Study Tips

I remember the first time I tried to use logical argumentation. I was six, and I had taken gum from a store without paying for it. My mom caught me, and I tried to persuade her that since we pay taxes on all our food, it more than makes up for the price of the gum. Needless to say, I got in big trouble, had to return the gum and apologize to the clerk. While that was the end of my life in crime, it was also the beginning of my journey of persuasion. By the time I got into college I was a master of argumentation and writing persuasive essays. It’s all a formula, really.

The key to writing persuasive essays in college is to know what motivates you. If you are writing to get into college, you are motivated to get your college degree. If you are trying to create a change of policy on campus, you might be motivated by a sense of justice or fairness. Whatever motivates you will be the driving force behind writing your essay. Once you have identified it, you can proceed to look up facts and reasons to help you motivate others.

Argumentation also requires good communication, which is a must for anyone seeking a college degree or needing to write persuasive essays. Whether you are filling in a test question or sending a letter to a newspaper, the ability to communicate what motivates you to others is essential. Once you know what you think, and why you think it, set those out in a logical thought process. One of the reasons to have a college degree is to show future employers you can think and write in a reasonably logical way.

Your essay will start with your premise, provide your reasoning and conclude by inviting people to think the same way as you. After you get used to that formula, writing persuasively will be one of the easiest things you do in your college degree program, and will give you results as sweet as candy.