Cathy A.
Cathy A.

Vital Steps to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay

9 min read

Published on: Jan 3, 2023

Last updated on: Jan 30, 2023

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

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Without a doubt, writing a persuasive essay is one of the most challenging assignments you will face as a student. It takes lots of research, brainstorming, and finding the right words to convince your reader.

Most people think that writing a persuasive essay is hard. It's not. 

The real challenge is making your argument engaging and compelling enough for the reader to care.

So how can you do this? The answer is this simple guide. 

Following this guide, you can write an engaging and compelling persuasive essay. That will capture your reader's attention from beginning to end.

So, don't wait any longer and start exploring the steps to compose your own essay now!

What is a Persuasive Essay?

The word “persuasive” is derived from persuading, which means to convince someone. A persuasive essay is an essay that attempts to convince the reader to accept your point of view or opinion. 

You have to pick one side of the argument and provide strong factual evidence to support it. You also must ensure to convince the reader of your point of view.

It must include facts and evidence that support your main point and counter-arguments from opposing viewpoints.

Difference Between an Argumentative Essay and a Persuasive Essay

The difference between the two is seen in how it persuades the reader to accept the point of view or opinion. 

In an argumentative essay, you attempt to persuade the reader using logic and reasoned arguments. It requires providing evidence supporting your ideas and refuting your opposition. Both sides of the argument are provided in this.

On the other hand, in a persuasive essay, you try to convince the reader to accept your point of view with strong emotions. You need to use powerful language and convincing phrases to emphasize the importance of your argument.

What Should You Include in a Persuasive Essay?

Before starting your persuasive essay, it is important to know what to include. There are three elements of persuasion that must be included in the essay. These three elements work together to create a strong argument.

  • Ethos

Ethos is a way to show that you have knowledge and credibility of the topic.  It refers to the trustworthiness of the writer. You must establish your credentials for your argument to be taken seriously.  

People are more likely to trust someone who is knowledgeable and has a good reputation. Including ethos in your writing can help convince people of your point of view.

  • Pathos

Pathos is an element in your writing that appeals to your reader's emotions. 

This can help them connect with you and make your writing more interesting. This is usually done via strong language, vivid imagery, metaphors, and storytelling.

  • Logos

Logos involves using facts and evidence to support your argument. You do this by giving a series of logical reasons why they should believe what you are saying.  This includes presenting facts, statistics, and evidence that supports your opinion.

This is a brief explanation of the elements of a persuasive essay. You can click to learn more about ethos, pathos, and logos.

Now that we have established what a persuasive essay is, let's move on to learn writing an engaging and compelling persuasive essay.

How to Write a Persuasive Essay?

Writing an effective persuasive essay can be tricky, but with the right approach, it becomes quite manageable. 

Follow the steps below to write an appealing essay.

Steps to Start a Persuasive Essay?

To start your essay, follow these steps.

  • Brainstorm ideas

Brainstorming is the first step to writing a persuasive essay. Brainstorming allows you to generate a lot of ideas at once. 

Start by writing down all the topics that interest you and then narrow them down to the one you feel most passionate about.

  • Choose the right topic.

Pick a topic that is interesting and relevant to you.  

It should also be something that your readers can relate to, so they can connect with the message of your essay.

  • Research

Once you have chosen your topic, research thoroughly and include facts, statistics, and other evidence to make your argument more convincing.

  •  Consider Your Audience

When writing, consider who your audience is and what they believe. Knowing this will help you structure your argument in a way that resonates with them.

  • Select a Side 

You need to understand the topic from all perspectives. Only then will you be able to understand the issue and select a side to support. 

Also, ensure that the audience understands your stance from the beginning.

  • Develop an Outline

Create an outline for your essay. This helps organize your thoughts and structure them properly so you can present an argument that flows logically. 

Expert Tip

To learn more about outlining your essay, check our persuasive essay outline blog. 

Start Crafting Your Persuasive Essay?

Once all the above steps have been completed, you can start writing your essay.

  •  Start With an Introduction 

The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. It should grab the reader's attention and keep them interested in reading the rest of it. 

In this part, you must introduce the topic to set the tone for the rest of your paper. Start with an attention-grabbing hook and provide some background information.

  • Add a Thesis Statement 

Once you have provided the background information, you must add a strong thesis statement to the introduction. 

A strong thesis statement clearly states your opinion on the subject and any supporting arguments you will discuss, and make sure all the points you are about to discuss in your essay relate to it.

  • Write Body Paragraphs 

The body paragraphs are where you make your case supporting your argument. Each body paragraph should focus on one main point and provide evidence to back it up. 

Make sure that the points are well-thought-out and logically linked to each other. 

 How to End a Persuasive Essay?

