Parts of a Persuasive Essay: Outline-Making Tips & Examples

It’s improbable that you will fail your persuasive essay if you read this article!

So, what’s on the agenda?

Here, you’ll learn the detailed strategy of outlining a persuasive essay. You’ll also get an idea of the five main parts of the persuasive essay outline and find many helpful tips and examples. We aim to turn you into the best persuasive essay makers!

⚙️ Persuasive Essay Explained

We are on the way to telling you about an excellent persuasive essay. But first, let us shed light on the basics.

More haste, less speed!

So, we suggest that you learn certain fundamental things. Take your time and get down to reading!

Persuasive Essay Definition

A persuasive essay is a type of writing where you apply all your skills to convince the readers to take up the particular opinion as a correct one. It implies that you use tools like arguments, statistics, quotations, and research to reach your goal.

Persuasive Essay Goals

In general, a persuasive essay aims to persuade. More thoroughly:

• It should expose you as a skillful researcher and orator: you want your persuading talents to be apparent.
• It should touch upon a burning or at least interesting-to-discuss issue: there is no shortage of such nowadays.
• It certainly should be consistent, solid, and logically constructed. This way, potential readers would have no chance to disagree with your statement.
• A persuasive essay should have counterarguments in its contents. So, the next goal is to make you consider an issue from a different point of view.
• At least, it should make your audience start thinking in one or another direction. If not, adopt a particular opinion ultimately.

Persuasive Essay Challenges

Just like any academic assignment, persuasive writing has its gotchas. We’re here to prepare you!

The main challenges of a persuasive essay:

Be very careful with the topic you choose.	Choosing a good topic may be more difficult than you imagine. It’s not always easy to pick up a noteworthy and juicy one.
Don’t write in a bald way.	Tyrannically forcing your readers to adopt your ideas is a wrong decision. You should affect senses and emotions and create a subtle but strong influence on their sentiments.
Broaden the topic but keep it narrow.	You should be able to elaborate on the topic so that it may preserve its authenticity.
Always stick to the structure.	The structure of a persuasive essay should also draw your attention. Don’t do it if you want to switch the elements or drop one!

Argumentative Essay VS Persuasive Essay

These two types are often used interchangeably, so let’s dive into the peculiarities of each.

The difference between an argumentative and a persuasive one is based on the following key points:

📑 Persuasive Essay Outline

Can’t wait to figure out how to write a persuasive essay outline?

In the section below, we are telling you about each part separately. Studying the material this way, you have more chances for memorizing.

Persuasive essay tips: Create a strong introduction, a consistent body with valid arguments, and a firm conclusion.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Introduction

The introduction is the first key to success in all parts of a persuasive essay. The role it performs is very significant.

AN INTRODUCTORY paragraph invites your reader into the essay structure.

A reader enters and clearly understands what is awaiting here: the topic, the issue, and the tone of speaking. From the beginning, catch your audience’s attention and prove they should keep reading.

Thus, you should briefly present your idea, providing a piece of background information. The readers know the essence: it’s time to give them your thesis statement.

Hook

A hook is like an attraction for your reader—something sharp and engaging – to prove that your writing is worth attention. It is beneficial in persuasive essays because it appeals to the reader’s emotions rather than the mind.

We’ll show you four types of hooks for engaging the audience:

1. Statistics, figures.

Example: Have you ever imagined that around 3.5 to 7 billion trees suffer each year from being savagely cut?

2. A striking fact.

Example: Once, I was almost killed by gluten…

3. An engaging question.

Example: Are you also disturbed by the fact that sparrows are being shot in China?

4. A good quote.

Example: A respectable and infamous German philosopher would say: “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.”

Background Information

Another essential constituent of an outline for a persuasive essay is background information. It usually follows the hook. You need it to introduce the topic to readers and make them aware of the context.

You might need background information for different purposes:

• To explain the definition of a complex term;
• To provide some historical context for the phenomena you describe;
• To report current affairs in the field you highlight.

Persuasive essay tips: When giving background facts, you should be brief. It’s not necessary to go deep and write a complete article! Also, refer to all the information you use for support.

Thesis Statement

What are you standing for? What are you claiming?

These are the questions that your thesis statement should answer.

A thesis statement is an idea with great potential to debate.

The point is that there should be different opinions about the issue in your thesis statement. It won’t work if the thesis statement is an acknowledged fact.

• Choose the topic you’d want to discuss,
• Narrow the problem in question,
• Make sure the formulated statement is debatable.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Body

The most significant part of your persuasive essay structure is the body with three persuasive paragraphs. Each of them consists of an opening sentence and arguments backing up your claim.

Constructing your essay’s body this way allows the readers to climb the ladder of your argument smoothly.

Step by step, they start to accept your thesis statement and agree with it to the end.

Persuasive essay tips: A starting sentence of each paragraph is not a summary of the content. Its purpose is to present the main idea of the paragraph.

Arguments

To argue and persuade, one needs strong arguments. They define whether your readers will be inclined to believe you.

You can serve the arguments in different ways:

• Present them as facts,
• Give definitions to the notions in question,
• Highlight the importance of an issue,
• Explain the causal relations between phenomena.

