The Thesis in a Persuasive Essay

We’ve already seen that the thesis in an essay is a statement of the point the writer wants to make. In a persuasive essay, the thesis is either the point of view the writer wants the reader to accept and adopt regarding a topic or what the writer wants the reader to go out and do regarding the topic.

Examples:

(1) The writer wants the reader to accept a point of view about a topic:

We see this a lot in politics: “Extending tax credits for the wealthy will improve the country’s economy.”

(2) The writer wants the reader to go out and do something:

Again, in politics: “For all the following reasons, vote for John Jones for governor of our fair state.”