Persuasive Essays

Creating a persuasive essay takes a blend of creativity and facts to

establish an environment where one can convince someone to believe
a given position and/or to take action upon the subject written about.
Often we find persuasive essays in political environments or in
nonprofit writings seeking action or donations for a particular cause.
The Art of Persuasion
To convince someone to take action or to accept a particular opinion or
point of view, it is necessary to play upon his or her emotions. Often
the writer does this by writing a passionately descriptive scenario,
detailing how the scenario affects them (or in some cases asks how
they could not be moved by such a condition, playing directly upon
their compassion, and then issuing the call for them to take
immediate action.
To write such an essay, start by describing as vividly as possible the
scenario you are trying to change or create. !t this stage, you are
painting a picture in the mind of your reader with the words you write.
"e#t, describe what actions or responses you feel will address the
issue that you wish the reader to take, e#plain the logic behind and
effect you believe this action will have and why the reader should act
promptly.
$inally, describe the environment you believe will be created by the
reader%s actions. !gain, you are painting with words, generating an
image in the mind of the reader showing the improvements the reader
will be responsible for by taking immediate action.
When beginning a writing project, one of the steps in your process might be to decide just
what voice to use in your next post/article/missive. And in this case, by voice mean
in terms of what the article is meant to do. s it an explanation! s it a definition piece!
"o you have a strong case for, or against, something and want to convince your reader!
While it is not critical to #now which voice you want to write from, sometimes$when you
are stuc#$it is helpful to go bac# to basics. %tart your writing process from a simpler
level by as#ing yourself what #ind of article am writing! What am trying to say and
how do want to say it!
&here are ' choices of direction from which your article can be written(
Argument: convinces someone of something
Explanation: tells why something happened instead of something else
Definition: states what a word or concept means
Description: identifies properties or )ualities of things
An argument is a collection of sentences *#nown formally as +propositions,- intended to
convince the reader that something is correct, that something is the case. .erhaps you
want to convince people to ta#e some action, to buy some product, to vote a certain way,
or to believe a certain thing. &he thing that you want to convince them to believe is the
conclusion. n order to convince people, you need to offer one or more reasons. &hose are
the premises. %o one type of article consists of premises leading to a conclusion, and that
is how you would structure your first paragraph.
An explanation tells the reader why something is the case. t loo#s at some event or
phenomenon, and shows the reader what sort of things led up to that event or
phenomenon, what caused it to happen, why it came to be this way instead of some other
way. An explanation, therefore, consists of three parts. /irst, you need to identify the
thing being explained. &hen, you need to identify the things that could have happened
instead. And finally,
you need to describe the conditions and principles that led to the one thing, and not the
other, being the case. And so, if you are explaining something, this is how you would
write your first paragraph.
A definition identifies the meaning of some word, phrase or concept. &here are different
ways to define something. 0ou can define something using words and concepts you
already #now. 1r you can define something by giving a name to something you can point
to or describe. 1r you can define something indirectly, by giving examples of telling
stories. A definition always involves two parts( the word or concept being defined, and
the set of sentences *or +propositions,- that do the defining. Whatever way you decide,
this will be the structure of your article if you intend to define something.
/inally, a description provides information about some object, person, or state of affairs.
t will consist of a series of related sentences. &he sentences will each identify the object
being defined, and then ascribe some property to that object. &he ball is red, for
example, were the ball is the object and +red, is the property. "escriptions may be of
+unary properties, 2 li#e colour, shape, taste, and the li#e, or it may describe a relation
between the object and one or more other objects.
&his is just a rough outline, but, when you are beginning a writing project, sometimes
bac# to the basics is the best first step. HOW do you want to say whatever it is you
want to say! 3hoose one from the list above and move to the next step in your process.
Argumentative Essay
&he function of an argumentative essay is to show that your assertion *opinion, theory,
hypothesis- about some phenomenon or phenomena is correct or more truthful than
others4. &he art of argumentation is not an easy s#ill to ac)uire. 5any people might thin#
that if one simply has an opinion, one can argue it successfully, and these fol#s are
always surprised when others don4t agree with them because their logic seems so correct.
Argumentative essay writing is the act of forming reasons, ma#ing inductions, drawing
conclusions, and applying them to the case in discussion6 the operation of inferring
propositions, not #nown or admitted as true, from facts or principles #nown, admitted, or
proved to be true. t clearly explains the process of your reasoning from the #nown or
assumed to the un#nown. Without doing this you do not have an argument, you have only
an assertion, an essay that is just your unsubstantiated opinion.
7otice that you do not have to completely prove your point6 you only have to convince
reasonable readers that your argument or position has merit6 i.e., that it is somehow more
accurate and complete than competing arguments.
Argumentative essays are often organi8ed in the following manner(
9. &hey begin with a statement of your assertion, its timeliness, significance, and
relevance in relation to some phenomenon.
:. &hey review critically the literature about that phenomenon.
;. &hey illustrate how your assertion is <better< *simpler or more explanatory- than
others, including improved *i.e., more reliable or valid- methods that you used to
accumulate the data *case- to be explained
Writing an essay on one of the argumentative essay topics re)uires to be well armed
with strong and convincing arguments concerning one of the chosen topics for a
argumentation essay. 0our personal position and insight should of course be the basis of
your wor#, but the main point is that your personal views have to be supported by
founded arguments, reasons, proofs and evidences and proceed from the factual
information.
=ence, your wor# should bristle with clearly2cut and legible arguments to loo# li#e a real
argumentative essay. &he arguments are the facts or statements which will support your
position.
