ELEMENTS OF LANGUAGE <MODEL BANK HOME    
Writer's Model
 Persuasive Essay
 
     
A persuasive essay is meant to change readers' minds or to convince them to take action. The essay is usually focused on an issue that is very important to its writer—an issue that the writer has a strong opinion about.
 
Many persuasive essays use the structure illustrated in the framework below. Print this framework and use it as a guide when you write your own persuasive essay.
   
 
    Introduction
• Attention-grabbing beginning
• Opinion statement
Get your readers' attention Begin your essay with a surprising statement, an anecdote, or a question that will help your readers understand why the issue is important to you.
State your opinion Tell your readers what the issue is and what you think about it.
 
 
    Body
• Reason #1
• Evidence and elaboration
• Reason #2
• Evidence and elaboration
  and so on
Provide reasons that support your opinion Write a paragraph for each reason. Arrange reasons in order of importance (starting with the most important) or in climactic order (ending with the most important).
Use evidence Support each reason with evidence such as facts, expert opinions, or anecdotes.
 
 
    Conclusion
• Restatement of opinion
• Summary of reasons
• Call to action or closing statement
Wrap it up Restate your opinion, summarize your reasons, and include either a call to action or a closing statement.  
 
   
Copyright© by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. Terms of use. Credits. Privacy Policy.