Persuasive Writing Guide: Techniques & Examples

• Sep 18, 2024
• 7 min read

• Tags: Nonfiction, Writing Tips

Are you a student who needs to write persuasive essays? Or are you someone who works in a field that requires you to persuade people to take action or convince them about something? In both cases, you might benefit from learning what persuasive writing is and how to use it for success.  

In this article, we explore the definition of persuasive writing and get some persuasive writing tips to improve your writing style. 

What is persuasive writing? 

Persuasive writing is a style of writing that focuses on convincing the reader to agree with a specific opinion or point of view or take a particular action. This form of writing is common in advertising, essays, opinion pieces, and speeches. 

It enables the writer to take a clear stand on a given topic. Once the writer takes a stance, they state their opinion and set the tone for the rest of the content. The persuasive writing style relies on logical reasoning and facts (data, statistics, expert opinions, anecdotes, etc.) to ensure the argument sounds believable and cogent.

Elements of persuasive writing

To achieve the chief goal of persuasive writing, which is convincing the reader to accept a given viewpoint, your content should have certain key elements for adequate impact. 

Let us discuss these elements:

• • • Convey a strong opinion or idea: Content that follows the persuasive style of writing requires the writer to state their opinions, thoughts, or ideas clearly.
    • Establish the writer’s authority: Content in this form enables the writer to establish their credibility and authority. For example, writers express strong opinions and viewpoints through persuasive essays.
    • Appeal to the readers: When done right, readers engage heavily with such content since it creates a positive impact at a significant level.
    • Present logical arguments: This form of writing involves adding logical statements and arguments that support and strengthen the writer’s viewpoint. 
    • Place facts within the content: When a content piece is fact-driven, it makes for a great persuasive writing example. This is because statistics, data, and expert opinions lend authenticity to it. 
    • State opposing views and arguments: Such content acknowledges and discusses opposing views to negate or nullify them and influence the readers’ views.
    • Strong word choice: Persuasive writing requires the use of expressive, powerful, and stirring words that make readers believe in an idea or urge them to act in a specific manner.

Examples of persuasive writing

In this section, let us study some examples of persuasive writing.

• • • • Persuasive speech: In the following example, it is evident that the writer aims to encourage people to take action by contributing through donations.

“Imagine a world where everyone has access to clean water. A world where children can go to school without worrying about hunger. A world where people can live their lives free from disease. This is the world we can create by supporting organizations that work to end poverty and inequality.”

“By donating to our organization, you are making a direct impact on the lives of people in need. Your contribution will help provide essential resources, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, to those who are struggling. Together, we can build a more just and equitable world.”

• • • • A persuasive letter to a friend: In the following example, the writer describes their experience of visiting New York. 

“I had the best time visiting New York last summer. The food was amazing, the people were friendly, and there were so many things to do. You should definitely check out the Statue of Liberty. I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did. You should visit New York this year!”

Benefits of persuasive writing

Persuasive writing is a powerful tool that can be used to influence readers, change opinions and attitudes, and prompt action. The benefits of employing this writing style can bring about several favorable changes to your content. 

Let us discuss some key advantages of employing this writing style:

• • • • Critical thinking enhancement: Persuasive writing requires you to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and offer logical reasoning for every idea expressed in a writeup. This can enhance your critical thinking skills.
      • Enhanced communication skills: As a writer, you can connect with your audiences through such writing. Improvement in communication is an important plus, particularly in professional and educational settings where convincing your audience is critical.
      • Confidence and personal growth: Persuasive essays can boost your confidence and help you develop your ability to articulate your thoughts and beliefs well.
      • Decision-making support: Persuasive writing can provide readers with valuable information and different perspectives, helping them make informed decisions.

Techniques to enhance persuasive writing

By now, it is clear that persuasive writing is highly useful in various settings. However, without persuasive writing tips and techniques, it might seem challenging to employ this writing style with flair. 

