in your essay. This shows that you have considered all sides of the issue and strengthens your argument. Be sure to refute counterarguments with solid evidence and reasoning.

6. Conclude with a Call to Action

End your essay with a strong call to action. Encourage your reader to take action based on your arguments. This can include signing a petition, contacting a representative, or making a donation to a relevant cause.

By following these tips, you can create a persuasive essay that effectively communicates your message and inspires action.

Here are our Top Persuasive Essay Examples to Inspire You

The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet: A Persuasive Essay Sample

As people become more health conscious and environmentally aware, plant-based diets have gained popularity in recent years. A plant-based diet consists mainly of plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, with little or no animal products. There are many reasons why people choose a plant-based diet, ranging from ethical concerns to health benefits.

In this persuasive essay sample, we'll examine the many benefits of a plant-based diet and why it's a smart choice for your health and the environment. We'll explore the evidence behind plant-based diets, including studies that show how they can help prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as the environmental impact of animal agriculture.

Plant-Based Diets and Chronic Diseases: How They're Linked

Eating a plant-based diet has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. There are many reasons why a plant-based diet may be beneficial for preventing and managing chronic diseases.

One reason is that plant-based diets are typically high in fibre, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, many plant-based foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body and protect against chronic diseases.

Another reason is that plant-based diets are often lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than those that include meat and dairy products. High intake of saturated fat and cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, and consuming a plant-based diet can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

The Environmental Impact of Animal Agriculture: Why Plant-Based Diets Are More Sustainable

Animal agriculture significantly impacts the environment, contributing to issues such as deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution. Individuals can reduce their environmental footprint and promote sustainability by choosing a plant-based diet.

One reason is that animal agriculture significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, with livestock production accounting for around 14.5% of all human-induced greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, plant-based diets have been shown to have a lower carbon footprint, with some studies suggesting that a vegan diet can reduce carbon emissions by up to 73%.

Animal agriculture also requires significant land, water, and other resources. For example, producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 litres of water, while producing one kilogram of wheat requires only 1,250 litres. By choosing plant-based options, individuals can reduce their water footprint and promote sustainable use of resources.

Debunking the Myths: Addressing Common Misconceptions About Plant-Based Diets

Sure, here's an explanation of the subheading "Debunking the Myths: Addressing Common Misconceptions About Plant-Based Diets," along with some potential points and subheadings you could use:

Many misconceptions surround plant-based diets, including concerns about protein intake, nutritional deficiencies, and tasteless meals. By debunking these myths and providing accurate information, individuals can make informed decisions about adopting a plant-based lifestyle and enjoy its numerous health benefits.

One common misconception is that plant-based diets need more protein. However, many plant-based foods are protein-rich, including beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. You can quickly meet your daily protein needs by including various foods.

Plant-Based Protein Sources: What to Eat to Meet Your Nutritional Needs

Sure, here's an explanation of the subheading "Plant-Based Protein Sources: What to Eat to Meet Your Nutritional Needs," along with some potential points and subheadings you could use:

Plant-based diets are often criticized for lacking protein, but plenty of plant-based sources of protein can help individuals meet their nutritional needs. By incorporating various protein sources into their diet, individuals can ensure they get all the nutrients they need to support their health and well-being.

One of the best plant-based protein sources is legumes, which include beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Legumes are not only high in protein but also rich in fiber and other essential nutrients. Other plant-based protein sources include nuts and seeds, whole grains, and certain vegetables like broccoli and spinach.

Plant-Based Diets and Weight Loss: Can They Help You Shed Pounds?

One of the potential benefits of a plant-based diet is weight loss. Many studies have shown that individuals who follow a plant-based diet tend to have lower body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage than those who consume a meat-based diet. There are several reasons why a plant-based diet may be effective for weight loss.

Making the Transition to a Plant-Based Diet: Tips and Resources for Getting Started

Sure, here's an explanation of the subheading "Making the Transition to a Plant-Based Diet: Tips and Resources for Getting Started," along with some potential points and subheadings you could use:

Transitioning to a plant-based diet can seem daunting, especially if you're used to consuming many meat and dairy products. However, switching to a plant-based diet can be a manageable and enjoyable process with the right resources and strategies.

In conclusion, a plant-based diet has numerous benefits for our health, the environment, and animal welfare. The examples and evidence presented in this article show that a diet focused on whole, plant-based foods can help prevent chronic diseases, reduce our carbon footprint, and improve animal welfare.

Body Image: A Persuasive Essay Exploring the Dangers of Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Body image is a complex and multifaceted issue affecting many people, particularly women, worldwide. In today's society, unrealistic beauty standards set by the media, advertising, and popular culture are becoming increasingly prevalent, leading to negative consequences for individuals' physical and mental health. In this persuasive essay, I will explore the dangers of these unrealistic beauty standards and argue that they must be challenged and changed.

Introduction: Understanding the Issue of Body Image

Body image refers to an individual's perception and feelings about their physical appearance. It is a complex issue that affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. In today's society, there is increasing pressure to conform to narrow and unrealistic beauty standards in the media, advertising, and popular culture.

The issue of body image mainly concerns women, who are often subjected to unrealistic beauty standards that prioritize thinness and youthfulness. However, men and individuals of all genders can also experience negative body image and feel pressure to conform to societal expectations.

The Impact of Unrealistic Beauty Standards on Individuals

Unrealistic beauty standards can have a range of negative impacts on individuals' physical and mental health. The pressure to conform to narrow beauty ideals can lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth, and even depression and anxiety.

One of the most concerning effects of unrealistic beauty standards is the link to disordered eating behaviors. Studies have shown that individuals who feel pressure to conform to societal beauty ideals are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. These conditions can have severe physical and psychological consequences and require specialized treatment.

In addition to eating disorders, unrealistic beauty standards can lead to harmful practices such as excessive exercise and cosmetic surgeries. These behaviors can negatively impact individuals' physical health, including injury, scarring, and chronic pain.

It is crucial to recognize the impact of unrealistic beauty standards on individuals' well-being and work towards promoting a more inclusive and diverse representation of beauty. By challenging harmful beauty norms and promoting body positivity, we can empower individuals to feel confident and comfortable in their skin and prioritize their mental and physical health.

The Link Between Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Eating Disorders

Unrealistic beauty standards can significantly impact an individual's risk of developing eating disorders. The pressure to conform to narrow beauty ideals can create a sense of inadequacy and low self-worth, leading to a distorted perception of one's body and unhealthy eating behaviors.

Studies have shown that individuals who feel pressure to conform to societal beauty standards are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. These conditions are characterized by extreme behaviors surrounding food and eating and can have severe physical and psychological consequences.

The Need for Body Positivity and Acceptance in Society

The need for body positivity and acceptance in society is more critical now than ever. With the prevalence of unrealistic beauty standards and the negative impacts on individuals' mental and physical health, creating a more inclusive and accepting environment that celebrates diversity in all forms is crucial.

Body positivity is a movement that encourages individuals to embrace their unique qualities and characteristics, including their physical appearance. This movement challenges harmful beauty norms and promotes a more accepting and inclusive society.

Strategies for Challenging and Changing Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Challenging and changing unrealistic beauty standards is crucial for promoting a more inclusive and accepting society. Here are some strategies for challenging and changing these harmful norms:

Promote diverse representations of beauty: Encourage media outlets, advertisers, and fashion brands to include various expressions of beauty, including individuals of different sizes, shapes, ages, and backgrounds.

Support body positivity movements: Support and participate in body positivity movements that promote self-love, self-acceptance, and diversity.

Educate others about the negative impacts of unrealistic beauty standards on individuals' mental and physical health and the importance of promoting body positivity and acceptance.

Challenge harmful language: Challenge harmful language and stereotypes surrounding beauty, including derogatory comments about individuals' weight, size, or appearance.

Encourage self-care: Encourage individuals to prioritize their mental and physical health, including engaging in self-care activities that promote self-love and self-acceptance.

In conclusion, the impact of unrealistic beauty standards on individuals' mental and physical health is significant, and it is crucial to promote body positivity and acceptance in society. By challenging and changing these harmful norms and promoting diversity and inclusivity, we can create a more accepting and supportive environment for all individuals.

