structure for a persuasive essay

How to Write a Persuasive Essay (This Convinced My Professor!)

Meredith Sell

You can make your essay more persuasive by getting straight to the point.

In fact, that's exactly what we did here, and that's just the first tip of this guide. Throughout this guide, we share the steps needed to prove an argument and create a persuasive essay.

This AI tool helps you improve your essay > This AI tool helps you improve your essay >

Key takeaways: - Proven process to make any argument persuasive - 5-step process to structure arguments - How to use AI to formulate and optimize your essay

Why is being persuasive so difficult?

"Write an essay that persuades the reader of your opinion on a topic of your choice."

You might be staring at an assignment description just like this 👆from your professor. Your computer is open to a blank document, the cursor blinking impatiently. Do I even have opinions?

The persuasive essay can be one of the most intimidating academic papers to write: not only do you need to identify a narrow topic and research it, but you also have to come up with a position on that topic that you can back up with research while simultaneously addressing different viewpoints.

That’s a big ask. And let’s be real: most opinion pieces in major news publications don’t fulfill these requirements.

The upside? By researching and writing your own opinion, you can learn how to better formulate not only an argument but the actual positions you decide to hold.

Here, we break down exactly how to write a persuasive essay. We’ll start by taking a step that’s key for every piece of writing—defining the terms.

What Is a Persuasive Essay?

A persuasive essay is exactly what it sounds like: an essay that persuades . Over the course of several paragraphs or pages, you’ll use researched facts and logic to convince the reader of your opinion on a particular topic and discredit opposing opinions.

While you’ll spend some time explaining the topic or issue in question, most of your essay will flesh out your viewpoint and the evidence that supports it.

The 5 Must-Have Steps of a Persuasive Essay

If you’re intimidated by the idea of writing an argument, use this list to break your process into manageable chunks. Tackle researching and writing one element at a time, and then revise your essay so that it flows smoothly and coherently with every component in the optimal place.

1. A topic or issue to argue

This is probably the hardest step. You need to identify a topic or issue that is narrow enough to cover in the length of your piece—and is also arguable from more than one position. Your topic must call for an opinion , and not be a simple fact .

It might be helpful to walk through this process:

Identify a random topic
Ask a question about the topic that involves a value claim or analysis to answer
Answer the question

That answer is your opinion.

Let’s consider some examples, from silly to serious:

Topic: Dolphins and mermaids

Question: In a mythical match, who would win: a dolphin or a mermaid?

Answer/Opinion: The mermaid would win in a match against a dolphin.

Topic: Autumn

Question: Which has a better fall: New England or Colorado?

Answer/Opinion: Fall is better in New England than Colorado.

Topic: Electric transportation options

Question: Would it be better for an urban dweller to buy an electric bike or an electric car?

Answer/Opinion: An electric bike is a better investment than an electric car.

Your turn: Walk through the three-step process described above to identify your topic and your tentative opinion. You may want to start by brainstorming a list of topics you find interesting and then going use the three-step process to find the opinion that would make the best essay topic.

2. An unequivocal thesis statement

If you walked through our three-step process above, you already have some semblance of a thesis—but don’t get attached too soon!

A solid essay thesis is best developed through the research process. You shouldn’t land on an opinion before you know the facts. So press pause. Take a step back. And dive into your research.

You’ll want to learn:

The basic facts of your topic. How long does fall last in New England vs. Colorado? What trees do they have? What colors do those trees turn?
The facts specifically relevant to your question. Is there any science on how the varying colors of fall influence human brains and moods?
What experts or other noteworthy and valid sources say about the question you’re considering. Has a well-known arborist waxed eloquent on the beauty of New England falls?

As you learn the different viewpoints people have on your topic, pay attention to the strengths and weaknesses of existing arguments. Is anyone arguing the perspective you’re leaning toward? Do you find their arguments convincing? What do you find unsatisfying about the various arguments?

