essays

Being Persuasive

First, realize that essays writers test ideas. Like lawyers in a courtroom, writers present and try to prove their claims. The word “essay” comes from the French word “essai” which means trial. The formula is simple. An idea is presented early in the essay and is then defended using evidence chosen to lead the reader to conclude that the idea is correct. 

Good essays have two main characteristics. They use confident sounding language and easily followed logic. 

To learn more about logic, click the link above to go to the logic page.

A confident style adds a lot to the persuasiveness of an argument. An assertive tone can create an air of authority that inclines readers to accept an essay’s conclusion. Depending on the circumstances, a self-assured tone can be nearly as important as logic in proving an essay’s thesis.

One easy way to increase the confident attitude of an essay is to avoid using phrases that chip away a text’s sense of authority.

Contrary to what people are often taught, it is not good practice to advertise your ideas as opinions, or views. Do not ever say, “in my opinion” or “in my view” or similar phrases. They have the immediate effect of casting your ideas as opinions, not as facts. This may seem like a minor difference in expression. But you are writing an essay. The purpose of an essay is to demonstrate the truth of an idea, so evidence must be presented as fact, not as opinion. Even things which are obviously subjective opinions can sound like facts when presented as facts. 

Despite the obvious harm done to an argument by saying “I think” or, worst of all, “in my humble opinion”, many people, including politicians and other public figures have not learned the simple rhetorical truth that if you believe in what you are saying, you should express yourself confidently without backtracking and devaluing your ideas by saying your thoughts are mere opinions.

In the examples below, notice how the opinions sound less authoritative than the statements stated as facts:

Stated as an opinion: I think cats are better than dogs.

Stated as a fact: Cats are better than dogs.

Stated as an opinion: In my humble opinion, pizza is better with pineapple.

Stated as a fact: Pizza is better with pineapple.

Stated as an opinion: In my view, this city needs more parks with swimming pools.

Stated as a fact: This city needs more parks with swimming pools.

Stated as an opinion: In my opinion, the senator has achieved many things in the past four years.

Stated as a fact: The senator has achieved many things in the past four years.

Stated as an opinion: It seems to me that more people should study languages.

Stated as a fact: More people should study languages.

Stated as an opinion: From my viewpoint, it’s more fun to travel by train than by plane.

Stated as a fact: It’s more fun to travel by train than by plane.

Stated as an opinion: I find it’s more persuasive to present ideas as facts than as opinions.

Stated as a fact: It’s more persuasive to present ideas as facts than as opinions.

The lesson linked below is an example of one way to raise awareness of the need to avoid these phrases. Writing teachers and people studying on their own will find it useful. 

Click here to buy a full lesson on this topic is available on my Teachers Pay Teachers store:

To purchase twenty-five writing exercises on topics including descriptive writing, poetry, narrative voice, active voice, avoiding redundancy, and more, click on the link below.

For more lessons in vocabulary and lessons in fiction writing, poetry, grammar, rhetoric and logic, click on the link below to go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.