Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparation
• Method 2 of 3: Draft essay
• Method 3 of 3: Final touches
• Tips

A persuasion essay is an essay that should convince the reader of a specific idea, most often the one in which you yourself believe. Your essay can be based on your point of view about anything. The difference between a persuasive essay and an argumentative essay is that an argumentative essay is based on facts, and an essay that is supposed to convince the reader of something may have opinions or emotions. Everyone should be able to write such essays, because this skill can be useful both for writing a petition against malnutrition in schools and for writing a letter to your boss about your salary increase.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparation

1. 1 Read the assignment carefully. As a rule, such an essay is written on the instructions of the teacher. It is important to carefully read the text of this assignment.
   • Pay attention to the words that will help you understand how the essay should be. If the assignment contains the phrases "personal experience" or "personal observation," be aware that you can use your beliefs to support the arguments.
   • If the words "defend" or "prove" are found in the text, this means that you need to write an argumentative essay in which only the facts will be important.
   • If you are not sure what is expected of you, ask your instructor.
2. 2 Give yourself time. If you can, think about arguments that you will be pleased to defend. Haste will only get in your way. Give yourself time to brainstorm, write, and review what you've written.
   • Whenever possible, start working as early as possible.In this case, you will have a margin of time if something goes wrong (for example, your computer breaks down).
3. 3 Consider the rhetorical situation. There is a so-called rhetorical situation with five main elements: the text (i.e. the essay), the author (you), the readers, the purpose of the message, and the environment (setting).
   • The text should be clear and well-reasoned (opinions can be included if it is not prohibited).
   • In order for you as an author to be believed, you will need to research the material, clearly formulate the main points of the statement and support them with facts that do not distort reality.
   • The purpose of the post is to convince readers that your point of view is correct.
   • The setting can be different. Most often, an essay is asked to write at a school or university, and then the work is handed over and received an assessment.
4. 4 Remember what should be included in the essay. Unless something else is indicated in the text of the assignment, you will need to write an essay according to the classical scheme.
   • This type of essay uses rhetorical instruments beliefs. You will have the opportunity to appeal to emotions, not just logic and proven facts.
   • Use a variety of justifications, but be very careful. The most convincing are accurate data, facts and other types of information that are difficult to oppose.
   • Persuasion essays are usually very precise and the author's side is unambiguous. This allows the reader to understand from the outset what you are trying to convey to them.
5. 5 Think about your audience. What seems convincing to one person will not convince another. It's important to think about who your target audience is. Of course, your teacher will be the main reader, but you need to consider who else will find your argument convincing.
   • For example, if you are writing an essay protesting against unhealthy school meals, you should consider who will read the text first. It can be written for the school administration, and then the dependence of student productivity on nutrition will need to be cited as an example. If you will be writing for parents of students, you will need to highlight the health risks and possible costs of treating diseases caused by poor nutrition. If you are writing for students like yourself, focus on personal preference.
6. 6 Think about the topic of the essay. The topic can be given to you as an assignment, but if you were asked to choose it yourself, here are some tips:
   • Choose what you like best. Since such essays can appeal to emotions, it is better to choose a topic on which you have your own personal opinion. Write about a topic that is important to you and in which you are well versed.
   • Search for a difficult topic. Perhaps you really like pizza, but it will be difficult to write an interesting essay about it. A topic with more depth is fine for you, such as animal cruelty or misappropriation of budget funds.
   • Analyze opposing points of view. If you feel that it will be difficult for you to come up with arguments, you have most likely chosen the wrong topic. In addition, if your point of view is opposed by many counterarguments that you find difficult to reflect, it is better to choose something else as well.
   • Think about whether you can defend your point of view. You need to consider the counterarguments and find a way to convince readers that your point of view is more correct. Choose a topic that you can prepare well for and consider all possible objections. (For this reason, topics such as religion are best left out, as it is extremely difficult to convince someone that their religious beliefs are wrong.)
   • The topic should not be too broad. Your essay will be short - only 5 paragraphs or a few pages, so the topic should be narrow. For example, you shouldn't write that war is bad, because it is a very broad topic. It is better to choose a small part of this topic - for example, striking with drones.This will allow you to explore the topic deeper.
7. 7 Formulate the main point. The main position should reflect your opinion or belief in plain language. It is usually placed at the end of the first introductory paragraph. It is very important to write the main point correctly, otherwise readers will not know what to expect from your work.
   • The main position should be the whole essence of your composition. You can't list your arguments in one order and then start talking about them in detail in another.
   • For example, the basic proposition can be formulated as follows: “Although convenience foods are very cheap, they are not suitable for schoolchildren. There should be fresh and healthy meals in schools, even if they cost more. food negatively affects their health. "
   • Please note that there is no need to list all sub-items here, unless the assignment specifies otherwise. You need to write what exactly will be discussed below.
8. 8 Consider all the facts and arguments. After choosing a topic, prepare yourself as best you can for writing your essay. You will need to evaluate your opinion and decide which arguments seem to be the best for you. You should also think about possible counterarguments that might confuse you.
   • Try to present all the information figuratively. Circle the key topic, and depict any additional questions as small circles around a large one. Tie the circles together to understand how the different aspects of the problem interact.
   • Don't worry if you only have sketches at this stage. Here it is only important to figure out what to talk about.
9. 9 Examine the material as needed. Once you have a few ideas, you need to delve deeper and explore each one. It is imperative to research all the available material before starting your essay writing.
   • For example, if you’re writing about healthy food at school, say that fresh food tastes better. This is a personal opinion and does not need to be backed up by research. But if you want to say that healthy food contains more vitamins and nutrients, you will need to find a reliable source of this information.
   • If you have the opportunity, ask the librarian to help you - he or she is well versed in books.

