When you’re asked to write a persuasive essay (or in other words, an opinion essay) you have to identify for yourself what it should look like and what it is aimed at delivering to the reader. To assuage your doubts about that, we are here to tell you about the structure of the persuasive essay, tips on how to plan it and give some other useful hints that may come in handy in any writing.
In fact, any controversial idea that causes arguments may become a topic of such essay, where you have to present your opinion and defend it so that your opponents wouldn’t have a chance to disagree (or at least could believe it and realize that the argument is valid and your opinion has a right to exist). So when you’ve got the topic or made up your own, be ready to take one position and support it.
Pick one side or the other and be clear with your arguments and the details. Next, consider the audience and ask yourself: who are those people that gonna read that? of what age? why are they for or against? what are their possible arguments? You need all this to advocate your opinion much stronger. OK, it was the easiest part.
Now, let’s come to the structure. The persuasive essay follows basic 5 paragraph format, where
- Paragraph 1 – Introduction
- Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 – Body paragraphs
- Paragraph 5 – Conclusion
The introduction should be started with a hook (otherwise nobody will keep reading if you have nothing interesting to tell) that is an attention-grasping sentence. Further, you go to the background information: make sure you explain the whole controversy of an issue to the reader, so there’s basically nothing difficult in it. And finish your introduction with a thesis statement. The latter is what you are up to dwell on in the whole your essay. Here are some tips on how to attract interest from the very beginning
As for the body, each paragraph here consists of the topic sentence and its supporting reasons and details. Here it is OK to add 3-4 sentences according to the TEEL structure, which we have mentioned previously. But remember that each topic sentence should be different, but connected with the thesis statement. One thing that you haven’t probably heard of is that you also must add a counter-argument here – a view of a person who would disagree with your point of view. It is important to give the reader the understanding that you are aware of both sides of a problem and your choice of the side is informed. And once you have presented that, it’s time for you to argue and explain why your opinion is stronger. After that, you may either refute (immediately disagree) or concede (like “yes… but!”), but be logical, don’t just
When you get to the conclusion, you have to restate your thesis statement using slightly different language. Sum up everything you’ve already told, and leave the reader with a lasting impression by adding a strong statement and that’s it!
Finally, if you follow all the above mentioned, you’ll succeed for sure. But if it is still too complicated and bright ideas don’t come up to your mind, don’t hesitate to address us. We’ll help you with any your homework essay.
