Persuasive Essay Samples for College: Learn from the Best
Sample Persuasive Essays for College: How to Write an Effective Argument
Writing a persuasive essay is one of the most common assignments for college students. A persuasive essay is a type of academic writing that aims to convince the reader to accept the writer's point of view on a certain issue or topic. Persuasive essays are also known as argumentative essays or opinion essays.
sample persuasive essays for college
Persuasive essays are important for college students because they help them develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills. They also allow them to express their opinions and perspectives on various topics and issues that affect their lives and society.
In this article, we will provide you with some sample persuasive essays for college that you can use as models or inspiration for your own writing. We will also explain the elements of a persuasive essay, the types of persuasive essay formats, and some tips for writing a persuasive essay effectively.
Our thesis statement is:
Persuasive essays are an essential skill for college students that can help them succeed academically and professionally.
Elements of a Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay consists of four main elements:
A clear position: The writer must state their position on the issue or topic clearly and concisely in the thesis statement. The position must be debatable, meaning that there are reasonable arguments for and against it.
Strong evidence: The writer must support their position with relevant and credible evidence from various sources, such as facts, statistics, examples, quotes, studies, surveys, etc. The evidence must be accurate, reliable, and up-to-date.
Logical reasoning: The writer must use logical reasoning to connect the evidence to the position and show how the evidence proves or supports the position. The writer must also acknowledge and refute any counterarguments or objections that might challenge or weaken their position.
Counterarguments: The writer must anticipate and address any opposing views or arguments that might contradict or undermine their position. The writer must show respect and understanding for the other side while pointing out its flaws or weaknesses.
For example, here is an excerpt from a sample persuasive essay on the topic of whether college education should be free for all students:
Position: College education should not be free for all students.
Evidence: According to the College Board, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for a public four-year college in the United States was $10,560 for in-state students and $27,020 for out-of-state students in 2020-2021. This means that a four-year degree would cost between $42,240 and $108,080, depending on the student's residency status.
Reasoning: This evidence shows that college education is already very expensive and unaffordable for many students and their families. Making college education free for all students would only increase the financial burden on the taxpayers and the government, who would have to cover the costs of tuition and fees for millions of students.
Counterargument: Some might argue that making college education free for all students would benefit the society and the economy by increasing the number of educated and skilled workers, reducing income inequality, and promoting social mobility.
Refutation: However, this argument is flawed because it assumes that all students who attend college would graduate and find jobs that match their degrees and skills. In reality, many students drop out of college before completing their degrees or end up working in low-paying or unrelated fields. Moreover, making college education free for all students would lower the quality and value of education by creating overcrowding, underfunding, and competition among colleges and universities.
Types of Persuasive Essay Formats
Persuasive essays can be written in different formats depending on the purpose, audience, and topic of the essay. Some of the most common formats are:
Problem-solution: This format focuses on identifying a problem and proposing one or more solutions to it. The writer must explain the problem clearly, show why it is important or urgent, and present the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.
Cause-effect: This format examines the causes and effects of a phenomenon or an event. The writer must explain how and why something happens, what are the consequences or implications of it, and what can be done to prevent or mitigate it.
Compare-contrast: This format compares and contrasts two or more things, such as ideas, opinions, perspectives, objects, etc. The writer must show how the things are similar and different, and what are the benefits or drawbacks of each one.
Pro-con: This format presents both sides of an issue or a topic, highlighting the pros and cons of each one. The writer must provide balanced and objective information about each side, and then state their own position and justify it with evidence.
For example, here is an excerpt from a sample persuasive essay on the topic of whether social media is good or bad for society:
Format: Compare-contrast
Similarity: Social media is a powerful tool for communication and information sharing.
Difference: Social media can have positive or negative effects on society depending on how it is used.
Positive effect: Social media can promote social activism, awareness, and engagement by allowing people to connect with others who share their interests, values, or causes. For example, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, etc. have enabled people to organize protests, campaigns, fundraisers, petitions, etc. for various social issues such as human rights, environmental protection, racial justice, etc.
Negative effect: Social media can also foster social isolation, addiction, and misinformation by exposing people to unrealistic standards, harmful content, or false information. For example, social media platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Pinterest, etc. have been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, body image issues,
Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay
Writing a persuasive essay can be challenging but rewarding if you follow some simple steps. Here are some tips to help you write a persuasive essay effectively:
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Conclusion: Social media can have both positive and negative effects on society depending on how it is used. Therefore, users should be aware of the potential risks and benefits of social media and use it responsibly and moderately.
Tips for Writing a Persuasive Essay
Writing a persuasive essay can be challenging but rewarding if you follow some simple steps. Here are some tips to help you write a persuasive essay effectively:
Choose a debatable topic: Pick a topic that interests you and has two or more conflicting sides or opinions. Avoid topics that are too broad, too narrow, or too obvious.
Research your audience: Know who you are writing for and what they care about. Consider their background, values, beliefs, and expectations. Use language and tone that appeal to them and address their concerns or objections.