The Importance of Mental Health Care: A Persuasive Essay Example

Mental health is critical to overall well-being, yet it is often overlooked and stigmatized. The importance of mental health care cannot be overstated, as it impacts individuals' ability to function and thrive in their daily lives. This essay will explore the significance of mental health care and why individuals need to prioritize their mental health.

Mental health refers to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. It encompasses many factors, including thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Mental health impacts every aspect of our lives, from our ability to form and maintain relationships to our productivity and overall quality of life.

However, despite its critical role in our lives, mental health is often stigmatized and dismissed as a personal weakness or something to be ashamed of. This stigma can prevent individuals from seeking the care and support they need, leading to adverse mental and physical health consequences. Therefore, it is essential to understand the importance of mental health care and work to reduce the stigma surrounding it.

The prevalence of mental health disorders:

The prevalence of mental health disorders is a significant issue affecting millions worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people will experience a mental health disorder at some point. Mental health disorders can range from anxiety and depression to more severe conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Mental health disorders do not discriminate and can affect individuals of any age, gender, or cultural background. They can also significantly impact an individual's daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Left untreated, mental health disorders can become debilitating and have long-term consequences.

While mental health disorders are prevalent, they are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. This may be due to mental health stigma, a lack of understanding or awareness of the symptoms, or a lack of access to mental health resources.

It is essential to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health disorders and reduce the stigma surrounding them. By doing so, individuals can be encouraged to seek help and receive the support they need to manage their mental health. Mental health care should be a priority for everyone, and individuals should be encouraged to seek help early on to prevent the progression of their symptoms.

The consequences of untreated mental health issues:

Untreated mental health issues can severely affect an individual's daily life and well-being. If left untreated, mental health disorders can lead to declining quality of life, relationship problems, and decreased productivity.

One of the most significant consequences of untreated mental health issues is a decline in quality of life. Mental health disorders can make it challenging to perform everyday tasks, maintain relationships, and participate in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. Over time, this can lead to hopelessness, isolation, and a decreased sense of purpose.

Untreated mental health issues can also significantly impact an individual's relationships. Mental health disorders can cause mood swings, irritability, and a lack of interest in social activities, which can strain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

The benefits of seeking mental health care:

Seeking mental health care is essential to improving one's overall well-being. Mental health care can provide individuals with the tools and support to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

One of the most significant benefits of seeking mental health care is improved coping skills. Mental health care professionals can teach individuals coping strategies that help them manage their symptoms, reduce stress, and improve their overall mental health.

Mental health care can also help individuals enhance their communication skills. Poor communication can cause misunderstandings and conflict, worsening mental health symptoms. Mental health professionals can help individuals improve their communication skills, leading to better relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.

Barriers to accessing mental health care:

Despite the many benefits of seeking mental health care, many barriers can prevent individuals from accessing the care they need. These internal and external barriers prevent individuals from receiving the support and treatment they need to manage their mental health.

One of the most significant barriers to accessing mental health care is the stigma surrounding mental health. Many individuals are reluctant to seek help for mental health issues due to the fear of being judged or misunderstood. This stigma can also prevent individuals from receiving support from family, friends, and coworkers, making it even harder to access care.

Another significant barrier is the cost of mental health care. Many mental health care services can be expensive, making it difficult for individuals without insurance or limited financial resources to access the care they need. This can lead to delayed or inadequate treatment, further exacerbating mental health issues.

Solutions for improving access to mental health care:

Improving access to mental health care is crucial to ensure that individuals receive the support and treatment they need to manage their mental health. While there are many barriers to accessing mental health care, several solutions can also help improve access and reduce these barriers.

One solution is to increase awareness and education about mental health issues. By reducing stigma and raising awareness, individuals may be more likely to seek help for mental health issues. This can also help improve support from family, friends, and coworkers, making it easier for individuals to access care.

Another solution is to improve the affordability of mental health care. This can be achieved by increasing insurance coverage for mental health care services or providing financial assistance to individuals who cannot afford mental health care services. Telehealth services can also offer remote mental health care, reducing costs and increasing accessibility for individuals in rural or underserved areas.

It is also essential to increase the availability of mental health care services. This can be achieved by increasing the number of mental health care providers, particularly in underserved areas. Providing mental health care services in schools, workplaces, and community centers can also improve accessibility for individuals.

In conclusion, mental health care is essential to ensuring individuals can manage their mental health and well-being. The prevalence of mental health disorders and the consequences of untreated mental health issues demonstrate the need for individuals to seek the support and treatment they need. However, stigma, cost, availability, and logistics can prevent individuals from accessing the necessary care.

Final Thoughts:

In conclusion, persuasive essays are a powerful tool for inspiring change and encouraging action. Effective writing techniques and compelling arguments can inspire others to adopt your perspective and act toward a better future.

If you're looking for support in writing your persuasive essays, Jenni AI is here to help. As an AI language model, Jenni AI can provide personalized suggestions and citations to help you improve your writing and make your essays more persuasive.

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40 Strong Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, Ads, and More)

Learn from the experts.

The American Crisis historical article, as an instance of persuasive essay examples

The more we read, the better writers we become. Teaching students to write strong persuasive essays should always start with reading some top-notch models. This round-up of persuasive writing examples includes famous speeches, influential ad campaigns, contemporary reviews of famous books, and more. Use them to inspire your students to write their own essays. (Need persuasive essay topics? Check out our list of interesting persuasive essay ideas here! )

Persuasive Essays
Persuasive Speeches
Advertising Campaigns

Persuasive Essay Writing Examples

First paragraph of Thomas Paine's The American Crisis

From the earliest days of print, authors have used persuasive essays to try to sway others to their own point of view. Check out these top persuasive essay writing examples.

Professions for Women by Virginia Woolf

Sample lines: “Outwardly, what is simpler than to write books? Outwardly, what obstacles are there for a woman rather than for a man? Inwardly, I think, the case is very different; she has still many ghosts to fight, many prejudices to overcome. Indeed it will be a long time still, I think, before a woman can sit down to write a book without finding a phantom to be slain, a rock to be dashed against. And if this is so in literature, the freest of all professions for women, how is it in the new professions which you are now for the first time entering?”

The Crisis by Thomas Paine

Sample lines: “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

Politics and the English Language by George Orwell

Sample lines: “As I have tried to show, modern writing at its worst does not consist in picking out words for the sake of their meaning and inventing images in order to make the meaning clearer. It consists in gumming together long strips of words which have already been set in order by someone else, and making the results presentable by sheer humbug.”

Letter From a Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed. Frankly, I have yet to engage in a direct action campaign that was ‘well timed’ in the view of those who have not suffered unduly from the disease of segregation. For years now I have heard the word ‘Wait!’ It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never.’ We must come to see, with one of our distinguished jurists, that ‘justice too long delayed is justice denied.'”

Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Sample lines: “Even voting for the right is doing nothing for it. It is only expressing to men feebly your desire that it should prevail. A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority. There is but little virtue in the action of masses of men.”

Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Roger Ebert

Sample lines: “‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime.”

The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin

Sample lines: “Methinks I hear some of you say, must a man afford himself no leisure? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.”

The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sample lines: “Of course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work—the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside—the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don’t show their effect all at once.”

Open Letter to the Kansas School Board by Bobby Henderson

Sample lines: “I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. … Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. … We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him. It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories.”

Open Letter to the United Nations by Niels Bohr

Sample lines: “Humanity will, therefore, be confronted with dangers of unprecedented character unless, in due time, measures can be taken to forestall a disastrous competition in such formidable armaments and to establish an international control of the manufacture and use of the powerful materials.”

Persuasive Speech Writing Examples

Many persuasive speeches are political in nature, often addressing subjects like human rights. Here are some of history’s most well-known persuasive writing examples in the form of speeches.

I Have a Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sample lines: “And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

Woodrow Wilson’s War Message to Congress, 1917

Sample lines: “There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free.”