Allow the research process to change your mind and/or refine your thinking on the topic. Your opinion may change entirely or become more specific based on what you learn.

Once you’ve done enough research to feel confident in your understanding of the topic and your opinion on it, craft your thesis.

Your thesis statement should be clear and concise. It should directly state your viewpoint on the topic, as well as the basic case for your thesis.

Thesis 1: In a mythical match, the mermaid would overcome the dolphin due to one distinct advantage: her ability to breathe underwater.

Thesis 2: The full spectrum of color displayed on New England hillsides is just one reason why fall in the northeast is better than in Colorado.

Thesis 3: In addition to not adding to vehicle traffic, electric bikes are a better investment than electric cars because they’re cheaper and require less energy to accomplish the same function of getting the rider from point A to point B.

Your turn: Dive into the research process with a radar up for the arguments your sources are making about your topic. What are the most convincing cases? Should you stick with your initial opinion or change it up? Write your fleshed-out thesis statement.

3. Evidence to back up your thesis

This is a typical place for everyone from undergrads to politicians to get stuck, but the good news is, if you developed your thesis from research, you already have a good bit of evidence to make your case.

Go back through your research notes and compile a list of every …

… or other piece of information that supports your thesis.

This info can come from research studies you found in scholarly journals, government publications, news sources, encyclopedias, or other credible sources (as long as they fit your professor’s standards).

As you put this list together, watch for any gaps or weak points. Are you missing information on how electric cars versus electric bicycles charge or how long their batteries last? Did you verify that dolphins are, in fact, mammals and can’t breathe underwater like totally-real-and-not-at-all-fake 😉mermaids can? Track down that information.

Next, organize your list. Group the entries so that similar or closely related information is together, and as you do that, start thinking through how to articulate the individual arguments to support your case.

Depending on the length of your essay, each argument may get only a paragraph or two of space. As you think through those specific arguments, consider what order to put them in. You’ll probably want to start with the simplest argument and work up to more complicated ones so that the arguments can build on each other.

Your turn: Organize your evidence and write a rough draft of your arguments. Play around with the order to find the most compelling way to argue your case.

4. Rebuttals to disprove opposing theses

You can’t just present the evidence to support your case and totally ignore other viewpoints. To persuade your readers, you’ll need to address any opposing ideas they may hold about your topic.

You probably found some holes in the opposing views during your research process. Now’s your chance to expose those holes.

Take some time (and space) to: describe the opposing views and show why those views don’t hold up. You can accomplish this using both logic and facts.

Is a perspective based on a faulty assumption or misconception of the truth? Shoot it down by providing the facts that disprove the opinion.

Is another opinion drawn from bad or unsound reasoning? Show how that argument falls apart.

Some cases may truly be only a matter of opinion, but you still need to articulate why you don’t find the opposing perspective convincing.

Yes, a dolphin might be stronger than a mermaid, but as a mammal, the dolphin must continually return to the surface for air. A mermaid can breathe both underwater and above water, which gives her a distinct advantage in this mythical battle.

While the Rocky Mountain views are stunning, their limited colors—yellow from aspen trees and green from various evergreens—leaves the autumn-lover less than thrilled. The rich reds and oranges and yellows of the New England fall are more satisfying and awe-inspiring.

But what about longer trips that go beyond the city center into the suburbs and beyond? An electric bike wouldn’t be great for those excursions. Wouldn’t an electric car be the better choice then?

Certainly, an electric car would be better in these cases than a gas-powered car, but if most of a person’s trips are in their hyper-local area, the electric bicycle is a more environmentally friendly option for those day-to-day outings. That person could then participate in a carshare or use public transit, a ride-sharing app, or even a gas-powered car for longer trips—and still use less energy overall than if they drove an electric car for hyper-local and longer area trips.

Your turn: Organize your rebuttal research and write a draft of each one.

