Strong examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs that actually work

Examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs on school topics

Let’s start with the kind of topic you’re most likely to see in class: school rules and student life. These are often the best examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs for beginners, because everyone has some opinion about school.

Imagine the thesis:

Thesis: High schools should allow limited cell phone use during lunch because it supports communication, safety, and learning.

Here’s a full example of a body paragraph that supports the “communication” point:

Example Paragraph 1 – School cell phone policy
High schools should allow limited cell phone use during lunch because it helps students stay connected to the adults who support them. Many teens manage complex schedules that involve after-school jobs, siblings’ activities, and family responsibilities, and lunch is often the only time they can coordinate plans. According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center, more than 70% of teens say they use their phones to communicate about transportation and safety with parents or guardians during the school day. When schools completely ban phones, they force students to rely on office staff to relay simple messages, which can delay communication and create unnecessary stress. Allowing responsible phone use during lunch, while still banning it during instructional time, respects students’ real lives without disrupting learning.

Why this works:

• Clear topic sentence that connects directly to the thesis
• Evidence from a real, research-based source (Pew Research Center)
• Explanation of why the evidence matters
• A wrap-up sentence that ties the idea back to the school’s policy

When you study examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs like this, pay attention less to the topic itself and more to the pattern: claim → evidence → explanation → connection to thesis.

Here’s a second school-related example, this time about mental health days.

Example Paragraph 2 – Mental health days for students
Schools should offer excused mental health days because they help students manage stress before it turns into a crisis. In recent years, national surveys have shown rising levels of anxiety and depression among teenagers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2021, more than 4 in 10 high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, and about 1 in 5 seriously considered attempting suicide (CDC). When students are forced to attend school while emotionally overwhelmed, they are less able to focus, participate, or retain information. Allowing a limited number of mental health days, with clear guidelines and parent involvement, gives students a chance to rest, seek counseling, or simply reset. This policy doesn’t encourage skipping; it recognizes that mental health is as real as a broken arm and deserves the same level of support.

Again, this is one of the best examples of how a persuasive body paragraph can blend data, real-world context, and clear reasoning without sounding stiff.

Real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs using statistics

Some of the strongest examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs use statistics to back up a clear claim. The key is to avoid just dropping numbers in; you have to explain what they mean.

Let’s say the thesis is:

Thesis: Cities should invest more in public transit to reduce traffic and pollution.

Here’s an example of a statistics-heavy paragraph:

Example Paragraph 3 – Public transportation and the environment
Expanding public transit is one of the most effective ways cities can cut air pollution and fight climate change. Transportation is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially in car-dependent countries like the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the transportation sector accounts for about 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (EPA). When cities improve bus and train systems so they are frequent, safe, and affordable, more people are willing to leave their cars at home. A single full bus can remove dozens of cars from the road, which means less congestion and lower emissions. By prioritizing transit projects instead of adding more lanes for cars, city leaders can make daily commutes cleaner and healthier for everyone.

Notice how this example of a persuasive essay body paragraph:

• Introduces the statistic in context (transportation as a major source)
• Names a credible source (EPA)
• Explains the impact (fewer cars, less congestion, lower emissions)
• Connects back to the main claim about investing in public transit

That pattern shows up again and again in the best examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs.

Here’s another real example that uses statistics, this time about sleep and school start times.

Example Paragraph 4 – Later school start times
Middle and high schools should start later in the morning because teenagers simply do not get enough sleep under current schedules. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that teens get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night, but many fall far short of that goal. In fact, the CDC reports that about 7 out of 10 high school students do not get enough sleep on school nights (CDC). Early start times force students to wake up before their natural sleep cycles allow, leaving them exhausted in first-period classes. Research has shown that when schools move start times later, students get more sleep, have better attendance, and even see higher grades. By aligning school schedules with teen biology, districts can improve both health and academic performance.

This paragraph is a good example of how to combine expert recommendations, national data, and logical consequences in one tight, persuasive chunk.

Examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs with counterarguments

Stronger essays don’t just present one side; they also address what the other side might say. Some of the best examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs include a short counterargument and a response.

Imagine this thesis:

Thesis: Colleges should not require standardized test scores (like the SAT or ACT) for admissions.

Here’s how a body paragraph with a counterargument might look:

Example Paragraph 5 – Test-optional admissions
While some people argue that standardized tests provide an objective way to compare students, test-optional policies actually create a fairer admissions process. Supporters of the SAT and ACT claim that these exams reveal academic potential beyond grades, which can vary by school. However, research from institutions such as Harvard University has highlighted how strongly test scores are linked to family income and access to expensive test prep programs (Harvard Graduate School of Education). Students from wealthier families can afford tutors, multiple test attempts, and specialized courses, while low-income students often cannot. As a result, the tests measure opportunity as much as ability. When colleges make scores optional, they can focus more on high school coursework, recommendations, and personal essays, which give a fuller picture of a student’s strengths and potential.

