esl persuasive essay

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay

Last Updated: December 17, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 4,284,240 times.

A persuasive essay is an essay used to convince a reader about a particular idea or focus, usually one that you believe in. Your persuasive essay could be based on anything about which you have an opinion or that you can make a clear argument about. Whether you're arguing against junk food at school or petitioning for a raise from your boss, knowing how to write a persuasive essay is an important skill that everyone should have.

Sample Persuasive Essays

How to Lay the Groundwork

• Look for language that gives you a clue as to whether you are writing a purely persuasive or an argumentative essay. For example, if the prompt uses words like “personal experience” or “personal observations,” you know that these things can be used to support your argument.
• On the other hand, words like “defend” or “argue” suggest that you should be writing an argumentative essay, which may require more formal, less personal evidence.
• If you aren’t sure about what you’re supposed to write, ask your instructor.

• Whenever possible, start early. This way, even if you have emergencies like a computer meltdown, you’ve given yourself enough time to complete your essay.

• Try using stasis theory to help you examine the rhetorical situation. This is when you look at the facts, definition (meaning of the issue or the nature of it), quality (the level of seriousness of the issue), and policy (plan of action for the issue).
• To look at the facts, try asking: What happened? What are the known facts? How did this issue begin? What can people do to change the situation?
• To look at the definition, ask: What is the nature of this issue or problem? What type of problem is this? What category or class would this problem fit into best?
• To examine the quality, ask: Who is affected by this problem? How serious is it? What might happen if it is not resolved?
• To examine the policy, ask: Should someone take action? Who should do something and what should they do?

• For example, if you are arguing against unhealthy school lunches, you might take very different approaches depending on whom you want to convince. You might target the school administrators, in which case you could make a case about student productivity and healthy food. If you targeted students’ parents, you might make a case about their children’s health and the potential costs of healthcare to treat conditions caused by unhealthy food. And if you were to consider a “grassroots” movement among your fellow students, you’d probably make appeals based on personal preferences.

• It also should present the organization of your essay. Don’t list your points in one order and then discuss them in a different order.
• For example, a thesis statement could look like this: “Although pre-prepared and highly processed foods are cheap, they aren’t good for students. It is important for schools to provide fresh, healthy meals to students, even when they cost more. Healthy school lunches can make a huge difference in students’ lives, and not offering healthy lunches fails students.”
• Note that this thesis statement isn’t a three-prong thesis. You don’t have to state every sub-point you will make in your thesis (unless your prompt or assignment says to). You do need to convey exactly what you will argue.

• A mind map could be helpful. Start with your central topic and draw a box around it. Then, arrange other ideas you think of in smaller bubbles around it. Connect the bubbles to reveal patterns and identify how ideas relate. [5] X Research source
• Don’t worry about having fully fleshed-out ideas at this stage. Generating ideas is the most important step here.

• For example, if you’re arguing for healthier school lunches, you could make a point that fresh, natural food tastes better. This is a personal opinion and doesn’t need research to support it. However, if you wanted to argue that fresh food has more vitamins and nutrients than processed food, you’d need a reliable source to support that claim.
• If you have a librarian available, consult with him or her! Librarians are an excellent resource to help guide you to credible research.

How to Draft Your Essay

• An introduction. You should present a “hook” here that grabs your audience’s attention. You should also provide your thesis statement, which is a clear statement of what you will argue or attempt to convince the reader of.
• Body paragraphs. In 5-paragraph essays, you’ll have 3 body paragraphs. In other essays, you can have as many paragraphs as you need to make your argument. Regardless of their number, each body paragraph needs to focus on one main idea and provide evidence to support it. These paragraphs are also where you refute any counterpoints that you’ve discovered.
• Conclusion. Your conclusion is where you tie it all together. It can include an appeal to emotions, reiterate the most compelling evidence, or expand the relevance of your initial idea to a broader context. Because your purpose is to persuade your readers to do/think something, end with a call to action. Connect your focused topic to the broader world.

• For example, you could start an essay on the necessity of pursuing alternative energy sources like this: “Imagine a world without polar bears.” This is a vivid statement that draws on something that many readers are familiar with and enjoy (polar bears). It also encourages the reader to continue reading to learn why they should imagine this world.
• You may find that you don’t immediately have a hook. Don’t get stuck on this step! You can always press on and come back to it after you’ve drafted your essay.

• Put your hook first. Then, proceed to move from general ideas to specific ideas until you have built up to your thesis statement.
• Don't slack on your thesis statement . Your thesis statement is a short summary of what you're arguing for. It's usually one sentence, and it's near the end of your introductory paragraph. Make your thesis a combination of your most persuasive arguments, or a single powerful argument, for the best effect.

• Start with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point of your paragraph.
• Make your evidence clear and precise. For example, don't just say: "Dolphins are very smart animals. They are widely recognized as being incredibly smart." Instead, say: "Dolphins are very smart animals. Multiple studies found that dolphins worked in tandem with humans to catch prey. Very few, if any, species have developed mutually symbiotic relationships with humans."
• "The South, which accounts for 80% of all executions in the United States, still has the country's highest murder rate. This makes a case against the death penalty working as a deterrent."
• "Additionally, states without the death penalty have fewer murders. If the death penalty were indeed a deterrent, why wouldn't we see an increase in murders in states without the death penalty?"
• Consider how your body paragraphs flow together. You want to make sure that your argument feels like it's building, one point upon another, rather than feeling scattered.

• End of the first paragraph: "If the death penalty consistently fails to deter crime, and crime is at an all-time high, what happens when someone is wrongfully convicted?"
• Beginning of the second paragraph: "Over 100 wrongfully convicted death row inmates have been acquitted of their crimes, some just minutes before their would-be death."

• Example: "Critics of a policy allowing students to bring snacks into the classroom say that it would create too much distraction, reducing students’ ability to learn. However, consider the fact that middle schoolers are growing at an incredible rate. Their bodies need energy, and their minds may become fatigued if they go for long periods without eating. Allowing snacks in the classroom will actually increase students’ ability to focus by taking away the distraction of hunger.”
• You may even find it effective to begin your paragraph with the counterargument, then follow by refuting it and offering your own argument.

• How could this argument be applied to a broader context?
• Why does this argument or opinion mean something to me?
• What further questions has my argument raised?
• What action could readers take after reading my essay?

How to Write Persuasively

• Persuasive essays, like argumentative essays, use rhetorical devices to persuade their readers. In persuasive essays, you generally have more freedom to make appeals to emotion (pathos), in addition to logic and data (logos) and credibility (ethos). [13] X Trustworthy Source Read Write Think Online collection of reading and writing resources for teachers and students. Go to source
• You should use multiple types of evidence carefully when writing a persuasive essay. Logical appeals such as presenting data, facts, and other types of “hard” evidence are often very convincing to readers.
• Persuasive essays generally have very clear thesis statements that make your opinion or chosen “side” known upfront. This helps your reader know exactly what you are arguing. [14] X Research source
• Bad: The United States was not an educated nation, since education was considered the right of the wealthy, and so in the early 1800s Horace Mann decided to try and rectify the situation.

• For example, you could tell an anecdote about a family torn apart by the current situation in Syria to incorporate pathos, make use of logic to argue for allowing Syrian refugees as your logos, and then provide reputable sources to back up your quotes for ethos.
• Example: Time and time again, the statistics don't lie -- we need to open our doors to help refugees.
• Example: "Let us not forget the words etched on our grandest national monument, the Statue of Liberty, which asks that we "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” There is no reason why Syrians are not included in this.
• Example: "Over 100 million refugees have been displaced. President Assad has not only stolen power, he's gassed and bombed his own citizens. He has defied the Geneva Conventions, long held as a standard of decency and basic human rights, and his people have no choice but to flee."

• Good: "Time and time again, science has shown that arctic drilling is dangerous. It is not worth the risks environmentally or economically."
• Good: "Without pushing ourselves to energy independence, in the arctic and elsewhere, we open ourselves up to the dangerous dependency that spiked gas prices in the 80's."
• Bad: "Arctic drilling may not be perfect, but it will probably help us stop using foreign oil at some point. This, I imagine, will be a good thing."

• Good: Does anyone think that ruining someone’s semester, or, at least, the chance to go abroad, should be the result of a victimless crime? Is it fair that we actively promote drinking as a legitimate alternative through Campus Socials and a lack of consequences? How long can we use the excuse that “just because it’s safer than alcohol doesn’t mean we should make it legal,” disregarding the fact that the worst effects of the drug are not physical or chemical, but institutional?
• Good: We all want less crime, stronger families, and fewer dangerous confrontations over drugs. We need to ask ourselves, however, if we're willing to challenge the status quo to get those results.
• Bad: This policy makes us look stupid. It is not based in fact, and the people that believe it are delusional at best, and villains at worst.

• Good: While people do have accidents with guns in their homes, it is not the government’s responsibility to police people from themselves. If they're going to hurt themselves, that is their right.
• Bad: The only obvious solution is to ban guns. There is no other argument that matters.

How to Polish Your Essay

• Does the essay state its position clearly?
• Is this position supported throughout with evidence and examples?
• Are paragraphs bogged down by extraneous information? Do paragraphs focus on one main idea?
• Are any counterarguments presented fairly, without misrepresentation? Are they convincingly dismissed?
• Are the paragraphs in an order that flows logically and builds an argument step-by-step?
• Does the conclusion convey the importance of the position and urge the reader to do/think something?

• You may find it helpful to ask a trusted friend or classmate to look at your essay. If s/he has trouble understanding your argument or finds things unclear, focus your revision on those spots.

• You may find it helpful to print out your draft and mark it up with a pen or pencil. When you write on the computer, your eyes may become so used to reading what you think you’ve written that they skip over errors. Working with a physical copy forces you to pay attention in a new way.
• Make sure to also format your essay correctly. For example, many instructors stipulate the margin width and font type you should use.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-a-persuasive-essay/
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/academics/centers/writing/writing-resources/persuasive-essays
• ↑ https://www.hamilton.edu/writing/writing-resources/persuasive-essays
• ↑ https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/sites/default/files/docs/learningguide-mindmapping.pdf
• ↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/transitions/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/argument_papers/rebuttal_sections.html
• ↑ http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson56/strategy-definition.pdf
• ↑ https://stlcc.edu/student-support/academic-success-and-tutoring/writing-center/writing-resources/pathos-logos-and-ethos.aspx
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/proofreading/proofreading_suggestions.html

About This Article

To write a persuasive essay, start with an attention-grabbing introduction that introduces your thesis statement or main argument. Then, break the body of your essay up into multiple paragraphs and focus on one main idea in each paragraph. Make sure you present evidence in each paragraph that supports the main idea so your essay is more persuasive. Finally, conclude your essay by restating the most compelling, important evidence so you can make your case one last time. To learn how to make your writing more persuasive, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Persuasive Essay: Definition, Examples, Topics & Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay

Writing a persuasive essay might seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. In this article, we are going to be looking at how to write a great persuasive essay as well as taking a look at some ideas for topics. We will also take a look at a couple of examples as a way to get your creative juices flowing.

