DTW GED PREP

Purpose and Structure of Persuasive Writing

The goal of persuasive writing is to encourage others to accept a specific idea, perspective, or recommended course of action. This is primarily achieved through the development of a well-reasoned and compelling argument.

An argument consists of a structured presentation of reasons and evidence in support of a particular stance. It typically includes:

• an introductory statement outlining the position,
• relevant background information to help the reader understand the context,
• supporting evidence to justify the position (including possible responses to opposing views), and
• a strong concluding statement.

Opening Statement

The opening paragraph of a persuasive essay should clearly and confidently present your position. It is important to express your opinion with clarity and conviction, while maintaining a respectful and measured tone. Avoid using overly emotional language that could alienate your audience.

Supporting Evidence

In the body of your essay, develop your argument in a logical and organized manner, providing clear and convincing evidence to support your position. This evidence may include facts, statistics, examples, or references to specific arguments made in the texts you are analyzing.

Arrange your points strategically—using an order of importance, chronological order, or another logical structure—to strengthen your overall impact. Since you will be composing your response on a computer, take advantage of the ability to write freely and revise easily. You will also have access to the source texts during writing, which will help you accurately reference key points and evidence.

To ensure your writing is coherent and easy to follow, use transition words and phrases that guide the reader through your reasoning. These connectors help signal relationships between ideas and clarify the progression of your thoughts. Common transitions include:

To Present Evidence
First, Second, Third
Most Important
For example
For instance
The facts shows
According to

To State Your Opinion
In my opinion
I believe that
From my point of view
In my experience

To Deal with Conflicting Opinions or Argument
Although
Conversely
In Opposition to
Even though
In Contrast to
still

Remember that in persuasive writing, your strongest weapon is your supporting evidence. Your personal commitment to your argument is important, but your readers will judge your ideas on how well they are supported by evidence.

Addressing Opposing Arguments

To strengthen your argument, anticipate and respond to potential objections or counterpoints your audience might raise. Effectively acknowledging opposing views shows that you have considered alternative perspectives and helps reinforce the credibility of your position.

Depending on your topic, you may choose to address these counterarguments in a separate paragraph before your conclusion, or you may integrate them into the development of each main point as appropriate.

Concluding Statement

End your persuasive essay with a clear and concise restatement of your main argument. Your conclusion should reinforce your position and briefly summarize the key reasons that support it. A strong closing leaves a lasting impression and brings your essay to a thoughtful and persuasive end.