Which of the following is a characteristic of a persuasive essay?

A persuasive essay is designed to convince readers of a specific viewpoint or argument. To achieve this purpose effectively, it focuses on presenting a clear argument supported by evidence, while also considering the audience's perspectives and beliefs. This approach allows the writer to build a logical case that can persuade the reader to accept or relate to the argument being made.

The inclusion of evidence is crucial; it may consist of statistics, expert testimonies, examples, or logical reasoning that backs the main argument. By understanding the audience, the persuasive essay can be tailored to address their needs and counter potential objections, making the argument more compelling. This combination of a clear argument, supporting evidence, and audience awareness is what defines the strength of a persuasive essay.

Other characteristics, such as narrative storytelling or purely descriptive language, while valuable in different contexts, do not align with the primary objective of persuasion. Similarly, the focus on technical jargon might hinder comprehension for a wider audience rather than facilitate persuasion.