Final answer:
The excerpt that follows the format of a persuasive essay is 'The author presents evidence to support their argument'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The excerpt that follows the format of a persuasive essay is The author presents evidence to support their argument. In a persuasive essay, the author's goal is to persuade the reader to agree with their viewpoint. This is done by presenting evidence and supporting arguments that back up the author's claim. By providing evidence, the author builds credibility and persuasiveness in their writing. In this case, the author is using evidence to support their argument, which is a characteristic of a persuasive essay.