How To Write A Persuasive Essay

What is a persuasive essay.

Before we begin looking at how to write this type of essay, it is important that we understand what a persuasive essay is. Below is a short description of the persuasive essay.

A persuasive essay is one which is used to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint or opinion on a specific topic.

Tips For Writing A Persuasive Essay

Now that we are familiar with the type of essay we will be writing, let’s take a look at some great ideas for how to create the best piece of writing possible.

• The most important point when it comes to writing a good persuasive essay is to choose your stance. For example, if you are writing about the topic of ‘should the death penalty be legal in every country?’ You are going to want to choose your point of view carefully and be sure that you can deliver a convincing take on this. In most cases, it is a good idea to write on a topic that you are passionate about because this will show in your writing. The main point here is to bring your reader around to your way of thinking and without a good position, this will not be achieved.
• Before you begin writing, you should put in a good amount of research time in order to find statistics and data that can back up your argument. In the example of the death penalty, you might find facts about lower crime rates in countries which use this method. By having solid facts in your essay, the reader will be more easily brought around to your way of thinking.
• You should also consider the audience that you are writing for and how they are likely to respond to the essay. Consider whether the reader will be currently opposed to your argument or whether they just need some gentle swaying, this will help you to write more persuasive points.

Outlining The Persuasive Essay

Before you actually put pen to paper, it is vital that you create an essay outline , and this is very important when writing a persuasive essay. You need to be sure that you have included all the relevant points and that the essay is structured and ordered in the correct fashion. Let’s take a look at what you should include in your persuasive essay outline.

Introduction

• Use a hook to grab the attention of the reader. This could be a joke, some interesting data or a personal experience.
• Detail the subject which will be discussed.
• Present your thesis statement to provide the reader with your take on the subject.

Body 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc Paragraphs

• The body of the essay is traditionally made up of three paragraphs but you are free to write more or less depending on the information you wish to present.
• Each paragraph should contain one point of your argument, ordered in level of importance, starting with the most important.
• You should include data as a way of backing up any claims you back and also as a way of further convincing the reader of your argument.

Opposing Paragraph

• Use this paragraph to air the point of view of the opposition.
• You can provide data and statistics here too.
• You should then give reasons as to why this argument is not correct and refute any claims that have been made, with reasons.
• Summarise all the points that have been made throughout the piece of writing.
• Restate the thesis statement

Topics For A Persuasive Essay

When it comes to choosing a topic for your persuasive essay, the options are truly limitless. We are now going to take a look at some examples of topics you might wish to write on.

• Females should always train female athletes.
• Is chess a game or a sport?
• The music of today is not composed as well as music 50 years ago.
• Sad music encourages teenagers to suffer mental health problems.
• Hunting is wrong/right.
• Animal testing is right/wrong.
• A dog should always be put down if it bites a human.
• Physical education is not necessary for school children.
• Modern kids are too reliant on technology.
• Human beings are the greatest contributors to global warming .
• The weekend should be made longer.
• Parents should only be allowed a limited number of children.

Examples Of Persuasive Essays

We are now going to take a look at two examples of persuasive essays which have been well written and are easily able to convince the audience of the argument that is being discussed. You can use these as inspiration when it comes to writing your own persuasive essay.

Our Unhealthy Obsession With Sickness Written By Frank Furedi

The government today will do two things to which I object. First of all, they will encourage introspection, they will tell you that unless man examines his testicles, or keeps a check on his cholesterol levels then he is not a responsible citizen. He is letting himself down, his wife, his children, everyone. We’re encouraged to worry about health and as a consequence of this public health initiative’s are becoming a threat to the health of the public, or so it seems.

Second of all, the government promotes a value of seeking health. With us always expected to be seeking health for a variety of conditions. The main effect this brings, I believe, is that it makes us feel more ill than we actually are.

The Real Skinny Written By Belinda Luscomb

What do we say as people? Should we rise up and state ‘I absolutely refuse to purchase any item of clothing until I know that the one promoting it weights more than she was when she was a nipper?’ At the very least, should we say ‘Where should I send the money for some chicken nuggets?’ Well, maybe not this much. For the most part, our response will range from ‘I’m wondering whether that will look good on me.’ to ‘I’m not sure who the skinny cow is, but I already detest her.’

There are many important points to consider when writing a persuasive essay but the tips we have included here will guide you along your way. In essence, your persuasive essay should be able to convince the reader of your point of view and back this up with real data and facts.

Persuasive Essay Infographic

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100 Persuasive Essay Topics

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Persuasive essays are a bit like argument essays , but they tend to be a little kinder and gentler. Argument essays require you to discuss and attack an alternate view, while persuasive essays attempt to convince the reader that you have a believable argument. In other words, you are an advocate, not an adversary.

Writing a compelling persuasive essay requires you to select a topic that ideally stirs your readers' emotions. Before settling on a subject, explore some options to find one that helps craft the strongest and most engaging argument.

Below is a list of potential persuasive essay topics to spark your brainstorming process. You can choose a topic from this list or use it as inspiration to develop an idea of your own.

Main Components of a Persuasive Essay

• Introduction : This is the opening paragraph of your essay. It contains the hook , which is used to grab the reader's attention, and the thesis , or argument, which you'll explain in the next section.
• Body : This is the heart of your essay, usually three to five paragraphs in length. Each paragraph examines one theme or issue used to support your thesis.
• Conclusion : This is the final paragraph of your essay. In it, you'll sum up the main points of the body and connect them to your thesis. Persuasive essays often use the conclusion as a final appeal to the audience.

Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You'll surely find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty.

Watch Now: 12 Ideas for Great Persuasive Essay Topics

Beginner topics.

• Kids should get paid for good grades.
• Students should have less homework.
• Snow days are great for family time.
• Penmanship is important.
• Short hair is better than long hair.
• We should all grow our own vegetables.
• We need more holidays.
• Aliens probably exist.
• Gym class is more important than music class.
• Kids should be able to vote.
• Kids should get paid for extra activities like sports.
• School should take place in the evenings.
• Country life is better than city life.
• City life is better than country life.
• We can change the world.
• Skateboard helmets should be mandatory.
• We should provide food for the poor.
• Children should be paid for doing chores.
• We should populate the moon .
• Dogs make better pets than cats.

Intermediate Topics

• The government should impose household trash limits.
• Nuclear weapons are an effective deterrent against foreign attack.
• Teens should be required to take parenting classes.
• We should teach etiquette in schools.
• School uniform laws are unconstitutional.
• All students should wear uniforms.
• Too much money is a bad thing.
• High schools should offer specialized degrees in arts or sciences.
• Magazine advertisements send unhealthy signals to young women.
• Robocalling should be outlawed.
• Age 12 is too young to babysit.
• Children should be required to read more.
• All students should be allowed to study abroad.
• Yearly driving tests should be mandatory past age 65.
• Cell phones should never be used while driving.
• All schools should implement bullying awareness programs.
• Bullies should be kicked out of school.
• Parents of bullies should have to pay a fine.
• The school year should be longer.
• School days should start later.
• Teens should be able to choose their bedtime.
• There should be a mandatory entrance exam for high school.
• Public transit should be privatized.
• We should allow pets in school.
• The voting age should be lowered to 16.
• Beauty contests are bad for body image.
• Every American should learn to speak Spanish.
• Every immigrant should learn to speak English.
• Video games can be educational.
• College athletes should be paid for their services.
• We need a military draft .
• Professional sports should eliminate cheerleaders.
• Teens should be able to start driving at 14 instead of 16.
• Year-round school is a bad idea.
• High school campuses should be guarded by police officers.
• The legal drinking age should be lowered to 19.
• Kids under 15 shouldn't have Facebook pages.
• Standardized testing should be eliminated.
• Teachers should be paid more.
• There should be one world currency.

Advanced Topics

• Domestic surveillance without a warrant should be legal.
• Letter grades should be replaced with a pass or fail.
• Every family should have a natural disaster survival plan.
• Parents should talk to kids about drugs at a young age.
• Racial slurs should be illegal.
• Gun ownership should be tightly regulated.
• Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
• People should go to jail when they abandon their pets.
• Free speech should have limitations.
• Members of Congress should be subject to term limits.
• Recycling should be mandatory for everyone.
• High-speed internet access should be regulated like a public utility.
• Yearly driving tests should be mandatory for the first five years after getting a license.
• Recreational marijuana should be made legal nationwide.
• Legal marijuana should be taxed and regulated like tobacco or alcohol.
• Child support dodgers should go to jail.
• Students should be allowed to pray in school.
• All Americans have a constitutional right to health care.
• Internet access should be free for everyone.
• Social Security should be privatized.
• Pregnant couples should receive parenting lessons.
• We shouldn't use products made from animals.
• Celebrities should have more privacy rights.
• Professional football is too violent and should be banned.
• We need better sex education in schools.
• School testing is not effective.
• The United States should build a border wall with Mexico and Canada.
• Life is better than it was 50 years ago.
• Eating meat is unethical.
• A vegan diet is the only diet people should follow.
• Medical testing on animals should be illegal.
• The Electoral College is outdated.
• Medical testing on animals is necessary.
• Public safety is more important than an individual's right to privacy.
• Single-sex colleges provide a better education.
• Books should never be banned.
• Violent video games can cause people to act violently in real life.
• Freedom of religion has limitations.
• Nuclear power should be illegal.
• Climate change should be the president's primary political concern.

Key Takeaways

• Persuasive essays aim to convince rather than confront, effectively making you advocate for a position or idea.
• Choosing a compelling topic that evokes emotions is crucial for crafting a strong persuasive essay.
• The main parts of a persuasive essay are the introduction (with a hook and thesis), body paragraphs (explaining themes supporting the thesis), and conclusion (summarizing main points and making a final appeal).

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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

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers!

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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• Persuasive Essay Outline - Detailed Guide with Examples

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

Learn from the experts.

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

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.” ADVERTISEMENT

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

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

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

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

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) ..

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How to Write a Persuasive Essay

In their academic career, every student gets an assignment to write a persuasive essay that argues against a certain topic. You’ll learn the craft of persuasive writing in the majority of your composition lessons. That’s advantageous. But knowing your position and being able to defend it are two skills that will be useful to you both inside and outside of the classroom. In general, it is believed that in order to successfully persuade audiences to change their minds or take action, one must first appeal to their emotions and feelings. Persuasion is the art of employing an argument to do so. So, if you have been assigned to write a persuasive essay, read the following guide on how to write a persuasive essay.