Persuasive essay tips: Use Pathos in your persuasive paper to win over the readers’ trust through emotions and sympathy…

Perhaps, you know three main persuasion techniques due to the famous Greek philosopher Aristotle: Pathos, Ethos, and Logos. Focus primarily on Pathos when writing a persuasive essay.

Support

The role of support in persuasive writing is crucial. Supporting details include the essence of that truth you stand for in your essay.

Another word for this notion is the evidence: something that is used to prove the point.

At this point, you should be careful. It’s easy to get drifted into some unreliable sources. Check the information you come across and look for it in authoritative places.

Support can be different:

• Interviews or transcripts,
• Research and observation,
• Historical data,
• Your own experience and feelings,
• Real-life examples,
• Expert view on a question.

Elements of a Persuasive Essay. Conclusion

There is one more important part you meet in any persuasive essay outline.

Indeed, it’s a conclusion – your last step in convincing the readers to agree with you.

The best thing you can do is to breathe out and concentrate. It’s the final touch, so apply all your abilities to summarize all the meaningful information you’ve delivered before.

Persuasive essay tips for a conclusion:

• Do not introduce any new facts, arguments, and evidence.
• Sum up your writing and present the ideas from a different angle.
• Your reader is probably a bit tired: so use clear sentences and don’t overload with notions.

🔮 Persuasive Essay Outline Examples

If you read the article carefully, you have a complete picture of writing an excellent persuasive essay.

In theory…

Now we are focusing on the actual examples of persuasive writing.

Check out the most exciting essay samples we’ve got for you! We’ve prepared draft ideas – you can use them as a starting point for inspiration.

Persuasive Essay on Abortions

Topic: Women’s right to abortions in the circumstances when pregnancy is a consequence of sexual assault. Thesis statement: Abortions shouldn’t be stigmatized, especially if a woman is a sexual violence victim.
Background	The percentage of rape-related pregnancy is 5% per rape among sufferers of reproductive age. Among adult women, an estimated 32,101 pregnancies result from rape annually. Rape-related pregnancy happens with notable frequency. It is a cause of many unwanted pregnancies and is closely connected with domestic violence. (Rape-related pregnancy: estimates and descriptive characteristics…PubMed)
Arguments	Sexual assault/violence/rape is…(give a definition)Raped women suffer from both physical and mental trauma…The feature of an open-minded and healthy modern society is respect for other people’s choices…
Facts	Psychologists claim that rape victims experience PTSD syndrome that is difficult to get rid of.Children born due to rape face challenging situations both before and after birth and suffer continuously from stigmatization (The Trauma of Women Who Were Raped and Children Who Were Born as a Result of Rape..)
Conclusion	Sexual assault is a global problem characterized by high statistics.Traumatic experience prevents both women and children from mental well-being.Abortions have to be understood and accepted in modern society.

Persuasive Essay About Bullying

Topic: The responsible authorities should pay attention to bullying at schools to prevent spreading violence. Thesis statement: Bullying at schools directly correlates with school violence and shootings, and the government must regulate it.
Background information	In 2022 there were at least 40 incidents of gunfire on school grounds, resulting in 12 deaths and 17 injuries nationally (Gunfire on School Grounds in the United States).
Arguments	The problem of school bullying seems to have existed since the first schools appeared. Try to remember your school years and cases of bullying that happened to you or around you.Bullying also contributes to mental health problems.
Facts	The research has found that bullying is a major contributing factor to school violence.”59% of teens in the USA have experienced online bullying, and a similar share reports: it’s a significant problem for youngsters. At the same time, teens are likely to think teachers, social media companies, and politicians are failing at addressing this issue.” Bullied children and teens tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, self-harm, and long-term damage to self-esteem.
Conclusion	The bullying issue is quite acute and demands immediate solutions. It’s apparent that it causes challenging and even tragic circumstances

Persuasive Essay on School Uniform

Topic: positive effects of school uniforms and why pupils should stop complaining about it. Thesis statement: Pupils and parents should stop thinking school uniforms cramp creativity and accept its positive influence.
Background information	Debate on school uniforms is a well-known issue. Some schools do have their traditions and stick to them, demanding the same from students. Others are more relaxed in this question and allow pupils to express themselves through their appearance as they want.
Arguments	A school uniform can be of great aid in reducing school violence and bullying. It puts children into the same context and circumstances preventing schools from turning into vanity fairs.It also affects pupils’ academic performance and disciplines positively. School attendants don’t have to get distracted by distressful thinking about their appearance.Official school uniform contributes to the school society integrity and unity.
Facts	According to parents and students, wearing a school uniform helps reduce bullying. Wearing school uniforms raises school pride and community spirit. School uniforms promote school spirit because they provide students with a sense of unity.
Conclusion	School uniform advantages definitely prevail over shortcomings. That is why students and parents both have to think broader and stop perceiving uniforms as restricting liberty.