Method 2 of 3: Draft essay

1. 1 Draw a plan. Essays usually have a clear structure, and this will allow you to present information in a consistent and interesting way. The writings contain:
   • Introduction. You need to interest the reader, grab his attention. The main idea of ​​the essay should also be placed here, which will be developed below.
   • Basic paragraphs. In essays with five paragraphs, 3 paragraphs are the main ones. In other essays, there may be more or fewer paragraphs. No matter how many of them there are, in each of them it is important to talk about one aspect of the topic and give the necessary arguments. Counterarguments can also be refuted in these paragraphs.
   • Conclusion. Finally, you bring it all together. Here you can turn to emotion, repeat the brightest argument again, or expand on the original idea. Since your goal is to convince the reader to do something or think about something should end with a call to action.
2. 2 Come up with a catchy first phrase. The first sentence should captivate the reader. It can be a question or a quote, a fact, a story, a definition, or a humorous sketch. If the reader wants to read on, or if the introductory phrases correctly describe the situation, consider that you have coped with the task.
   • For example, you might start your essay on the importance of using alternative energy sources like this: "Imagine a world without polar bears." This is a striking image that will draw people's attention to what they like - the white bears. It will also make the reader wonder and want to know. why such a world must be imagined.
   • You may not be able to come up with a beginning right away.Do not worry! You can always go back to the beginning when the draft is ready.
3. 3 Write an introduction. Many people think that the introduction is the most important part of an essay because it either manages to grab the attention of the audience or not. If the introduction is written well, it will interest the reader with the topic, and he will want to read on.
   • Place a catchphrase first. Then go from general facts to specific ones and formulate the main idea.
   • Approach the wording of the main position with all responsibility. The main point is a summary of what you will be talking about. This is usually one sentence, and most often it is located towards the end of the intro. Include in the main point your strongest arguments or just one argument.
4. 4 Mark your paragraphs. You should have at least three paragraphs, and each should talk about one aspect of the problem related to the previous one. In these paragraphs, you justify your opinion and give reasons. Remember that if you have no reasoning, the text will not be convincing.
   • Begin each paragraph with simple sentences that reveal the essence of the text that follows.
   • The arguments must be clear and accurate. Do not write like this: "Dolphins are very intelligent animals. They are considered incredibly quick-witted." Better to write this: "Dolphins are very intelligent animals. Numerous studies have shown that dolphins are able to team up with humans to hunt for prey. Few species have been able to form reciprocal symbiotic relationships with humans, if such species exist at all."
   • Use facts as your reasoning whenever possible. Proven facts from reliable sources make the case strong. Better to use information from different sources. For example:
     • "The southern United States, which accounts for 80% of all executions in America, has the highest homicide rate. This means that the death penalty does not stop criminals from their intentions."
     • "In addition, there are fewer murders in states where the death penalty is prohibited. If the death penalty served as a deterrent to crime, would we not have seen growth the number of homicides in states where the death penalty is not applied? "
   • Think about how the paragraphs will be related. Each subsequent paragraph should add new information to the one already set out step by step, and not chaotically.
5. 5 The last sentence of each paragraph should lead to the next paragraph. To make the essay easy to read, the text should have smooth transitions from one paragraph to the next. For example:
   • End of the first paragraph: "If the death penalty does not stop criminals and the crime rate is higher than ever before, what happens if someone is wrongly convicted?"
   • The beginning of the second paragraph: "More than a hundred people who were wrongly convicted were released from the death penalty, and some of them - just minutes before execution."
6. 6 Include counterarguments in the text. This may not be required, but it will add depth to the composition. Imagine you have an opponent with the opposite point of view. Think about what his strongest arguments might be, and consider objections.
   • For example: “Opponents of eating from home at school believe that it distracts students from the educational process. However, it should be borne in mind that many middle school students grow very quickly. Growing organisms need energy, and if children do not eat for a long time, their brains are overworked. "The opportunity to eat something brought from home in the classroom improves concentration, distracting the child from hunger."
   • You might even want to start a paragraph with a counterargument and then rebut it and give your reasons.
7. 7 At the end of the essay, write a conclusion. As a rule, in the conclusion, the key points are repeated, and then the text ends with a meaningful phrase. It should be formulated in such a way that the reader will remember both it and the essay itself.Do not just repeat the main idea - better think about how it would be more correct to finish the essay. Consider the following:
   • Can my findings apply to a broader context?
   • Why is what the essay is about is important to me?
   • What new questions have arisen as a result of the analysis of the problem?
   • What actions can readers take after reading the essay?