5. A convincing conclusion

You have your arguments and rebuttals. You’ve proven your thesis is rock-solid. Now all you have to do is sum up your overall case and give your final word on the subject.

Don’t repeat everything you’ve already said. Instead, your conclusion should logically draw from the arguments you’ve made to show how they coherently prove your thesis. You’re pulling everything together and zooming back out with a better understanding of the what and why of your thesis.

A dolphin may never encounter a mermaid in the wild, but if it were to happen, we know how we’d place our bets. Long hair and fish tail, for the win.

For those of us who relish 50-degree days, sharp air, and the vibrant colors of fall, New England offers a season that’s cozier, longer-lasting, and more aesthetically pleasing than “colorful” Colorado. A leaf-peeper’s paradise.

When most of your trips from day to day are within five miles, the more energy-efficient—and yes, cost-efficient—choice is undoubtedly the electric bike. So strap on your helmet, fire up your pedals, and two-wheel away to your next destination with full confidence that you made the right decision for your wallet and the environment.

3 Quick Tips for Writing a Strong Argument

Once you have a draft to work with, use these tips to refine your argument and make sure you’re not losing readers for avoidable reasons.

1. Choose your words thoughtfully.

If you want to win people over to your side, don’t write in a way that shuts your opponents down. Avoid making abrasive or offensive statements. Instead, use a measured, reasonable tone. Appeal to shared values, and let your facts and logic do the hard work of changing people’s minds.

Choose words with AI

You can use AI to turn your general point into a readable argument. Then, you can paraphrase each sentence and choose between competing arguments generated by the AI, until your argument is well-articulated and concise.

2. Prioritize accuracy (and avoid fallacies).

Make sure the facts you use are actually factual. You don’t want to build your argument on false or disproven information. Use the most recent, respected research. Make sure you don’t misconstrue study findings. And when you’re building your case, avoid logical fallacies that undercut your argument.

A few common fallacies to watch out for:

Strawman: Misrepresenting or oversimplifying an opposing argument to make it easier to refute.
Appeal to ignorance: Arguing that a certain claim must be true because it hasn’t been proven false.
Bandwagon: Assumes that if a group of people, experts, etc., agree with a claim, it must be true.
Hasty generalization: Using a few examples, rather than substantial evidence, to make a sweeping claim.
Appeal to authority: Overly relying on opinions of people who have authority of some kind.

The strongest arguments rely on trustworthy information and sound logic.

Research and add citations with AI

We recently wrote a three part piece on researching using AI, so be sure to check it out . Going through an organized process of researching and noting your sources correctly will make sure your written text is more accurate.

3. Persuasive essay structure

If you’re building a house, you start with the foundation and go from there. It’s the same with an argument. You want to build from the ground up: provide necessary background information, then your thesis. Then, start with the simplest part of your argument and build up in terms of complexity and the aspect of your thesis that the argument is tackling.

A consistent, internal logic will make it easier for the reader to follow your argument. Plus, you’ll avoid confusing your reader and you won’t be unnecessarily redundant.

The essay structure usually includes the following parts:

Intro - Hook, Background information, Thesis statement
Topic sentence #1 , with supporting facts or stats
Concluding sentence
Topic sentence #2 , with supporting facts or stats
Concluding sentence Topic sentence #3 , with supporting facts or stats
Conclusion - Thesis and main points restated, call to action, thought provoking ending

Are You Ready to Write?

Persuasive essays are a great way to hone your research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Approach this assignment well, and you’ll learn how to form opinions based on information (not just ideas) and make arguments that—if they don’t change minds—at least win readers’ respect. ‍

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Picture this: you’re in a debate with friends, trying to convince them that pineapple belongs on pizza. That’s the essence of a persuasive essay—only, instead of chatting with friends, you’re writing to convince your readers that your viewpoint is valid. A persuasive essay is a type of writing where your goal is to take a stand on an issue and persuade your audience to see things from your perspective. To do this, you’ll use a mix of reasoning, evidence, and sometimes even a touch of emotion to get your point across.