After starting your essay and presenting your argument, the next step is to write a strong ending to leave a lasting impression on the reader. 

So follow the steps below to end your essay perfectly!

  • Write a Conclusion 

The conclusion is the final paragraph of your essay.  You must summarize the main points from your body paragraphs and re-state your thesis statement. 

Make sure to include a call to action to encourage readers to take action on your opinion. This could be as simple as “Take my advice and make a difference” or “Let’s work together to make a difference.”

  • End with a Thought Provoking statement

A thought-provoking statement at the end of your essay can leave a lasting impression on readers. This could be a quote or an anecdote that is relevant to your topic and emphasizes the importance of taking action.

  • Proofread and Edit 

After completing your essay, remember to proofread and edit it. Proofreading is essential to ensure that your essay is free of grammar errors spelling mistakes and cohesive throughout. 

It is also important to check that all your points in the body paragraphs are relevant and that no unnecessary details are included in the essay.

You can also check the video below to get a better understanding of writing your essay conclusion.

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What is a Persuasive Essay Format?

One way to find the format for your persuasive essay is to look at other people's essays. Using the right format makes your essay easy to follow. A typical format usually follows a specific pattern. 

There are a set of rules to follow when writing a persuasive essay:

Line Spacing: The document should be double-spaced or 1.5, depending on your teacher’s requirements and the purpose of your work.

Font: Many people prefer fonts that are easy to read, like Times New Roman, Georgia, or Arial.

Word Count: Your ideal word count must be 500-2000, depending on the topic.

Text Alignment: The justified text gives the passage an organized appearance. 

Furthermore, don't rush to format your essay first. Format your essay after its draft is ready. Rather than worrying about which font or how much spacing to use, focus on the topic and the arguments

Persuasive Essay Examples

Need more guidance to craft your essay? Check the examples below!

Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Choosing a topic is undoubtedly a challenging task. Therefore, we have made a list of topics for you.

  • Cooking at home is better than buying cooked meals
  • It should be forbidden to use animals in circuses
  • Should We transition to organic Farming to Combat Climate Change?
  • Why the use of cell phones while driving be illegal?
  • Why reducing pesticide use is essential?
  • How is technology making us more alone?
  • How do day schools provide a better academic experience than boarding schools?
  • Why should animals be treated better?
  • Fewer pesticide use is better for the environment.
  • How Organic Certification Ensures That Foods Meet Certain Standards

Expert Tip

Need more topic ideas? Check out persuasive essay topics.

Tips to Write a Compelling Persuasive Essay

When you are writing an essay, there are several things you should keep in mind to make it more compelling.

Here are a few tips that can help guide your writing

  • Be logical in your reasoning.
  • Pick a topic you are passionate about and know you can write about properly.
  • To begin your essay, you can use a famous quote, a statistical fact, etc.
  • Make sure that you know everything about both sides of the argument. This way, you will be able to persuade the audience better.
  • Support your argument or position with strong facts, examples, and evidence
  • Stay objective and not get too emotionally invested.
  • Don't get off-topic or bogged down in too much detail
  • Know your audience properly when choosing the topic and writing your essay

To conclude, a persuasive essay is a powerful form of writing that can be used to influence readers. Writing a successful persuasive essay requires following the steps from brainstorming ideas to ending with a thought-provoking statement. 

We have mentioned all the steps that need to be taken to write an effective persuasive essay. Although if you feel uncomfortable writing your essay, you can always seek help from our professional essay-writing service. 

At EssayWritingService.college, we offer a persuasive essay writing service to students worldwide who need help with their essays.

You can choose a professionally vetted “persuasive essay writer” from our team and assign your paper to them.

Our "essay writing service" is safe, private, plagiarism free, and always on time. So if you are suffering from writer's block and your deadline is approaching, do not hesitate to hire one of our expert essay writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid In Persuasive Essays?

When writing a persuasive essay, there are several mistakes that you should avoid. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Using biased language or making generalized statements with little to no evidence
  • Disregarding the opinions and views of other people
  • Making unsubstantiated assumptions or claims
  • Including irrelevant examples or information.

Where Can I Get Help If I Have Trouble Writing My Persuasive Essay?

If you're struggling to write a persuasive essay, you can get help from EssayWritingService.college. We offer professional essay writing services to help you get the grade you need.

We have a team of experienced writers who are experts in crafting persuasive essays. We'll work with you to develop a topic relevant to your assignment and then craft an essay sure to persuade your reader. Contact us today to get started!

Cathy A.

WRITTEN BY

Cathy A., Literature, Marketing

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

Cathy has been been working as an author on our platform for over five years now. She has a Masters degree in mass communication and is well-versed in the art of writing. Cathy is a professional who takes her work seriously and is widely appreciated by clients for her excellent writing skills.

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