What is a persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay is a type of essay that presents the writer’s point of view against or for a certain topic that is supported by facts and figures.

In a persuasive essay, both logic and emotional appeal are combined to persuade readers to accept a particular point of view. Writing persuasive essays may be both an academic and a personal endeavor. They often start with a query, which the author then uses in the body of the essay to argue for or against.

A writer of a persuasive essay will present a strong argument supported by facts, research, and personal experience. To refute them, the author frequently examines competing viewpoints and counterarguments.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay

A good persuasive essay has three elements called modes of persuasion. These concepts combine to create a strong and persuasive argument that seeks to persuade others of your point of view. These three elements of a persuasive essay are:

Ethos: It is a component of argument and persuasion that a speaker uses to establish their authority, knowledge, and moral character. Readers are more likely to believe someone they know to be knowledgeable, experienced, or respected in their neighborhood. Your point of view automatically becomes more persuasive if you incorporate ethos, or ethics, into your writing.

Pathos: It is an emotional appeal used to arouse feelings in your audience. As a storyteller, you can build a connection with your audience by evoking specific emotions in them. This adds an additional layer of intrigue for your readers, which increases the persuasiveness and stickiness of your writing.

Logos: A logos is an appeal to the reason and logic of the audience. A strong persuasive essay has reasons why the reader should accept the writer’s position.

Step 1: Pick a Topic

If you firmly believe in something, you can be more persuasive. In case you are not assigned a topic, pick a topic that you find interesting. Although you will have to do thorough research, picking a topic that you find interesting will make defending your argument easier.

Step 2: Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience will help you persuade them to believe and agree with you easily. For instance, your target audience will probably be parents if you write an argumentative letter arguing that standardized testing should be dropped from educational systems. So, Keep it in mind when you write to your intended audience.

Here are some questions that you should ask yourself to determine who your audience are.

• Who do you want to persuade?
• What are their concerns?
• What are their opinions on the topic?
• Are they open to a new point of view?
• What are the arguments that they can find compelling?

Step 3: Research Thoroughly on Both Sides

Every argument has a response; this is a fundamental principle of rhetoric (It is the art of effective persuasive speaking or writing). So, you must be aware of the opposing viewpoint if you want to persuade your reader to support your position.

As crucial as it is to thoroughly research your subject, understanding both sides of the debate will enable you to create the best supporting arguments. As you conduct your study, learn everything you can about the subject at hand.

Besides, consider utilizing the tools provided by your institution, such as the library, scholarly journals, and reference books. You’ll be able to easily refute the objections and answer any follow-up queries that might raise doubts about your arguments if you have a thorough understanding of your subject.

Step 4: Draft Your Thesis

Your thesis statement should explain to your readers exactly what your position entails. It is one of the most crucial components of your persuasive essay. You won’t be able to make a convincing argument if your thesis is weak.

The “what” and “how” of your argument should be included in the structure of your thesis statement. What is the argument you are attempting to persuade your audience to accept?

And how can I persuade my audience that my argument is valid? While the “how” may become more obvious as your essay develops, your thesis statement should communicate your stance while establishing the format of your essay. In addition, here are some of the most important qualities of a good thesis.

• Easy to understand
• Well-researched
• Attentive on a scope
• Open for debates

Step 5: Create a Working Outline

You’ll have a clearer understanding of your thesis and how it progresses if you outline your paper. So, to create an outline, consider your argument’s advantages and disadvantages critically. Also, figure out, where would it be most beneficial to offer your strongest supporting evidence.

It’s usually not a good idea to save the greatest for last in a persuasive essay. Instead, start out organized by using your outline, then support each point with facts, analysis, and counterarguments. List all of your main points together with the research to back them up.

After all, making a functioning framework will enable you to organize your argument in a clear and succinct manner, simplifying the writing process.

Besides, you must be aware of both your side and your opponent’s position in a persuasive essay. Concession is the acknowledgment of opposing viewpoints. By first identifying your opponent’s points of agreement, you can more gracefully win your argument.

In addition, find out what type of proof, what statistics, or what information they might use to support their claims. Then, counter them with even more compelling reasons. Before confounding them, you might even state the true counterarguments.

With that being said, you should also consider your opponent’s point of view while creating an outline to ease out everything.

Step 6: Write Your Persuasive Essay

Now that you have picked a topic, researched it, anticipated counterarguments, drafted your thesis, and created an outline, you are good to start writing your persuasive essay. This is probably the longest step of learning how to write a persuasive essay.

A. Write the Introduction

To write a strong persuasive essay, it is crucial to consider how to produce an excellent persuasive essay introduction. We suggest that you begin your introduction with a hook to attract the reader’s interest. You can add a quote, share an interesting fact or statistic, or create an interesting scenario.

The first line that can persuade your audience is your hook. And your job is done as long as it engages the reader. For instance, you can start your persuasive essay on why attending college is essential with something like, “There are people who have never attended college and are doing better than those with a degree.”

This straightforward assertion says absolutely nothing unique. However, it encourages your reader to keep on reading to find out why people with no degree tend to do better.

If you can not think of a good hook to start your essay with, skip writing a hook and proceed to the next step. Because you can come back later after you have strengthened your argument.

The next part of your introduction paragraph is your thesis. A thesis is generally a single sentence and you should:

• introduce your topic;
• give your point of view or argument;
• let your reader know how you are;
• and add a transition to connect to the body of your essay.

So, every “body” paragraph’s final sentence should serve as a seamless transition to the following paragraph. A smooth transition from the last sentence of one paragraph to the start sentence of the next should always be present. For instance, the beginning of the sentence reads, “School uniforms provide students an environment that is free from bullying,” and the end of the sentence says, “Wearing a school uniform would blend all pupils together eliminating any class inequality.”

B. Write the Body Paragraphs

Each paragraph in the body should be laser-focused on a single piece of evidence. Also, remember to cite sources and provide evidence for each of your assertions. Apply the rule of thumb: if you make a claim that isn’t usual for the topic, back it up. And make sure your proof supports your ideas for both you and your audience. A good example would be:

“ People are safer as a result of the prison’s contribution to keeping drug traffickers and criminals out of the cities. “

‘Moreover, it is usually a good idea to challenge your audience in a persuasive essay just like in a research paper, dissertation, or speech. The writer of the document shouldn’t be confrontational, according to the fundamentals of persuasive essay writing. However, you must compel your audience to reconsider their viewpoints.

Here is a good example:

“ Everyone likes healthier families, lesser crimes, and safer streets. To achieve the desired results, we must first ask ourselves if we are willing to step outside of our comfort zone. “

but avoid using statements such as the following:

“The policy is a tremendous failure and anyone who thinks it is not. They are insane and totally foolish.”

Lastly, write at least 3 “body” paragraphs to support your arguments and offer supporting details. Also, verify the paragraphs’ logical flow. Your persuasive essay’s ideas should be delivered naturally, one after another, rather than being dispersed across the text.

C. Write the Conclusion

By now we assume you have learned how to write a persuasive essay. Specifically, you may have learned how to write a persuasive essay introduction and what to keep in mind when writing your body paragraphs. So, let’s go on to the last section which is how to conclude a persuasive essay.

The basic recommendations for concluding a persuasive essay are to restate your thesis or list your key arguments (in this case, you have multiple key arguments).

Then, to add some flavor, place your main point in the larger context. Let the reader wonder what comes next after reading your final sentence. Because they will want to know what they need to do next and how they can make use of their view.

Step 7: Polish Up Your Persuasive Essay

Now that you’ve finished writing your persuasive essay, it’s time for a strong revision. You must make sure your essay’s organization is perfectly proper for your target audience, the setting of the work, and the objective when you modify it.

Remember that if your project resonates with the targeted audience, fulfills the objective indicated, and clarifies the intended context to your readers, your essay’s message will be both more contentious and effective.

In addition to that, check your essay to make sure that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes.

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Amanda Green was born in a small town in the west of Scotland, where everyone knows everyone. I joined the Toastmasters 15 years ago, and I served in nearly every office in the club since then. I love helping others gain confidence and skills they can apply in every day life.

Writing a good persuasive essay can help convince others of a point that means a lot to you. It can be anything from an environmental crisis to something as simple as the importance of ebooks to the modern reader. But how do you write a persuasive essay? Where do you even start? Right here! I’ll explain everything you need to know and even show you an example of a persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

Persuasive essays are meant to convince someone or a group of people to agree with you on a certain topic or point of view. As the writer, you’ll use definitive evidence, simple reasoning, and even examples to support your argument and persuade them to understand the point of the essay.

Why Write a Persuasive Essay?

Believe it or not, you’ll have to form convincing arguments throughout real life. This could be in the form of college essays or academic essays, speeches for debate club that requires a valid argument, or even presenting an idea for change to your town council.

Argumentative vs. Persuasive Essay

An argumentative essay presents an argument on a specific topic and tries to persuade people to accept that argument as valid. It uses evidence, logic, and sometimes counterarguments to support the main point.

A persuasive essay is similar but presents an argument and focuses more on appealing to the reader’s emotions and values to convince them of your point of view. Think of it as convincing vs. persuading. And, yes, persuasive essays can also use evidence, but they often rely more on personal anecdotes and moral appeals to plead their case.

Let me give you an example. I’m a content writer, but I’m also a published author. If I were going to write an argumentative essay, I’d probably choose a topic like “Do you think authors should self-edit their work?”

But if I were doing a persuasive essay with a similar angle, the topic would look more like “The benefits of self-editing for authors.” Make sense?

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Basically, the main difference between argumentative and persuasive essays is all in the emphasis placed on logic and emotion.

How Many Paragraphs in a Persuasive Essay?

A decent persuasive essay should be around five or six paragraphs with double line spacing, depending on the topic, and can range from 500-2000 words in length. This includes your introduction and conclusion.

Introduction of a Persuasive Essay Example

Our world is facing a crisis, and that crisis is plastic pollution! Every day, a disgusting amount of plastic waste is just dumped into our oceans, killing and harming innocent marine life and ultimately affecting the entire food chain, including us.

Even though there is a clear and present danger that plastic presents, there are still a lot of people and corporations that continue to use single-use plastics with zero regards for their impact on our environment. It’s time for people to really look around and take some responsibility.

We can make a change by learning and using environmentally friendly alternatives in our everyday lives. So, in this essay, I’ll argue that using reusable bags, water bottles, and containers is not only necessary for the health of our precious planet but also a simple and effective way to make a real difference.

