Persuasive writing
In a nutshell
Arguments in writing differ greatly from arguments in speech. In order to be an effective piece of persuasive writing, an argument has to be formal, fair and well-structured, so that the reader can see that you have carefully evaluated both the pros and cons before coming up with your own conclusion. As such, the structure of a persuasive piece is synonymous with its success.
Structure
Introduction
In this section, you will explain your stance on the argument and what it's all about. With the very first sentence of your introduction, you should aim to grab your audience's attention.
Argument body
Here is where you lay out the content of the writing, including your arguments and counter-arguments to your stance. Every body paragraph should be devoted to one point you make in support of your introduction, along with any examples, statistics or quotes you use to support the point.
Conclusion
This is the last section of the essay that summarises all the information and arguments that have been put into the topic. It is vital to reinstate your main argument here to consolidate your work, as maintaining the reader's memory of the information is important.
Persuasive devices
Device
| Explanation |
Rule of three
| Anything written in a set of three is easier to digest and remember as it is the smallest pattern the human brain can remember.
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Anecdote | An anecdote is a short and amusing story that is told with the purpose of adding to another point and making an idea more convincing. They also birth familiarity between you and the audience.
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Emotive Language | Using emotive language means selecting words that will evoke an emotional reaction in the reader. These emotions can vary from joy to pathos and leave the reader persuaded to share the author's viewpoints.
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Meiosis | Meiosis is a technique that intentionally dismisses an opposing idea to enhance your own point of view. This is a great way to compare and contrast arguments.
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Rhetorical question | A rhetorical question is used to make the reader stop and think about a topic but isn't meant to be answered as the answer should be obvious.
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Facts and statistics | Using strong pieces of evidence in your writing can make your work more effective and convincing. People are more likely to trust an argument that is supported by information and figures. |
Writing tips
- As a sentence starter, use transition words and phrases that signal to your audience that the argument is moving forward or changing.
- Think of your argument, in the introduction, as a treehouse and the main body of work as a tree. You need a strong tree to support your house.
- Remember to PERSUADE (Personal, Emotive, Rhetorical questions, Solidify your point, Undermine opposing ideas, Anecdote, Direct your arguments to the reader, Exaggeration helps to support your argument
