How to Teach Your Child the Difference Between a Persuasive Essay and Argument Essay (Grades 7-9)
- Mar 28, 2025
- 7 min read
As students progress through school, they are required to write various types of essays that challenge their critical thinking and writing skills. Two common types of essays they encounter in grades 7-9 are persuasive essays and argument essays. While these essay types share some similarities, they also have distinct differences that are important for students to understand. For parents looking to help their children master these writing styles, knowing how to teach the difference between a persuasive essay and an argument essay is key. In this blog post, we’ll guide parents on how to teach their children the difference between a persuasive essay and an argument essay, including tips, examples, and practice activities.
Understanding the Basics: What Are Persuasive and Argument Essays?
Before diving into the differences, it’s important to define what each type of essay is.
What Is a Persuasive Essay? A persuasive essay is designed to convince the reader to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action. It relies heavily on emotional appeals, persuasive language, and the writer’s personal beliefs. The goal is to sway the reader using compelling arguments and convincing rhetoric.
Key Characteristics of a Persuasive Essay:
Relies on emotional appeals and personal opinions.
May not require strong evidence or factual data.
Focuses on convincing the reader to agree with the writer’s perspective.
What Is an Argument Essay? An argument essay, on the other hand, presents a balanced view of a topic and relies on evidence-based reasoning. The writer must support their claims with credible sources and logical arguments while acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints. The goal is to prove a point through logic and well-researched evidence.
Key Characteristics of an Argument Essay:
Relies on logical reasoning and factual evidence.
Includes counterarguments and refutations.
Aims to establish a well-supported and objective standpoint.
Step 1: Teaching the Differences Between Persuasive and Argument Essays
The first step in teaching your child to differentiate between these two types of essays is to highlight their unique characteristics.
How to Explain the Differences:
Purpose and Approach:
Persuasive Essay: The main goal is to persuade or convince the reader to accept a viewpoint. The tone may be more passionate, and the writing often includes emotional appeals.
Argument Essay: The main goal is to present a well-reasoned argument backed by evidence. The tone is logical and objective, focusing on factual data and analysis.
Use of Evidence:
Persuasive Essay: May include some evidence, but often relies more on personal opinions and emotional language.
Argument Essay: Requires credible evidence and sources to support claims. Every argument must be backed by facts, statistics, and reliable research.
Counterarguments:
Persuasive Essay: Not always necessary to include counterarguments, as the main focus is to push a single viewpoint.
Argument Essay: It’s essential to include and refute counterarguments to strengthen the writer’s position and show a balanced analysis.
Example for Parents to Use: Explain to your child that writing a persuasive essay is like convincing a friend to try a new restaurant by talking about how delicious the food is. Writing an argument essay is like presenting a case to a judge, where you must provide evidence and address opposing views to prove why your choice is the best.
Step 2: Brainstorming Topics and Approaches
Helping your child brainstorm topics and approaches for both types of essays is a great way to reinforce their understanding of the differences.
Brainstorming for a Persuasive Essay:
Choose a Topic: Pick a topic that your child feels passionate about, such as “Why recess should be longer in schools” or “The benefits of adopting a pet.”
List Emotional Appeals: Have your child list reasons why someone should agree with their point of view. Encourage them to think about how they feel about the topic and why others should care.
Brainstorming for an Argument Essay:
Choose a Topic: Pick a topic that lends itself to evidence-based discussion, such as “Should school uniforms be mandatory?” or “The impact of technology on learning.”
List Supporting Evidence: Guide your child to research facts, statistics, and credible sources that support their argument.
Identify Counterarguments: Help them think of potential opposing views and how they can refute these points with logical reasoning.
Parent Tip: Create a T-chart with “Persuasive” on one side and “Argument” on the other. Have your child write down their approach to each type of essay for a given topic.
Step 3: Outlining Persuasive and Argument Essays
An outline is a crucial step for organizing thoughts before writing. Here’s how to structure outlines for both types of essays.
Persuasive Essay Outline:
Introduction:
Hook to grab the reader’s attention.
Background information.
Thesis statement stating the writer’s opinion.
Body Paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Strong reason with supporting details.
Paragraph 2: Another compelling reason with examples.
Paragraph 3: Additional reason or emotional appeal.
Conclusion:
Restate the thesis in a new way.
Summarize key points.
Call to action to persuade the reader to take action or adopt the viewpoint.
Argument Essay Outline:
Introduction:
Hook to engage the reader.
Background information.
Thesis statement presenting the main argument.
Body Paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Main argument supported by evidence.
Paragraph 2: Additional argument with data and examples.
Paragraph 3: Counterargument and refutation.
Conclusion:
Restate the thesis with emphasis on the evidence.
Summarize the main arguments.
Final statement reinforcing the logical conclusion.
Example Outlines: For the topic “Should school uniforms be mandatory?”:
Persuasive Essay Thesis: “School uniforms should be mandatory because they promote equality, reduce distractions, and create a sense of community.”
Argument Essay Thesis: “While school uniforms promote a sense of unity, the financial burden and restriction on self-expression must be considered, making it a debatable policy.”
Parent Tip: Practice creating outlines with your child for various topics to build their confidence in structuring both types of essays.
Step 4: Writing the Essays
With an outline in place, your child is ready to start writing. Here are tips for guiding them through each part of the essay:
Writing the Introduction
For a Persuasive Essay:
Start with an engaging hook, such as a rhetorical question or a powerful statement.
Provide background information to set the stage.
End with a thesis statement that clearly states the writer’s opinion.
For an Argument Essay:
Use a hook that piques interest but maintains a formal tone.
Include context or background information supported by facts.
Present a thesis that indicates the argument and acknowledges complexity.
Example Introductions:
Persuasive: “Have you ever wondered why some schools still don’t require uniforms? Uniforms can make a significant difference in promoting equality among students.”
Argument: “The debate over mandatory school uniforms continues to divide opinions. While uniforms may offer some benefits, the financial implications and restrictions on self-expression raise important questions.”
Writing the Body Paragraphs
For a Persuasive Essay:
Use strong, emotional language to present reasons.
Include personal anecdotes or scenarios to engage the reader.
Use phrases like “Imagine if…” or “Wouldn’t it be better if…” to make the argument relatable.
For an Argument Essay:
Present arguments with factual evidence from credible sources.
Address counterarguments with logical refutations.
Use phrases like “According to research…” or “Data shows that…” for support.
Example Body Paragraphs:
Persuasive: “One major reason why school uniforms should be mandatory is that they reduce distractions. When students don’t have to worry about the latest fashion trends, they can focus more on their studies.”
Argument: “While uniforms can reduce distractions, the cost associated with purchasing multiple sets can place an unnecessary burden on families, especially those with limited financial means. According to a 2021 survey, parents reported spending an average of $250 per child on uniforms.”
Writing the Conclusion
For a Persuasive Essay:
Restate the thesis using different words.
Summarize the main points of the essay.
End with a call to action, encouraging the reader to agree with the viewpoint.
For an Argument Essay:
Restate the thesis with a focus on the evidence.
Summarize the main arguments, highlighting their logical basis.
Provide a closing statement that reinforces the conclusion, leaving the reader with something to think about.
Example Conclusions:
Persuasive: “In conclusion, school uniforms are essential for promoting equality, reducing distractions, and fostering a sense of community. It’s time for schools to embrace this change for the benefit of all students.”
Argument: “While school uniforms can offer certain advantages, the financial strain and impact on self-expression must be considered. A balanced approach that addresses these concerns would serve students and families best.”
Practice Activities for Parents and Children
1. Compare and Contrast Exercise
Provide your child with a topic and have them write a brief paragraph in both persuasive and argument styles. Discuss the differences in tone, evidence, and structure.
2. Essay Review Practice
After your child writes a draft, review it together. Identify areas where emotional language or evidence can be strengthened, depending on the type of essay.
3. Peer Review Session
Arrange a peer review with a sibling or friend where they exchange essays and provide feedback on whether the essay meets the criteria of a persuasive or argument essay.
Parent Tip: Encourage your child to practice writing both types of essays regularly to build their confidence and proficiency.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
1. Mixing Essay Styles: Ensure your child maintains the correct structure and tone for each type of essay.
2. Lack of Evidence in Argument Essays: Teach your child to research and use credible sources.
3. Weak Emotional Appeals in Persuasive Essays: Encourage more engaging language to draw the reader in.
Conclusion
Helping your child learn the differences between a persuasive essay and an argument essay is an essential part of their writing development. By guiding them through brainstorming, outlining, and writing each type of essay, you’ll equip them with the skills they need for academic success. With practice and support, your child will be able to confidently approach both persuasive and argument essays, mastering the art of effective communication.
New here? Welcome! I’m Natasha, and I’m here to help students gain confidence in their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills so they can progressively reach optimal academic success in their humanities coursework by using their newly acquired skills.
I also have the following related blogs to help you:
Explore our Educational Services and Current Promotions today! Watch our YouTube tutorials for helpful insights or visit our Educational Blog for expert tips to support your child’s learning journey.