A Persuasive Essay Structure

As persuasive essay writers, you can write it however you like, but to follow a traditional persuasive essay structure, use this basic layout to get an effective paper:

• An Introduction: You need a good hook to grab the reader’s attention, a thesis statement presenting the main argument, and a roadmap of the essay, so they know what to expect.
• The Body Paragraphs: 2-3 paragraphs should suffice to provide strong evidence, examples, and any reasoning to support the thesis statement. Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea. 
• The Counterargument: This section acknowledges and refutes the opposing viewpoint, strengthening your argument but still without being as forward as an argumentative essay.
• A Conclusion or Closing Statement: Here is where you would summarize the main points of the essay and a restatement of the thesis, including a call to action for the reader and/or a final thought.

In the end, a persuasive essay usually consists of 5-6 paragraphs and needs to be clear, concise, and logically structured to really persuade the reader on the point.

Tips for Persuasive Writing

• Choose a strong, clear thesis statement that presents your argument well.
• Know your audience and tailor your language and arguments to them. You’ll need a different approach if you’re speaking to a group of teenagers versus a team of adults.
• Use credible and reliable sources to support your argument so no one can second guess your point.
• Expect that people will have counterarguments and prepare a few talking points to address them.
• Use strong pieces of evidence and back them up with facts, statistics, examples, and personal anecdotes. Putting a personal touch on it helps ground the essay and lets people know you’re serious about the topic.
• Use an emotional appeal to engage the reader and make a personal connection to your argument. Basically, tug at their heartstrings and play into their guilt.
• Use clear and concise wordage. Try and avoid confusing technical jargon that might confuse people, and maintain a consistent tone throughout the essay.
• Make sure you’re confident and use an assertive tone but avoid being overly aggressive or confrontational. That will just spark a fight.
• Finish up with a powerful call to action or a final thought that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or listener.
• Use the same font throughout your essay, even for headings and titles. Go with easy-to-read fonts like Calibri, Times New Roman, or Garamond.
• Proofread and edit your essay for clarity, grammar, and style. I cannot stress this one enough. If you’re not confident, use programs like Grammarly to help spot typos and inconsistencies.

Persuasive Essay Topic Ideas

If you’re stuck on some ideas of what to form your essay around, here’s a list of some popular topics to inspire you.

• Importance of recycling and reducing waste in today’s climate.
• The need for stricter gun control laws all over the world.
• A paper on abortion rights in today’s age.
• Benefits of alternative energy sources over fossil fuels and how we can be using them.
• How social media has negative impacts on mental health in kids.
• Key benefits of a vegetarian or vegan diet and how it can help the planet.
• The value of a college education.
• Rise of plastic pollution on the environment and sea life and how it is affecting us.
• Why physical exercise and leading an active lifestyle are important.
• The dangers of texting while driving.
• How our public schools need better funding.
• Benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace both online and in-person.

Any of these could be used as logical arguments. Still, to make a persuasive argument from either of them, just follow the basic persuasive essay outline examples I’ve given you.

Example of a Persuasive Essay

Introduction.

In today’s age of ever-changing technology, the way we consume and experience books have changed dramatically in just a short time. While physical books were once the only option, ebooks have grown increasingly popular in recent years. In my essay, I’ll argue that, while we all still love paperbacks and hardcovers, ebooks offer so many benefits over physical books, making them the number one choice for most readers today.

Body Paragraph 1: Convenience

Ebooks are convenient; there’s just no denying it. They’re easily accessible through devices like smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, and they allow readers to carry hundreds of books with them at all times. This makes them perfect for traveling or heading to work, or even going to the gym. Readers can now have an entire library with them without the added weight of physical books. Plus, ebooks are easily bought online with just the click of a button, further adding to their convenience.

Body Paragraph 2: Customization

Ebooks offer a level of customization that physical books just can’t match. For one, the font size can be adjusted for easier reading, which is great for those who have eyesight problems. The background color can also be changed from light to dark to reduce eye strain. Personally, as someone who suffers from Meniere’s disease, this is a great feature. All of these options make ebooks a great choice for people with visual impairments, neurological disorders, or reading difficulties.

Body Paragraph 3: Affordability

Ebooks are often far cheaper than physical books, especially when purchased in bulk. You can get an entire series for a fraction of the cost of one paperback. This makes them a more accessible option for budget-conscious readers and people who simply don’t have the disposable funds for books. Also, tons of ebooks are available for free, which is a great option for readers that are looking for ways to save money but keep up with their reading habits.

Body Paragraph 4: Environmentally Friendly

626,000 tons of paper is used to produce all the books we see published every year. That’s a scary number when you consider the rate of deforestation and the state of our world in terms of global warming. We simply can’t afford to move ahead at a rate like that. Ebooks help tackle the issue because they require zero trees to produce.

In conclusion, ebooks offer endless benefits over physical books, including convenience, customization, and affordability. While physical books will always hold a special place in our hearts, you have to admit that the benefits of ebooks just can’t be ignored. For modern, busy, on-the-go readers, ebooks are the preferred choice. It’s time to embrace the digital age and make the switch to ebooks.

Now Write Your Persuasive Essay!

I hope this guide has helped you figure out persuasive essay writing and how to put together powerful arguments. Just stick to the facts and ease the reader into your point with gentle arguments that continue to prove your point. Don’t be afraid to get personal if it can help the essay and convince the reader.

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113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment

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Do you need to write a persuasive essay but aren’t sure what topic to focus on? Were you thrilled when your teacher said you could write about whatever you wanted but are now overwhelmed by the possibilities? We’re here to help!

Read on for a list of 113 top-notch persuasive essay topics, organized into ten categories. To help get you started, we also discuss what a persuasive essay is, how to choose a great topic, and what tips to keep in mind as you write your persuasive essay.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

In a persuasive essay, you attempt to convince readers to agree with your point of view on an argument. For example, an essay analyzing changes in Italian art during the Renaissance wouldn’t be a persuasive essay, because there’s no argument, but an essay where you argue that Italian art reached its peak during the Renaissance would be a persuasive essay because you’re trying to get your audience to agree with your viewpoint.

Persuasive and argumentative essays both try to convince readers to agree with the author, but the two essay types have key differences. Argumentative essays show a more balanced view of the issue and discuss both sides. Persuasive essays focus more heavily on the side the author agrees with. They also often include more of the author’s opinion than argumentative essays, which tend to use only facts and data to support their argument.

All persuasive essays have the following:

• Introduction: Introduces the topic, explains why it’s important, and ends with the thesis.
• Thesis: A sentence that sums up what the essay be discussing and what your stance on the issue is.
• Reasons you believe your side of the argument: Why do you support the side you do? Typically each main point will have its own body paragraph.
• Evidence supporting your argument: Facts or examples to back up your main points. Even though your opinion is allowed in persuasive essays more than most other essays, having concrete examples will make a stronger argument than relying on your opinion alone.
• Conclusion: Restatement of thesis, summary of main points, and a recap of why the issue is important.

What Makes a Good Persuasive Essay Topic?

Theoretically, you could write a persuasive essay about any subject under the sun, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Certain topics are easier to write a strong persuasive essay on, and below are tips to follow when deciding what you should write about.

It’s a Topic You Care About

Obviously, it’s possible to write an essay about a topic you find completely boring. You’ve probably done it! However, if possible, it’s always better to choose a topic that you care about and are interested in. When this is the case, you’ll find doing the research more enjoyable, writing the essay easier, and your writing will likely be better because you’ll be more passionate about and informed on the topic.

You Have Enough Evidence to Support Your Argument

Just being passionate about a subject isn’t enough to make it a good persuasive essay topic, though. You need to make sure your argument is complex enough to have at least two potential sides to root for, and you need to be able to back up your side with evidence and examples. Even though persuasive essays allow your opinion to feature more than many other essays, you still need concrete evidence to back up your claims, or you’ll end up with a weak essay.

For example, you may passionately believe that mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best ice cream flavor (I agree!), but could you really write an entire essay on this? What would be your reasons for believing mint chocolate chip is the best (besides the fact that it’s delicious)? How would you support your belief? Have enough studies been done on preferred ice cream flavors to support an entire essay? When choosing a persuasive essay idea, you want to find the right balance between something you care about (so you can write well on it) and something the rest of the world cares about (so you can reference evidence to strengthen your position).

It’s a Manageable Topic

Bigger isn’t always better, especially with essay topics. While it may seem like a great idea to choose a huge, complex topic to write about, you’ll likely struggle to sift through all the information and different sides of the issue and winnow them down to one streamlined essay. For example, choosing to write an essay about how WWII impacted American life more than WWI wouldn’t be a great idea because you’d need to analyze all the impacts of both the wars in numerous areas of American life. It’d be a huge undertaking. A better idea would be to choose one impact on American life the wars had (such as changes in female employment) and focus on that. Doing so will make researching and writing your persuasive essay much more feasible.

List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics

Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you’ll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, “should fracking be legal?” you’d decide whether you believe fracking should be legal or illegal, then you’d write an essay arguing all the reasons why your audience should agree with you.

Arts/Culture

• Should students be required to learn an instrument in school?
• Did the end of Game of Thrones fit with the rest of the series?
• Can music be an effective way to treat mental illness?
• With e-readers so popular, have libraries become obsolete?
• Are the Harry Potter books more popular than they deserve to be?
• Should music with offensive language come with a warning label?
• What’s the best way for museums to get more people to visit?
• Should students be able to substitute an art or music class for a PE class in school?
• Are the Kardashians good or bad role models for young people?
• Should people in higher income brackets pay more taxes?
• Should all high school students be required to take a class on financial literacy?
• Is it possible to achieve the American dream, or is it only a myth?
• Is it better to spend a summer as an unpaid intern at a prestigious company or as a paid worker at a local store/restaurant?
• Should the United States impose more or fewer tariffs?
• Should college graduates have their student loans forgiven?
• Should restaurants eliminate tipping and raise staff wages instead?
• Should students learn cursive writing in school?
• Which is more important: PE class or music class?
• Is it better to have year-round school with shorter breaks throughout the year?
• Should class rank be abolished in schools?
• Should students be taught sex education in school?
• Should students be able to attend public universities for free?
• What’s the most effective way to change the behavior of school bullies?
• Are the SAT and ACT accurate ways to measure intelligence?
• Should students be able to learn sign language instead of a foreign language?
• Do the benefits of Greek life at colleges outweigh the negatives?
• Does doing homework actually help students learn more?
• Why do students in many other countries score higher than American students on math exams?
• Should parents/teachers be able to ban certain books from schools?
• What’s the best way to reduce cheating in school?
• Should colleges take a student’s race into account when making admissions decisions?
• Should there be limits to free speech?
• Should students be required to perform community service to graduate high school?
• Should convicted felons who have completed their sentence be allowed to vote?
• Should gun ownership be more tightly regulated?
• Should recycling be made mandatory?
• Should employers be required to offer paid leave to new parents?
• Are there any circumstances where torture should be allowed?
• Should children under the age of 18 be able to get plastic surgery for cosmetic reasons?
• Should white supremacy groups be allowed to hold rallies in public places?
• Does making abortion illegal make women more or less safe?
• Does foreign aid actually help developing countries?
• Are there times a person’s freedom of speech should be curtailed?
• Should people over a certain age not be allowed to adopt children?

