Persuasive Essay Structure - University Academic Success ...

Persuasive Essay Structure

When you're trying to convince your audience of an idea or argument

Introduction

? Hook ? interesting first sentence ? Background information ? give context to your argument/subject; familiarize the reader with the content ? Definitions ? define any terms that the reader might find usual/unfamiliar ? Thesis ? a clear, concise statement of your main argument; the overall idea you'll be arguing. Your thesis

will also serve as a roadmap for the rest of your essay, giving the reader a general idea of the path your argument will follow.

Each Body Paragraph

? Only one point to support your thesis per paragraph ? Topic sentence

? reflects the main idea of the paragraph ? links back to support the thesis ? Evidence ? information from a reliable outside source (not your own opinion) that supports the main idea of the paragraph ? Analysis ? show how your evidence supports your argument; build your argument

Conclusion

? Tie up the essay ? briefly sum up the main point ? Establish significance (see "So What?" handout) ? Bonus: give the reader food for thought

Thesis (Main Idea/ argument)

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Updated June 2012

Topic + Evidence Topic + Evidence Topic + Evidence

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