A+ Guide to Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays, also called written arguments, are among the most common writing assignments and are used across the curriculum. Yet, despite their common use, many students struggle with the basics of creating a compelling, persuasive argument. Focusing on the four keys to persuasive writing, this booklet uses a step-by-step method to start with an assignment and end with a final draft. By following the clear examples and relying on the included templates, the writer will be able to generate a solid piece of persuasive writing on any topic. 

Table of Contents: 
How to Use This Booklet 
A Special Note about Rogerian Argument 
Step One: Understand the Assignment 
Step Two: The Working Outline 
Step Three: The Thesis Statement 
Checklist: Eight Things That Can Change Your Grade 
Step Four: The Introductory Paragraph 
Step Five: Body Paragraphs 
Checklist: How to Test Paragraph Organization and Development 
Step Six: Counter-Arguments 
Step Seven: Refutations 
Step Eight: The Conclusion Paragraph 
Step Nine: The Final Draft 
The First Layer: Revising Out Loud 
The Second Layer: Sentence Triage 
The Third Layer: “Find” Searches 
Fourth Layer: The Fine Points