The structure of the persuasive essay

1. The Persuasive Essay

2. The Persuasive Essay
In a persuasive essay, the writer attempts to
persuade readers that his or her opinion on a
controversial issue is the right one. The writer
presents one side of the issue and supports his or
her opinion with arguments backed up by statistics,
examples and expert opinions. In short essays (500
words), five paragraphs is the standard format.

3. Introductory Paragraph
Begin with a “grabber” -- a technique used to grab the
reader’s attention. Effective grabber techniques include:
1. Quotations
Sue Rodriguez asked, “... whose body is this? Who owns
my life?”
2. Definitions
“Euthanasia” is the act of killing someone to relieve pain
and suffering.
3. Facts
“On February 12, 1994, Sue Rodriguez defied Canadian
law and, with the help of an unidentified physician,
ended her life.
Structuring the Argumentative Essay

4. Introductory Paragraph:
Structuring the Argumentative Essay
Euthanasia should not be legalized.
The introduction ends with a thesis statement, an
affirmative sentence that expresses the writer’s opinion
about the subject of the essay.

5. Body Paragraphs
The second, third and fourth paragraphs make up
the body of the essay.
Structuring the Argumentative Essay
In each of these paragraphs, the first sentence
begins with a transition term. (First, Second,
Third, To continue, To finish) followed by an
argument in support of the thesis statement. The
first sentence,also called the topic sentence, must be
backed up with some form of evidence.

6. Body Paragraphs:
Three types of evidence
Facts: Euthanasia became legal in the Netherlands on
April 1, 2002.
Figures: Approximately 85 percent of Dutch people
support active euthanasia.
1. Statistics

7. Quote: Sue Rodriguez once asked, “I want to ask
you gentlemen, if I cannot give consent to my own
death, then whose body is it? Who owns my life?
Paraphrase: Sue Rodriguez asked the court to tell
her who owned her body and life.
2. Expert Opinion
Body Paragraphs:
Three types of evidence

8. The story of Sue Rodriguez, a young woman
diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
(ALS), demonstrates the need to legalize
assisted suicide.
3. Example
Body Paragraphs:
Three types of evidence
Ideally, at least two types of evidenceIdeally, at least two types of evidence
are used in the body essay.are used in the body essay.
Ideally, at least two types of evidenceIdeally, at least two types of evidence
are used in the body essay.are used in the body essay.

9. Conclusion
Structuring the Argumentative Essay
The fifth paragraph is called the conclusion.
The conclusion begins with a transition term (In
summary, To conclude) and a summary in which
the thesis and the three arguments are restated.
The essay ends with a “clincher”--a technique used
to encourage the reader to think about the essay.

10. Conclusion
Three types of “clincher” techniques
An example of connecting with the grabber would be:
The response to both of Sue Rodriguez’s questions is
the same: She does!
1. Connecting with the introduction

11. Conclusion
Three types of “clincher” techniques
Should euthanasia be legalized?
2. Asking a Rhetorical Question

12. Conclusion
Three types of “clincher” techniques
Euthanasia should be a choice in the same way that
abortion is a choice--and for the same reason: the
body belongs to the individual, not the state.
3. Offering a Suggestion

13. Persuasive Strategies
By only using the third-person singular or plural (he,
she, it, they, etc.), the essay appears impersonal and
therefore rational.
1. Don’t use any first- or second-person
pronouns(I, you, we, my, your, our, etc.)
Four basic strategies to use when writing a
persuasive essay:

14. Persuasive Strategies
Using a formal style will lend credibility to your essay.
2. Don’t use any contractions (he’s, they’re,
we're,etc.)unless your teacher indicates otherwise.
Four basic strategies to use when writing a
persuasive essay:

15. Persuasive Strategies
By placing your weakest argument in the middle of
the two paragraphs, the stronger two arguments hide
the weakness of the argument. In other words, you
begin and end strong.
3. Place the weakest argument in the second
paragraph of the body (paragraph 3)
Four basic strategies to use when writing a
persuasive essay:

16. Persuasive Strategies
By presenting the opposing position and then refuting
it, you appear open-minded; you indicate that you
have considered both sides of the issue, opting for
the better of the two.
4. In the introduction, present the opposing
viewpoint first, and then refute it in your thesis
statement.
Four basic strategies to use when writing a
persuasive essay:

17. Language Structures and Transition
Terms
• While proponents claim that..., it would appear
the opposite is true.
• Some have asserted that ...; nevertheless, ...
• It could be argued that ...; however, ...
Some useful language structures to present
and then refute and opinion are:
Notice the wordsNotice the words neverthelessnevertheless andand however.however. TheyThey
are transition words and, like the termsare transition words and, like the terms first,first,
secondsecond, and, and third,third, they help the reader follow yourthey help the reader follow your
train of thought.train of thought.
Notice the wordsNotice the words neverthelessnevertheless andand however.however. TheyThey
are transition words and, like the termsare transition words and, like the terms first,first,
secondsecond, and, and third,third, they help the reader follow yourthey help the reader follow your
train of thought.train of thought.