Persuasive Essay Elaboration Strategies Introductory, Body, & Concluding Paragraphs

Persuasive Essay Introductions – Take a Stand: STATE YOUR POSITION. This is your thesis statement that includes your WHY. – Scenario/Anecdote: Provide hypothetical or personal examples to illustrate your topic and argument. – Inquiry/Questioning: Ask thought-provoking, edgy, open-ended questions to capture the reader’s interest. – Preparatory Info/Overview: Define or explain the topic before discussing it in detail.

Starting with a Question: to do or not to do… Ask yourself, isn’t there a better, more creative, more interesting way to start my writing? If the above is actually “no” or you are just plain stumped (like during the HSPE), make sure that your question can’t be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” If your reader can say “no,” then you’ve lost them.

Persuasive Essay Body Paragraphs Persuasive Language: Using strong words, feeling/emotion words, and repeated phrases to draw your reader into your POV. Expert Testimony: Using Voices of authority to support your position. Cause/Effect: Illustrating/describing the cause and effect of one or both sides of your argument (A leads to B, which leads to C, etc.). Concession/Rebuttal: Acknowledge/ Anticipate & Refute opposing arguments.

Compromise/Problem Solving: A solution that meets in the middle or an “ah-ha!” solution. Facts/Statistics: Facts, numbers, percents, (citation), etc. to support your argument. Anecdotes: Including a personal story or specific experience to give emotional appeal to your argument. Persuasive Essay Body Paragraphs Continued…

– Call to Action: Implore the audience to change or take action. – Offer a Solution: Suggests some possibilities to resolve the problem posed. – Make a Prediction: Similar to a startling statement, this can be a warning or an encouragement. Persuasive Essay Conclusions