Persuasive Writing
How to Write a Convincing
Argument
Prepared by:
SHARMEGNE G. CABANG
English X Teacher
What is a persuasive
essay?
A persuasive essay
provides a convincing
argument for one to
believe something or do
something.
A. Brainstorming/
Choosing a Topic
Choose an issue that is
important to you.
What are some things that you
find important that you wish
more people did or didn’t do?
B. Prewriting
Research your topic.
To complete your persuasion map,
you will need to find a goal, three
main reasons, and three facts or
examples to support each main
reason (nine facts/examples total).
What is a goal?
The goal, or thesis, will be what
you are trying to convince your
reader to do or say. You will use
it in your introductory paragraph.
Ex. Students should not be forced
to wear school uniforms.
What are reasons?
Your main reasons, or opinions, will
serve as the meat of your essay.
Ex. School uniforms infringe upon
students’ needs for self-expression.
Because this could not be proven,
this is considered an opinion.
What are
facts/examples?
Your facts and examples will provide the most
convincing part of your essay. You need
factual evidence in your body paragraphs to
convince the reader.
Ex. In a national study among students who wear
school uniforms, the average student feels stifled
by wearing the same thing every day.
Facts like this make your argument seem
more reasonable, sound, and ultimately,
convincing.
C. Drafting
Now you are ready to begin writing
your essay.
1) Introductory Paragraph
Hook- statistic, imagery, quotation,
or rhetorical question (1-2
sentences)
Thesis- goal of your essay.
Drafting
2) Body Paragraph
Topic sentence- state main reason
(the most convincing argument)
Remember to make it interesting!
Facts and Examples
Persuasive Strategies
Use the following strategies in your essay:
Anticipate and answer possible objections-
What objections might your audience have to
your goal or reasons?
Ex. Objection- School uniforms have a one-
time cost.
Answer- Although students wear the same
thing every day, students will still need
clothes to wear on the weekends and after
school.
Persuasive Strategies
Predict benefits- tell your audience
how your goal will benefit them.
Ex. If students are allowed to
choose their own attire, students
would be more comfortable in their
learning environments.
Drafting
3) Concluding Paragraph
Restate Thesis- Find a new way to
say it though!
Restate main reasons- Find new
ways to say them!
Conclusion sentence- Finish your
essay with a powerful sentence.
Leave the reader thinking so that the
argument stays with him/her for a
long time.
D. Revising
You will use a checklist to revise
your own draft.
Revising will help you organize your
thoughts clearly, strengthen your
argument with persuasive words,
and eliminate unnecessary details.
Transitional Words and
Transitional Phrases
Use the following words and/or phrases in the
revising stage.
Transitional Words: because, therefore, thus,
however, although, also, similarly, another,
besides, furthermore, moreover, better, best,
finally
Transitional Phrases: as a result, for this reason,
in conclusion, in contrast, in addition, for
example, above all, equally important, to begin
with
E. Editing
How convincing can an essay be if
it’s filled with grammatical and
spelling errors?
These errors are distracting and
take the spotlight off your essay.
You will use proofreading marks to
correct your draft.
The Do’s and Don’t’s
of Persuasive Writing
Do use persuasive vocabulary.
Don’t try to pass off opinions as facts. (If
it can’t be proven, it’s only an opinion!)
Do use an exciting hook.
Don’t start every sentence with the same
word.
Do remember to always support your
main reasons and your goal.
The Do’s and Don’t’s
of Persuasive Writing
Do organize your three body paragraphs
with the most convincing reason to least
convincing reason.
Do use transitional words and
transitional phrases.
Don’t forget to have fun!
Task: Persuasive
Essay
Choose one (1) from the topics:
1. Taking care of the environment
2. Minimizing the cases of bullying
3. Upholding positive values and
attitude
