WRITING A

PERSUASIVE
ESSAY
BY: T H E B E S T E N G L I S H A T E A C H E R 
WHAT IS A PERSUASIVE ESSAY?

• An essay written to convince readers of a certain thing or position.

• EXAMPLES:
– We should not have a school dress code
– Pets should be allowed in school
– There should be no homework
– School day should be shorter
 STEPS TO
WRITING A
PERSUASIVE
ESSAY
TAKE A STANCE

• What do you think about the issue?

• What side will you take?
• Be aware of any prejudices you might have that could color your argument.
• What resolution will you suggest?
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

• Determine if your audience will agree with your position and why they may
not.
• You must be able to understand both sides of the issue in order to
successfully argue your point of view.
RESEARCH YOUR TOPIC

• The point of a persuasive essay is to provide detailed and compelling

evidence
• you should be able to disprove the opposing argument.
• It will likely be necessary to undertake library-based research in order to
accomplish this.
THINK ABOUT THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR ESSAY

•  Determine what evidence you will include and the order in which you will
present it.
• Remember, it must be logical.
SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT

• Use facts: You can gather these from your research, observations, or
personal experiences.
• Avoid plagiarism. You SHOULD NEVER copy someone else's writing.
– USE YOUR OWN WORDS. If you don’t that’s called cheating!!
• Provide meaningful examples to enhance and clearly illustrate your
argument.
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE ESSAY

• Introduction: The introduction in your persuasive essay should grab the

readers' attention and provide background information about your subject.
It should end with a clear statement of your thesis.
• Body: The body should consist of all the arguments that support your
thesis. Each paragraph should focus on one particular point.
• Conclusion: The conclusion should restate the main argument and
supporting points. After all, the point of a persuasive essay is to convert
your readers to your point of view.
LETS PRACTICE

YAY W E L O V E E N G L I S H A N D E S S AY S ! !
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

• Graffiti is a positive way to embrace our inner

feelings. Graffiti should be displayed on the streets
because it is a wonderful way to express yourself, it
can bring the community closer, and it can create a
bright future for artistic people. Don’t you think all
people should be given the chance to reach their full
potential?

• What is the topic sentence? What is this essay going to be about?

1 REASON
ST

• Firstly, graffiti is the perfect way to convey emotions. It can

help people release feelings, which has been proven to
reduce and prevent mental illness and depression.
Everyone has the right to be happy and healthy and graffiti
could be the solution to someone’s endless suffering.

• What is the 1st reason?

• What examples were given to support the reason?
2 REASON
ND

• Secondly, doing licensed graffiti can draw the

community together by combining the forces of art to
brighten up our gloomy neighborhoods. Graffiti is
quirky, stylish, colorful and bold! Anyone who has
seen these incredible works of art would agree.

• What is the 2nd reason?

• What examples were given to support the reason?
3 REASON
RD

• Thirdly, graffiti could kick start a lifetime of success and

possibly fame! Many back street graffiti artists, struck fame
from this small hobby, which became their career. Doesn’t
everybody deserve the chance for a lifetime of true happiness
and the opportunity to showcase their amazing talents?

• What is the 3rd reason?

• What examples were given to support the reason?
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH

• It is obvious that these wonderful creations should be out in our

communities for all to see. The reasons why are endless! Graffiti
can help us to express our emotions, it links communities and
people and it can create a bright future for our talented local
artists. Remember, artistic graffiti is an extremely difficult thing to
do and these works of art should be appreciated not shunned!

• Where is the thesis?

• How does the writer wrap up the essay?
ESSAY COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

• Is the author for or against graffiti? How do you know this?

• What three arguments does the author use?
• What audience do you think this text is aimed at?
WRAP UP

• What is the purpose of a persuasive essay?