Persuasive Argument Writing
An author writes a persuasive or argumentative piece to convince, persuade or change the opinion of readers about a particular issue. It is never easy to convince someone to change their mind. The challenge in this mode of writing is to be aware of your audience, acknowledge their viewpoint, and at the same time respectfully refute it.
An effective persuasive writer selects strong facts and solid information to support their position. The written argument is built carefully, presenting the case in a reasonable, logical manner. The "shape" of the writing will be similar to expository writing, but with greater focus and emphasis on evidence for each reason supporting the author's central claim. |
Research: Understand the Issues and Stakeholders
Successfully persuading another person to see something from your point of view, requires you to understand both sides of the issue. The goal should not be to trick or deceive someone; knowledge of the issues and skill in presenting your point of view is the prefered and most efffective form of argument.
Why would someone hold the opposite point of view? What’s “in it” for him? What are the advantages of the opposing view? What does a person have to gain or lose by embracing the opposing view? These are all questions that need to be acknowledged and addressed in order to successfully persuade someone to change his opinion.
It is never enough for an author to simply state her/his position on an issue and tell the audience, in general terms, that their position is best. Instead, the author must support each argument with a variety of powerful details. Generating these details can be challenging; they require writers to research not only support for their own position but likely counterarguments. Websites and other sources gathered in support of both points of view will be valuable, as well as objective or neutral information about the issue.
Why would someone hold the opposite point of view? What’s “in it” for him? What are the advantages of the opposing view? What does a person have to gain or lose by embracing the opposing view? These are all questions that need to be acknowledged and addressed in order to successfully persuade someone to change his opinion.
It is never enough for an author to simply state her/his position on an issue and tell the audience, in general terms, that their position is best. Instead, the author must support each argument with a variety of powerful details. Generating these details can be challenging; they require writers to research not only support for their own position but likely counterarguments. Websites and other sources gathered in support of both points of view will be valuable, as well as objective or neutral information about the issue.
As you gather information, it is important to record specific examples, details, and sources; if questioned or challenged, you are more likely to gain credibility and change other people's points of view if you can support your statements with organized information about the source.
Con: A position against or opposing a particular issue (Latin, contra).
Pro: A position in support of or in favor of (Latin, por) a particular issue.
Pro: A position in support of or in favor of (Latin, por) a particular issue.
Introductions
First impressions count for a lot in persuarive writing; most people form an opinion quickly, and therefore, the first moments of an exchange, whether in conversation or in writing, can set the tone, and either establish a rapport with, or alienate the reader or listener.
In persuasive writing, where the author’s purpose is to persuade or convince the audience, the introduction is critical. The author must be sure that the introduction does not polarize the reader by being insensitive to the alternate point of view. The best way to keep a reader open-minded and available to your point of view is to maintain a balanced, fair-minded tone, and to present the issue clearly in the introduction.
A clear statement of the issue at hand, without necesarily revealing your position, will get your persuasive essay off to a strong start and keep your readers interested and invested enough to read on.
In persuasive writing, where the author’s purpose is to persuade or convince the audience, the introduction is critical. The author must be sure that the introduction does not polarize the reader by being insensitive to the alternate point of view. The best way to keep a reader open-minded and available to your point of view is to maintain a balanced, fair-minded tone, and to present the issue clearly in the introduction.
A clear statement of the issue at hand, without necesarily revealing your position, will get your persuasive essay off to a strong start and keep your readers interested and invested enough to read on.
There are a number of types of leads that can be used:
• a statement of concern (all stakeholders will appreciate that an issue is important);
• embracing a high ideal (appealing to justice, fair play, relationships, community, or ethics);
• painting a powerful picture with an anecdote about an experience to illustrate the issue;
• using a quote or testimonial from a participant or observer, especially one well-known to
readers or listeners;
• using an attention-getting or unusual statistic (it should be based on a source, however).