Now, there are a few types of persuasive essays you might deal with. You could be writing an argumentative essay , where you’re asked to pick a side and back up your claims with facts and logical reasoning. Or, it could be an opinion essay , where the main point is to express your personal view on a subject and persuade your reader through your passion and understanding of the topic. Lastly, there’s the problem-solution essay , which requires you to highlight a problem and convince the reader that your proposed resolution is the best way to overcome it.

Why does this matter? Well, knowing how to build a persuasive argument will be useful not just in writing. Take a politics class, for example. You might find yourself arguing whether a government policy works or not. Or, in psychology, you could be making a case for whether nature or nurture plays a bigger role in human development. These skills aren’t limited to academics either—being persuasive is something you’ll use in your career, social life, and beyond.

types of persuasive essays: argumentative, opinion, problem-solving

Special Characteristics of a Persuasive Essay

So, what makes a persuasive essay different from any other type of paper? The main characteristic of such writing is that it’s designed to convince. Your job is to get your reader on board with your viewpoint using clear reasoning, evidence, and a well-structured argument. Here are a few things that make this type of paper stand out:

Clear stance

You’re not sitting on the fence here. A persuasive essay requires you to clearly state your position on the topic from the get-go.

Strong evidence

Facts, data, examples—you’ll need these to back up your argument and show that your viewpoint has a right and a place to exist.

Engaging argument

Persuasion doesn’t mean just throwing facts at your reader. You’ll need to present your argument in a way that makes the audience think and even challenge their own views.

Understanding the audience

Knowing who you’re writing for plays a key role, as you must tailor your argument to their beliefs, interests, and level of knowledge.

At the end of the day, the main objective of a well-written persuasive essay is to ignite thought, encourage debate, and ultimately persuade your reader to see things from your point of view.

Tips for Creating a Persuasive Essay Outline

Let’s assume you’ve brainstormed your ideas, but now comes the tricky part: how do you organize everything into a logical flow? Creating an outline is a lifesaver when you feel overwhelmed, as it gives a skeleton for your future essay. So, let’s break down how such a draft might look in the case of persuasive essay writing.

Usual Structure of a Persuasive Essay

Introduction This is where you grab the reader’s attention and introduce your topic. You should also clearly state your thesis— the main argument or position you’ll be defending throughout your essay. Make it concise and to the point, but strong enough to set the stage for the arguments to come.
Clearly introduce the point you’re about to make.
Expand on why this point matters about your argument.
Support your claim with facts, quotes, statistics, or examples that strengthen your case.
Tie everything back to your main argument to keep your essay cohesive.
Conclusion Here, you’ll summarize the key points you’ve made in the body paragraphs and restate your thesis, but in a fresh way that leaves a lasting impact. The conclusion should reinforce why your argument matters and encourage the reader to consider your perspective.

persuasive essay structure: introduction, body, conclusion

Helpful Recommendations for Outlining

Start with the thesis Before diving into your outline, make sure you’ve got a clear thesis. Your thesis will act as the anchor for your entire essay, so make it strong and direct.

Prioritize your strongest points In the body of your essay, lead with your strongest argument. This immediately shows the reader you’ve got solid reasoning. After that, you can present other supporting points in order of strength.

Use evidence wisely While it’s important to give facts and data, make sure the evidence you’re using directly backs up your argument. If it doesn’t clearly support your point, leave it out.

Be clear and concise Your outline doesn’t need to be overly detailed—it’s just a guide for how your essay will flow. Keep each section short, but make sure every point is clear enough that you’ll know exactly where to go when you start writing.

Stay flexible Remember, your outline is a tool, not a strict set of rules. If you feel like adjusting something as you’re writing, that’s okay! Outlines are there to guide you, not box you in.

