Traditional Structure of a Persuasive Essay and Functions of the Different Parts of the Persuasive Essay

 

I.    Introduction

A.     In the beginning words of your essay, catch the reader's attention and make the reader want to keep reading.  Create interest in your issue. You could use statistics, an anecdote, or some interesting fact you discovered in your research as an attention grabber.

B.     Provide enough background information about your topic. Why is your topic an issue and what are the controversies?

C.     State your thesis (make your claim). Your thesis must be arguable.

 

II.   Body (for detailed possible outlines for the body of your essay, click here.)

A.    Provide evidence (supporting points for your thesis) with concrete and specific details. Use evidence that you found in your research, such as quotations of other people's viewpoints, facts, and data. For each new point, start a new paragraph. Remember to try to establish common ground without using "you."

 

B.   Acknowledge opposing views. Use evidence and specific details to describe and logically refute the opposing views. You can also discuss the opposing views point by point as you did with your points of support.

 

III.  Conclusion

A.    You should NOT simply summarize your paper.  You may summarize your main points if you feel it's necessary; however, you should end with something to make your readers think-- a call to action, a look ahead to the future, a solution, or an ultimatum. 

B.    Another way to conclude might be with a reiteration of the significance of your issue to you and also to your readers' lives.