Persuasive Writing Essay Writing to Convince

Persuasive Writing Take a stand on an issue and persuade your audience to accept your point of view

Persuasive Writing Write an opinion statement, known as a thesis, which sums up the issue and your point of view on it. Another name for this is a position statement.

Persuasive Writing Avoid using the words I believe or I think in your thesis. The reader already knows it’s your opinion. Remember that opinions cannot be proven, but you can use facts, which can be proven, to support your opinion. (p 260)

Persuasive Writing Know your purpose for writing and who your audience is. Who do you need to convince? What action do you want them to take?

Persuasive Writing Support your thesis with two to three very strong arguments. These points will explain why your opinion should be accepted. We call these “because statements.” Use evidence to back up the reasons.

Types of Appeals Logical appeals: These are known as facts or experts opinions. Writer uses reasoning and evidence Emotional appeals These tap into feelings to persuade the audience Writer uses anecdotes and word choice or loaded language (victim, menace, freedom)

Refute Refute: to acknowledge the opposition Include in the third body paragraph Briefly recognize your counterpart’s argument against your point and then “shoot them down.”