A Review of Persuasive Writing

Modes of Development: A Review
of Persuasive
Writing
_____________________________________________________
What is persuasive Writing?
 uses logic and reason to show that one idea is

more legitimate than another idea.
 attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain

point- of -view or to take a particular action.
The argument must always use sound reasoning and

solid evidence by stating facts, giving logical
reasons, using examples, and quoting
authorities.
How is a persuasive piece
planned?
1. Choose your position.
Which side of the issue or problem are you

going to write about?
What solution will you offer?
Know the purpose of your essay.

Analyze Your Audience
2. Analyze your audience.
Decide if your audience:

agrees with you,
is neutral,
or disagrees with your position.
Research Your Topic
3. Research your topic.
Persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence.
Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge and experience.
You might need to go to the library or interview people who are experts
on your topic.
Set your own Ideas within a larger framework of other peoples’
thoughts on the topic!
Organization of the Essay
4. Structure your essay.
Decide what evidence you will include and in what order you will
present the evidence.
Remember to consider your topic,

your audience, and your purpose.
Do Your Homework on Your
Topic
The following criteria are essential to produce an effective
argument:
 Be well informed about your topic.

 To add to your knowledge of a topic, read thoroughly about it,
using legitimate sources.
 Take notes.
Ensure You Have a Clear and
Defendable Thesis
 Test your thesis.
Your thesis, i.e., argument, must have two sides.
It must be debatable.
If you can write down a thesis statement directly

opposing your own, you will ensure that your own
argument is debatable.
Thesis (continued)
 Disprove the opposing argument.

 Understand the opposite viewpoint of your position.
 Counter it by providing contrasting evidence or by finding
mistakes and inconsistencies in the logic of the opposing
argument.
 Prepare yourself against opposing arguments!
Question for Students
 Provide an example of a sample Thesis on any topic of your own choosing.
 Then, set up a statement in opposition to it—or a counter-argument.
 Try to disprove the opposing argument that you have made.
 This will help strengthen your Thesis—and inform you about what to anticipate
when you introduce it.
Facts—and Only Facts—Influence
the Reader!
 Support your position with evidence. Remember that your
evidence must appeal to reason.
What are the Facts?
The following are different ways to support your argument:

Facts
 A powerful means of convincing, facts can come from your
reading, observation, or personal experience.
Note: Do not confuse facts with truths.
A "truth" is an idea believed by many people, but it cannot be proven.
Opinions are the enemies of fact!
Provide Definite Factual Data
Statistics
 These can provide excellent support.
 Be sure your statistics come from responsible sources.
 Always cite your sources.
 Definite and specific data helps influence others’ thinking!
Cite the Authorities!
Quotes
Direct quotes from leading authorities that support your position are
invaluable.
Give Examples!
 Examples
Examples enhance your meaning and make your ideas concrete. They
are the proof.
Be careful not to introduce examples that are tangential or

digressive!
Thesis Statement in Persuasive
Writing
 Names the topic to be discussed
 Tells the reader which side of the argument you will defend.
 Includes your 3 main arguments (in a five-paragraph Essay). In a

Major Paper it is worded to justify all your argumentative points
of support.
 Is one complete statement.

Sample Thesis Statements
 Seatbelt laws should be abolished as they are an infringement of

individual rights, unnecessarily punitive, and they do not decrease
traffic fatalities.
 Mammography is an ineffective diagnostic tool as it increases

risk of other cancers, results in false positives, and is expensive.
Persuasive Writing Outline
 In a Five-Paragraph Essay Structure, for example, this would tend to be the structure:
 ____________________________________________________
 Introduction –includes thesis and acknowledgement of the opposite point –of- view.
 Body – 3 paragraphs
Three of the paragraphs deal with one of the arguments in the order listed in the thesis
statement.
Each paragraph has a topic sentence,
supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.
 Conclusion
Introduction
 Contains any background information necessary
 Contains the thesis
 Contains the statement of facts
The statement of the facts may contain circumstances,
details, summaries, and narration. It is a non-
argumentative presentation of the facts concerning the
situation or problem under discussion. In other words,
you simply discuss the problem objectively without
trying to persuade the reader.
Introduction, continued
 This section informs the readers about the facts of the case,
reminds the readers of certain events or details (often through the
use of summary), establishes the reason why you have the
authority to speak on the topic, or provides a vivid illustration,
real or fictional, showing the significance of the topic. It also
counters the opposing point- of -view.
Body
 This is where you provide your arguments. This is the
central part of the essay and often the longest section.
 Having gained your audience’s attention in the
introduction and informed them with the statement of
fact (thesis), you show why your position concerning
the facts should be accepted and believed.
 3 paragraphs deal with each one of the 3 main points in
your thesis statement (in the case of a five-paragraph
Essay).
Conclusion
Ends by summarizing the most important details

of the argument and stating once again what the
reader is to believe or do.
 Restate your thesis or focus statement.
 Summarize the main points:
The conclusion enables your reader to recall the
main points of your position. In order to do this
you can paraphrase the main points of your
argument.
Conclusion, continued
You can do this:

 With a Question: Closing with a question lets your
readers make their own predictions, draw their
own conclusions.
 With Recommendations: A recommendations
closing is one that stresses the actions or remedies
that should be taken.
 With a Quotation: Since a quotation may
summarize, predict, question, or call for action,
you may use a quotation within a conclusion for
nearly any kind of paper.
Circulate Persuasive Writing
Article
Can you locate the thesis?

Outline at least two argumentative points the author uses in support
of his thesis.
What might you do to strengthen the writer’s approach to this topic?
Any ideas?

A Review of Persuasive Writing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

A Review of Persuasive Writing

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

A Review of Persuasive Writing

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Modes of Development: A Review

 uses logic and reason to show that one idea is

 attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain

The argument must always use sound reasoning and

1. Choose your position.

Which side of the issue or problem are you

Know the purpose of your essay.

2. Analyze your audience.

Decide if your audience:

3. Research your topic.

Persuasive essay must provide specific and convincing evidence.

Often it is necessary to go beyond your own knowledge and experience.

4. Structure your essay.

Remember to consider your topic,

 Be well informed about your topic.

Your thesis, i.e., argument, must have two sides.

If you can write down a thesis statement directly

 Disprove the opposing argument.

The following are different ways to support your argument:

Be careful not to introduce examples that are tangential or

 Includes your 3 main arguments (in a five-paragraph Essay). In a

 Is one complete statement.

 Seatbelt laws should be abolished as they are an infringement of

 Mammography is an ineffective diagnostic tool as it increases

Ends by summarizing the most important details

You can do this:

Can you locate the thesis?

You might also like