Organize your ideas: Create an outline of your essay before you start writing. Include an introduction, a thesis statement, body paragraphs, a conclusion, and a reference list. Use transitions to connect your paragraphs and create a logical flow of your argument.
Use evidence and reasoning: Support your position with relevant and credible evidence from various sources. Explain how your evidence proves or supports your position. Use logical reasoning to show the connection between your evidence and your position.
Acknowledge and refute counterarguments: Anticipate and address any opposing views or arguments that might contradict or undermine your position. Show respect and understanding for the other side while pointing out its flaws or weaknesses.
Revise your draft: Read your draft carefully and check for any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or formatting. Make sure your essay is clear, coherent, and consistent. Ask for feedback from others and make any necessary changes.
Proofread your final version: Read your final version aloud and check for any mistakes or inconsistencies. Use tools like Grammarly to help you catch any errors or improve your writing style. Make sure your essay follows the guidelines and requirements of your assignment.
For example, here is an excerpt from a sample persuasive essay on the topic of whether homework should be banned in schools:
Topic: Homework should be banned in schools.
Audience: Teachers, parents, and students.
Introduction: Homework is a common practice in schools that requires students to complete assignments outside of class hours. However, homework has been criticized for being ineffective, stressful, and harmful for students' health and well-being. In this essay, I will argue that homework should be banned in schools because it does not improve academic performance, it causes physical and mental health problems, and it interferes with students' personal and social lives.
Thesis statement: Homework should be banned in schools because it is detrimental to students' learning, health, and happiness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, persuasive essays are an essential skill for college students that can help them succeed academically and professionally. Persuasive essays allow students to express their opinions and perspectives on various topics and issues that affect their lives and society. Persuasive essays also help students develop critical thinking skills, research skills, and communication skills.
To write a persuasive essay effectively, students should follow these steps:
Choose a debatable topic that interests them.
Research their audience and what they care about.
Organize their ideas in an outline.
Use evidence and reasoning to support their position.
Acknowledge and refute counterarguments.
Revise their draft and ask for feedback.
Proofread their final version and follow the guidelines.
By following these steps, students can write persuasive essays that are clear, coherent, and convincing.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about persuasive essays:
How to cite sources in a persuasive essay?
To cite sources in a persuasive essay, you should use the citation style that is required by your instructor or the publication you are writing for. Some of the most common citation styles are MLA, APA, Chicago, and Harvard. You should cite your sources both in-text and in a reference list at the end of your essay. You should also avoid plagiarism by paraphrasing or quoting your sources accurately and giving credit to the original authors.
How to avoid plagiarism in a persuasive essay?
To avoid plagiarism in a persuasive essay, you should use your own words and ideas as much as possible. When you use information or ideas from other sources, you should cite them properly and give credit to the original authors. You should also paraphrase or quote your sources accurately and avoid changing the meaning or context of the original text. You can use tools like Grammarly or Turnitin to check your essay for plagiarism and make sure it is original.
How to use rhetorical devices in a persuasive essay?
Rhetorical devices are techniques that writers use to enhance their arguments and persuade their readers. Some of the most common rhetorical devices are:
Anaphora: The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses.
Antithesis: The contrast of two opposite ideas or words in a parallel structure.
Hyperbole: The exaggeration of a fact or statement for emphasis or effect.
Metaphor: The comparison of two unlike things without using like or as.
Pathos: The appeal to the emotions or feelings of the audience.
To use rhetorical devices in a persuasive essay, you should choose the ones that fit your topic, tone, and purpose. You should also use them sparingly and appropriately, and avoid overusing them or confusing your readers.
How to appeal to emotions in a persuasive essay?
To appeal to emotions in a persuasive essay, you should use pathos, which is one of the modes of persuasion. Pathos is the appeal to the emotions or feelings of the audience. To use pathos effectively, you should:
Know your audience and what they care about.
Use emotional language and tone that match your audience and topic.
Use stories, anecdotes, examples, or testimonials that relate to your audience and topic.
Use visual aids, such as images, videos, graphs, or charts that evoke emotions.
Avoid manipulating or exploiting your audience's emotions.
By using pathos, you can make your audience feel sympathy, empathy, anger, joy, sadness, fear, or any other emotion that can influence their decision or action.
How to address opposing views in a persuasive essay?
To address opposing views in a persuasive essay, you should use counterarguments, which are one of the elements of a persuasive essay. Counterarguments are arguments that challenge or contradict your position. To use counterarguments effectively, you should:
Anticipate and research the most common or strongest opposing views or arguments.
Show respect and understanding for the other side and acknowledge their validity or merit.
Point out the flaws or weaknesses of the opposing views or arguments and explain why they are wrong or irrelevant.
Reinforce your position with evidence and reasoning and show why it is better or more convincing than the opposing views or arguments.
By using counterarguments, you can show that you have considered both sides of the issue and that you have a strong and logical argument for your position. 71b2f0854b