Persuasive Essay About Smoking

Topic: the detrimental effect smoking has on health and what are the particular solutions to the issue? Thesis statement: Health institutions should encourage smokers to start therapy.
Background information	Overall mortality among male and female smokers in the United States is approximately three times higher than among people who never tried smoking. (Tobacco-Related Mortality)
Arguments	Many people want to quit smoking, but they just can’t do it. It’s not the question of desire. Graphic pictures on cigarette packs are not effective. Although they remind smokers of health damage, it doesn’t stimulate them to give up smoking.The most powerful way to make the nation healthier is to consider the issue on deep levels. At least the first therapy session has to be free of charge for those who fight with the bad habit.
Facts	A survey proves that graphical images don’t work correctly (Graphic cigarette pack warnings do not produce more negative implicit evaluations of smoking) A psychologist insists: “People need to focus on behavioral change … they need the right skills and knowledge and social support. They need a plan” (Why it’s so hard to quit smoking) Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful to smoking cessation. In CBT, methods to reframe negative or self-defeating thoughts can be explored, making it easier to cope with nicotine cravings and any unpleasant emotions or feelings associated with quitting, such as withdrawal symptoms. (Smoking cessation.)
Conclusion	Many ways of smoking cessation are not effective. Health institutions should evaluate the most powerful and provide chain smokers with free therapy sessions.

Persuasive Essay on Immigration

Topic: Should immigration policy become stricter than it is now? Thesis statement: The government authorities should control immigrants more responsibly.
Background	The issue of rapid immigration in Europe and the USA has become as burning as possible. For example, in 2019, 272,000 immigrants arrived in France, and the number is growing each year. (Total number of immigrant arrivals in France from 2004 to 2019) The United States has more immigrants than any other country in the world. Today, more than 40 million people living in the United States were born abroad, accounting for about one-fifth of the global migrants. (Key findings about US immigrants)
Arguments	The rate of crimes committed by immigrants is disturbing.The more immigrants, the more pressure on public services.Overpopulation due to immigration.
Argument Support	The German interior ministry says that 27 illegal migrants either committed or attempted to commit murder or manslaughter last year. (Reality Check: Are migrants driving crime in Germany?)Immigration and a rise in local populations put higher pressure on social services, such as schools, hospitals, roads, and public transport. (Pros and cons of immigration)
Conclusion	The immigration process cannot and shouldn’t be stopped at all. At the same time, the authorities should pay more attention to immigration policies and control immigrants’ behavior in the accepting country.

📝 Persuasive Essay Topics

This section contains a collection of persuasive essay topics. You are welcome to use them for inspiration!

1. Animals must be used for scientific testing
2. Should phones and social media be banned in classrooms?
3. Philosophical issue: should abortion be legal?
4. Abortion must be safe and legal
5. Schools should teach morals
6. Corporations should act responsibly
7. How mental health and illness should be defined
8. Should marijuana be legalized?
9. Customer service: what effective customer service should be like?
10. How Supreme Court should interpret the Constitution
11. Should cell phone use in cars be banned?
12. When should children start school?
13. Should capital punishment be abolished?
14. Opioids: the industry that must be better monitored and regulated
15. Imprisonment and punishment: life should mean life
16. Should euthanasia be legal in some countries and why?
17. Should or should not marijuana be legalized in America?
18. Right to die with assisted suicide must be legal
19. Should Canada have an abortion law?
20. Whether direct voting should be allowed in the USA
21. Should European cities ban the operation of e-scooters?
22. Should human cloning be allowed?
23. Should we care about income inequality?
24. Should health care cost equally for everyone?
25. Should HRM be aligned with strategy?
26. Why gay marriages must be legalized
27. Social media: why people should stop using it
28. The reasons why marijuana should be legalized
29. The USA needs to adapt to socialistic healthcare system
30. Smoking cigarettes in public must be banned
31. Should the government of Ghana fund a new national airline flagship?
32. Why euthanasia should not be legal in the US
33. Universal health care should be given freely to everyone
34. Should juveniles be treated as adults?
35. Whether students should attend class or not: a discussion
36. The Electoral College must be abolished
37. Who should teach children sexual education?
38. Why genetically modified foods should be banned
39. Capital punishment must not be used
40. Should certain drugs be legalized?

🎁 Tips for Persuasive Essay Outline-Making

That was a lot of information! Time to polish all this knowledge.

Summary of what we have learned about writing a persuasive essay today:

• Choose the topic you would like to discuss: it should be burning or at least acute enough.
• Specify the chosen topic. It will make the process of writing more manageable for you and the essay – more interesting for readers.
• Formulate a brief and sharp thesis statement – your main claim.
• Look for and pick out the most reliable sources on the issue you write about.
• Think of a good hook you can use to attract readers’ attention.
• Study the sources for background information to provide your readers with it.
• Choose three main arguments that you will back up.
• Look for credible evidence for these arguments.
• Think of the ways you can influence the readers emotionally.
• Summarize the main points you highlighted in your paper for the conclusion.
• Proofread the whole paper to avoid grammar, spelling, or logical mistakes.

Now that we’ve comprehensively instructed you on persuasive essay writing, it’s your turn!

We would love to know your persuasive essay topics – share them in the comments below 👇.

Good luck and happy writing 😊