Writing Recommendations for Creating a Strong Persuasive Paper

All of this may seem like a lot but with the right approach, you won’t even notice how you will get to proofreading a fully-written paper. Here are some recommendations to help you create a strong persuasive paper without unnecessary stress and hassles.

Take a Clear Position

Your thesis statement should clearly state your position on the topic. Don’t leave your reader guessing where you stand—be direct and assertive. The rest of your essay will revolve around proving why your viewpoint is valid, so make sure your thesis is focused and to the point.

Research, Research, Research

A strong persuasive essay is backed by solid evidence. Make sure you’ve done your homework and gathered credible information to support your argument. This could be statistics, expert opinions, studies, or real-life examples. The more well-researched your essay is, the harder it will be for readers to argue against you.

Address Counterarguments

No argument is complete without acknowledging the other side. By addressing potential counterarguments, you show that you’ve thought critically about the topic. Don’t just dismiss opposing viewpoints—explain why your argument is stronger than them. This strengthens your essay and shows your readers that you’ve considered all angles (hinting at the fact that you are unbiased in your opinion).

Use Persuasive Language

Your word choice can have a big impact on how convincing your essay is. Use persuasive language that appeals to logic, emotions, and ethics. For example, words like “because,” “therefore,” and “thus” help connect your reasoning. At the same time, appealing to your reader’s emotions (without overdoing it) can make your argument more relatable.

Stay Organized and On-Topic

One of the biggest mistakes in persuasive writing is going off-topic. Make sure each paragraph has a clear purpose and directly supports your thesis. Your essay should have a logical flow—start with your strongest point, and build on it as you go. Keep things focused, and avoid straying into irrelevant details.

Conclude with Impact

Your conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a lasting impression. Reinforce your main points without simply repeating them, and rephrase your thesis to show how your argument has been proven. End with a strong closing statement that encourages the reader to think further about your viewpoint, or even take action.

Revise and Edit

Even the best essays can benefit from a second look. After you finish writing, take a break and come back to it with fresh eyes. Look for areas where you can tighten your argument, fix grammar mistakes, or clarify your points. Editing is an important part of creating a strong persuasive essay, so don’t rush through it!

How do you start a persuasive essay?

Starting a persuasive essay begins with captivating your reader’s attention. You want your first sentence to be engaging, something that will make your audience think or surprisingly say “Oh is it actually like that?”. After that, introduce your topic and clearly state your opinion or main argument (this is called your thesis statement). Make sure your introduction sets the stage for what you’ll be arguing throughout the essay.

What are the 5 parts of a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay generally includes five key components. First, you begin with the introduction , where you introduce your topic and your main argument. Then comes the thesis statement , which is your clear stance on the subject. Following that, you’ll have body paragraphs , where each paragraph presents a piece of evidence or a reason supporting your thesis. A good persuasive essay also includes a counterargument , which addresses an opposing viewpoint and explains why it’s not as strong as your argument. Finally, the essay concludes with a summary of your main points , reinforcing why your argument is solid.

What are the 5 tips for persuasive essays?

The 5 main tips that you can follow to make your persuasive essay stronger are the following:

Know Your Audience – Understand who you’re writing for and what might convince them.
Use Strong Evidence – Back up your argument with facts, examples, or statistics.
Stay Focused – Stick to one main idea per paragraph, and don’t go off-topic.
Be Clear and Concise – Make sure your points are easy to understand.
Anticipate Counterarguments – Address opposing views and explain why your argument is better.

What is the format of a persuasive essay?

The format of a persuasive essay is quite simple. You begin with an introduction that presents your topic and main argument. The body paragraphs follow, where each paragraph supports your argument with specific reasons or evidence. A good persuasive essay also addresses counterarguments, acknowledging other viewpoints and explaining why your position is stronger. Lastly, the conclusion finalizes your essay, reinforcing your main points and leaving your reader with a clear understanding of the stated argument.