Persuasive Writing Persuasive writing attempts to inform, persuade, and convince readers to agree with the writer’s point of view.

Types of Persuasive Writing Advertisements Billboards Newspapers editorials Speeches Reviews

What is a Argument? An effective argument clearly makes a claim or states a position on an issue and supports it with good evidence and logical reasoning. It also presents opposing views and explains their weaknesses.

Strategies for Reading Look for a statement of the main issue or problem and the author’s position on it. Evaluate the evidence -- facts, statistics, and opinions -- that support the author’s position. Evaluate the evidence -- facts, statistics, and opinions -- that oppose the author’s position.

Tracing an Author’s Argument Mapping the structure of an argument can help you read the argument critically and decide if it is convincing. Be sure to include the following elements: –Author’s position on issue –Statements supporting author’s position –Evidence given to support author’s position –Statements against author’s position –Evidence given to support those statements –Author’s conclusion

Evaluating Reasoning To be convincing, a proposal or other persuasive statement must show sound reasoning. There are four types of unsound reasoning to watch out for: overgeneralization, the either-or fallacy, the cause-and-effect fallacy, and circular reasoning.

Overgeneralization An overgeneralization is a broad statement that says something is true for every case, with no exceptions. Overgeneralizations often include the words all, none, everyone, no one, any, and anyone. Ex. Every school official who cares about students supports video monitoring.

Either-Or Fallacy The either-or fallacy states that there are only two possible ways to view a situation or only two options to choose from. Either-or fallacies often include the words either…or. Ex. Either video monitors are installed in the school, or students will be injured.

Cause-and-Effect Fallacy In the cause and effect fallacy, the writer makes the assumption that because one event follows another, the second event was caused by the first one. Ex. Westview School cut security staff, and two students fell down the stairs and were seriously injured.

Circular Reasoning Circular reasoning is an attempt to support a statement by simply repeating it in other words. (It does not include supporting facts) Ex. Using video cameras to monitor school hallways is good because it feels right.

Fact and Opinion A fact is a statement that can be proved. An opinion is a statement that cannot be proved.

Stereotyping A stereotype is a generalization about a group of people that doesn’t take individual differences into account.

Bias Bias is a preference for one side of an argument.

Propaganda Propaganda is a form of communication that may use distorted, false, or misleading information.

Emotional Appeals Emotional appeals are statements that create strong feelings rather than use facts and evidence to make a strong point. Be alert for statements that make you feel angry, sad, or even happy. They are directed at feelings rather than thoughts, so sometimes they are called unreasonable persuasion.