Chief Seattle’s 1854 Oration

Sample lines: “I here and now make this condition that we will not be denied the privilege without molestation of visiting at any time the tombs of our ancestors, friends, and children. Every part of this soil is sacred in the estimation of my people. Every hillside, every valley, every plain and grove, has been hallowed by some sad or happy event in days long vanished. Even the rocks, which seem to be dumb and dead as they swelter in the sun along the silent shore, thrill with memories of stirring events connected with the lives of my people, and the very dust upon which you now stand responds more lovingly to their footsteps than yours, because it is rich with the blood of our ancestors, and our bare feet are conscious of the sympathetic touch.”

Women’s Rights Are Human Rights, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Sample lines: “What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations do as well. … If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”

I Am Prepared to Die, Nelson Mandela

Sample lines: “Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another. … This then is what the ANC is fighting. Our struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by our own suffering and our own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live.”

The Struggle for Human Rights by Eleanor Roosevelt

Sample lines: “It is my belief, and I am sure it is also yours, that the struggle for democracy and freedom is a critical struggle, for their preservation is essential to the great objective of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security. Among free men the end cannot justify the means. We know the patterns of totalitarianism—the single political party, the control of schools, press, radio, the arts, the sciences, and the church to support autocratic authority; these are the age-old patterns against which men have struggled for 3,000 years. These are the signs of reaction, retreat, and retrogression. The United Nations must hold fast to the heritage of freedom won by the struggle of its people; it must help us to pass it on to generations to come.”

Freedom From Fear by Aung San Suu Kyi

Sample lines: “Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying. So free men are the oppressed who go on trying and who in the process make themselves fit to bear the responsibilities and to uphold the disciplines which will maintain a free society. Among the basic freedoms to which men aspire that their lives might be full and uncramped, freedom from fear stands out as both a means and an end. A people who would build a nation in which strong, democratic institutions are firmly established as a guarantee against state-induced power must first learn to liberate their own minds from apathy and fear.”

Harvey Milk’s “The Hope” Speech

Sample lines: “Some people are satisfied. And some people are not. You see there is a major difference—and it remains a vital difference—between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide. We’ve been tarred and we’ve been brushed with the picture of pornography. In Dade County, we were accused of child molestation. It is not enough anymore just to have friends represent us, no matter how good that friend may be.”

The Union and the Strike, Cesar Chavez

Sample lines: “We are showing our unity in our strike. Our strike is stopping the work in the fields; our strike is stopping ships that would carry grapes; our strike is stopping the trucks that would carry the grapes. Our strike will stop every way the grower makes money until we have a union contract that guarantees us a fair share of the money he makes from our work! We are a union and we are strong and we are striking to force the growers to respect our strength!”

Nobel Lecture by Malala Yousafzai

Sample lines: “The world can no longer accept that basic education is enough. Why do leaders accept that for children in developing countries, only basic literacy is sufficient, when their own children do homework in algebra, mathematics, science, and physics? Leaders must seize this opportunity to guarantee a free, quality, primary and secondary education for every child. Some will say this is impractical, or too expensive, or too hard. Or maybe even impossible. But it is time the world thinks bigger.”

Persuasive Writing Examples in Advertising Campaigns

Ads are prime persuasive writing examples. You can flip open any magazine or watch TV for an hour or two to see sample after sample of persuasive language. Here are some of the most popular ad campaigns of all time, with links to articles explaining why they were so successful.

Nike: Just Do It

The iconic swoosh with the simple tagline has persuaded millions to buy their kicks from Nike and Nike alone. Teamed with pro sports-star endorsements, this campaign is one for the ages. Blinkist offers an opinion on what made it work.

Dove: Real Beauty

Beauty brand Dove changed the game by choosing “real” women to tell their stories instead of models. They used relatable images and language to make connections, and inspired other brands to try the same concept. Learn why Global Brands considers this one a true success story.

Wendy’s: Where’s the Beef?

Today’s kids are too young to remember the cranky old woman demanding to know where the beef was on her fast-food hamburger. But in the 1980s, it was a catchphrase that sold millions of Wendy’s burgers. Learn from Better Marketing how this ad campaign even found its way into the 1984 presidential debate.

De Beers: A Diamond Is Forever

Diamond engagement ring on black velvet. Text reads "How do you make two months' salary last forever? The Diamond Engagement Ring."

A diamond engagement ring has become a standard these days, but the tradition isn’t as old as you might think. In fact, it was De Beers jewelry company’s 1948 campaign that created the modern engagement ring trend. The Drum has the whole story of this sparkling campaign.

Volkswagen: Think Small

Americans have always loved big cars. So in the 1960s, when Volkswagen wanted to introduce their small cars to a bigger market, they had a problem. The clever “Think Small” campaign gave buyers clever reasons to consider these models, like “If you run out of gas, it’s easy to push.” Learn how advertisers interested American buyers in little cars at Visual Rhetoric.

American Express: Don’t Leave Home Without It

AmEx was once better known for traveler’s checks than credit cards, and the original slogan was “Don’t leave home without them.” A simple word change convinced travelers that American Express was the credit card they needed when they headed out on adventures. Discover more about this persuasive campaign from Medium.

Skittles: Taste the Rainbow

Bag of Skittles candy against a blue background. Text reads

These candy ads are weird and intriguing and probably not for everyone. But they definitely get you thinking, and that often leads to buying. Learn more about why these wacky ads are successful from The Drum.

Maybelline: Maybe She’s Born With It

Smart wordplay made this ad campaign slogan an instant hit. The ads teased, “Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline.” (So many literary devices all in one phrase!) Fashionista has more on this beauty campaign.

Coca-Cola: Share a Coke

Seeing their own name on a bottle made teens more likely to want to buy a Coke. What can that teach us about persuasive writing in general? It’s an interesting question to consider. Learn more about the “Share a Coke” campaign from Digital Vidya.

Always: #LikeaGirl

Always ad showing a young girl holding a softball. Text reads

Talk about the power of words! This Always campaign turned the derogatory phrase “like a girl” on its head, and the world embraced it. Storytelling is an important part of persuasive writing, and these ads really do it well. Medium has more on this stereotype-bashing campaign.

Editorial Persuasive Writing Examples

Newspaper editors or publishers use editorials to share their personal opinions. Noted politicians, experts, or pundits may also offer their opinions on behalf of the editors or publishers. Here are a couple of older well-known editorials, along with a selection from current newspapers.

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1897)

Sample lines: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias.”

What’s the Matter With Kansas? (1896)

Sample lines: “Oh, this IS a state to be proud of! We are a people who can hold up our heads! What we need is not more money, but less capital, fewer white shirts and brains, fewer men with business judgment, and more of those fellows who boast that they are ‘just ordinary clodhoppers, but they know more in a minute about finance than John Sherman,’ we need more men … who hate prosperity, and who think, because a man believes in national honor, he is a tool of Wall Street.”

America Can Have Democracy or Political Violence. Not Both. (The New York Times)

Sample lines: “The nation is not powerless to stop a slide toward deadly chaos. If institutions and individuals do more to make it unacceptable in American public life, organized violence in the service of political objectives can still be pushed to the fringes. When a faction of one of the country’s two main political parties embraces extremism, that makes thwarting it both more difficult and more necessary. A well-functioning democracy demands it.”

The Booster Isn’t Perfect, But Still Can Help Against COVID (The Washington Post)

Sample lines: “The booster shots are still free, readily available and work better than the previous boosters even as the virus evolves. Much still needs to be done to build better vaccines that protect longer and against more variants, including those that might emerge in the future. But it is worth grabbing the booster that exists today, the jab being a small price for any measure that can help keep COVID at bay.”

If We Want Wildlife To Thrive in L.A., We Have To Share Our Neighborhoods With Them (Los Angeles Times)

Sample lines: “If there are no corridors for wildlife movement and if excessive excavation of dirt to build bigger, taller houses erodes the slope of a hillside, then we are slowly destroying wildlife habitat. For those people fretting about what this will do to their property values—isn’t open space, trees, and wildlife an amenity in these communities?”

Persuasive Review Writing Examples

Image of first published New York Times Book Review

Book or movie reviews are more great persuasive writing examples. Look for those written by professionals for the strongest arguments and writing styles. Here are reviews of some popular books and movies by well-known critics to use as samples.