Government/Politics

• Should the minimum voting age be raised/lowered/kept the same?
• Should Puerto Rico be granted statehood?
• Should the United States build a border wall with Mexico?
• Who should be the next person printed on American banknotes?
• Should the United States’ military budget be reduced?
• Did China’s one child policy have overall positive or negative impacts on the country?
• Should DREAMers be granted US citizenship?
• Is national security more important than individual privacy?
• What responsibility does the government have to help homeless people?
• Should the electoral college be abolished?
• Should the US increase or decrease the number of refugees it allows in each year?
• Should privately-run prisons be abolished?
• Who was the most/least effective US president?
• Will Brexit end up helping or harming the UK?

• What’s the best way to reduce the spread of Ebola?
• Is the Keto diet a safe and effective way to lose weight?
• Should the FDA regulate vitamins and supplements more strictly?
• Should public schools require all students who attend to be vaccinated?
• Is eating genetically modified food safe?
• What’s the best way to make health insurance more affordable?
• What’s the best way to lower the teen pregnancy rate?
• Should recreational marijuana be legalized nationwide?
• Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
• Should pregnant women be forbidden from buying cigarettes and alcohol?
• Why has anxiety increased in adolescents?
• Are low-carb or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• What caused the destruction of the USS Maine?
• Was King Arthur a mythical legend or actual Dark Ages king?
• Was the US justified in dropping atomic bombs during WWII?
• What was the primary cause of the Rwandan genocide?
• What happened to the settlers of the Roanoke colony?
• Was disagreement over slavery the primary cause of the US Civil War?
• What has caused the numerous disappearances in the Bermuda triangle?
• Should nuclear power be banned?
• Is scientific testing on animals necessary?
• Do zoos help or harm animals?
• Should scientists be allowed to clone humans?
• Should animals in circuses be banned?
• Should fracking be legal?
• Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals as pets?
• What’s the best way to reduce illegal poaching in Africa?
• What is the best way to reduce the impact of global warming?
• Should euthanasia be legalized?
• Is there legitimate evidence of extraterrestrial life?
• Should people be banned from owning aggressive dog breeds?
• Should the United States devote more money towards space exploration?
• Should the government subsidize renewable forms of energy?
• Is solar energy worth the cost?
• Should stem cells be used in medicine?
• Is it right for the US to leave the Paris Climate Agreement?
• Should athletes who fail a drug test receive a lifetime ban from the sport?
• Should college athletes receive a salary?
• Should the NFL do more to prevent concussions in players?
• Do PE classes help students stay in shape?
• Should horse racing be banned?
• Should cheerleading be considered a sport?
• Should children younger than 18 be allowed to play tackle football?
• Are the costs of hosting an Olympic Games worth it?
• Can online schools be as effective as traditional schools?
• Do violent video games encourage players to be violent in real life?
• Should facial recognition technology be banned?
• Does excessive social media use lead to depression/anxiety?
• Has the rise of translation technology made knowing multiple languages obsolete?
• Was Steve Jobs a visionary or just a great marketer?
• Should social media be banned for children younger than a certain age?
• Which 21st-century invention has had the largest impact on society?
• Are ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft good or bad for society?
• Should Facebook have done more to protect the privacy of its users?
• Will technology end up increasing or decreasing inequality worldwide?

Tips for Writing a Strong Persuasive Essay

After you’ve chosen the perfect topic for your persuasive essay, your work isn’t over. Follow the three tips below to create a top-notch essay.

Do Your Research

Your argument will fall apart if you don’t fully understand the issue you’re discussing or you overlook an important piece of it. Readers won’t be convinced by someone who doesn’t know the subject, and you likely won’t persuade any of them to begin supporting your viewpoint. Before you begin writing a single word of your essay, research your topic thoroughly. Study different sources, learn about the different sides of the argument, ask anyone who’s an expert on the topic what their opinion is, etc. You might be tempted to start writing right away, but by doing your research, you’ll make the writing process much easier when the time comes.

Make Your Thesis Perfect

Your thesis is the most important sentence in your persuasive essay. Just by reading that single sentence, your audience should know exactly what topic you’ll be discussing and where you stand on the issue. You want your thesis to be crystal clear and to accurately set up the rest of your essay. Asking classmates or your teacher to look it over before you begin writing the rest of your essay can be a big help if you’re not entirely confident in your thesis.

Consider the Other Side

You’ll spend most of your essay focusing on your side of the argument since that’s what you want readers to come away believing. However, don’t think that means you can ignore other sides of the issue. In your essay, be sure to discuss the other side’s argument, as well as why you believe this view is weak or untrue. Researching all the different viewpoints and including them in your essay will increase the quality of your writing by making your essay more complete and nuanced.

Summary: Persuasive Essay Ideas

Good persuasive essay topics can be difficult to come up with, but in this guide we’ve created a list of 113 excellent essay topics for you to browse. The best persuasive essay ideas will be those that you are interested in, have enough evidence to support your argument, and aren’t too complicated to be summarized in an essay.

After you’ve chosen your essay topic, keep these three tips in mind when you begin writing:

• Do your research
• Make your thesis perfect
• Consider the other side

What's Next?

Need ideas for a research paper topic as well? Our guide to research paper topics has over 100 topics in ten categories so you can be sure to find the perfect topic for you.

Thinking about taking an AP English class? Read our guide on AP English classes to learn whether you should take AP English Language or AP English Literature (or both!)

Deciding between the SAT or ACT? Find out for sure which you will do the best on . Also read a detailed comparison between the two tests .

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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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WHEN EDUCATORS UNITE, LEARNERS TAKE FLIGHT

***Disclaimer: In this site, the terms ESL students (English as a Second Language), ELLs (English Language Learners), and MLL (Multilingual Learners) are used interchangeably. While “Multilingual Learners” is becoming the more widely accepted term, “ESL students” and “English Language Learners” are still commonly used in various contexts. My aim is to be inclusive and clear to all readers, regardless of the terminology they are familiar with.

9 Strategies in Teaching Persuasive Writing to Multilingual Learners

Struggling with teaching persuasive writing to your English language learners? I get it.

Join me in exploring nine simple strategies that tackle the challenges you face. Let’s simplify the process of teaching persuasive writing in your ESL classroom and make it a whole lot easier!

Introduction:

1. start with engaging topics:, 2. model, model, model:, 3. break down the structure:, 4. encourage counterarguments: ., 5. equip ells with graphic organizers, 6. foster peer collaboration:, 7. emphasize language variety:, 8. provide constructive feedback:, 9. the power of writing anchor charts for esl students:, conclusion:.

In the ever-evolving world of education, my school, with its high ESL population, has undertaken a different journey this school year by collecting monthly writing samples from students across all grade levels. Recognizing that writing poses a unique challenge for English language learners and considering that WIDA scores often identify writing as the lowest domain, we are intensifying our focus on developing robust writing skills.

As an ESL teacher, this initially raised concerns for me because I was unsure about the progress my students could demonstrate in their writing. But going over these samples over the past three months has been enlightening. What fascinates me the most is the noticeable progress I’m observing among my English Language Learners. I’ve noticed that their written expressions evolve with increased subtlety, their voices grow more assertive, and their command of the English language deepen.

With our next writing collection focusing on persuasive writing, I find myself gearing up to further elevate my ELLs’ writing proficiency. In this article, I am excited to share the writing plan that I have developed for my ESL students. You will find links below to the free writing slides that I created for persuasive writing lessons.

Let’s dive in.

Join my email list to receive the latest tips and FREE ELD resources to add to your ESL toolbox .

9 Strategies in Teaching Persuasive Writing:

To unlock the power of persuasive writing, we begin with the cornerstone of engagement – the choice of topics. For our ELLs, selecting themes that resonate with their experiences and interests is important. By intertwining personal relevance with persuasive writing, we create a foundation that motivates and empowers our students to express themselves with passion and clarity.

Selecting a persuasive writing topic can be a crucial step for ESL students. Here are some strategies to help them choose an engaging and suitable topic:

Personal Relevance:

Encourage students to choose topics that personally resonate with them. This could be related to their experiences, interests, or something they feel passionate about.

Brainstorming Sessions:

Conduct brainstorming sessions where students can freely express their ideas. This can be done individually or in groups. Offer prompts related to everyday experiences, issues, or interests.

• Visual Prompts: Use visual aids such as pictures, videos, or real objects to spark ideas. Visual prompts can be particularly effective for students who may find it challenging to express themselves verbally.
• Current Events: Explore current events or issues that are relevant to the students’ lives. This not only makes the topic more relatable but also encourages them to stay informed about the world around them.
• Familiar Themes: Start with familiar themes, such as school policies, daily routines, or favorite activities. This can provide a comfortable starting point for ESL students to express their opinions.
• Language Level Consideration: Ensure that the chosen topic aligns with the students’ language proficiency level. Complex or abstract topics may be challenging for beginners, so it’s essential to strike a balance.
• Cultural Connection: Explore topics that connect with the students’ cultural backgrounds. This can make the writing process more meaningful and authentic.

Remember to create a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their opinions. Adapt these strategies based on the proficiency level and unique needs of your ESL students.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again! Modeling effective writing is particularly impactful for ELLs. By providing concrete examples and highlighting key features of persuasive writing, we offer our students a visual roadmap for success. Mentor texts serve as invaluable tools in this process. Select persuasive essays or articles that exemplify the qualities you want students to emulate — attention-grabbing introductions, well-structured body paragraphs, and compelling conclusions.

Unpacking Mentor Texts:

Engage students in the process of unpacking mentor texts. Read through the chosen text together, identifying persuasive techniques, effective language use, and structural elements. Encourage discussions about the author’s choices and their impact on the reader. This collaborative analysis helps students internalize the components of persuasive writing.

I Do, We Do, You Do:

Follow the I do, We do, You do teaching method to gradually release responsibility to students. Begin by modeling the process of crafting a persuasive essay using the mentor text as a guide. Explicitly point out how to formulate a thesis, structure paragraphs, and incorporate persuasive techniques. This step-by-step modeling helps demystify the writing process.

Collaborative Writing:

Transition to collaborative writing where the whole class actively participates in crafting a persuasive essay. Discuss ideas, plan together, and collectively contribute to the creation of a model essay. This collaborative approach provides additional support and scaffolding, reinforcing the concepts introduced during the modeling phase.