This is a clear example of a persuasive essay body paragraph that:

• Briefly states the opposing view
• Uses research to challenge that view
• Ends by reinforcing the writer’s position

You can use this same structure for topics like school uniforms, curfews, or social media use.

Real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs on health topics

Health topics are popular in recent assignments, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and growing awareness of mental health. Here are two more real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs that use health-related evidence.

Example Paragraph 6 – School lunch nutrition
Schools should be required to serve healthier lunches because what students eat during the day directly affects their ability to learn. Highly processed foods high in sugar and fat can cause energy spikes and crashes, making it harder for students to concentrate in afternoon classes. The National Institutes of Health has reported that diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are linked to better attention and memory, while diets high in processed foods are associated with lower academic performance (NIH). When schools offer appealing, nutritious meals, they are not just feeding students; they are supporting their brains. Investing in better ingredients and cooking methods may cost more upfront, but it pays off when students are more alert, engaged, and ready to learn.

Example Paragraph 7 – Physical education requirements
Regular physical education should remain a graduation requirement because it supports both physical and mental health. Many teens spend hours each day sitting in classrooms and using screens, which increases the risk of obesity and related health problems later in life. The CDC recommends that children and adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day, yet many fall short of that goal (CDC Physical Activity Guidelines). PE classes give all students, not just athletes, a guaranteed time to move their bodies and learn lifelong fitness skills. Beyond physical benefits, exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are growing concerns among teens. Keeping PE in the schedule is not a luxury; it is a basic part of educating healthy, well-rounded students.

Both of these health-related paragraphs are strong examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs because they:

• Use research from respected organizations
• Connect health outcomes to school performance or long-term well-being
• Clearly support one specific point from the thesis

How to build your own paragraph using these examples

Looking at many examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs is helpful, but you also need a simple way to create your own. You can think of each body paragraph as a mini-argument with four parts:

1. Topic sentence (your claim)
This is the first sentence. It should clearly state the reason you’re discussing in that paragraph.

Example: “Schools should allow limited cell phone use during lunch because it helps students stay connected to the adults who support them.”

2. Context or explanation
Give a bit of background or explain why this point matters in real life.

Example: “Many teens manage complex schedules that involve after-school jobs, siblings’ activities, and family responsibilities…”

3. Evidence (facts, data, examples, quotes)
Bring in something you can point to: a statistic, a study, an expert opinion, or a real-world example.

Example: “According to a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center…”

4. Commentary and connection
Explain how your evidence supports your claim, and tie it back to your thesis.

Example: “Allowing responsible phone use during lunch…respects students’ real lives without disrupting learning.”

When you read through the best examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs, you’ll notice they all follow some version of this pattern, even if the order shifts slightly.

If you feel stuck, try this fill-in-the-blank approach and then revise it so it sounds natural:

• Topic sentence: One reason ______ should happen is that ______.
• Context: In today’s world, ______.
• Evidence: For instance, a study/report from ______ found that ______.
• Commentary: This shows that ______, which means ______.

Once you’ve drafted a paragraph using this structure, compare it to the real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs above and adjust your wording until it sounds confident and clear.

FAQ about examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs

Q: Where can I find more real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs for practice?
You can read student writing samples on many school district and university writing center websites. Search for “persuasive essay examples” or “argumentative essay samples” from .edu sites. These often include full essays with body paragraphs you can study and imitate.

Q: What is one simple example of a persuasive essay body paragraph structure I can memorize?
Use this pattern: Claim → Explanation → Evidence → Commentary → Link back to thesis. Most of the examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs in this article follow that pattern, even when the topics change.

Q: How many examples of evidence should I include in one body paragraph?
For most school assignments, one strong piece of evidence with thoughtful explanation is better than several weak examples. If the paragraph is long or the point is complex, you might add a second example of evidence, but always leave room to explain why each piece of evidence matters.

Q: Can I use personal stories as examples in persuasive essay body paragraphs?
Yes, especially if the topic is personal (like school stress or social media). A short, specific personal example of something you experienced can be powerful. Just make sure you still explain what the story proves and, when possible, balance it with at least one fact, statistic, or expert quote.

Q: How long should a persuasive essay body paragraph be?
There’s no single “right” length, but most school-level paragraphs are at least 5–8 sentences. Long enough to include a clear claim, some context, a piece of evidence, and your explanation. If your paragraph is only two or three sentences, it probably needs more development.

By studying these real examples of persuasive essay body paragraphs and practicing the simple structure behind them, you’ll find it much easier to turn your opinions into organized, convincing writing.