What does it mean to be persuasive?
Persuasive writing is all about making people see things your way. Whether you’re writing about climate change, student debt, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza, persuasive writing is the art of changing minds—and doing it well means backing up your opinions with solid evidence.
Persuasive language often includes phrases like:
- I believe
- In my opinion
- As evidence shows
- For this reason
…and these should always be followed by evidence to support your point of view. (This is where your research comes in!)
Know Your Audience
Before you start writing, think about who’s reading your essay. Ask yourself:
- How much do they know about the topic?
- How do they feel about it? Is the issue controversial?
- How hard will it be to convince them?
- What kind of evidence will work best? (e.g., statistics, expert opinions, personal stories?)
Persuasive Writing Techniques
There are a number of techniques you can use to convince your reader of your point of view. For example:
- Appeal to authority: Use quotes or findings from trusted experts or institutions.
- Appeal to emotion: Tap into your reader’s feelings to strengthen your message.
- Appeal to logic and reason: Use cause-and-effect reasoning and facts to support your claims.
- Provide anecdotal examples: Share brief personal stories that support your argument.
- Use solid data: Statistics and credible research go a long way in proving your point.
- Address objections: Acknowledge and refute common counterarguments.
Example in Action:
Topic: Why You Should Ride a Bike Instead of Driving a Car
Thesis statement: You should ride your bike to work because it is better for the environment, better for your health, and it will save you money.
- Appeal to authority: According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is considered the greatest environmental risk to health.
- Appeal to emotion: When you ride your bike, you are helping to make the world a better place for your children.
- Appeal to logic: If you ride a bike instead of driving, you won’t get a speeding ticket.
- Anecdotal evidence: My brother has been riding his bike to work for the past year. He has saved so much money on gas and insurance, he can now afford to take a month-long trip to Europe.
- Solid data: Cycling to work was associated with a 45% lower risk of developing cancer and a 46% lower risk of heart disease compared with commuting by car or public transit (Gill, 2017).
- Addressing misconceptions: Many people believe that it is faster to drive to work than to ride a bike. However, in many cities, it may actually be faster to bike to work due to traffic congestion.
Final Thought:
A persuasive essay isn’t just about expressing your opinion — it’s about building a strong, evidence-based case and anticipating your reader’s concerns. With the right techniques, you can make your argument not just heard, but believed.