Independent Writing:

Finally, empower students to apply what they’ve learned in independent writing. Encourage them to choose their own topics or use prompts related to the mentor text. Provide feedback and support as they embark on their persuasive writing journeys. This gradual release of responsibility builds students’ confidence and competence in crafting persuasive essays independently.

Through this holistic approach of modeling, unpacking mentor texts, collaborative writing, and independent practice, we equip our ELLs with the essential skills and confidence needed for successful persuasive writing.

Demystifying the writing process is a key strategy for our ELLs. By breaking down the structure into manageable components, we pave the way for a clearer understanding. Explicitly teaching each step ensures a systematic approach to persuasive writing.

Introduction Paragraph:

Start with attention-grabbing introductions. Teach students the importance of a hook or an opening statement that captivates the reader’s attention. Explore various techniques such as posing a question, sharing an interesting fact, or presenting a compelling scenario. Provide examples and model how to construct a thesis statement that clearly states the main argument.

Body Paragraphs:

Progress through well-supported body paragraphs. Break down the body of the essay into distinct sections, each focusing on a single supporting point. Teach students how to structure a paragraph with a clear topic sentence, followed by supporting details or evidence. Emphasize the importance of coherence and transition words to ensure a smooth flow between paragraphs. Provide practice exercises that allow students to master this step before moving on.

Guide students toward crafting persuasive essays that reflect their growing command of the English language. Teach them how to summarize key points in the conclusion, restate the thesis, and leave a lasting impression. Emphasize the significance of a strong conclusion that reinforces the main argument and encourages the reader to consider their perspective.

By explicitly teaching each component, from crafting introductions to structuring body paragraphs and concluding effectively, we empower our ELLs to navigate the complexities of persuasive writing step by step. This approach not only builds their writing skills but also enhances their overall language proficiency.

For our ELLs, embracing counterarguments adds depth and dimension to their persuasive writing. Encourage them to explore different viewpoints, fostering critical thinking skills and enriching their ability to present a balanced argument. This approach not only enhances language proficiency but also empowers our students to engage in thoughtful discourse.

Providing Sentence Starters:

To facilitate the incorporation of counterarguments, offer sentence starters that guide students in expressing opposing viewpoints. Examples include:

• “While some may argue that…”
• “On the other hand, it could be said that…”
• “An alternative perspective is…”
• “Contrary to my viewpoint, others believe that…”
• “It’s important to consider the opposing argument that…”

Modeling Counterarguments:

Model the process of integrating counterarguments into persuasive writing using the sentence starters. Show how to introduce an opposing viewpoint, acknowledge its validity, and then respond with a well-supported counterargument. This modeling helps students understand the structure and language associated with presenting counterarguments effectively.

Collaborative Practice:

Engage in collaborative writing sessions where students work together to incorporate counterarguments into a shared persuasive essay. Encourage discussions on how to seamlessly weave these perspectives into their writing. This collaborative practice builds a supportive environment for experimenting with different viewpoints

By integrating sentence starters and providing guided practice, we equip our ELLs with the tools they need to confidently incorporate counterarguments, fostering not only language proficiency but also critical thinking skills essential for persuasive writing.

Graphic Organizer Structure:

Scaffolded Graphic Organizers for ESL students.

A good graphic organizer simplifies the writing process by breaking it down into clear sections: Introduction, Body Paragraphs, and Conclusion. Include prompts or questions in each section to guide students through organizing their thoughts systematically. This breakdown ensures a solid understanding of the persuasive essay structure.

Teaching Graphic Organizer Usage:

Begin by explaining the purpose of each section and demonstrate the use of a graphic organizer through modeling. Show how ideas can be organized systematically using a sample topic. This modeling step is crucial for student comprehension.

How to Implement:

After introduction and modeling, prompt students to use graphic organizers as planning tools before writing. Emphasize that these visual aids are like roadmaps, helping them navigate through the complexities of persuasive writing. Encourage brainstorming and jotting down key points within each section before expanding them into detailed sentences.

Benefits for ESL Students:

Graphic organizers provide a structured framework, instilling confidence and fostering independence in expressing ideas. They streamline the writing process and enhance comprehension of the persuasive essay structure for ESL students.

Creating an environment that values collaboration is especially beneficial for our ELLs. Peer collaboration offers them the opportunity to share ideas, provide and receive feedback, and collectively navigate the intricacies of persuasive writing. Group discussions and collaborative activities provide a supportive platform for language development and idea exchange.

Using Checklists for Peer Collaboration:

Introduce checklists as a tool during peer collaboration sessions. Provide a list of criteria that students can refer to while reviewing each other’s work. This may include elements such as:

• Clear thesis statement
• Well-structured body paragraphs
• Effective use of persuasive techniques
• Inclusion of counterarguments
• Coherent transitions between paragraphs

Guiding Peer Feedback:

Encourage students to use the checklist to guide their peer feedback. During collaborative sessions, each student can take turns providing constructive feedback based on the checklist criteria. This structured approach ensures that the feedback is focused and aligned with the goals of persuasive writing.

Group Discussions:

Promote group discussions where students can discuss their individual perspectives and offer suggestions for improvement. The checklist serves as a reference point, fostering meaningful conversations about the strengths and areas for growth in each other’s writing. This collaborative exchange enhances language development and critical thinking skills.

Reflective Practice:

After peer collaboration sessions, encourage students to reflect on the feedback received and make revisions to their own writing. This reflective practice reinforces the learning process and allows students to actively apply the insights gained through collaborative efforts.

By incorporating checklists into the peer collaboration process, we not only enhance the quality of feedback but also provide a structured framework for ELLs to navigate persuasive writing collaboratively. This approach not only builds their language proficiency but also cultivates a sense of shared responsibility for each other’s writing success.

In the realm of persuasion, language is a potent tool. Encourage our ELLs to explore a variety of language techniques, from powerful vocabulary to rhetorical devices. By providing access to persuasive phrases, signal words, and transition words, we empower our students to wield language with precision and impact.

POSTERS like these around the classroom empower our ESL writers.

Providing constructive feedback tailored to the needs of our ELLs is an essential aspect of the teaching process. Celebrate their strengths, identify areas for improvement, and guide them toward revisions. Through this feedback loop, we transform each writing assignment into a meaningful learning opportunity, nurturing the growth of our ELLs as persuasive writers.

Utilizing Rubrics:

Incorporate the use of rubrics as a valuable tool for assessment. Clearly outline the criteria for evaluating persuasive writing, including elements such as thesis clarity, organization, use of evidence, language proficiency, and incorporation of counterarguments. Ensure that the rubric aligns with the learning objectives and expectations for each assignment.

The Writing Rubrics shown above are available with the Persuasive Writing Bundle | ESL Activity.

Going Over the Rubric:

Before students embark on their writing assignments, go over the rubric with them. Break down each component, explaining what is expected and how each criterion contributes to a well-crafted persuasive essay. This step is important for ensuring that students understand the standards against which their work will be assessed.

Interactive Discussion:

Engage students in an interactive discussion about the rubric. Encourage questions and clarify any uncertainties they may have. This collaborative approach promotes a shared understanding of expectations and empowers students to take an active role in their learning.

Feedback as a Learning Opportunity:

Frame feedback as a valuable learning opportunity. When providing feedback, refer back to the rubric, highlighting specific areas of strength and offering guidance on aspects that need improvement. Encourage students to reflect on the feedback, fostering a growth mindset and a continuous commitment to enhancing their writing skills.

Revisions Based on Feedback:

Encourage students to use the feedback provided to make revisions to their work. Emphasize the importance of this iterative process in refining their persuasive writing skills. As they apply the feedback, students not only address specific areas for improvement but also gain a deeper understanding of the writing expectations outlined in the rubric.

By integrating rubrics into the feedback process, we create a transparent and supportive framework that enhances the learning experience for our ELLs, guiding them toward becoming more proficient and confident persuasive writers.

Writing anchor charts is an important component in providing visual support for ESL students as they navigate the intricacies of persuasive writing. These charts serve as constant references, reinforcing key concepts and language structures. Here’s why incorporating anchor charts is particularly beneficial for ESL learners:

Clear Structure:

Ensure the anchor chart has a clear and organized structure. Use headings, colors, and visual cues to distinguish different sections, making it easy for students to locate and understand information.

Key Vocabulary:

Incorporate key persuasive writing vocabulary on the anchor chart. Highlight words and phrases that students can use to enhance their writing and express persuasive arguments effectively.

Model Examples:

Include model examples on the anchor chart to illustrate each component of persuasive writing. This provides a tangible reference point for ESL students to follow when crafting their essays.

Create with Students :

Consider involving students in the creation of anchor charts rather than opting for ready-made ones. When students actively participate in the creation process, they develop a deeper understanding of the content. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership, making the anchor chart a personalized and meaningful resource in the ESL classroom.

Regular Updates:

Keep the anchor chart dynamic by regularly updating it based on class discussions, new vocabulary, or examples from student work. This ensures that the anchor chart remains relevant and aligns with ongoing lessons.

By incorporating well-designed writing anchor charts into your ESL classroom, you provide valuable support for your students as they navigate the world of persuasive writing. These visual aids become indispensable tools, fostering language development and enhancing the overall writing experience for ESL learners.

As we guide our English Language Learners (ELLs) on their writing journey, let’s continue to empower them with refined skills and heightened confidence, to allow them to express their thoughts with eloquence and conviction across various writing genres

By strategically embracing engaging topics, breaking down structures meticulously, modeling effective writing, and fostering collaboration, we’ve laid a robust foundation for the development of strong writing skills.