So here are some persuasive writing techniques that you can use to ensure your content engages its audience and compels them to change their minds or take action. 

• • • • Organized writing: The writing should be organized to make it easy for the reader to follow every point. Arguments should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion.
      • Compelling expressions: Expert writers often use rhetorical devices such as repetition, rhetorical questions, and parallelism to emphasize their points.
      • Emotional appeal: While facts are crucial here, appealing to the reader’s emotions can be highly effective. Writers often use emotional language or stories to connect with the reader on a personal level.
      • Multiple perspectives: Discussing and addressing opposing viewpoints strengthens the argument. By acknowledging and refuting counterarguments, you can show that you have considered multiple perspectives.
      • Call to action: Persuasive writing accompanied by a call to action is crucial in many cases, particularly when you seek a financial commitment from the readers in response to the idea presented.

Importance of persuasive writing

The persuasive style of writing creates a deep impact on the reader when it is done correctly. Educators, motivational speakers, advertisers, politicians, and many others use it in everyday communication to influence and inspire their audiences. 

Students frequently use it to write argumentative essays, and they can benefit from learning how to write in a persuasive style. 

Let us quickly understand the importance of persuasive writing: 

• • • • Improves decision-making abilities
      • Builds credibility and trust
      • Drives business success
      • Strengthens critical thinking
      • Encourages engagement and action
      • Enhances communication skills
      • Promotes knowledge sharing
      • Empowers advocacy and social change

Common mistakes in persuasive writing and how to avoid them

Convincing your audience to accept a point of view or think in a specific way is quite tough. When you add the complexity of communicating your message to multiple entities or stakeholders, the problem increases manifold. 

In such cases, persuasive writing can come to your rescue. However, to ensure it is effective, you must steer clear of certain common mistakes. Here are some things you should avoid:

• • • • Making vague or unclear opening statements, arguments, or thesis statements
      • Offering insufficient or unreliable evidence to support your arguments and claims
      • Ignoring or dismissing counterarguments, leaving matters unaddressed 
      • Relying too much on emotional appeals or ideas
      • Employing a disorganized structure to convey your message 
      • Using an inconsistent or inappropriate tone
      • Generalizing and making sweeping statements
      • Failing to include a clear call to action  
      • Using technical, complex terminology or jargon and overly complex language

Persuasive writing prompts

Here is a list of sample persuasive writing prompts that you can study to independently write prompts:

General 

• • • • Should schools offer longer school days?
      • Is technology harmful or beneficial to society?
      • Should animals be kept in zoos?

Social issues

• • • • What are the benefits of diversity?
      • Should there be a minimum wage?
      • Is social media harmful to mental health?

Education

• • • • Are standardized tests effective in measuring student learning?
      • Is homework beneficial or harmful to students?
      • Are online classes as effective as traditional classroom instruction?

Personal experiences

• • • • What is the most important value in your life?
      • What is your biggest regret?
      • What is your greatest achievement?

Current events

• • • • Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity?
      • Should there be stricter regulations on social media companies?
      • What are the consequences of global warming?

Persuasive writing can make you an influential communicator. By recognizing the power it wields and using it to skillfully convey your message to the intended audience, you can change the minds of not only individuals but also diverse groups. 

For documents that matter, like college admissions essays, you should opt for professional editing and proofreading. You can also benefit from editing and proofreading services for various other documents. PaperTrue, a leading SaaS-based solutions provider, offers artificial intelligence-assisted editing and proofreading. Talk to our team to learn more about our products.  

Want to continue reading? Here are some other articles for you:

• • Structure of an Essay: 5 Tips to Write an Outstanding Essay
  • 8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
  • How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
  • 2024’s Top 10 Thesis Statement Generators (Free Included!)
  • How To Write a College Admissions Essay That Stands Out

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Rishi

Rishi was a zealous student at IIT Bombay when he realized, firsthand, the power of good language in effective communication. As part of this belief, after a brief stint in a hedge fund, he co-founded PaperTrue in 2014.