Persuasive writing, known as creative writing or an argument, is a piece of writing in which the writer uses words to convince the reader that the writer's opinion is correct with regard to an issue. Persuasive writing sometimes involves convincing the reader to perform an action, or it may simply consist of an argument or several arguments to align the reader with the writer's point of view. Persuasive writing is one of the most commonly used writing types in the world. Persuasive writers employ many techniques to improve their argument and show support for their claim. Simply put, persuasive writing is an essay that offers and supports an opinion.

Occasionally, students will need to write essays that do not require specific proof from cited locations in a text—a person might have a timed writing or a persuasive writing about a specific topic. Regardless of the type of writing assigned, a writer must always include proof in the essay. Proof should not be made up statistics or ideas, but proof should come from general knowledge of the text or life experience. Like a literary essay, all essays should still be organized into paragraphs that group main ideas that focus on a thesis statement.

If the essay is not about a work of literature, a writer can still change the prompt, or question, into a statement for a clear thesis. For example: Should students be required to wear uniforms to school? The thesis statement for the above prompt might read: Students should not be required to wear uniforms to school because a uniform rule violates student rights.

Proof Without Textual Support

If assigned a timed writing, students will not have the time to look through a text and find support, or proof by way of quoations. Therefore, a student should be familiar enough with the text to include general pieces of proof from the story. Using the ideas from The Odyssey and proving Odysseus is a tragic hero, a paragraph for a timed writing might look like this:

Odysseus has many tragic flaws that lead to his demise. One of Odysseus's tragic flaws is his weakness for women. He is enchanted by Calypso and ends up staying with her and enjoying himself for many years. Because he allows Calypso to enchant him, Odysseus's journey is delayed significantly. He also has a lot of pride. Instead of sailing away after escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus yells back to make sure the Cyclops knows who blinded him. Odysseus wanted credit for his actions because of his pride, and this made Zeus angry with Odysseus. His many mistakes caused his journey to take much longer than anticipated.

Notice that throughout the paragraph, proof from the text still appears. Although the writer does not include direct quotes, specific information from the text can support the author's claim.

If assigned a persuasive essay topic, students will have to come up with support, or proof, from their own lives or experiences. Remember not to just make up statistics—making up information does not showcase higher-level thinking and will discredit you as a writer. A paragraph for a persuasive essay topic might look like this:

One reason that students should have to wear uniforms is that uniforms create equality among students. Families do not make the same amount of money, so some students have more fashionable clothes than other students. In high schools, students with more fashionable clothes are often seen as more popular. Creating levels of popularity in high school generates inequality among students. Also, some students might be teased for what they decided to wear to school. Teasing also fosters levels of popularity, which leads to a school that is very divided. Having school uniforms attempts to eliminate the inequality in schools.

In the paragraph above, the writer uses proof from life experiences by proving her stance with the reality that more fashionable clothes elevates popularity and teasing in schools. No matter what persuasive topic appears, people either know someone or has seen some type of media that can be used as proof.

Reading Assignment: Novel Reading

Choose and begin reading a second novel from the list provided to you for this course. Click here to access the novel readings. Links to an external site. You will need to procure a copy of your book (school library, local library, bookstore, Amazon, etc) and begin reading immediately in order to prepare for upcoming assignments.

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.