The Great Gatsby (The Chicago Tribune, 1925)

Sample lines: “What ails it, fundamentally, is the plain fact that it is simply a story—that Fitzgerald seems to be far more interested in maintaining its suspense than in getting under the skins of its people. It is not that they are false: It is that they are taken too much for granted. Only Gatsby himself genuinely lives and breathes. The rest are mere marionettes—often astonishingly lifelike, but nevertheless not quite alive.”

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (The Washington Post, 1999)

Sample lines: “Obviously, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone should make any modern 11-year-old a very happy reader. The novel moves quickly, packs in everything from a boa constrictor that winks to a melancholy Zen-spouting centaur to an owl postal system, and ends with a scary surprise. Yet it is, essentially, a light-hearted thriller, interrupted by occasional seriousness (the implications of Harry’s miserable childhood, a moral about the power of love).”

Twilight (The Telegraph, 2009)

Sample lines: “No secret, of course, at whom this book is aimed, and no doubt, either, that it has hit its mark. The four Twilight novels are not so much enjoyed, as devoured, by legions of young female fans worldwide. That’s not to say boys can’t enjoy these books; it’s just that the pages of heart-searching dialogue between Edward and Bella may prove too long on chat and too short on action for the average male reader.”

To Kill a Mockingbird (Time, 1960)

Sample lines: “Author Lee, 34, an Alabaman, has written her first novel with all of the tactile brilliance and none of the preciosity generally supposed to be standard swamp-warfare issue for Southern writers. The novel is an account of an awakening to good and evil, and a faint catechistic flavor may have been inevitable. But it is faint indeed; novelist Lee’s prose has an edge that cuts through cant, and she teaches the reader an astonishing number of useful truths about little girls and about Southern life.”

The Diary of Anne Frank (The New York Times, 1952)

Sample lines: “And this quality brings it home to any family in the world today. Just as the Franks lived in momentary fear of the Gestapo’s knock on their hidden door, so every family today lives in fear of the knock of war. Anne’s diary is a great affirmative answer to the life-question of today, for she shows how ordinary people, within this ordeal, consistently hold to the greater human values.”

What are your favorite persuasive writing examples to use with students? Come share your ideas in the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, the big list of essay topics for high school (120+ ideas) ..

Find strong persuasive writing examples to use for inspiration, including essays, speeches, advertisements, reviews, and more.

Persuasive Essay Topics: Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

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Persuasive Essay Writing

Persuasive Essay Examples

Ace Your Next Essay With These Persuasive Essay Examples!

Published on: Jan 5, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 29, 2024

Persuasive Essay Examples for Students

We've compiled a selection of persuasive essay examples to provide you with a starting point. These examples will serve as practical guides to help you understand how to write persuasively and effectively structure your essays.

Check them out below:

How to Start a Persuasive Essay Examples PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples Middle School PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples High School PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples Grade 10 PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples University PDF

Higher English Persuasive Essay Examples PDF

Political Persuasive Essay Examples PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples About Life PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples About Global Warming PDF

Now that you've seen these examples, you're all set to start writing!

Let's now shift our focus to different formats of persuasive essays, offering you even more versatility in your writing journey.

Persuasive Essay Examples for Different Formats

Looking to get an idea of how a persuasive essay should look according to various formats? We will provide some persuasive essay examples PDF to show you the ideal persuasive essay format.

Persuasive Essay Examples 5 Paragraph PDF

Persuasive Essay Examples 3 Paragraph PDF

Short Persuasive Essay Examples PDF

Tough Essay Due? Hire a Writer!

6 Tips to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay

By now, you are familiar with the basic persuasive essay requirements, structure, and format. So, here are six basic tips that can help you write a high-scoring persuasive essay:

1. Know Your Audience

Consider who will be reading your essay and what their preconceived notions or beliefs would be. This will enable you to tailor your persuasive essay accordingly to ensure that it has a maximum persuasive impact.

2. Research Thoroughly

Strong persuasive essays are rooted in solid research. When researching for your essay topic, get as much information as possible to make a persuasive case.

3. Analyze Persuasive Essay Examples

Examining persuasive essay examples such as those provided in this blog can help you better understand the persuasive writing style and structure. Look for persuasive essays written by others and use them as models to improve your writing.

4. Structure Your Persuasive Essay

When writing persuasive essays, it is important to have a logical structure that allows you to make your case in an organized manner and effectively support your thesis statement .

Creating a persuasive essay outline before writing can help you structure your essay properly. Through a well-organized outline, proper transitions, and persuasive language, you can achieve a logical arrangement of arguments in your essay.

5. Support Your Argument

Make sure that any claims made in your persuasive essays are backed up through evidence . Be sure to include data, facts, and quotes that aim to convince the readers and support your point of view.

6. Know How To End Your Essay

Just as it's crucial to begin your persuasive essay on a high note, closing your essay effectively is equally important. Close strongly by summarizing the main points and encouraging readers to adopt a specific action.

Persuasive Essay Examples Topics

Selecting the right topic is an important aspect of crafting an effective persuasive essay. Your choice of topic defines the foundation of your argument and greatly influences your essay's overall impact.

Here are some good examples of topics to get you started:

Should national healthcare be subsidized by the government?
Should college education be free for all students?
Is it ethical to use animals in medical research?
Should public schools incorporate prayer into daily activities?
Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?
Should drug testing for welfare recipients be mandatory?
Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
Should extreme sports be banned from public entertainment?
Should recreational marijuana use be legalized?
Is online education as effective as traditional learning?

Remember, the key is to be convincing by providing clear evidence and logically linking your points together.

Check out some additional persuasive essay topics to get some inspiration to write your next essay.

So, there you have it. Ten persuasive essay examples and tips to help you write a successful paper.

We hope these essays inspire you as you work on your writing.

And if you need a little extra help getting started or polishing off your masterpiece, our custom essay writing service is here to assist.

We offer help from expert writers who are sure to get the grades you deserve. Our persuasive essay writing service ensures that you always get the best essays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some examples of persuasive essays.

Examples of persuasive essays include argumentative essays, opinion essays, and cause-and-effect essays that state a clear position and support it with relevant evidence.

How can I make my persuasive essay more effective?

To make your persuasive essay more effective, you should include clear and concise arguments supported by evidence, provide logical explanations for why your position is valid, and address any opposing viewpoints.

How do I structure a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay typically follows the standard 5-paragraph structure of an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

What are some common persuasive essay topics?

Common persuasive essay topics include gun control, global warming, animal rights, climate change, racial inequality, education reform, and health care reform.

Additionally, current events and controversial topics can be effective persuasive essay topics.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 3 strong argumentative essay examples, analyzed.

General Education

Need to defend your opinion on an issue? Argumentative essays are one of the most popular types of essays you’ll write in school. They combine persuasive arguments with fact-based research, and, when done well, can be powerful tools for making someone agree with your point of view. If you’re struggling to write an argumentative essay or just want to learn more about them, seeing examples can be a big help.

After giving an overview of this type of essay, we provide three argumentative essay examples. After each essay, we explain in-depth how the essay was structured, what worked, and where the essay could be improved. We end with tips for making your own argumentative essay as strong as possible.

What Is an Argumentative Essay?

An argumentative essay is an essay that uses evidence and facts to support the claim it’s making. Its purpose is to persuade the reader to agree with the argument being made.

A good argumentative essay will use facts and evidence to support the argument, rather than just the author’s thoughts and opinions. For example, say you wanted to write an argumentative essay stating that Charleston, SC is a great destination for families. You couldn’t just say that it’s a great place because you took your family there and enjoyed it. For it to be an argumentative essay, you need to have facts and data to support your argument, such as the number of child-friendly attractions in Charleston, special deals you can get with kids, and surveys of people who visited Charleston as a family and enjoyed it. The first argument is based entirely on feelings, whereas the second is based on evidence that can be proven.

The standard five paragraph format is common, but not required, for argumentative essays. These essays typically follow one of two formats: the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model.

The Toulmin model is the most common. It begins with an introduction, follows with a thesis/claim, and gives data and evidence to support that claim. This style of essay also includes rebuttals of counterarguments.
The Rogerian model analyzes two sides of an argument and reaches a conclusion after weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

3 Good Argumentative Essay Examples + Analysis

Below are three examples of argumentative essays, written by yours truly in my school days, as well as analysis of what each did well and where it could be improved.

