Persuasive Essay

aka Argumentative Essay

What is a persuasive essay?

In a persuasive essay, we try to convince others to:

to agree with our facts

share our values

accept our argument and conclusions

adopt our point of view

take a particular action

Reference: Writing a Persuasive Essay - http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the

%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf; Persuasive or Argumentative Essays - http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr4.htm

When planning a persuasive essay,

you must know your:

Purpose: which side of the issue or problem are you writing about? What
solution are you offering?

Audience: who are your readers? Decide if your audience is neutral, agrees
or disagrees with you.

Topic: what are you talking about? To persuade others, you must have
specific and convincing evidence.

Structure: how are you going to phrase your point? Figure out the evidence
you want to include and in what order you will present them. Structuring
your essay well will help your audience understand your arguments better.

REMEMBER P.A.T.S!!
Reference: Writing a Persuasive Essay - http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the
%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf; Persuasive or Argumentative Essays - http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr4.htm

Writing the introduction:

The introduction has to grab the readers attention and state the point of your
essay.

Opener: Grabs readers attention

Unusual details

Strong statement

Quotation

Anecdote

A question, etc.

Thesis Statement: Statement of purpose, foundation of your essay

Specific topic

Manageable limits

Organization of your paper

Example: The school and other students have to work together to provide various
types of support to the many disabled students among them, in order to encourage
and amotivate
them
to be more confident in themselves and their abilities.
Reference: Writing
Persuasive Essay
- http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the

%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf

Writing the body:

Remember: S.EX.I.

S: STATEMENT that supports your thesis statement

What do you want to say with your paragraph your point.

EX: EXPLANATION

How do you come to the conclusion you just stated?

Your explanation must be clear and organized.

I: ILLUSTRATION

Support your statement with good examples: statistics, analogies,

comparisons, etc.

Main reference: Berlin Debate Union Debating Seminar Kuala Lumpur 2015

Example: Awareness Campaigns

Statement: Creating awareness through campaigns about disability will help students
be more concerned for their disabled peers.

Explanation:

The school can organize a Special Needs Awareness Month with various activities such as:
forums, exhibitions, tele-matches with disability-themed games, etc

Awareness campaigns provide a platform for open discussion with those suffering from
disabilities and the public.

Information and ideas are exchanged during these campaigns and this can increase students
awareness about the challenges of various disabilities.

When students are more knowledgeable about this issue, they will be more compassionate to
other disabled students because they understand the difficulties they face.

Example: Light It Up Blue for Autism Campaign

In conjunction with National Autism Awareness month in April, Autism Speaks (from US) started
a campaign where buildings and houses lit up blue lights to spread the awareness of autism.

Now, Light It Up Blue and National Autism Awareness Month are celebrated in many countries
around the world, including Malaysia. The Petronas Twin Towers turned their nightlights blue
last year to spread awareness of this behavioral disorder.

Writing the conclusion:

Dont neglect it! A weak conclusion can spoil an essay!

Restate your thesis statement.

Summarize your main points.

Write a personal comment or a call for action:

Prediction: if we do nothing, global warming will become out of hand.

Question: will you be part of the change in bringing hope to others?

Recommendations: it would be good to start planning your finances right

away.

Quotations: As Uncle Ben would say: With great power, comes great
responsibility.

Reference: Writing a Persuasive Essay - http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the

%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf

Note:

Have a firm opinion (statement) that you want readers to accept.

Begin with a strong opener to get the reader's attention.

Explain your opinion in detail and provide evidences or examples.

Conclude with a restatement of what you want readers to do or believe.

Reference: Writing a Persuasive Essay - http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Writing%20the

%20Persuasive%20Essay.pdf