• a statement of concern (all stakeholders will appreciate that an issue is important);
• embracing a high ideal (appealing to justice, fair play, relationships, community, or ethics);
• painting a powerful picture with an anecdote about an experience to illustrate the issue;
• using a quote or testimonial from a participant or observer, especially one well-known to
readers or listeners;
• using an attention-getting or unusual statistic (it should be based on a source, however).
Simplicity also has its merits--
The question then is __________________?
Should we________________or ________________?
What is the dilemma? _________________?
Do we________________or ____________________?
The issue to grapple with is ___________________.
Here’s the controversy: _____________________.
The problem is________________________.
We need to decide whether to___________or ___________.
Must we_____________ or__________________?
Would we rather___________ or ___________?
Of course, everyone is concerned about_______________.
We all need to consider ________________.
To_____or to_____, that is the question.
The difficulty involves whether to_______________or _______________________.
It seems we have two options, ________________ or __________________.
Here’s the challenge: Do we prefer_______________or_________________?
We need to determine if ___________________________.
It will be important to decide ____________________________.
Think about whether you’d like to_________________________.
The debate is about ___________________.
What’s your position? Do we___________________or_______________________?
Are you for or against _________________?
How do you feel about ________________?
Ponder this: ______________________ or________________?
Let’s decide. Do we ___________________or do we ______________________?
The question everyone’s asking is,_____________________?
We need to resolve this issue: ___________________________.
The question then is __________________?
Should we________________or ________________?
What is the dilemma? _________________?
Do we________________or ____________________?
The issue to grapple with is ___________________.
Here’s the controversy: _____________________.
The problem is________________________.
We need to decide whether to___________or ___________.
Must we_____________ or__________________?
Would we rather___________ or ___________?
Of course, everyone is concerned about_______________.
We all need to consider ________________.
To_____or to_____, that is the question.
The difficulty involves whether to_______________or _______________________.
It seems we have two options, ________________ or __________________.
Here’s the challenge: Do we prefer_______________or_________________?
We need to determine if ___________________________.
It will be important to decide ____________________________.
Think about whether you’d like to_________________________.
The debate is about ___________________.
What’s your position? Do we___________________or_______________________?
Are you for or against _________________?
How do you feel about ________________?
Ponder this: ______________________ or________________?
Let’s decide. Do we ___________________or do we ______________________?
The question everyone’s asking is,_____________________?
We need to resolve this issue: ___________________________.
Reasoning: Acknowledge Other Points-of-View
Think of a time when someone tried to convince you to change your mind about something. Were they successful? Why or why not?
Most people hold fast to their opinions and resist any attempts to sway their particular point of view. (Have you ever witnessed a conversation about politics? Many times the conversation becomes an argument that nobody wins.) This is because people often imply that to disagree with them is just plain stupid. Once someone suggests that you are stupid, or less than enlightened, or just can’t listen to reason, the natural tendency is to dig your heels in, stop listening, and become more firmly committed to your own opinion.
So, in order to sway someone’s point of view, it is critical to respectfully acknowledge their opinion, and to use their opinion as a jumping off point for expressing your alternate view. How can you do this?
The following sentence starters can help you to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint and to link it to your own point of view. In this way, your audience is not disregarded or dismissed.
Most people hold fast to their opinions and resist any attempts to sway their particular point of view. (Have you ever witnessed a conversation about politics? Many times the conversation becomes an argument that nobody wins.) This is because people often imply that to disagree with them is just plain stupid. Once someone suggests that you are stupid, or less than enlightened, or just can’t listen to reason, the natural tendency is to dig your heels in, stop listening, and become more firmly committed to your own opinion.
So, in order to sway someone’s point of view, it is critical to respectfully acknowledge their opinion, and to use their opinion as a jumping off point for expressing your alternate view. How can you do this?
The following sentence starters can help you to acknowledge an opposing viewpoint and to link it to your own point of view. In this way, your audience is not disregarded or dismissed.
Many people feel that ____________________, but actually_________________________.
Despite the fact that _____________________, there_______________________________.
Although some people believe ____________________, you’ll see why_______________________.
