Academic writing can be quite difficult in and of itself, but what if I told you there are actually different types of scholarly writing, each of which comes with its own nuanced requirements?
Descriptive, analytical, critical, persuasive…
It’s a lot.
Fortunately, there’s no need to soak up all this information in one go. How about we take it step by step instead?
Let’s focus on mastering persuasive writing first.
Sharpen your pencils, dip your quill in ink, or stretch your fingers and clean your keyboard.
It’s time to take notes.
What Is Persuasive Writing?
Persuasive writing refers to a type of writing that aims to convince the reader of the validity of a certain argument.
Most academic essays are of persuasive nature, and some sections in research papers (for example, the discussion or the conclusion) carry persuasive undertones, too. The same applies to larger bodies of work, such as a dissertation or a thesis.
In order to write persuasively, it is important to take a stand. Your main goal here is to support your main argument with valid sources and well-developed logical arguments that follow a clear line of thinking.
In other words, you’ve got to make the reader go, “Ah, that’s a good point!”
RELATED READ: How to write an abstract
Persuasive Academic Writing in a Nutshell
Let’s break the process down, shall we?
To arrive at a strong and valid point:
- Research as many secondary sources as you can and make notes (don’t forget to include a source next to each note so that you can easily find it and reference it later on)
- Read up on all possible counterarguments (don’t ignore them – it’s important to address these)
- Look for strong evidence, patterns, and results that are produced by credible studies
To present a good persuasive argument:
- Structure your writing in a way that allows a few sub-arguments to support your main argument
- Address possible counterarguments and explain why your argument is valid despite these objections
- Organize your essay into clear paragraphs, each of which serves a specific function
Example:
- Introduction (begin with a hook, something that will immediately draw the reader in and help you set the right persuasive tone)
- Background information (contextualize the problem)
- Main argument (present your main point)
- Supporting argument 1 (support your main point)
- Supporting argument 2 (support your main point)
- Supporting argument 3 (support your main point)
- Counterarguments (address potential concerns, limitations, and objections, and explain why your argument is strong in spite of these)
- Conclusion (reinforce the main argument)
Persuasive Writing: Forget Me Nots
- Don’t stray far from your main argument – your essay should stay coherent throughout (ideally, end each paragraph by tying your point back to the main theme)
- Support all your claims with valid secondary sources and clear examples (an excellent presentation of facts is vital to mastering persuasion)
- Make sure that each statement you make is relevant, clearly explained, and rooted in critical thinking and fact
- The art of academic persuasion isn’t about fancy wording – it’s about a collection of strong logical arguments that look at the issue from multiple angles
- Always look for a way to break your arguments into well-structured parts – these can become your paragraphs or sub-sections
Persuasive Writing: An Example
Every research article that aims to prove or disprove a hypothesis is essentially persuasive – its power stems from scientific and factual results.
Let’s take a look at this paragraph in the discussion section of a systematic review about the effect of physical activity on sleep quality (the highlights are mine):
“This systematic review found that physical activity was positively associated with sleep quality among different categories of populations. This is consistent with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending engaging in physical activities to improve sleep quality [43,44].
The association between physical activity and sleep quality can be attributed to several mechanisms, including the release of endorphins, which can lower stress and anxiety, resulting in improved relaxation and better sleep, regulation of circadian rhythms, and a rise in body temperature followed by a subsequent decrease helping in initiating sleep [14,45]. Furthermore, exercise stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which are involved in mood regulation and relaxation, perhaps assisting in better sleep start and maintenance [46].”
The first sentence includes the main point: exercise can positively impact our sleep. The second sentence appeals to other credible sources, which strengthens the argument. The following sentences present sub-arguments which were explored in depth within the body of the systematic review itself.
Further down in the discussion section, the authors also discuss the study’s limitations and explain which areas require further research.
The main outcome – as the first sentence of the conclusion shows (“Regular physical activity can lead to improved sleep quality, reduced sleep latency, and better overall sleep quality”) – is that the primary argument holds true.
Conclusion
When you’re learning how to master the art of persuasive writing in scholarly work, you’re also perfecting many other valuable skills, including your ability to think critically, analyze and evaluate sources, and structure arguments in a clear and logical manner.
And before you go, remember: persuasive academic writing is less about emotion-laden or fancy words and more about clearly linked facts that paint a credible and therefore persuasive picture.
