San Anto nio College Wr iting Center | 210-486-1433 Edited 11/15/15
Argumentative and Persuasive Essay
This handout aims to distinguish argumentative from persuasive essays, as well as give some guidelines for writing them. In
both types of essays, a strong coherence between introductions, thesis statements, body paragraphs, and conclusions drive
the essay and deliver its point(s) to its readers clearly and directly. However, the difference between the two is in their
appeal. Argumentative essays appeal to reason, while persuasive essay appeal to emotion. The following is a chart that
explains both kinds of essays more specifically:
PERSUASIVE WRITING
ARGU MENTATIVE WRITING
PURPOSE The writer aims to get the reader to agree
with his / her personal perspective.
The writer aims to get the reader to accept his
/ her perspective as truth.
GENERA L TECHNIQUE
Opinions are blended with facts, all in an
attempt to convince the reader that the writer
is “right.”
Relevant reasons and credible data are
blended to demonstrate the writer’s argument
as valid.
AUDIENCE
The writer has an intended audience to
address his request or need. Who can give him
what he wants?
To write an argument, the writer doesn’t need
an intended audience. The writer is satisfied
with simply “putting the truth out there.”
POINT OF VIEW
Since the writer is communicating directly to
a person, group, or organization, it’s common
to use first-person (i.e., I) and second-person
(i.e., you) point of view.
With no specific audience in mind, this more
formal writing addresses the multiple sides of
an issue using the more objective third-
person point of view.
ATTITUDE
Persuasive writers “go after” their readers
more aggressively. They consider the
emotional strategy that will work best on
their audience (e.g., manipulation, motivation,
inspiration, etc.). Persuasive writing is
personal, passionate, and emotional.
Argumentative writers maintain a tone of
fairness and reasonableness. Their attitude is
respectful, tactful, and formal.
PERSPECTIVES
PRESENTED
Persuasion has a single-minded goal— Get
what the writer wants. It is based on the
writer’s personal conviction that his way of
thinking is the best. Consequently, the writer’s
viewpoint is typically the only one presented.
(See the lopsided scales above.)
Argumentative writing acknowledges
opposing views within a pro/con piece. (See
the more balanced scales above.) This
demonstrates the writer as a fair-minded
person and gives him the opportunity to
counter these perspectives with more logic,
reasoning, and proof.
STARTING POINT
1. Pick a topic of interest. (What do you
want?) 2. Choose a side to “fight” for. 3. Start
writing.
1. Conduct initial research on a debatable
topic. 2. Align with the strongest side. 3.
Continue gathering facts and research.
SUPPORT
Persuasive pieces rely on opinions and
feelings. The writer uses his own passion
and/or plays off reader emotions to get what
he wants. The audience agrees with the writer
because of strong emotional appeals.
Arguments rely on logical reasons that are all
substantiated by facts, data, expert quotes,
and evidence. The audience agrees with the
writer because of the strong logical
appeals.