We want to hear from you! Which of these persuasive writing strategies do you find most effective for your ESL students? Share your experiences, thoughts, and any additional tips in the comments below. Let’s create a collaborative space to enhance our ESL teaching journey! 🌟

More on this topic…

• How to Implement An Effective Explicit Language Instruction for ESL Students
• 13 Strategies to Make Content Comprehensible for English Language Learners

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80 Persuasive English ESL worksheets pdf & doc

Worksheets that listen. Worksheets that speak. Worksheets that motivate students. Worksheets that save paper, ink and time. > advanced 13-100 216   elementary 7-10 158   advanced 8-17 123   advanced 12-100 120   elementary 10-17 114   intermediate 12-17 79   advanced 14-17 75   intermediate 14-17 77   advanced 12-17 64   intermediate 10-14 1   elementary 11-15 54   intermediate 12-16 45   advanced 15-100 45   intermediate 12-100 38   intermediate 9-14 42   elementary 6-17 39   intermediate 12-14 41   intermediate 12-17 35   intermediate 12-17 39   intermediate 15-100 33   intermediate 12-100 28   elementary 7-17 27   elementary 10-12 27   intermediate 12-100 26   elementary 7-17 24   intermediate 10-14 25   intermediate 14-100 28   advanced 7-11 27   intermediate 12-14 24   intermediate 14-17 24   intermediate 10-17 22   intermediate 8-17 21   intermediate 12-17 23   intermediate 11-14 20   elementary 7-12 26   advanced 12-17 23   elementary 8-12 21   intermediate 10-14 19   advanced 10-15 19   elementary 8-10 20   intermediate 8-11 17   elementary 10-100 19   intermediate 12-17 17   intermediate 12-100 15   advanced 15-100 16   elementary 9-12 16   elementary 7-9 17   intermediate 11-14 12   advanced 13-17 15   intermediate 11-17 11   intermediate 12-17 11   advanced 15-100 11   Persuasion Map About this Interactive Related resources. The Persuasion Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive essay or debate. Students begin by determining their goal or thesis. They then identify three reasons to support their argument, and three facts or examples to validate each reason. The map graphic in the upper right-hand corner allows students to move around the map, instead of having to work in a linear fashion. The finished map can be saved, e-mailed, or printed. Student Interactives Strategy Guides Calendar Activities Lesson Plans The Essay Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to organize and outline their ideas for an informational, definitional, or descriptive essay. This Strategy Guide describes the processes involved in composing and producing audio files that are published online as podcasts. This strategy guide explains the writing process and offers practical methods for applying it in your classroom to help students become proficient writers. Through a classroom game and resource handouts, students learn about the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments and apply them to independent persuasive writing activities. Students analyze rhetorical strategies in online editorials, building knowledge of strategies and awareness of local and national issues. This lesson teaches students connections between subject, writer, and audience and how rhetorical strategies are used in everyday writing. Students examine books, selected from the American Library Association Challenged/Banned Books list, and write persuasive pieces expressing their views about what should be done with the books at their school. Students will research a local issue, and then write letters to two different audiences, asking readers to take a related action or adopt a specific position on the issue. Print this resource Explore Resources by Grade Kindergarten K Chess (Gr. 1-4) TV (Gr. 1-4) Metal Detectors (Gr. 2-6) Tetris (Gr. 2-6) Seat Belts (Gr. 2-6) The Coliseum (Gr. 2-6) The Pony Express (Gr. 2-6) Wintertime (Gr. 2-6) Reading (Gr. 3-7) Black Friday (Gr. 3-7) Hummingbirds (Gr. 3-7) Worst Game Ever? (Gr. 4-8) Carnivorous Plants (Gr. 4-8) Google (Gr. 4-8) Honey Badgers (Gr. 4-8) Hyperinflation (Gr. 4-8) Koko (Gr. 4-8) Mongooses (Gr. 5-9) Trampolines (Gr. 5-9) Garbage (Gr. 5-9) Maginot Line (Gr. 5-9) Asian Carp (Gr. 5-9) Tale of Two Countries (Gr. 6-10) Kevlar (Gr. 7-10) Tigers (Gr. 7-11) Statue of Liberty (Gr. 8-10) Submarines (Gr. 8-12) Castles (Gr. 9-13) Gutenberg (Gr. 9-13) Author's Purpose Practice 1 Author's Purpose Practice 2 Author's Purpose Practice 3 Fact and Opinion Practice 1 Fact and Opinion Practice 2 Fact and Opinion Practice 3 Idioms Practice Test 1 Idioms Practice Test 2 Figurative Language Practice 1 Figurative Language Practice 2 Figurative Language Practice 3 Figurative Language Practice 4 Figurative Language Practice 5 Figurative Language Practice 6 Figurative Language Practice 7 Figurative Language Practice 8 Figurative Language Practice 9 Figurative Language of Edgar Allan Poe Figurative Language of O. Henry Figurative Language of Shakespeare Genre Practice 1 Genre Practice 2 Genre Practice 3 Genre Practice 4 Genre Practice 5 Genre Practice 6 Genre Practice 7 Genre Practice 8 Genre Practice 9 Genre Practice 10 Irony Practice 1 Irony Practice 2 Irony Practice 3 Making Inferences Practice 1 Making Inferences Practice 2 Making Inferences Practice 3 Making Inferences Practice 4 Making Inferences Practice 5 Main Idea Practice 1 Main Idea Practice 2 Point of View Practice 1 Point of View Practice 2 Text Structure Practice 1 Text Structure Practice 2 Text Structure Practice 3 Text Structure Practice 4 Text Structure Practice 5 Story Structure Practice 1 Story Structure Practice 2 Story Structure Practice 3 Author's Purpose Characterizations Context Clues Fact and Opinion Figurative Language Grammar and Language Arts Poetic Devices Point of View Predictions Reading Comprehension Story Structure Summarizing Text Structure Character Traits Common Core Aligned Unit Plans Teacher Point of View Teaching Theme Patterns of Organization Project Ideas Reading Activities How to Write Narrative Essays How to Write Persuasive Essays Narrative Essay Assignments Narrative Essay Topics Persuasive Essay Topics Research Paper Topics Rubrics for Writing Assignments Learn About Sentence Structure Grammar Worksheets Noun Worksheets Parts of Speech Worksheets Punctuation Worksheets Sentence Structure Worksheets Verbs and Gerunds Examples of Allitertion Examples of Hyperbole Examples of Onomatopoeia Examples of Metaphor Examples of Personification Examples of Simile Figurative Language Activities Figurative Language Examples Figurative Language Poems Figurative Language Worksheets Learn About Figurative Language Learn About Poetic Devices Idiom Worksheets Online Figurative Language Tests Onomatopoeia Worksheets Personification Worksheets Poetic Devices Activities Poetic Devices Worksheets About This Site Privacy Policy Terms of Use Understanding CCSS Standards What's New? 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Should the voting age be lowered to thirteen? Should the driving age be raised to twenty-one? Should students be paid for having good grades? Should illegal immigrants be allowed to get drivers licenses? Should not wearing a seat-belt be illegal? Should student’s textbooks be replaced by notebook computers or tablets? Should students have to pass a basic skills test to graduate high school? Should schools raise money by selling candy and sugary soft drinks to students? Should schools serve french-fries and fried potato products to students at lunch? Should students’ grades in gym affect their grade point averages? Should girls be allowed to play on boys sports teams? Should teens be able to buy violent video games? Should boys and girls be in separate classes? Should teenage girls be allowed to get birth control without the permission of their parents? Should our country have free health care? Should immigration laws be reformed? Should the federal government recognize civil unions? Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished? Should school athletes have to be on the honor roll to play in games? Should music with curse words be allowed at school dances? Should public schools begin the day with a silent prayer time? Should students be able to listen to music on headphones during study hall? Should schools offer fast food options like McDonald’s or Taco Bell? Should smoking be allowed at parks and other outdoor public venues? Should cities offer free public Wi-Fi? Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks? Should the 2 nd amendment give citizens the right to own assault weaponry? Should people traveling in airplanes have to undergo intensive security screenings? Should genetically modified foods be sold with a warning label? Should teachers have to pass a basic skills test every ten years to renew their certification? Should people be allowed to keep exotic animals like chimpanzees or tigers? Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull dogs? Should the city offer a bike sharing program? Should there be an ordinance citing people who fail to recycle $50? Should there be an ordinance citing people who play music too loudly $50? Should prostitution be legalized and regulated by the government? Should celebrities who break the law face stricter penalties? Should the government increase spending on the space program? Should larger passengers have to pay for two plane or movie theater tickets? Should children have to use booster seats in cars? Should people have to get a license to become parents? Should there be tougher federal restrictions for content on the internet? Should people be allowed to curse on daytime television? Should owners be legally accountable for clearing snow from sidewalks on their property? Should sexual education be taught in public schools? Should students be able to get free condoms at school? 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Should alcohol manufacturers be allowed to advertise on television? Should students as young as fourteen be allowed to hold jobs? Should American families have a two child max rule to limit population growth? Should children younger than thirteen be allowed to watch MTV or music videos? Should people who are caught driving drunk lose their licenses for a year? Should students who fail their classes be retained and have to repeat the grade? Should large businesses and corporations be required to employ a number of minorities proportionate to the population? Should female construction workers earn the same wages as males? Should children in temporary living situations with a 3.0 GPA earn free college tuition? Should gambling and sports-betting be illegal or should the government regulate it? Should children who commit violent crimes be tried as adults? Should the government be allowed to detain suspected terrorists without trial? Should the government censor internet content deemed inappropriate? Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code? Should teachers be allowed to have cell phones in the classroom? Should the state execute dogs that have bitten someone? Should talking on a phone without a hands-free device while driving be illegal? 930 Comments Wessam bedear. Thanks for your support and cooperation. It is really helped a lot . Much appreciated Reginald Ademola Thank you so much for making your resources freely available. Eric Villari Thanks for all the effort you’ve put into the site. I teach in Australia, and I tweak and change topics/wording to suit, but It’s a great survey course in general Literacy you’ve put together… Thanks! Thank you so much. What an informative and comprehensive site. You have provided an array of persuasive topics. I love this site!! Marg L Brewerton Thank you for these ideas. An extra idea from one of my students: Should we fix earth or spend our money on interplanetary travel? Barbara Pulehetoa I love this website. thank you for making this website amazing website helped a lot In my language arts class we are assigned to write two opinion essays the first one my teacher gave us but the second one we choose. i have a trouble with choosing but now that i came to this website i can choose easily and fast. thank you, thank you, thank you for this website. this site has been absolutely resourceful and its the best site iv been on Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Subscribe Now Popular content. Author's Purpose Worksheets Characterization Worksheets Common Core Lesson and Unit Plans Online Reading Practice Tests Plot Worksheets Reading Comprehension Worksheets Summary Worksheets Theme Worksheets New and Updated Pages Capitalization Worksheets Contractions Worksheets Double Negatives Worksheets Homophones & Word Choice Worksheets BECOME A MEMBER! Pardon Our Interruption As you were browsing something about your browser made us think you were a bot. There are a few reasons this might happen: You've disabled JavaScript in your web browser. You're a power user moving through this website with super-human speed. You've disabled cookies in your web browser. A third-party browser plugin, such as Ghostery or NoScript, is preventing JavaScript from running. Additional information is available in this support article . To regain access, please make sure that cookies and JavaScript are enabled before reloading the page. Online Programs Ap® english language and composition (intensive, ncaa approved). Advanced CTY-Level Session-Based Language Arts Learn to write college-level essays, expand your vocabulary, and prepare to take the Advanced Placement® Exam in English Language and Composition during this intensive 12-week course. We’ll study a variety of nonfiction texts to understand the interplay between author’s purpose, message, and audience expectations. You’ll also write your own arguments and research-based and rhetorical analysis essays while developing your skills at analyzing diction, syntax, persuasive appeals, methods of development, and more. After each essay, you will write a reflection explaining and evaluating your writing process. You’ll receive feedback from your instructor and often from your peers, revising your work along the way. You will also practice answering multiple-choice questions similar to those on past AP® exams, and develop strong essay test-taking skills like organization and time management. Through written collaboration with classmates from around the world, you’ll explore new perspectives and develop your own ideas. This writing course has been reviewed and approved by the College Board to use the AP® designation. Time Commitment: 6-10 hours of independent work per week.   