A persuasive paper requires a writer to present an issue on which people may disagree and articulate a position aimed at swaying readers to support the writer's stance. Effective persuasive reports require sound research of the topic, knowledge of arguments for and against the claim, sound reasoning supported by evidence, and clear, concise language. In general, a writer can structure a persuasive report in the following manner: introduction and statement of position, reasons to support your position, opposing views and refutation of them, and conclusion.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Researching and Writing a Persuasive Essay
1. 1
Select a topic for your persuasive report. This should be a two-sided issue about which there is some level of controversy. Be sure the topic is broad enough that you can research it adequately, but narrow enough that you can deliver a focused essay.
2. 2
Research your topic, using printed and online sources. Use respected, credible publications and websites in your research. Reliable sources build your credibility as a writer.
3. 3
Write an introduction for your paper that includes a clear claim statement. This statement gives the position you are taking in the report. You should be able to state your position in a single sentence, another reason for ensuring your topic is narrow enough. For example, a persuasive report on whether to legalize drugs could use the following as a statement of claim: "The war on drugs has failed, and the United States should end this policy by legalizing marijuana and other illegal drugs."
4. 4
Articulate reasons why readers should support your position, using facts and evidence gathered from your research to back your point of view. Be sure to attribute the facts you present to the sources from which you found them. Then present the key opposing views and rebut them, again using the evidence you gathered to support your arguments. Remember to include the