Argumentative Essay Example 1

Proponents of this idea state that it will save local cities and towns money because libraries are expensive to maintain. They also believe it will encourage more people to read because they won’t have to travel to a library to get a book; they can simply click on what they want to read and read it from wherever they are. They could also access more materials because libraries won’t have to buy physical copies of books; they can simply rent out as many digital copies as they need.

However, it would be a serious mistake to replace libraries with tablets. First, digital books and resources are associated with less learning and more problems than print resources. A study done on tablet vs book reading found that people read 20-30% slower on tablets, retain 20% less information, and understand 10% less of what they read compared to people who read the same information in print. Additionally, staring too long at a screen has been shown to cause numerous health problems, including blurred vision, dizziness, dry eyes, headaches, and eye strain, at much higher instances than reading print does. People who use tablets and mobile devices excessively also have a higher incidence of more serious health issues such as fibromyalgia, shoulder and back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and muscle strain. I know that whenever I read from my e-reader for too long, my eyes begin to feel tired and my neck hurts. We should not add to these problems by giving people, especially young people, more reasons to look at screens.

Second, it is incredibly narrow-minded to assume that the only service libraries offer is book lending. Libraries have a multitude of benefits, and many are only available if the library has a physical location. Some of these benefits include acting as a quiet study space, giving people a way to converse with their neighbors, holding classes on a variety of topics, providing jobs, answering patron questions, and keeping the community connected. One neighborhood found that, after a local library instituted community events such as play times for toddlers and parents, job fairs for teenagers, and meeting spaces for senior citizens, over a third of residents reported feeling more connected to their community. Similarly, a Pew survey conducted in 2015 found that nearly two-thirds of American adults feel that closing their local library would have a major impact on their community. People see libraries as a way to connect with others and get their questions answered, benefits tablets can’t offer nearly as well or as easily.

While replacing libraries with tablets may seem like a simple solution, it would encourage people to spend even more time looking at digital screens, despite the myriad issues surrounding them. It would also end access to many of the benefits of libraries that people have come to rely on. In many areas, libraries are such an important part of the community network that they could never be replaced by a simple object.

The author begins by giving an overview of the counter-argument, then the thesis appears as the first sentence in the third paragraph. The essay then spends the rest of the paper dismantling the counter argument and showing why readers should believe the other side.

What this essay does well:

Although it’s a bit unusual to have the thesis appear fairly far into the essay, it works because, once the thesis is stated, the rest of the essay focuses on supporting it since the counter-argument has already been discussed earlier in the paper.
This essay includes numerous facts and cites studies to support its case. By having specific data to rely on, the author’s argument is stronger and readers will be more inclined to agree with it.
For every argument the other side makes, the author makes sure to refute it and follow up with why her opinion is the stronger one. In order to make a strong argument, it’s important to dismantle the other side, which this essay does this by making the author's view appear stronger.
This is a shorter paper, and if it needed to be expanded to meet length requirements, it could include more examples and go more into depth with them, such as by explaining specific cases where people benefited from local libraries.
Additionally, while the paper uses lots of data, the author also mentions their own experience with using tablets. This should be removed since argumentative essays focus on facts and data to support an argument, not the author’s own opinion or experiences. Replacing that with more data on health issues associated with screen time would strengthen the essay.
Some of the points made aren't completely accurate , particularly the one about digital books being cheaper. It actually often costs a library more money to rent out numerous digital copies of a book compared to buying a single physical copy. Make sure in your own essay you thoroughly research each of the points and rebuttals you make, otherwise you'll look like you don't know the issue that well.

Argumentative Essay Example 2

There are multiple drugs available to treat malaria, and many of them work well and save lives, but malaria eradication programs that focus too much on them and not enough on prevention haven’t seen long-term success in Sub-Saharan Africa. A major program to combat malaria was WHO’s Global Malaria Eradication Programme. Started in 1955, it had a goal of eliminating malaria in Africa within the next ten years. Based upon previously successful programs in Brazil and the United States, the program focused mainly on vector control. This included widely distributing chloroquine and spraying large amounts of DDT. More than one billion dollars was spent trying to abolish malaria. However, the program suffered from many problems and in 1969, WHO was forced to admit that the program had not succeeded in eradicating malaria. The number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa who contracted malaria as well as the number of malaria deaths had actually increased over 10% during the time the program was active.

One of the major reasons for the failure of the project was that it set uniform strategies and policies. By failing to consider variations between governments, geography, and infrastructure, the program was not nearly as successful as it could have been. Sub-Saharan Africa has neither the money nor the infrastructure to support such an elaborate program, and it couldn’t be run the way it was meant to. Most African countries don't have the resources to send all their people to doctors and get shots, nor can they afford to clear wetlands or other malaria prone areas. The continent’s spending per person for eradicating malaria was just a quarter of what Brazil spent. Sub-Saharan Africa simply can’t rely on a plan that requires more money, infrastructure, and expertise than they have to spare.

Additionally, the widespread use of chloroquine has created drug resistant parasites which are now plaguing Sub-Saharan Africa. Because chloroquine was used widely but inconsistently, mosquitoes developed resistance, and chloroquine is now nearly completely ineffective in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 95% of mosquitoes resistant to it. As a result, newer, more expensive drugs need to be used to prevent and treat malaria, which further drives up the cost of malaria treatment for a region that can ill afford it.

Instead of developing plans to treat malaria after the infection has incurred, programs should focus on preventing infection from occurring in the first place. Not only is this plan cheaper and more effective, reducing the number of people who contract malaria also reduces loss of work/school days which can further bring down the productivity of the region.

One of the cheapest and most effective ways of preventing malaria is to implement insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs). These nets provide a protective barrier around the person or people using them. While untreated bed nets are still helpful, those treated with insecticides are much more useful because they stop mosquitoes from biting people through the nets, and they help reduce mosquito populations in a community, thus helping people who don’t even own bed nets. Bed nets are also very effective because most mosquito bites occur while the person is sleeping, so bed nets would be able to drastically reduce the number of transmissions during the night. In fact, transmission of malaria can be reduced by as much as 90% in areas where the use of ITNs is widespread. Because money is so scarce in Sub-Saharan Africa, the low cost is a great benefit and a major reason why the program is so successful. Bed nets cost roughly 2 USD to make, last several years, and can protect two adults. Studies have shown that, for every 100-1000 more nets are being used, one less child dies of malaria. With an estimated 300 million people in Africa not being protected by mosquito nets, there’s the potential to save three million lives by spending just a few dollars per person.

Reducing the number of people who contract malaria would also reduce poverty levels in Africa significantly, thus improving other aspects of society like education levels and the economy. Vector control is more effective than treatment strategies because it means fewer people are getting sick. When fewer people get sick, the working population is stronger as a whole because people are not put out of work from malaria, nor are they caring for sick relatives. Malaria-afflicted families can typically only harvest 40% of the crops that healthy families can harvest. Additionally, a family with members who have malaria spends roughly a quarter of its income treatment, not including the loss of work they also must deal with due to the illness. It’s estimated that malaria costs Africa 12 billion USD in lost income every year. A strong working population creates a stronger economy, which Sub-Saharan Africa is in desperate need of.

This essay begins with an introduction, which ends with the thesis (that malaria eradication plans in Sub-Saharan Africa should focus on prevention rather than treatment). The first part of the essay lays out why the counter argument (treatment rather than prevention) is not as effective, and the second part of the essay focuses on why prevention of malaria is the better path to take.

The thesis appears early, is stated clearly, and is supported throughout the rest of the essay. This makes the argument clear for readers to understand and follow throughout the essay.
There’s lots of solid research in this essay, including specific programs that were conducted and how successful they were, as well as specific data mentioned throughout. This evidence helps strengthen the author’s argument.
The author makes a case for using expanding bed net use over waiting until malaria occurs and beginning treatment, but not much of a plan is given for how the bed nets would be distributed or how to ensure they’re being used properly. By going more into detail of what she believes should be done, the author would be making a stronger argument.
The introduction of the essay does a good job of laying out the seriousness of the problem, but the conclusion is short and abrupt. Expanding it into its own paragraph would give the author a final way to convince readers of her side of the argument.

