When writing a persuasive essay, there are certain things you should avoid in order to make your argument as strong and convincing as possible. Persuasive essays are meant to convince the reader of a particular position, viewpoint, or call to action. To do this effectively, you need to craft a well-researched, logically sound essay free of logical fallacies, unsupported claims, personal opinions stated as facts, and other elements that could undermine your credibility or persuade ability. Here are some of the key things you should avoid when constructing a persuasive essay:
Logical Fallacies
Logical fallacies are flaws in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument. Relying on logical fallacies to support your position will significantly weaken your persuasive essay. Some common logical fallacies to avoid include:
Ad hominem – Attacking your opponent’s character or personal traits rather than the substance of their argument or position.
Appeal to authority – Citing an irrelevant authority or suggesting something is credible only because an important person said it.
Appeal to emotion – Attempting to persuade via an emotional response rather than via evidence, facts, logic, or reason.
Appeal to tradition – Suggesting something is good or bad solely because it has “always” been done that way.
Bandwagon – Arguing that an idea is good or prudent because many people support or accept it.
False dichotomy – Presenting two alternative states as the only possibilities, when more possibilities exist.
Red herring – Introducing irrelevant information in an attempt to divert attention from the original issue.
Make sure to thoroughly research logical fallacies so you can avoid relying on flawed reasoning patterns in your persuasive essay. Cite credible evidence and sound logic instead.
Unsupported Claims
Effective persuasive essays must be grounded in verifiable facts, statistics, and expert opinions to support any claims made. Avoid simply stating opinions or making assertions without credible evidence backing them up. Readers will not find unsupported claims persuasive and it damages your credibility. Take the time to thoroughly research your topic from authoritative sources and properly cite anything used to strengthen your argument.
Personal Opinions as Facts
Keep personal opinions and perspectives separate from facts. Stating personal beliefs or views as if they were objective truths is misleading and a logical fallacy. Indicate clearly when switching between discussing facts versus your interpretation of or opinion on those facts. Readers need to be able to assess the credibility of any factual claims independent of what you personally believe.
Loaded or Emotive Language
Avoid using highly loaded or emotional language when constructing your argument. Words intended to provoke an emotional response rather than persuade through reason or evidence undermine the credibility of your essay. Opt instead for objective, calm language free of strong value judgments. Readers may feel emotionally manipulated by such language rather than logically convinced.
Weak Organization
Persuasive essays require strong organizational structure for the clearest presentation of your argument. Avoid unclear or rambling organizational patterns. Some best practices include:
Use a clear introduction to set up your position and preview main points.
Present arguments in a logical sequence with effective transitions.
Connect each point back to your main thesis.
Address counterarguments in a devoted section rather than piecemeal.
Provide a conclusion that ties everything together and re-emphasizes your position.
Readers need to easily follow your line of reasoning. Ensure your essay’s organization supports the strongest presentation of your case for persuasion.
Ignoring Counterarguments
Part of crafting an effective persuasive essay is recognizing alternate viewpoints that reasonable people may have about an issue. Address any major counterarguments to your position rather than ignoring opposing views. Show how your position withstands criticism by thoughtfully rebutting other credible viewpoints. Omitting viable counterarguments may signal your argument cannot withstand scrutiny.
Unsupported Generalizations
Avoid broad generalizations, especially about large groups of people, without sufficient credible data backing up such a generalization. Unjustified generalizations are difficult to convincingly defend and tend to promote harmful assumptions. Focus instead on making targeted, evidence-based arguments specific enough to properly support.
Failure to Call to Action
Ultimately, a persuasive essay aims to convince readers to a particular viewpoint and ideally inspire some call to action, be it a change in thinking, further research on an issue, or taking a stance. Without a clear call to action, your essay risks simply restating an opinion without true persuasive intent. Leave readers with a definitive “therefore” statement of what you want them to believe or do in response to your argument.
When constructing a persuasive essay, focusing your argument with credible evidence, logical reasoning, and addressing potential objections will serve you far better than logical fallacies, emotional manipulation, weak organization, or non-supported claims. Take care to avoid these pitfalls when crafting a persuasive academic essay for maximum persuasive potential. With diligent research, sound argumentation, and adherence to credible sources, you can construct a convincing piece of persuasive writing.
Andrew Stroud