Persuasive Essay Outline Template
Copy this template and replace the bracketed text with your content.
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Hook: [Your attention grabbing opening, a shocking statistic, provocative question, or compelling scenario]
B. Context: [2 to 3 sentences of background information your reader needs to understand the issue]
C. Thesis Statement: [Your clear position + 3 reasons]
| Format: [Position] because [Reason 1], [Reason 2], and [Reason 3]. |
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
A. Topic Sentence: [First reason supporting your thesis]
B. Evidence: [Statistic, expert quote, study, or concrete example]
C. Explanation: [HOW this evidence proves your point, connect the dots for your reader]
D. Counterargument (optional): [Acknowledge opposing view briefly]
E. Refutation: [Explain why your position is still stronger]
F. Transition: [Bridge to next paragraph]
III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2
A. Topic Sentence: [Second reason supporting your thesis]
B. Evidence: [Data, example, or expert testimony]
C. Explanation: [Your analysis of why this matters]
D. Transition: [Bridge to next paragraph]
IV. BODY PARAGRAPH 3
A. Topic Sentence: [Third reason supporting your thesis]
B. Evidence: [Supporting facts or examples]
C. Explanation: [Analyze and connect to thesis]
D. Transition: [Bridge to conclusion]
V. COUNTERARGUMENT PARAGRAPH (Optional but Recommended)
A. Opposing View: [State the strongest argument against your position, fairly]
B. Acknowledge Validity: [Admit any valid points, if applicable]
C. Refutation: [Explain why your position is still stronger with evidence]
D. Reinforcement: [Reaffirm your thesis]
VI. CONCLUSION
A. Restate Thesis: [Rephrase your argument, don't copy-paste from intro]
B. Summarize Key Points: [Brief recap of your 3 main reasons]
C. Call to Action or Broader Implication: [What should readers do? Why does this matter beyond the essay?]
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Order NowPersuasive Essay Structure Explained
Not sure how much space to give each section? Here's the standard breakdown.
1. Introduction (10 to 15% of essay)
What to include:
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Word count guide:
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Key rule: Get to your thesis within 3 to 4 sentences. Don't bury it.
2. Body Paragraphs (70 to 80% of essay)
Standard format: 3 to 4 paragraphs, each following PEEL structure:
| Point (topic sentence) |
| Evidence (data, quotes, examples) |
| Explanation (your analysis) |
| Link (transition) |
Word count per paragraph:
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Pro tip: Strongest argument first or last. Never bury your best evidence in the middle.
3. Counterargument Paragraph (10 to 15% of essay)
- Purpose: Show you've considered opposing views, making your argument stronger, not weaker.
- Placement: Usually after your main arguments, before the conclusion.
- Format: State the opposing view, acknowledge any valid points, refute it with stronger evidence, and then reinforce your own position.
4. Conclusion (10 to 15% of essay)
What to include:
- Reframed thesis (new words, same idea)
- Quick summary (2 to 3 sentences).
- "So what?" moment (broader significance or call to action)
Word count guide:
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What NOT to do:
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See real examples of this structure in our persuasive essay examples.
Persuasive Essay Format (By Length)
Depending on your assignment length, adjust the number of body paragraphs.
Short Persuasive Essay (500 to 750 words)
Structure:
| Introduction: 50 to 75 words. |
| 3 body paragraphs: 100 to 120 words each |
| Conclusion: 50 to 75 words |
Format tips:
- 1 piece of evidence per paragraph.
- Brief counterargument (2 to 3 sentences within a body paragraph).
- Keep arguments tight and focused.
Use case: Timed essays, short assignments, position papers.
Medium Persuasive Essay (1,000 to 1,500 words)
Structure:
| Introduction: 100 to 150 words |
| 4 to 5 body paragraphs: 200 to 250 words each |
| Dedicated counterargument paragraph: 150 to 200 words |
| Conclusion: 100 to 150 words |
Format tips:
- 2 pieces of evidence per paragraph.
- Deeper analysis and explanation.