Course Overview What we'll do Over 10 course units, we will develop key reading and writing skills and apply them in activities, workshops, writing assignments, and revisions. We’ll hone our text comprehension and analysis skills with multiple-choice questions based on nonfiction passages. In addition, we’ll write 13 full essays, including three for a final practice exam that mimics a full AP exam. Through our reading and writing, we’ll explore how people communicate their ideas and feelings through language, how readers understand those ideas and feelings, and what types of communication are most effective for each situation. You will continually improve by applying instructor and classmate feedback on your own writing. What we’ll learn To analyze an author’s use of diction, tone, syntax, comparisons, methods of development, figurative language, audience appeals, and formatting To write persuasively on a variety of topics based on given evidence and your own knowledge and experiences To effectively use strategies such as introducing and concluding an essay, writing strong thesis statements, seamlessly embedding quotations, qualifying arguments, rebutting counterarguments, and creating cohesion in an essay By the end of the course, you will be able to: Explain how writers’ choices reflect the components of the rhetorical situation Make strategic choices in a text to address a rhetorical situation Identify and describe the claims and evidence of an argument Analyze and select evidence to develop and refine a claim Describe the reasoning, organization, and development of an argument Illuminate the line of reasoning in an argument with organization and commentary Explain how writers’ stylistic choices contribute to the purpose of an argument Select words and use elements of composition to advance an argument Annotate texts, narrow multiple-choice options, and outline essays to prepare for timed tests Communicate effectively and empathetically about topics that affect all people How we'll measure learning The objectives for this course align exactly with those released by the College Board for this exam, and course lessons cover all of these objectives. You will demonstrate mastery of course skills with multiple-choice quizzes in every unit and three different types of essays. All multiple-choice questions and essay prompts either appeared on a previous AP exam, or closely mimic AP style and format. In this graded course, each assignment will be assessed using a rubric aligned to AP grading standards. This course is Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY This course is not open for enrollment at this time. Please check back later. Testing and Prerequisites   Math Verbal Required Level Not required Advanced CTY-Level Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation. Cost and Financial Aid Application fee. Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants) Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only) Financial Aid We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible. Course Materials Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course . If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected] .   No textbooks are required for this course Technical Requirements This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details. This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client , and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app . Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download. Terms & Conditions Students may interact in online classrooms and meetings that include peers, instructors, and occasional special guests. After a you complete a course, your projects may be used to illustrate work for future students.  You will need to create an account on a third-party site to access course resources. About Language Arts at CTY Enhance your skills in creative writing and critical reading, learn to craft effective sentences, and develop an analytical approach to reading and writing through our Language Arts courses. Guided by our expert instructors, you can further develop your communication skills in our interdisciplinary visual fluency courses, and explore topics in communication theory, design theory, and cognitive psychology. Through coursework and online discussions with classmates from around the world, you’ll elevate your writing structure and style, hone your craft, and become an adept wordsmith fluent in the language of literary arts.  Write, Edit, Publish Walk in the shoes of a writer, editor, and publisher this fall in Master Class I: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , and then collaborate with peers to create the next issue of our CTY Online student-developed literary journal, Lexophilia , in Master Class II: Writing, Editing, and Publishing , offered in the winter. Explore Greek Myths Newly revised for fall 2021, you'll read, discuss, and write about Greek myths in Young Readers’ Series: Greek Myths Revisited , studying exciting, heroic characters and ancient narratives that continue to teach us all valuable lessons about life, love, and family. Meet our Language Arts Instructors I realize that I love teaching on an almost daily basis. It comes to me in the form of a student's 'ah-ha' moment, when everything clicks and the student understands a challenging concept. I get goose bumps just thinking about it! Yvonne Borresen Language Arts Instructor 332 COMMENTS Persuasive Writing: ESL Intermediate Level Use the following tips to help you write short essays using persuasive writing. Before you begin, write down at least five positive points, and five negative points for your argument. Begin your writing by making a statement about the general statement about the outcome of an action, or the overall situation. Dedicate the first paragraph to one ... How to Write a Persuasive Essay (with Pictures) Pick a topic that appeals to you. Because a persuasive essay often relies heavily on emotional appeals, you should choose to write on something about which you have a real opinion. Pick a subject about which you feel strongly and can argue convincingly. [3] 6. Look for a topic that has a lot of depth or complexity. Persuasive Essay Worksheets & Activities Beyond that, there are a few more tricks that one can use to enhance one's skills quickly. These persuasive essay worksheets and activities will help students master these tricks. Creating Persuasive Attention Catchers Activity - Students practice creating persuasive leads that immediately push the reader toward their side of the argument. Persuasive Essay: Definition, Examples, Topics & Tips for ... Detail the subject which will be discussed. Present your thesis statement to provide the reader with your take on the subject. Body 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc Paragraphs. The body of the essay is traditionally made up of three paragraphs but you are free to write more or less depending on the information you wish to present. 100 Persuasive Essay Topics Learning how to write a persuasive essay is an essential skill people use every day in fields from business to law to media and entertainment. English students can begin writing a persuasive essay at any skill level. You'll surely find a sample topic or two from the list of 100 persuasive essays below, sorted by degree of difficulty. 13+ Outstanding Persuasive Essay Examples 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 ... 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. How to write a persuasive essay A persuasive essay is a type of essay that presents the writer's point of view against or for a certain topic that is supported by facts and figures. In a persuasive essay, both logic and emotional appeal are combined to persuade readers to accept a particular point of view. Writing persuasive essays may be both an academic and a personal ... Persuasive Essay Outline As persuasive essay writers, you can write it however you like, but to follow a traditional persuasive essay structure, use this basic layout to get an effective paper: An Introduction: You need a good hook to grab the reader's attention, a thesis statement presenting the main argument, and a roadmap of the essay, so they know what to expect. ... Persuasive Essays EAP Worksheets EAP Persuasive Essays Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Matching, Writing Sentences, Identifying, Paraphrasing, Writing an Outline and Essay, Peer Review - Upper-intermediate (B2) - 90 minutes. In this comprehensive persuasive essays worksheet, students are introduced to persuasive essay structure and attempt a persuasive essay writing ... Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing In addition, the lesson "Persuasive Essay: Environmental Issues" can be adapted for your students as part of this exercise. Have students write persuasive arguments for a special class event, such as an educational field trip or an in-class educational movie. Reward the class by arranging for the class event suggested in one of the essays. ESL Essays and Persuasive Writing Resources Our ESL Essay and Persuasive Writing Resources above are great tools to help you teach ESL students how to use writing to improve their vocabulary and English language skills. They cover a range of fun topics, so you can find something to engage all types of students. Our lovely worksheets, games, exercises and words mats have been specially ... 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. 113 Perfect Persuasive Essay Topics for Any Assignment List of 113 Good Persuasive Essay Topics. Below are over 100 persuasive essay ideas, organized into ten categories. When you find an idea that piques your interest, you'll choose one side of it to argue for in your essay. For example, if you choose the topic, "should fracking be legal?" you'd decide whether you believe fracking should ... (PDF) Analysing ESL Persuasive Essay Writing Using ... Toulmin's Model corroborates the inf erence of n ew. beliefs based on the available evidence within BDI. 1) Makes a claim - the conclusi on to be argued for and data denotes. the facts or the ... 9 Strategies in Teaching Persuasive Writing to ESL Students Join me in exploring nine simple strategies that tackle the challenges you face. Let's simplify the process of teaching persuasive writing in your ESL classroom and make it a whole lot easier! Introduction: 9 Strategies in Teaching Persuasive Writing: 1. Start with Engaging Topics: 2. Model, Model, Model: 3. 10 Persuasive writing English ESL worksheets pdf & doc Persuasive writing - poster analysis. Helps students to analyse the use of text and graphics in a poster to advertise a special event. Sample posters are needed to complete this exercise. 1628 uses. mariana_espinosa_. 80 Persuasive English ESL worksheets pdf & doc 80 Persuasive English ESL worksheets pdf & doc. SORT BY. Most popular. TIME PERIOD. All-time. luke13. Persuasive Writing. Higher level student. 1372 uses. janeymack. Persuasive writing. ... New Menu/ Persuasive. Students write a let. 798 uses. Rbird. Body language for pe. A reading exercise t. 1490 uses. Persuasive writing worksheets Welcome to ESL Printables, the website where English Language teachers exchange resources: worksheets, lesson plans, activities, etc. Our collection is growing every day with the help of many teachers. If you want to download you have to send your own contributions. Persuasive writing worksheets Persuasion Map Grades. 3 - 12. Launch the tool! The Persuasion Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive essay or debate. Students begin by determining their goal or thesis. They then identify three reasons to support their argument, and three facts or examples to validate each reason. 101 Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics. Whether you are a student in need of a persuasive essay topic, or a teacher looking to assign a persuasive essay, this list of 101 persuasive essay topics is a great resource. I taxed my brain to create this huge list of persuasive essay topics relevant to today's society, but I believe it was worth the effort. Developing a Strong Thesis Statement for Your English Essay By incorporating your thesis statement effectively into your essay, you ensure that your essay remains focused, coherent, and persuasive. Resources and Tools for Improving Your Thesis Statement Developing a strong thesis statement is a skill that can be improved with practice and the use of helpful resources and tools. ESL Persuasive Speech Lesson Plan ESL Persuasive Speech Lesson Plan. 6 min. July 20, 2020. Learning about persuasive speech isn't just about passing an ESL exam. We use persuasive language every day and it can be a life-changing skill. After all - speaking persuasively could land you your dream job, change someone's political views or avert a dangerous situation. PDF Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking essay. 1-2 grammatical errors were found in this essay. They do not detract from the general flow of the essay. 3-4 errors were found in the essay, and they detract from the overall flow of the essay. There are 5-6 grammatical errors present which detract from the overall meaning and flow of the essay. Paper not submitted OR more than 6 AP® English Language and Composition (Intensive, NCAA Approved) Learn to write college-level essays, expand your vocabulary, and prepare to take the Advanced Placement® Exam in English Language and Composition during this intensive 12-week course. We'll study a variety of nonfiction texts to understand the interplay between author's purpose, message, and audience expectations. You'll also write your own arguments and research-based and rhetorical ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech