A persuasive essay uses many of the same techniques as a critical review.
You are still focused on providing the reader with a clear understanding of how your
topic affects them, and the claim/support model we’ve discussed is still vital to
establishing your authority as a writer and the persuasiveness of your argument.
However, unlike the critical review, the persuasive essay is not limited to focusing
on the reader’s experience as a consumer, and your topic can be from a much wider
range. You are free to persuade the reader of something about a product (why
iPhones are better than Samsung phones, for example), but you can also choose to
write about a problem to be solved or a choice to be made in your local school,
community, government or culture at large.
Perhaps the most important element of persuasive writing is the thesis of your
argument. Like in a critical review, your argument is shaped by the multiple claims
you make regarding the topic, but it should also have a clear overall message beyond
what you claim in a critical review. Your thesis can be presented in the introduction,
and the argument laid out clearly throughout the paper, or you can begin with a
question or a problem, and build up the evidence for your argument with each
consecutive paragraph and your thesis at the end.
Another key element of persuasive writing is the sense of urgency you bring to the
argument. You may not be writing about life and death situations, but you must
believe in what you are arguing (or at least pretend that you do). An unconvinced
author will only succeed in confusing the reader. When choosing your topic, don’t
pick something that seems important on a global scale unless it is also important to
you. I will gladly read about how all toilet paper rolls should be over instead of
under (or vice versa!), if you can establish a solid argument around that claim.
If the goal of a persuasive essay is to convince the reader of something wider
ranging than “Go see this movie” or “This computer isn’t worth the money,” then it
follows that the author’s resources should also be wider ranging. Remember that a
persuasive argument cannot stand alone. It always exists inside a conversation, and
you must engage in that conversation in order to develop a thoroughly persuasive
argument. You should utilize a range of sources from those which support your
argument to those in direct opposition. There is a minimum number of 4 sources
for this assignment.
ENG 111 51H Fall 2016
Persuasive Essay – Rubric (3-5 pages, works cited not incl.)
**Remember – grammatical or punctuation errors will be minimally noted in
grading**
Formatting 15
In-text citations
Works cited page
Double-spaced, single-sided, Times New Roman 12 pt. font
MLA (or style guide of choice) formatting throughout – all that matters is you
pick one and stick to it!
Content 50
Clearly sets up the problem or issue on the table
Establishes a clear argument regarding the topic, including a thesis
Demonstrates thorough understanding of the issue through use of specific
examples/support for argument
Addresses potential reader questions or objections
Responds to opposing arguments
Places the subject in the wider context of topic and surrounding issues
Communicates a sense of urgency – why the reader should care
Style 35
Communicates clearly
Adheres to one genre throughout (i.e. does not switch person, tense, or level
of formality)