Knowing how to write to persuade, argue, and advise are skills necessary of any successful essay writer. These three types of essays appear in every genre of university course and will become an essential part of your writing repertoire. While basic rules of essay structure remain the same, each style of essay differs in its purpose and design. This guide will walk you through planning each type of essay have you well on your way to becoming an expert academic writer.
Writing to Persuade
Whether writing a hard hitting exposé for an award winning newspaper, writing a grant proposal, or submitting an article to a scientific journal, persuasive writing comes into play. The purpose of persuasive articles is to show the audience why your point of view matters. Before you start writing, you should be absolutely sure which position your paper will occupy. Once you have decided on a point of view, starting your essay off with a strong thesis statement will set the tone for the entire article and act as a reference point for the rest of the evidence in your paper. When laying out your supporting arguments, keep in mind that each line of evidence must be used to support the main point of your essay and build up to the your most compelling piece of evidence at the end of the article.
Writing to Argue
Unlike a spirited conversation with your friends, a written argument must be pre-planned and formal. You can think of a written argument like a debate, each side needs to be fairly represented. Before you start researching your side of the debate, it is good practice to research the other side as well. Every point you make in your argument needs to backed up with evidence. Essays that are filled with unsubstantiated claims come across as unprofessional in academic settings. When sitting down to plan your written argument, start by writing a list of pros and cons for each side of the argument. This will allow you to make sure your argument is well rounded and that you fully understand the opposing side so you can create informed arguments against it.
Writing to Advise
When writing to advise, the aim of your article should be to come across as friendly, supportive, and non-judgmental. Put yourself into the shoes of the people you are writing advice for and try to imagine how you might react if placed in their situation. Once you have imagined how you might react and feel, elaborate on each point in the planning phase of your essay. This will give you a cohesive guide the follow when writing. Your aim at this point should be to coach your audience through whatever tough situation they are dealing with. At this point, it is important to offer a solution to the issue you are writing on. The solutions offered should be logical, but sincere. The best advice is honest advice, and this extends to your essay as well.