Method 3 of 3: Final touches

1. 1 Don't reread your essay for a day or two. If you do everything in advance, it will be easy. Then go back to the essay and reread it. With a fresh mind, you will notice mistakes faster. Now it will be possible to re-read difficult passages and rethink about any concepts.
2. 2 Read the draft. Too many students and pupils do not devote enough time to proofreading a draft. Read it from beginning to end. Consider the following:
   • Is the author's position clearly expressed in the essay?
   • Is this position supported by weighty arguments and examples?
   • Is there unnecessary information in the text? Are the thoughts in the paragraphs clear enough?
   • Are the counterarguments presented correctly? Are they convincingly refuted?
   • Are the paragraphs in a logical order? Are the transitions smooth between them?
   • Does the conclusion emphasize the importance of the position chosen and the need for the reader to think or do something?
3. 3 Check the text. It's important not only to correct spelling mistakes - you may also have to correct transitions between semantic parts, reverse paragraphs, or even rewrite some text with more compelling reasons. Be prepared to make even major amendments.
   • It can be helpful to ask a friend or classmate to read your essay. If he or she does not understand what your position is, or decides that something is not written clearly enough, pay special attention to the problem areas.
4. 4 Correct spelling and typos. Use the automatic spelling checker feature in your text editor to correct your misspellings. Read the text aloud. This will allow you to spot errors.
   • You might want to print out a draft and make edits with a pencil or pen. If you write on a computer, your eyes can read what you think you have written and miss errors. Reading a physical copy of the text will allow you to look at the text in a new way.
   • Pay attention to formatting. Sometimes the job specifies the line spacing and font size.

Tips

• Don't use complicated words to sound smart. They usually do more harm than help. Write in simple and understandable language.
• Read other essays on similar topics to understand which language to use.
• Be clear about your position. Don't rush from side to side and don't contradict yourself.
• Remember, you need to convince someone of something, not complain.
• Make every sentence meaningful. Adding unnecessary meaning will only take you away from the main topic. The essay should be short and clear.
• Avoid personal pronouns (eg "I" or "you"). They will make your essay look less professional.
• Consider possible counterarguments. You will need to think about how to defend yourself in advance. Make a list of possible objections and think through the answers to them.