Argumentative Essay Example 3

There are many ways payments could work. They could be in the form of a free-market approach, where athletes are able to earn whatever the market is willing to pay them, it could be a set amount of money per athlete, or student athletes could earn income from endorsements, autographs, and control of their likeness, similar to the way top Olympians earn money.

Proponents of the idea believe that, because college athletes are the ones who are training, participating in games, and bringing in audiences, they should receive some sort of compensation for their work. If there were no college athletes, the NCAA wouldn’t exist, college coaches wouldn’t receive there (sometimes very high) salaries, and brands like Nike couldn’t profit from college sports. In fact, the NCAA brings in roughly $1 billion in revenue a year, but college athletes don’t receive any of that money in the form of a paycheck. Additionally, people who believe college athletes should be paid state that paying college athletes will actually encourage them to remain in college longer and not turn pro as quickly, either by giving them a way to begin earning money in college or requiring them to sign a contract stating they’ll stay at the university for a certain number of years while making an agreed-upon salary.

Supporters of this idea point to Zion Williamson, the Duke basketball superstar, who, during his freshman year, sustained a serious knee injury. Many argued that, even if he enjoyed playing for Duke, it wasn’t worth risking another injury and ending his professional career before it even began for a program that wasn’t paying him. Williamson seems to have agreed with them and declared his eligibility for the NCAA draft later that year. If he was being paid, he may have stayed at Duke longer. In fact, roughly a third of student athletes surveyed stated that receiving a salary while in college would make them “strongly consider” remaining collegiate athletes longer before turning pro.

Paying athletes could also stop the recruitment scandals that have plagued the NCAA. In 2018, the NCAA stripped the University of Louisville's men's basketball team of its 2013 national championship title because it was discovered coaches were using sex workers to entice recruits to join the team. There have been dozens of other recruitment scandals where college athletes and recruits have been bribed with anything from having their grades changed, to getting free cars, to being straight out bribed. By paying college athletes and putting their salaries out in the open, the NCAA could end the illegal and underhanded ways some schools and coaches try to entice athletes to join.

People who argue against the idea of paying college athletes believe the practice could be disastrous for college sports. By paying athletes, they argue, they’d turn college sports into a bidding war, where only the richest schools could afford top athletes, and the majority of schools would be shut out from developing a talented team (though some argue this already happens because the best players often go to the most established college sports programs, who typically pay their coaches millions of dollars per year). It could also ruin the tight camaraderie of many college teams if players become jealous that certain teammates are making more money than they are.

They also argue that paying college athletes actually means only a small fraction would make significant money. Out of the 350 Division I athletic departments, fewer than a dozen earn any money. Nearly all the money the NCAA makes comes from men’s football and basketball, so paying college athletes would make a small group of men--who likely will be signed to pro teams and begin making millions immediately out of college--rich at the expense of other players.

Those against paying college athletes also believe that the athletes are receiving enough benefits already. The top athletes already receive scholarships that are worth tens of thousands per year, they receive free food/housing/textbooks, have access to top medical care if they are injured, receive top coaching, get travel perks and free gear, and can use their time in college as a way to capture the attention of professional recruiters. No other college students receive anywhere near as much from their schools.

People on this side also point out that, while the NCAA brings in a massive amount of money each year, it is still a non-profit organization. How? Because over 95% of those profits are redistributed to its members’ institutions in the form of scholarships, grants, conferences, support for Division II and Division III teams, and educational programs. Taking away a significant part of that revenue would hurt smaller programs that rely on that money to keep running.

While both sides have good points, it’s clear that the negatives of paying college athletes far outweigh the positives. College athletes spend a significant amount of time and energy playing for their school, but they are compensated for it by the scholarships and perks they receive. Adding a salary to that would result in a college athletic system where only a small handful of athletes (those likely to become millionaires in the professional leagues) are paid by a handful of schools who enter bidding wars to recruit them, while the majority of student athletics and college athletic programs suffer or even shut down for lack of money. Continuing to offer the current level of benefits to student athletes makes it possible for as many people to benefit from and enjoy college sports as possible.

This argumentative essay follows the Rogerian model. It discusses each side, first laying out multiple reasons people believe student athletes should be paid, then discussing reasons why the athletes shouldn’t be paid. It ends by stating that college athletes shouldn’t be paid by arguing that paying them would destroy college athletics programs and cause them to have many of the issues professional sports leagues have.

Both sides of the argument are well developed, with multiple reasons why people agree with each side. It allows readers to get a full view of the argument and its nuances.
Certain statements on both sides are directly rebuffed in order to show where the strengths and weaknesses of each side lie and give a more complete and sophisticated look at the argument.
Using the Rogerian model can be tricky because oftentimes you don’t explicitly state your argument until the end of the paper. Here, the thesis doesn’t appear until the first sentence of the final paragraph. That doesn’t give readers a lot of time to be convinced that your argument is the right one, compared to a paper where the thesis is stated in the beginning and then supported throughout the paper. This paper could be strengthened if the final paragraph was expanded to more fully explain why the author supports the view, or if the paper had made it clearer that paying athletes was the weaker argument throughout.

3 Tips for Writing a Good Argumentative Essay

Now that you’ve seen examples of what good argumentative essay samples look like, follow these three tips when crafting your own essay.

#1: Make Your Thesis Crystal Clear

The thesis is the key to your argumentative essay; if it isn’t clear or readers can’t find it easily, your entire essay will be weak as a result. Always make sure that your thesis statement is easy to find. The typical spot for it is the final sentence of the introduction paragraph, but if it doesn’t fit in that spot for your essay, try to at least put it as the first or last sentence of a different paragraph so it stands out more.

Also make sure that your thesis makes clear what side of the argument you’re on. After you’ve written it, it’s a great idea to show your thesis to a couple different people--classmates are great for this. Just by reading your thesis they should be able to understand what point you’ll be trying to make with the rest of your essay.

#2: Show Why the Other Side Is Weak

When writing your essay, you may be tempted to ignore the other side of the argument and just focus on your side, but don’t do this. The best argumentative essays really tear apart the other side to show why readers shouldn’t believe it. Before you begin writing your essay, research what the other side believes, and what their strongest points are. Then, in your essay, be sure to mention each of these and use evidence to explain why they’re incorrect/weak arguments. That’ll make your essay much more effective than if you only focused on your side of the argument.

#3: Use Evidence to Support Your Side

Remember, an essay can’t be an argumentative essay if it doesn’t support its argument with evidence. For every point you make, make sure you have facts to back it up. Some examples are previous studies done on the topic, surveys of large groups of people, data points, etc. There should be lots of numbers in your argumentative essay that support your side of the argument. This will make your essay much stronger compared to only relying on your own opinions to support your argument.

Summary: Argumentative Essay Sample

Argumentative essays are persuasive essays that use facts and evidence to support their side of the argument. Most argumentative essays follow either the Toulmin model or the Rogerian model. By reading good argumentative essay examples, you can learn how to develop your essay and provide enough support to make readers agree with your opinion. When writing your essay, remember to always make your thesis clear, show where the other side is weak, and back up your opinion with data and evidence.

What's Next?

Do you need to write an argumentative essay as well? Check out our guide on the best argumentative essay topics for ideas!

You'll probably also need to write research papers for school. We've got you covered with 113 potential topics for research papers.

Your college admissions essay may end up being one of the most important essays you write. Follow our step-by-step guide on writing a personal statement to have an essay that'll impress colleges.

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay?

Smodin Editorial Team
Updated: May 5, 2024

At first glance, crafting a persuasive essay might seem like a walk in the park. You choose a stance, gather supporting evidence, and present it to your audience. But is it really that simple?

As any student or teacher knows, not every persuasive essay is a straight A. If you’ve ever submitted your work expecting a top grade only to receive feedback that your argument was flawed or unconvincing, you know the frustration it may bring.

The truth is that crafting a persuasive argument requires more than just presenting facts. You need to appeal to your readers’ logic and emotions . Your narrative must make sense, be enjoyable to read, and also be unique.

Today, we will cover six simple ways to propel your persuasive essays to the next level so that you can bring home any grade you desire.

