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It is
said that the pen is mightier than the sword because it can effect
through the power of words what might and strength cannot. The writings
of Voltaire and Rousseau, which triggered the French Revolution, stand
testimony to this fact. When you write a persuasive essay, you are
creating a paper that will prove a point, which will change the reader's
opinion and/or clarify the issue. To do this however, you not only have
to instill an interest but you should also be able to sustain it to the
end. Given the recalcitrant nature of the human mind, this obviously is
defined by your ability to analyze the issue threadbare, consider
various perspectives and gradually develop your position on the essay
coaxing and persuading the reader to veer round to your point of view.
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The task
at hand seems almost Herculean, but remember the silver lining is that
it is not impossible. You need to sell yourself so that the reader will
be willing to buy your ideas and in the process generate trust and
goodwill so that at no point is the reader antagonized. Initially you
need to brainstorm in any manner that suits you. List whatever comes to
your mind in the form of points and in the process identify your stand
on the issue and think about how you are going to persuade your reader.
Jot these ideas down even if at that point of time they seem far-fetched
and insupportable.
Silly as this may
seem it is absolutely necessary, for it is astonishing how thoughts and
ideas can just volatize even as they materialize. Having done this
initial spadework, all you have to do is to plant the seeds in just the
right spots in the furrows that you have created. Any essay (to ensure
continuity and equilibrium) needs to be divided into three concrete
parts, the introduction, the body and the conclusion. Deal with the
three parts cohesively, yet independent of each other. The introduction
needs to persuade the reader to recognize your ability to think for
yourself. Open strongly and in an original way to capture your reader’s
attention and if possible use a quote. If it is relevant, give a little
history and background and state your point of view without being too
strident.
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Determine whether the essay constitutes distinct but related
ideas and emphasize this mutuality and distinctiveness. State the three
best reasons that you have to support your position as the remainder of
the introductory paragraph. These reasons become the topics of each of
the three supporting paragraphs. Again, be sure they can be supported
with additional separate facts. You have just taken that first big step. The
body of the essay is the heart of the essay and you have to ensure the
flow of ideas with no “ arrhythmia”. Adopt an easy style and do not
sound stilted. Figure out what evidence you will include and in what
order you will present the evidence. In the body of the essay, use
specific evidence, examples, and statistics and not broad
generalizations or personal opinions to persuade the reader that the
stated position is a valid one. |
Examples often
lend color to an essay and help to corroborate the point that you are
making. In persuasive writing, it is especially important that you use
specific examples to illustrate your main points. Don't give your reader
the impression that you are not educated on the issues related to your
topic. Choose your words carefully. Each topic sentence for the
support paragraphs forms the individual vertebrae, which together
constitute the backbone. Each additional sentence must closely relate to
the topic and the sentence that came before it. This way, the logic of
the essay is easy to follow. Make sure that your points are
well-organized and that your supporting ideas are clear, concise, and
to-the point. Be sure to use adequate transitions between paragraphs as
they make it easy for the reader to follow the logic of the
presentation. Acknowledge the main opposing view but sensitively refute
it to show how your view is more reasonable.
~~ author
M Swami. copyright indianchild.com
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