I can understand the ___________________, but ________________________________.
It’s easy to see why _____________________, however ____________________________.
I used to think that _____________________, yet_________________________________.
Regardless of the fact that ________________, in my experience ____________________.
Some people think that___________________, nevertheless ________________________.
You might believe that ___________________, still, _______________________________.
Persuasion: The "Bandwagon"
One way to convince your audience to accept your position later in the article, essay, or presentation is to encourage them to “get on the bandwagon.” This technique assigns positive characteristics to people who accept or agree with a particular view, opinion, or position. The assumption is that your audience will want to be a part of this “bandwagon” group.
Here are some examples:
Here are some examples:
Well-informed students agree that we must offer more foreign language courses.
Responsible citizens consistently support the mayor’s plan for a reasonable tax increase.
Stylish, hip kids all insist on shopping at Robin’s rather than at the mall.
Successful students all use this software.
Experienced travelers agree that this cruiseline offers the best value.
Bright, capable young people are attracted to this program.
Caring, loving parents are willing to take a stand on this issue.
Responsible citizens consistently support the mayor’s plan for a reasonable tax increase.
Stylish, hip kids all insist on shopping at Robin’s rather than at the mall.
Successful students all use this software.
Experienced travelers agree that this cruiseline offers the best value.
Bright, capable young people are attracted to this program.
Caring, loving parents are willing to take a stand on this issue.
Who doesn’t want to be well informed, responsible, stylish and hip, successful, experienced, bright, capable, caring, and loving?
If people who agree with your position can be described in these ways, what can we assume about those who disagree? This is a subtle way of implying that to disagree might make you poorly informed, irresponsible, unstylish and square, unsuccessful, inexperienced, incapable, and uncaring.
Persuasive and logical argument writing is amplified by a writer's facility with word choice and vocabulary strength. The variety of thesaurus tools available online help developing writers use shades of meanings offered by a list of synonyms.
If people who agree with your position can be described in these ways, what can we assume about those who disagree? This is a subtle way of implying that to disagree might make you poorly informed, irresponsible, unstylish and square, unsuccessful, inexperienced, incapable, and uncaring.
Persuasive and logical argument writing is amplified by a writer's facility with word choice and vocabulary strength. The variety of thesaurus tools available online help developing writers use shades of meanings offered by a list of synonyms.
The "bandwagon" technique is designed to encourage those who oppose your view to reconsider after
- having heard your clear statement of the importance of the issue,
- being impressed by the supporting details you have collected,
- appreciating that you have taken time to consider the issue from another point-of-view and have counterarguments for those based on reason.
Conclusions
The conclusion paragraph in a persuasive essay serves an important purpose. It is the author’s last chance to convince the reader of the value of the arguments presented and an opportunity for the author to powerfully and creatively restate the issue and each main argument. This is the time for a call to action, when the author appeals to the reader to do something - to take a stand, or to change an opinion they’d previously held. The author uses powerful language and definitive words and phrases to win over the audience.
A NOW OR NEVER STATEMENT –Creates a sense of urgency and immediacy in order to rouse your reader to action.
VIVID LANGUAGE –Restates each argument in a compelling way.
HIGHLIGHTS THE MOST IMPORTANT ARGUMENT --Stresses the argument you felt was the most convincing.
USES A DEFINITIVE WORD OR PHRASE –An easily-remembered phrase, especially if it contains alliteration, rhythmic, or rhyming qualities, will stay with the reader or listener even if they do not agree with it.
A CALL TO ACTION –Clearly state what it is you want readers or listeners to do.
VIVID LANGUAGE –Restates each argument in a compelling way.
HIGHLIGHTS THE MOST IMPORTANT ARGUMENT --Stresses the argument you felt was the most convincing.
USES A DEFINITIVE WORD OR PHRASE –An easily-remembered phrase, especially if it contains alliteration, rhythmic, or rhyming qualities, will stay with the reader or listener even if they do not agree with it.
A CALL TO ACTION –Clearly state what it is you want readers or listeners to do.