1. Don’t Rush the Process

Did you know that every word of published content undergoes multiple revisions? This is true for articles, blogs, books, periodicals, and essays.

In an academic setting, many students assume that the one or two drafts that make their way to the grading pile are the only ones that matter, but that isn’t the case.

Good writing requires numerous revisions to get it right. If you want your persuasive essay to stand out from the rest, it’s always good to write at least one draft before you submit it for grading.

Thankfully, it’s never been easier to generate a high-quality essay. Tools like Smodin’s Essay Writer can help you develop content with just a few short words.

Unlike many other AI tools, Smodin gives you complete control of the process. You’ll be able to create an engaging essay with a clear flow that is a joy for your teacher or professor to read.

The software’s AI-powered algorithms also generate accurate references from Google Scholar and other selected resources.

Instead of sitting at your desk, pulling your hair out of frustration, let Smodin guide you through the essay writing process with confidence.

2. Know Your Audience

One crucial yet often underestimated aspect of essay writing is understanding your audience. This means knowing who your readers are and tailoring your writing to resonate with their core emotions.

For example, if you’re a student writing an essay for a history class, your audience is simple: it’s your professor.

Similarly, suppose you’re writing an essay for a scholarly journal or publication. In that case, your audience will include the people who approve the essay for publication and the readers who will eventually see it once it’s publicly shared.

Many people fail at essay writing simply because they don’t study their core audience.

You must remember that your readers are human beings, and all human beings have certain biases and preferences.

Understanding these biases and preferences can help you craft your essay in a way that appeals directly to your reader’s interests and beliefs.

Do everything you can to study your audience. Get in their heads and figure out how they think, and then use this knowledge to appeal to their core emotions.

Professional copywriters get paid big bucks to understand their readers’ emotions when selling goods or services. You might not be “selling” anything in a monetary sense, but you are selling your writing to achieve the desired result.

To become a successful essay writer, start to think like a salesperson. What would impress your reader? What can you write about that no one else is writing about?

Once you figure that out, you’ve already done half the work.

3. Understand the Modes of Persuasion

Now that you fully understand your audience, the next step is crafting a compelling argument. Here, take a moment to understand the three forms of reasoning.

Ethos refers to establishing your credibility or character as a writer. To effectively persuade your audience, the reader(s) must see you as trustworthy and knowledgeable about your topic.

Demonstrating a solid understanding of the subject matter and that you have put in the time and effort to master it.

Pathos, on the other hand, appeals to your readers’ emotions. The goal is to make your readers feel something, influencing their perspective or decision-making process.

For students, this may mean tapping into the topic’s emotional undercurrents or appealing to certain biases to engage the teacher or professor.

This means structuring your essay in a way that makes logical sense and using statistics, factual evidence, and sound reasoning to back up your claims. All arguments should have a strong, rational foundation.

To effectively write a persuasive essay, you must combine ethos, pathos, and logos.

Remember, teachers, professors, editors, and review board members have tens, if not hundreds, of essays to read. You must craft a comprehensive argument that hits all the buttons to stand out.

If you’re desperate to get an A on your upcoming essay, consider using Smodin’s AI Grader to get personalized feedback on your essay or article.

This way, you can take your essay and revise it before submitting it. And that’s undoubtedly better than begging a teacher or professor to grant you a rewrite.

4. Directly Address Opposing Arguments

It’s one thing to pick a position and stick to it; it’s another to ignore opposing views completely.

When crafting a compelling argument, you must—at some point—address dissenting opinions and points of view. Failing to do this will only weaken your own argument. Here are a few tips to incorporate this effectively into your writing.

Know the Counterarguments

You can only address opposing arguments if you research them first. Study a topic’s counterarguments just as much as you study your position.

When discussing opposing arguments, you need to be objective and free of bias. If you misrepresent or oversimplify these things, you will undermine your credibility and weaken your essay.

Use Rebuttal Techniques

Once you’ve addressed the opposing view, you must rebut it using logical reasoning, evidence, and other persuasive techniques. (Think like a lawyer.) Here are a few common strategies.

Evidence-based techniques: Simply use more recent data or studies to challenge the validity of the opposing argument.
Logic techniques: No argument is 100% (even yours). Identify the fallacies in the opposing argument and explain why the conclusion is flawed.
Comparative techniques: Lastly, directly compare your thesis and explain why your viewpoint is more sound. If done correctly, this can be your essay’s most validating point.

Link EVERYTHING Back to Your Thesis

While researching a topic, you may find yourself buried in a pile of peripheral arguments that may or may not relate to the topic at hand. Cut it if you can’t directly link an argument or counterargument to your thesis.

Don’t be Afraid To Concede

As counterintuitive as it may seem, acknowledging the strength of a counterargument can enhance your credibility. You can concede a point without undermining your overall position by showing that your thesis still stands regardless of the concessions.

Of course, sifting through dozens of academic articles or essays can be time-consuming. To greatly expedite the research process, you can use Smodin’s Text Summarizer to analyze large bodies of text and condense them into something more digestible.

5. Write in Your Voice — And Always Read Your Writing Out Loud

Don’t spend too much time trying to use fancy words or complicated sentences. Yes, grammar, syntax, and punctuation are essential, but your main focus should always be clear and genuine communication.

Occasionally consulting a thesaurus is no big deal, but if you’re constantly fluffing your text with words that feel unnatural, you’re probably detracting from your essay’s message.

Reading your essay out loud is a great way to check its flow. If you try to read your own words and stumble over them, chances are something is wrong.

Good writing should flow seamlessly from one word to the next, from one sentence to the next, and from one paragraph to the next.

Ideally, you should be able to sit on your essay for a while — say three days or up to a week — and then come back to it when your mind is fresh.

Read your words with a clear mind and see if you can follow the logic of your own argument. If it doesn’t sound right, consider using Smodin’s AI re-writer.

This tool can examine your own writing and revise it to make it sound fresh or take existing content and edit it to make it sound completely unique.

6. Always Maintain Academic Integrity

This probably goes without saying, but you should always do your absolute best to maintain academic integrity with your writing. The last thing you want is to be flagged for plagiarized or AI-generated content.

Thankfully, these are two areas where Smodin can help. Our AI Content Detector can easily detect whether your writing contains AI-generated content. At the same time, our Plagiarism Checker can ensure your essay doesn’t contain any direct text from published academic articles.

Taken together, Smodin’s AI offers a comprehensive toolset that gives students and academics everything they need to write a persuasive essay.

Try Smodin for free today to see if It is what you need to improve your writing.

Q: How Do I Choose a Strong Stance for My Persuasive Essay?

Select a topic that you are passionate about AND for which you can find ample supporting evidence. You should also choose a topic that allows for a clear argument against the opposing side.

Q: What Are the Best Places To Find Supporting Evidence for My Essay?

Scholarly journals, news organizations, or books from respected and well-known academic authors are always a good place to start. You can use tools like Google Scholar or JSTOR to scope out academically accepted articles and data.

Q: How Can I Be Sure My Persuasive Essay Is Easy To Read?

You always want to use a clear and engaging writing style. Ideally, you should write in a unique way that helps you stand out from the other essays. Including interesting facts or anecdotes in a logical and easy-to-follow manner and using variety in sentence structure and vocabulary can also enhance readability. Just don’t force it.

Q: How Can I Strengthen My Rebuttal of the Opposing Arguments?

Understanding the counterarguments is the first step to overcoming them. When you respond to an argument with well-researched evidence that presents a better solution or perspective, you solidify your case and make it more compelling and credible to your reader(s).

Q: What if I Want To Change My Thesis After I Begin Writing?

If you find better evidence for an argument while doing your research, revising your thesis halfway through the writing process is perfectly fine. This adaptability will only strengthen your writing in the long run.

Q: How Long Should I Spend on Research?

Generally, spend as much time as you need to understand the topic without wasting too much time. It’s common to waste hours or days on research without writing a single word. Again, AI tools like Smodin can help with procedural tasks and free up your mind for more exciting tasks.

Q: What Is the Best Way To Conclude a Persuasive Essay?

