Argumentative/ Persuasive Essay

Writing
 Argumentative aka persuasive essay

• Persuasion and argument are often used

interchangeably:
Persuasion - a broad term = many tactics designed
to move people to a position, a belief, or a course
of action
Argument - a specific kind of persuasion based on
the principles of logic and reasoning

• Argument and persuasion are often taught

together because writers blend arguments in
order to persuade the audience.
 What is an Argumentative/ Persuasive essay?

• The author tries to convince readers to accept the viewpoint*

he/ she makes by writing facts/ reasons that back up his/ her
viewpoint.
• 3 things:
- Author’s viewpoint* (the author’s position)
- Support for the viewpoint (evidence* to back up this opinion)
- Opposing viewpoint (state it & explain why it is mistaken or not
as strong as the author’s argument)

*viewpoint (argument/ opinion/ position/ stance)

* evidence (info, facts, anecdote, experience, statistics)
 What is the goal of a persuasive essay?

1. Bring readers to your point of view

2. Convince readers that your position or your
arguments are valid

How is that done?

 How to achieve the goal?

1. By using tactful, courteous language with transition words

that help your readers to follow your thoughts

2. By clearly presenting your opinion (argument) and the main

points that support it (the thesis statement=intro)

3. By explaining in detail the main points that support your

argument and acknowledging the opposing point of view
(the body part)

4. By synthesizing the information presented in the body of the

essay and concluding the argument persuasively (conclusion)

* offensive, ironic or sarcastic lng cannot persuade your audience

 Structure

• Use the five paragraph structure:

• Paragraph 1 = Introduction
• Paragraph 2 = Body paragraph
• Paragraph 3 = Body paragraph
• Paragraph 4 = Body paragraph
• Paragraph 5 = Conclusion
 Introduction

1. Background: introduce your topic

explain why this topic is
important

2. Thesis statement which includes: your opinion

(argument) + the main points/ reasons that
support it (supporting points)
 Body paragraphs
Body paragraph 1:
- Supporting point/ Reason 1 (from the thesis)
- Evidence that supports this point (facts, anecdotes, statistics,
experience)

Body paragraph 2:
- Supporting point/ Reason 2 (from the thesis)
- Evidence that supports this point (facts, anecdotes, statistics,
experience)

Body paragraph 3:
- Opposing point(s)/ counter point + refutation of the(se) point(s )
(with the help of the supporting point from the thesis or a new one)
 Or
Body paragraph 1:
-Supporting point/ Reason 1 (from the thesis) + evidence that supports this
point (facts, anecdotes, statistics, experience)
-A counterclaim here*

Body paragraph 2:
-Supporting point/ Reason 2 (from the thesis) + evidence that supports this
point (facts, anecdotes, statistics, experience)
-Or a counterclaim here

Body paragraph 3:
-Supporting point/ Reason 3 (from the thesis) + evidence that
supports this point (facts, anecdotes, statistics, experience)
- Or here (a counterclaim)

* You do not need a counterclaim for each body paragraph.

 Conclusion

• Restate why the topic is important

• Review the thesis - your opinion + the main
points support it
• Synthesize & conclude in a persuasive way
 Enjoy:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAUKxr9
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