>e always ready for the opposition to your argumentative essay topic . &ry to speculate
on this in advance and to develop the opposition views in your wor#.
&he following topics are suitable for argumentative essay assignments.
9. 3heating helps students learn.
:. 3onsidering its geopolitical role, we can clearly say that 5alaysia cannot be
without %ingapore.
;. %hould animals be used for scientific research! s it humanly!
'. What are two sides of the death penalty! s it a cruel murderer or a just
punishment! 3an it be a deterrent to crime!
Bioethics: Assisted %uicide, ?enetic @esearch6
Computing Issues: ntellectual .roperty and .iracy, 3ybercrime and .rivacy6
Constitutional Issues: ?un 3ontrol, &he death .enalty6
Social Concerns: Animal @ights,?ambling.
List of Argumentative Essay Topics To Consider:
%hould we do more to deal with the problem of domestic violence, or is the
problem exaggerated!
We are becoming overwhelmingly dependent on computers. s this dependence on
computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits!
s there too much of commercialism in the nternet!
%hould the animals be used for scientific research! s it humanly!
%hould the cigarettes smo#ing be banned as heroin consumption!
%hould drivers of automobiles be prohibited from using cellular phones!
%hould restrictions be placed on the use of mobile phones in public areas li#e
restaurants and theaters!
%hould the <@ight to "ie< be 3onsidered a @ight!
What are two sides of the death penalty! s it a cruel murderer or a just
punishment! 3an it be a deterrent to crime!
Authanasia as a way of relieving ill people4s pain and save them from the tortures
of their illness. "o we have the right to ta#e people4s life, if after all life is the
greatest charisma!
/orests are the lungs of the earth. %hould the rain forests destruction be
prohibited! =ow is it possible to protect forests!
%hould there still be colleges and schools just for men/boys and some just for
women/girls!
%hould sex education be increased in schools in an attempt to curb problems such
as teenage pregnancy!
3onsidering in detail the opposing arguments presented by .lato and 7afisi, when
is censorship necessary given the nature of #nowledge and reality!
=uman beings do not need to eat meat in order to maintain good health because
they can get all their food needs from meatless products and meatless substances.
Argue for or against the opinion above.
What do you thin# about vegetarians! Are they people who care for animals and
want to protect them or people lac#ing the ade)uate ration!
What are some of the best ways to welcome and then assimilate immigrants into
%ingapore! What are the pros and cons of each of these!
"omestic wor#ers( =ow these women are treated or mistreated by their
employers. &he problems they face with ine)uality in the wor#place, most of
these women come from different countries and do not spea# the language or
#now their own rights.
Advertising( nformation or 5anipulation!
&o what extent has the traditional male role changed in the last :B years!
Aducation is an indivisible part of the prosperity of the nation. &he more educated
and cultured people there are in the country the more flourishing and thrifty the
country is. 3omment on this issue, argument your decision
%hould society assume more responsibility for pregnant teenagers and children
they bear!
&he mass media, including &C, radio, newspapers have a great influence on
people and especially on the younger generation. t plays an important role in
shaping the opinions and positions of the younger generation. Argue for or against
this statement.
Compare and contrast essay is one of the numerous essay subtypes. n this case, as we
can easily deduce, the main objective of this #ind of essay is compare any two items,
finding similarities between them, and/or contrast them, i.e. analy8e them critically
finding and pointing out dissimilarities.
/irst, and the most important thing here is to choose an appropriate topic. 5a#e sure not
to choose two totally unrelated subjects, lest you will have lots of problems finding
similarities. %tart out with a subject that has some basic similarities, e.g. two novels, two
paintings, speeches etc. 3hoosing a mos)uito and the Atlantic 1cean as the main subject
of your comparecontrast essay might be not such a great idea.
%econd, brainstorm for ideas and try to write down every single one of them that would
be relevant for the topic. 0ou might want to divide your sheet of paper into two main
sections and start jotting down everything that springs up to your mind, including plusses
and minuses for each chosen item. &hat4s easyD
>earing this in mind will help you produce a relevant paper in terms of contents or
meaning6 now let,s move on to the form.
Comparingcontrasting essay re)uires special attention, since in this case form is
crucial. 5any pieces of elaborate writing have fallen victim to irrelevant form, burring
down the most ingenious ideas. &here are two generally acceptable forms of
comparing/contrast essays(
type(
ntroduction $ opens the essay generally, serves to catch the eye of the reader, so ma#e is
jingleD &heme 9 $ ta#e item 9 of your essay and point out similarities and differences.
"on4t mention anything from theme :. &heme : $ 7ow it4s high time that you should
mention the same for theme :. Again, nothing from theme 9. &opic 9 and : combined $
ta#e them together to compare and contrast. 3onclusion $ finish your compare and
contrast essay with a nicely worded statement, which shows your profound #nowledge
of the subject matter. n this part you should also either support your thesis *basically by
rewording your initial statement- and show how you have arrived at this conclusion.
type(
ntroduction $ see above, this should be the opener All comparisons $ this section should
contain ; paragraphs, enumerating all similarities that you have been able to identify in
both themes. All contrast $ this section should also be no longer than ; paragraphs. 0our
main objective is to pin down every difference in the subjects under consideration.
3onclusion $ Eogically, your analysis has to finish somehow. &his is what the conclusion
is for. Again, here you are summing up what you have done, showing your profound
#nowledge of the subject matter and supporting your initial statement