A strong conclusion should be thorough without being overly wordy. You want to restate your thesis in light of the arguments you presented and summarize the main points of your essay. Consider leaving a call-to-action or a thought-provoking question in the last paragraph that will leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Writing a winning persuasive essay involves more than presenting arguments and facts. You need to carefully craft a narrative that appeals to your reader’s logic, emotions, and ethical values.

By tapping into AI tools like Smodin AI, you can outline strategies, conduct research, and expedite the writing process with just a few simple prompts and minutes of your time.

You must make a well-rounded effort to ensure your essays are streamlined, powerful, and highly engaging. This type of writing will resonate with academic readers and ensure you get the desired grade.

Do your best to enjoy the writing process and learn to have fun with it. With these new AI-enhanced technological advancements at your fingertips, essay writing can be more accessible than ever before. Tap into their unlimited power to make your writing stand out in any academic setting!

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How to Start a Persuasive Essay: Tips & Examples
Tip 2: Provide a Hook for Your Persuasive Essay Introduction. An introduction of persuasive essay won't be complete without a hook. If you fail to include it, such paper will unlikely captivate reader's attention. A catchy hook helps to break the ice between your writing and readers.
13+ Outstanding Persuasive Essay Examples
How to Start a Persuasive Essay - Example. Starting your essay engaging will help to keep the readers accepting your point of view. This is important because if you go astray, the reader will lose interest and leave your essay in the middle. To avoid it, make sure that your introduction and essay start is strong and impactful. ...
30+ Persuasive Essay Examples
Persuasive Essay Format Example. A persuasive essay outline is bound to follow a specific format and structure. The main elements of a persuasive essay format are as follows. Font: Times New Roman, Georgia, or Arial. Font Size: 16pt for the headlines and 12pt for the rest of the text. Alignment: Justified.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Tips and Tricks
TIP 1: Be careful not to introduce a new argument in the conclusion—there's no time to develop it now that you've reached the end of your discussion! TIP 2: As with your thesis, avoid announcing your conclusion. Don't start your conclusion with "in conclusion" or "to conclude" or "to end my essay" type statements.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay (This Convinced My Professor!)
The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay. If you're intimidated by the idea of writing an argument, use this list to break your process into manageable chunks. Tackle researching and writing one element at a time, and then revise your essay so that it flows smoothly and coherently with every component in the optimal place. 1.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay in 7 Steps
The persuasive essay typically presents a clear thesis statement, followed by well-structured paragraphs that provide evidence and examples supporting the author's position. The ultimate goal is to inform and influence the reader's beliefs or behavior by appealing to their emotions, logic, and sense of reason.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay
Clarity and Conciseness: Write in a clear and concise way. Avoid jargon or overly complex language to make your message easily understandable. Use Persuasive Techniques: Employ persuasive language and rhetoric techniques, such as ethos, pathos, and logos, to appeal to your audience's emotions, ethics, and logic.
Writing a Persuasive Essay
The thesis should. 1. be a complete sentence, 2. identify the topic, and. 3. make a specific claim about that topic. In a persuasive paper, the thesis is a claim that someone should believe or do something. For example, a persuasive thesis might assert that something is effective or ineffective.
Powerful Persuasive Essay Examples That Will Spark Your Creativity
Typically, such essays start with a query which the author then addresses throughout the piece, arguing for or against it. The argument is built on robust evidence and sound logic, incorporating factual statements, rational explanations, illustrative examples, and expert quotations. ... In this persuasive essay sample, we'll examine the many ...
Persuasive Essay Guide: How to Write a Persuasive Essay
The last time you wrote a persuasive essay may have been in high school or college, but the skill of writing a strong persuasive argument is always a useful one to have. Persuasive writing begins with a writer forming their own opinion on a topic, which they then attempt to convince their reader of this opinion by walking them through a number of logical and ethical arguments.
40 Persuasive Writing Examples (Essays, Speeches, and More)
Harvey Milk's "The Hope" Speech. Sample lines: "Some people are satisfied. And some people are not. You see there is a major difference—and it remains a vital difference—between a friend and a gay person, a friend in office and a gay person in office. Gay people have been slandered nationwide.
30 Great Persuasive Essay Examples
Persuasive Essay Writing Guide Sample 01. New SAT Persuasive Analysis Essay Tips Example. Cell Phones in School Persuasive Essay Example. Social Networking Sites Persuasive Essay Example. Persuasive Essay Writing Guide Sample 02. Physical Education is Vital Persuasive Essay Example. School's Out Persuasive Essay Example.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Step-by-Step Guide + Examples
Note that the next section contains a sample written in accordance with this outline. Persuasive Essay Introduction. Hook: start with an intriguing sentence. Background: describe the context of the discussed issue and familiarize the reader with the argument. Definitions: if your essay dwells upon a theoretical subject matter, be sure to explain the complicated terms.
Get inspired by our Amazing Persuasive Essay Examples
This will enable you to tailor your persuasive essay accordingly to ensure that it has a maximum persuasive impact. 2. Research Thoroughly. Strong persuasive essays are rooted in solid research. When researching for your essay topic, get as much information as possible to make a persuasive case. 3.
How to Write an Argumentative Essay
Examples of argumentative essay prompts. At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response. Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.
50 Free Persuasive Essay Examples (+BEST Topics)
Persuasive writing examples make use of reasons and logic to make them more persuasive. When you write your own persuasive essay examples, you must convince your readers to adopt your point of view or to take a specific action. To do this, you must present solid arguments using facts, examples, and quotes from experts.
3 Strong Argumentative Essay Examples, Analyzed
Argumentative Essay Example 2. Malaria is an infectious disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through female Anopheles mosquitoes. Each year, over half a billion people will become infected with malaria, with roughly 80% of them living in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Sentence Starters for Persuasive Writing
Persuasive writing is a type of non-fiction writing that aims to persuade the reader to agree with a point of view outlined in a text or complete an action based on what they have read. There are many different forms of persuasive writing seen within our daily lives, including newspaper articles, essays, brochures, and reviews.
How to Write an Engaging Introduction to a Persuasive Essay
A good persuasive essay is always an appealing written piece with an engaging beginning, informative main body part, and strong summarizing conclusions. The body part can cover from 3 to 5 supporting paragraphs. Use the writing tips and guides to assure the excellent content of your paper.
How to Write a Persuasive Essay?
Writing a winning persuasive essay involves more than presenting arguments and facts. You need to carefully craft a narrative that appeals to your reader's logic, emotions, and ethical values. By tapping into AI tools like Smodin AI, you can outline strategies, conduct research, and expedite the writing process with just a few simple prompts ...

Free Persuasive Essay Examples to Help you Get Started

Good Persuasive Essay Examples

How to Start a Persuasive Essay - Example

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How to End a Persuasive Essay - Examples

Tips to Write a Great Persuasive Essay

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay: Tips and Tricks

Allison Bressmer

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How Do I Start a Persuasive Essay?

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay (This Convinced My Professor!)

Table of contents

Meredith Sell

Why is being persuasive so difficult?

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay

1. A topic or issue to argue

2. An unequivocal thesis statement

3. Evidence to back up your thesis

4. Rebuttals to disprove opposing theses

5. A convincing conclusion

3 Quick Tips for Writing a Strong Argument

1. Choose your words thoughtfully.

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2. Prioritize accuracy (and avoid fallacies).

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3. Persuasive essay structure

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A Comprehensive Guide to Writing an Effective Persuasive Essay

What is a Persuasive Essay?

What’s the Difference Between Persuasive & Argumentative Essays?

The 3 Elements of Persuasion

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Step 1: Select an Interesting Topic & Define Your Position

Step 2: Research & Gather Evidence

Step 3: Make an Outline

Step 4: Write Your First Draft

Step 5: Proofread & Revise

Persuasive Essay Structure

Introduction

Body Paragraphs

Persuasive Essay Format

Persuasive Essay Examples

Persuasive Essay Topics

Tips for Writing Stand-Out Persuasive Essays

Keep reading

Writing a Persuasive Essay

THE ART OF PERSUASION

STEPS FOR WRITING PERSUASIVELY

Step Two: Pose a Research Question

Step Three: Draft a Thesis

Step Four: Research

Step Five: Plan Your Argument; Make an Outline

Feedback, Revision, and Editing

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