Persuasive essays are aimed to persuade the reader about your point of view. For example, you can argue that drinking coffee is more harmful than drinking tea or that dogs are better pets than cats.
To persuade your readers, you will have to present them with verifiable proof and solid facts. You can start the essay, with an introduction that makes it very clear to the reader about your point of view. For example, if your essay is about “Dogs Vs. Cats as Pets” you can introduce your point of view thus –
I love dogs. Dogs have always been part of my life ever since I was a baby. My mother tells me that the first word that I spoke was “Banjo” who was our family pet for many years. Having been around dogs almost all my life, I think I do qualify to represent them as the best pets anybody can have.
Now that you have set the tone of your essay, you can go start outlining the main points of your argument. List out the main points of your essay and create a paragraph around each of your main point. Within this paragraph, you should create minor points illustrated with examples.
For example –
Dogs provide us with better security than any of the latest security stuff that you can purchase. There have been many instances, where dogs have detected the presence of a stranger or an intruder even before the alarm warns you. Dogs are also fiercely loyal and protective especially towards your young ones. I know this to be true, because my first babysitter happened to be my dog Banjo.
Most common mistake that most of us make while writing a persuasive essay is to totally ignore the counter arguments that are likely to crop up. If you are an ardent dog lover, there are also other people who would swear by their cats and argue that they make a better pet. Anticipate the arguments would come up with and try to argue your case around it. The counter arguments can be given in the last paragraph, just before you conclude the essay.
As it is the case with any essay that you write, make sure that any point that you make is backed up with enough evidence that can be verified. Adding quotes from reputed sources will enhance the credibility of your arguments and provide you with a very strong hand.
In your conclusion, reiterate the points that you have made so far by summarizing it. Your concluding sentence should strongly state your point of view and must reflect upon the arguments that you have put forth.
For example –
Dogs do not mind if you smell of sweat, they don’t cheat, lie or make your life miserable. They are there for you no matter what the circumstances are. In many ways, I feel that they are better than humans. They can sense when you are happy, sad or miserable and in their own way they try to cheer you up. Their love for you is equivocal. I might sound biased and I am sure there are many other pets that do the same for their masters but my personal experience makes me say this without any hesitation, that Dogs Are The Best Pets Ever!