1. PERSUASIVE ESSAYS
Trying to Change Minds

2. What is a Persuasive Essay?
 A persuasive essay is composition that tries to
prove a point or change a mind on a certain
subject.
 Example:
 You write a paper that states the reason you believe the
Civil War started.
 You write a paper that aims to get people to eat organic
produce.

3. What does a Persuasive Essay have to
contain?
 The essay should contain 5 parts(paragraphs):
 Introductionof issue/point you are making
 Body paragraph One(Your first reason and proof for it)
 Body paragraph two( second reason and proof)
 Body paragraph three(third reason and proof)
 Conclusion- that restates your point and makes a final
appeal to your reader

4. Step One
 Decide what point you are trying to make.
 If your teacher wants you to state your opinion on
something, then decide what your opinion is.
 If you are writing an appeal for some sort of change
decide what you want to make

5. Step Two
 Once you have your opinion, think of three different
pieces of evidence/ reasoning that support your
argument.
 Make an outline.
 Example: If you are trying to convince people to eat
more organic produce, you would choose three areas
of proof….1. It is better for your health. 2. It is better
for the environment. 3. It is more helpful for small area
farmers.

6. Step 3
 Now that you have your three areas/reasons.
Research three examples or pieces of evidence that
support that reason.
 Example: Organic produce is better for your health.
1. Several studies show a link between allergies and fruit
and vegetable sealants.
2. Use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers have been
linked to health problems such as migraines and cancers.
3. Organic produce has higher levels of nutrients than
treated produce.

7. Step 4
 Now that you have your research for your evidence.
You can begin writing.
 Start by introducing your subject. Try to draw the
readers interest. Don’t use words like “think”
because that shows you are indefinite.

8. Introduction:
Have you ever noticed the organic section in the
produce section of the supermarket? Have you
wondered what organic means? Organic types of
produce are fruits or vegetables that are grown
without synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers or
genetic alteration. Farmers, usually local ones, grow
these fruits and vegetables the old fashioned way.
They can be a bit more expensive that other fruits and
vegetables, but they are better in so many ways.
Organic produce is better for your health, better for
the environment and have more beneficial nutrients.

9. Body Paragraph One
When a person eats organic produce they protect their
health.(TOPIC SENTENCE) A study by the Mayo Clinic in
2010, showed that children raised in families who ate
only organic produce had half as many allergies as
children who ate mainstream produce. If children have
fewer allergies, they an be more active and will miss
fewer days due to illness. Another study in 2008 proved
that the cancer rate in organic fruit and vegetable
consumers was much lower than in those who did not
consume organics. Lastly, in a taste test conducted in our
school,

10. Body Paragraph One Continued
students who were given both types of produce, chose
the organic as better tasting than the other type. If
children think fruit and vegetables taste better, they
are likely to eat more of it. The more produce they
eat, people experience fewer cases of
diabetes, heart disease and high blood
pressure, among other things. One can see that
organic products are better for your body and will
keep you freer of many debilitating illnesses.