CompFAQ/Persuasive Writing

📝 English Composition Writing FAQ

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How to Make Your Essays More Persuasive

As a first-year college composition student, you may find yourself struggling to write persuasive essays that effectively convince your readers of your position on a topic. However, with the right techniques and strategies, you can create more compelling and persuasive essays. Here are some tips to help you:

Choose a Strong Topic

• Pick a topic that you are passionate about
• Choose a topic that is relevant and timely
• Ensure that your topic has enough information to support your arguments

Develop a Clear and Strong Thesis

• State your position on the topic clearly and succinctly
• Provide a roadmap for the rest of your essay
• Avoid using vague language or making unsupported claims

Use Evidence and Examples

• Provide specific examples and evidence to support your argument
• Use credible sources, such as scholarly articles, books, and reputable websites
• Make sure that your evidence and examples are relevant to your thesis

Address Counterarguments

• Anticipate potential counterarguments and address them in your essay
• Acknowledge the validity of counterarguments, but explain why your position is stronger
• Use evidence to support your refutation of counterarguments

Use Persuasive Language

• Use strong, active verbs
• Avoid using weak language, such as “I think” or “I believe”
• Use rhetorical devices, such as repetition or parallelism, to emphasize your points

Consider Your Audience

• Tailor your language and arguments to your audience
• Understand their perspective and address their concerns
• Use examples and evidence that will resonate with your audience

Conclude Strongly

• Restate your thesis and summarize your main arguments
• Leave your readers with a strong impression or call to action
• Avoid introducing new information in your conclusion

By following these tips, you can make your essays more persuasive and compelling. Remember to stay focused on your thesis and provide clear and specific evidence to support your arguments. Good luck with your writing!

Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 04-10-2023; Version: Beta 0.7

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