- Include multiple sources.
- More sophisticated transitions
Use case: Standard academic assignments, college essays.
Long Persuasive/Research Essay (2,000+ words)
Structure:
| Introduction: 200 to 300 words |
| 6 to 8 body paragraphs: 300 to 400 words each |
| Multiple counterargument paragraphs: 200 to 300 words each |
| Conclusion: 200 to 250 words |
Format tips:
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Use case: Research papers, term papers, thesis arguments
Remember! Good persuasive writing starts with clear persuasive essay topics, followed by a persuasive essay outline that maps arguments, evidence, and counterclaims in logical order.
Persuasive Paragraph Template (PEEL Method)
Each body paragraph follows the same structure. Here's the PEEL method expanded:
P - Point (Topic Sentence)
[State the main claim of this paragraph in one clear sentence]
| For Instance: "Mandatory voting increases civic engagement and political accountability." |
E - Evidence (Support)
[Insert your statistic, expert quote, study result, or concrete example]
| For Instance: "Countries with mandatory voting, like Australia and Belgium, consistently achieve 90%+ turnout rates compared to 55 to 65% in voluntary systems." |
E - Explanation (Analysis)
[Explain HOW this evidence proves your point. This is where YOUR thinking shows, don't skip it.]
| For Instance: "Higher participation rates mean elected officials must appeal to a broader cross-section of society, not just motivated partisan voters. This forces more moderate, representative policies." |
L - Link (Transition)
[Connect back to your thesis or bridge to the next paragraph]
| For Instance: "Beyond participation rates, mandatory voting also addresses systemic inequalities in civic engagement." |
This structure ensures every paragraph does more than just present information, it persuades.
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Order NowPersuasive Essay Outline (Filled In)
Here's what the template looks like with actual content, an argument for renewable energy investment:
I. INTRODUCTION
| A. Hook: "What if the solution to climate change also saved us trillions of dollars?" |
| B. Context: Renewable energy technology has advanced dramatically in the past decade, with solar and wind now cheaper than fossil fuels in most markets. Yet government investment lags behind need. |
| C. Thesis: Governments should massively increase investment in renewable energy infrastructure because it reduces long term costs, creates jobs, and addresses climate change before it's irreversible. |
II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1
| A. Topic Sentence: Renewable energy costs have dropped below those of fossil fuels, making it economically smart. |
| B. Evidence: "Solar energy costs dropped 89% between 2010-2020, while onshore wind dropped 70%" (IRENA 2021 Report). |
| C. Explanation: This price collapse means renewables are now the cheapest energy option for most of the world. Every dollar invested saves money long-term compared to coal or gas infrastructure. |
| D. Transition: Economic benefits extend beyond cost savings to job creation. |
III. BODY PARAGRAPH 2
| A. Topic Sentence: Renewable energy creates more jobs per dollar invested than fossil fuels. |
| B. Evidence: A 2022 International Renewable Energy Agency study found that renewable energy sectors generate nearly three times as many jobs per million dollars invested compared to coal and natural gas. |
| C. Transition: However, the benefits of renewables extend even further when considering long term environmental and societal impacts. |
IV. CONCLUSION
A. Restatement of Thesis
B. Summary of Key Points
C. Broader Implication
D. Closing Thought
NOTE: This is a FILLED IN OUTLINE, not a full essay. Want to see complete essays? Check our persuasive essay examples for full samples.
Don’t skip outlining; it’s where persuasive essays are won or lost. When unsure how to organize your position and counterarguments, look at examples from a reputable essay writing service to see how pros build persuasive flow.
Free Downloadable Templates for a Persuasive Essay
The following are persuasive essay outline samples that guide you better on how this type of writing should be done.
Filled In Persuasive Essay Templates
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Now you've got a structure. Fill in the blanks, and you're halfway there. The hard part is developing strong arguments and connecting evidence back to your thesis, something our persuasive essay guide breaks down step by step. Good luck, and don't forget we're here if you need backup.
