Planning a Persuasive Essay

Step 1: Determine the Opposing Positions.

• Read the prompt thoroughly. The prompt will ask you to take a position on a topic. Before you can do that, you must consider both sides of the issue.

• Identify the contrasting ways that a reasonable person would respond to the topic. State the positions in detail.

Step 2: Choose a Position.

• Choose to defend the side that has more merit (logical reasons, compelling evidence)—not simply the side you personally believe. Try to separate your personal biases from your persuasive purpose.

• Brainstorm and list reasons and supporting details as to why the side you selected is more valid.

Step 3: Consider the Audience.• An effective essay will anticipate the audience’s reaction to

the content.• How might an audience react to the question the prompt

asks? • What kinds of evidence would impress your audience?• Would your audience generally agree or disagree with your

position? How would they react to the opposing argument?• The audience’s reaction is crucial when you present

evidence. If you anticipate that they would generally be hostile toward your argument, your writing should have plentiful evidence to support your case, but do not be dogmatic and offensive in your approach and tone.

Step 4: Produce a Word Bank.

• Using a variety of diction displays your unique style and control of language. If a certain word might appear frequently, create a list of synonyms to add variety.

• Transition words show to the reader your ability to unify your ideas. Use phrases like “in addition”, “first”, “next”, “although”, etc.

• Leading into the concession shows your consideration of the other side and regard for the complexity of the argument. Use phrases like “admittedly”, “while it is true that”, “even though”, “however”, etc.

Step 5: Generate support for the opposing position.

• To convey the complexity of the argument, you must think about why both sides possess reasonable arguments. Doing so will help you to develop counterarguments to address the opposition’s points.

• Make a list of reasons and evidence that make the opposing position a valid one. You will reference and counteract these as a way of supporting your own position.

Step 6: Determine Appeals and Evidence.

• You must decide how you can effectively appeal to your specific audience: emotionally, logically, or ethically. The most convincing arguments include a variety of appeals.

• Specific, concrete evidence is imperative for persuasive writing because they significantly strengthen an argument. Vague examples are neither informative nor convincing.

• Refer to the list of supporting ideas you created when you chose your position. For each idea, generate precise, detailed examples that reinforce your idea.

Step 7: Establish your organization.• Create a thesis statement that suggests the complexity of the

issue, including both the position you selected and the opposing side. Your thesis should be in your introduction.

• Consider stating the opposing side in the first body paragraph, so the rest of the essay is a rebuttal of this argument, and your essay will end with your strongest points.

• Your remaining body paragraph(s) should be the supporting details you generated, strengthened by the concrete evidence you created.

• If time remains, write a conclusion that addresses the central idea but does not restate it and conveys how the prompt relates to humanity as a whole.