Writing Persuasive Texts

When you persuade someone, you convince them to agree with your side of an issue. As you prepare a persuasive argument, keep these things in mind:

1. Know your audience - Identify exactly who your audience will be, what they already know about the topic, and what you want their response to your argument to be.

2. Know how to reach them - Can your audience best be reached through a written or audiovisual presentation? Will you have better results through supplying facts and figures or through an emotional appeal? Should your tone be formal or personal?

3. Know your stuff - Do your homework. Have all the information you need, organize it in the most convincing fashion you can, provide plenty of support, and polish it before you present it.

4. Know your opposition - There really are two sides, or more, to every story, so acknowledge counter- arguments. This helps build trust between you and your audience and allows you to weaken your opponents' positions by anticipating them.

5. Be respectful - It's important to be respectful even when disagreeing with an opponent. You should never use words like "stupid," "crazy," "dumb," or "ridiculous." Using disrespectful words weakens your credibility and adds nothing to your argument. You end up looking like the "stupid" one.

6. Don't state the obvious - Never conclude an argument with something like "This is my opinion on ______." As with all types of essays (not just persuasive), every sentence should add something important to your paper. Such empty sentences are unnecessary and weak. What do such sentences contribute? Of course that's your opinion; otherwise you wouldn't write it! Example:

Dear Editor, In addition to addressing teacher shortages through new policies, communities must increase opportunities for students to explore teaching careers. One avenue is through programs such as Breakthrough, a national education effort. Our six-year commitment to students, beginning in sixth grade, provides a path to college for high- potential, low-income youth and promotes teaching careers. Breakthrough offers mentoring and academic enrichment for younger students and gives hands-on teaching experience to high school and college students. Since 1978, this exposure to teaching has inspired 73% of Breakthrough's older students to pursue careers in education. To meet rising enrollments and replace an aging teacher population, we must engage youths in creating solutions. With their help, we can help in providing options for exploring future careers, engaging aspiring teachers early on and strengthening tomorrow's work force. ______

How did the author support her argument in the second paragraph? She used cause and effect. She points out that the efforts of Breakthrough have resulted in 73% of Breakthrough's older students pursuing a career in education. Name______Date______Pd._____

PERSUASIVE ESSAY Prewriting

Situation: Jesse wants Winnie to drink the water when she is seventeen and then marry him so they can travel the world together. She, however, has mixed emotions and isn’t sure what she should do.

Task Choice 1: You are JESSE. Write a letter to Winnie persuading her to drink the water. Be sure to include advantages of everlasting life and all that you would share with each other forever.

Task Choice 2: You are WINNIE. Write a letter to Jesse explaining your decision as to whether or not you have chosen to drink the water and live with him forever. Be persuasive and convince him that you have made the right decision based on what is best for yourself.

BRAINSTORM

Advantages of living forever: Disadvantages of living forever: ______