Persuasive Essay: Student Guidelines for A+ Paper

Step 1: Brainstorming

Students brainstorm to generate ideas that support assigned themes. For example, a persuasive essay is a type and form of writing that aims to convince a reader to accept a particular viewpoint or take action, using examples, such as argumentative papers on social issues, opinion editorials, and speeches advocating for change (Humble, 2024). In this case, students can use several ways of creating necessary concepts for supporting their topics:

• Free writing – One writes quickly without stopping, editing, and self-correcting. An entire process makes students aware of what they already know, think, and feel about essay topics.
• Subject Tree – Scholars must note down related ideas and connect them with a main topic. For example, students use a tree structure to organize thoughts that support main ideas presented.
• List – This process involves listing ideas that support a topic.
• Clustering – Such a step involves drawing a circle that contains a main topic. Basically, people list other ideas related to a concept on the ring’s sides.
• Outline – Learners create a composition framework, which includes main points. In turn, this process consists of breaking down a main topic into sub-points.  

Examples of prompts:

• Reimagining the Role of Technology in Enhancing Sports Performance
• Childhood Vaccinations and Their Importance in Society
• Exploring the Impact of Climate Change on Global Health
• Revolutionizing Patient Care Through Telemedicine
• Addressing Gender Inequality in Sports: The Path Forward
• Digital Learning Platforms Versus Traditional Classroom Teaching
• Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Sports
• Increasing Renewable Energy Usage Can Combat Climate Change
• School Cafeterias Should Serve Healthier Options
• Social Media Platforms Must Enforce Anti-Bullying Policies
• Television Advertising Targeted at Children Should Be Restricted
• Higher Education Should Be Affordable for All
• Public Transportation Systems Need Major Upgrades
• Remote Work Benefits Both Employees and Employers
• Community Service Should Be Integrated into High School Curriculums
• Exercise Should Be a Daily Requirement in Schools
• Technology in Classrooms Enhances Learning Experiences
• Arts Funding is Crucial for Cultural Development
• Organic Farming Should Be Encouraged Over Conventional Methods
• Governments Must Act Swiftly on Cybersecurity Threats
• Animal Adoption Should Be Promoted Over Buying Pets
• Reducing Plastic Use Can Save Marine Life
• Mental Health Resources Need More Funding
• Space Exploration Advances Scientific Knowledge
• Public Speaking Skills Should Be Taught Early
• Food Waste Needs to Be Minimized in Households
• Tax Incentives for Green Buildings Benefit Communities

Step 2: Researching

Researching involves gathering information from libraries or other credible sources. For example, students may use the Internet as a suitable source of credible information (Guillain, 2021). In turn, acceptable sources include reference works, books, and scholarly articles. However, people should observe the following points:

• assessing a site for timeliness and reputability;
• considering a website’s purpose;
• evaluating a website’s reliability and an author’s credibility;
• gathering all the source information and covering credentials during citing;
• avoiding all forms of plagiarism during writing.

Step 3. Developing a Thesis Statement

A thesis statement links ideas presented in an entire composition. For example, to write a persuasive essay, people clearly state their position in a thesis, support this stance with logical arguments and evidence, address counterarguments, refute them, and conclude with a strong summary and call to action (Hackett, 2021). In writing, a strong thesis statement contains a claim and supporting details. As such, effective thesis statements:

• make an assertion and take a stance;
• generalize information;
• do not include facts;
• contain debatable information;
• appear as a last sentence in an introduction paragraph.

Supporting details reinforce and sustain a main argument. In particular, different organizational methods for writing a persuasive essay make academic papers compelling. For example, scholars use problem-solution, cause-effect, and statement-of-reason organization writing techniques (Humble, 2024). Moreover, strong thesis statements combine claims and supporting details in one sentence. In turn, one may change a composition’s direction based on a chosen pattern for organizing the evidence. In turn, some examples of sentence starters for beginning a persuasive essay are:

• As a modern world continues to develop and change, a controversial issue of [topic] has emerged as a significant challenge that cannot be overlooked, demanding both attention and action.
• In recent years, [topic] has sparked widespread debate, and it has become increasingly clear that addressing this critical issue is important for a well-being of society.
• In a future where [negative scenario related to a topic], this world will be not only a hypothetical situation but also a reality if people fail to confront [topic] today.
• Throughout history, [topic] has played a pivotal role in shaping a human world, and, now, it is imperative that people recognize its impact and take decisive action.
• A growing concern surrounding [topic] can result in adverse consequences due to inaction that can have long-lasting implications for [specific group or society as a whole].
• While some individuals may dismiss a real importance of [topic], the evidence suggests otherwise, revealing that this issue is directly connected to a future of [related field or issue].
• In a world where [related issue] dominates headlines, it is easy to overlook [topic], yet doing so would be a grave mistake.
• Although there are differing opinions on [topic], a closer examination reveals that key benefits of addressing this issue far outweigh any potential drawbacks.
• As people continue to face unprecedented challenges in [related field], a principal role of [topic] has become increasingly critical, making it essential for them to take a stand.
• It is often said that [common saying related to a topic], and, when it comes to [topic], this passage rings especially true, highlighting an urgent need for a thoughtful and deliberate response.

Step 4: Writing a Good Introduction

An introduction section contains a composition’s most general information. For example, to write a strong introduction in a persuasive essay, people begin with a hook to grab attention, provide background on a chosen topic, and end with a clear thesis statement that outlines their main argument (Guillain, 2021). Basically, they set a paper’s road map in an opening paragraph. In turn, important points include:

• Definition – An introduction paragraph identifies, defines, and describes presented topics. In writing, students describe main ideas of their papers.
• Relevance – A first section shows an importance, concept, and theme of a composition. Compelling opening paragraphs explain how a given theme impacts society.
• Thesis Statement – Students put athesis statement as a last sentence in a composition.

Step 5. Writing Body Paragraphs

A body section contains adequate details that support main arguments. For example, compelling papers address each supporting aspect in a separate and fully developed section (Hackett, 2021). Moreover, including necessary evidence leads to compelling papers. In this case, argumentative works include:

• topic sentence in every paragraph;
• topic sentence that summarizes supporting details;
• every paragraph supports a single idea.

Step 6: Writing Opposing Arguments

Persuasive essays provide opposing views. For example, students state and explain different concepts in their texts (Humble, 2024). As a result, specific approaches show how a person with conflicting thoughts may clash with main arguments.

Step 7: Writing Rebuttal Claims

People must provide an application that opposes counterclaims. For example, to write a rebuttal paragraph, people acknowledge an opposing argument, refute it with evidence, reasoning, and explanation, and reinforce a strength of their original position (Guillain, 2021). In writing, effective rebuttals show some weaknesses in contrasting arguments. Sometimes, one may agree with some concepts in refutations. Moreover, compelling compositions indicate student’s thoughts on potential contradictions.   

Step 8: Writing a Conclusion

A conclusion section closes a persuasive essay. For example, scholars rewrite a thesis statement and reword it differently (Hackett, 2021). Basically, closing paragraphs reiterate and summarize main points of compositions. In writing, students should observe the following points:

• Relevance – Conclusions repeat an importance of a topic;
• Review – Closing elements reiterates key points discussed in a body part;
• Summary – A last item in a persuasive essay recaps main points.

Step 9: Rewriting

Students should rewrite first drafts and effect necessary changes that make final papers readable. For example, a standard structure of a persuasive essay includes an introduction paragraph with a thesis statement sentence, body paragraphs presenting arguments and evidence, a section addressing counterarguments, and a conclusion paragraph that reinforces a central claim and calls to action (Humble, 2024). Basically, scholars follow the following points:

• Learners rewrite first drafts and incorporate appropriate modifications. In this case, an entire process makes papers suitable for a target audience.
• Rewriting papers several times ensures compositions meet a required standard on how to write a persuasive essay correctly.
• Rubrics play an essential role in determining an overall effectiveness of achieving significant concepts in essays. 
• Second and subsequent drafts ensure papers meet required academic and writing standards.

Step 10: Proofreading and Editing

Proofreading papers comes as a last step on how to write a persuasive essay, determining an overall quality. In particular, students read essays several times and identifies significant ideas. For example, primary goals include identifying common grammatical mistakes and other syntax errors (Guillain, 2021). In this case, identifying spelling mistakes that lower a paper’s quality leads to better outcomes from readers. Other important concepts include a removal of grammatical errors that may affect an overall readability of a persuasive essay.

Asking for a Peer Review

Peers play a significant role when proofreading written works. Basically, authors of documents should ask scholars to read written essays for identifying hidden mistakes. For example, an analysis of essays improves an overall outcomes of a target audience (Ciullo et al., 2019). Furthermore, peer evaluation enhances a logical flow of information in a whole composition. In turn, embracing peers for proofreading or editing written works improves an overall quality.