Persuasive essay writing is a lot like being in a court. You have a point you need to defend and in order to succeed, you need to have solid arguments backed up with facts.

In the persuasive essay, the writer is the one who has to convince readers to take his viewpoint or simply take certain action. Such paper takes some time and effort to write, as a student has to research the topic, understand the possible bias from the readers’ perspective, and present convincing evidence. Best persuasive essays not only show the writer’s viewpoint as the right one but also prove that the opposing one is incorrect.

Persuasion is an art every successful person has to master. It is widely used in business, marketing, and advertising, which means you will use it pretty often in life. Persuasive essay writing helps develop this skill, and thus, it is crucial for you to learn to prepare it well. And here are the tips that will help you do it like a pro.

• Understand the readers. See which side of the question or issue people prefer more or are more likely to believe.

• Research properly. In order to understand the topic, it is important to research it and look carefully at both sides of the issue. Look through as many sources as you can, go to the library, and use the web.

• Pick the position. It is vital to choose the side you will defend before writing the paper. You can base your choice on either your feelings or the evidence you have gathered while researching the topic.

• Make a list of evidence for both sides. Pick the strongest ones for your position, and use them to defend it. Also, choose one powerful opposing point and find evidence that can refute it.

• Craft an outline. Check the instructions for the assignment carefully, and see whether the teacher has given any special requirements regarding the essay structure. Usually, the persuasive essay takes up about 5-6 paragraphs, so aim to write at least five.

• Write an intro. Hook the reader with an interesting fact or a question to make the essay seem more interesting. Provide background info on the topic, and create a thesis that shows the evidence you will use to defend your point.

• Prepare a body. The body paragraphs have to defend one point each, and state only the information you can back up with facts.

• Refute an opposing point. Use one body paragraph to refute the opposing point you have chosen.

• Finish with a conclusion. Restate the thesis, and use the information from the body to show how you developed the defense. Finish with a call to action, asking the reader to consider taking your viewpoint, for example.

• Do not forget about the most important details. There are certain things you should remember about while preparing the essay. First, make your hook powerful enough to capture the interest and make the reader want to know more. Your thesis statement should be promising of good content and make the reader see that you are certain about the points you have chosen. The info in the body paragraphs should be taken from reliable sources and be persuasive enough to prove you are right. Do your best to defend your viewpoint, and use any persuasive techniques you know.

• Remember that your readers are not experts. Your audience may not have a deep knowledge of the topic, so consider explaining things that may confuse the readers.

• Revise to perfection. Take a critical look at your essay and make sure all of your arguments do sound persuasive. Check the paper for mistakes, gaps, and inconsistencies and correct them all. Your essay may not be ideal at first, and that is the reason why you have to revise. Thus, use the time wisely and make the needed changes to make the paper you submit great.