Writing a persuasive essay

You might:

 Relate the topic to a recent news item or current

event.
 Relate the topic to an aspect of your reader’s life.
 Begin with an entertaining or attention-grabbing
INTRODUCTION
anecdote

1 

Engage the reader
Define the social issue – what’s the
 Start with a question.
It’s the whole point of your essay!
topic here?
 What way of thinking are you promoting?
 State your position
 Or, what do you want to happen?
 Or, what needs to change?

First reason

Supported by some examples/evidence such as:

2 

Facts/statistics
Expert testimony
Language devices that dazzle!

Jargon
 Real life examples
Repetition

Use a transition phrase to lead into… Emotive, figurative or descriptive

language
Second reason Direct address (you) or inclusive

3 Supported by examples/evidence such as:

 Facts/statistics
language (we)

Three part sentences

 Expert testimony Rhetorical questions
 Real life examples
 Etc.
Use a transition phrase to lead into…

Third reason Pre-emptive rebuttal

Supported by examples/evidence such as: Acknowledge the opposing viewpoint

4 

Facts/statistics
Expert testimony
or
and counter it/denigrate it.

Some people believe…

 Real life examples
However, this is wrong because…

(Supported by facts/statistics, or expert

testimony, or real life examples, etc.)

Conclusion / Call to action!

 Summarise your three main points - but be concise.

5  End with a call to action!

o Direct your reader to do something (It could be more than one thing.)
o Return to what you want to happen/what needs to change
o Remind us of how we should think about the issue overall.