HOW TO WRITE PERSUASIVELY.

Persuasive Rhetoric

WHY WRITE PERSUASIVELY?

The aim of persuasive writing or speaking is to convince people to adopt an opinion, perform an action, or both.

Rhetoric is the art of communicating ideas. Persuasive rhetoric consists of reasoned

arguments in favor of or against particular beliefs or courses of action.

PERSUASIVE WRITING SECRETS

Persuasive

Writing Secrets

Name: ________

Date: _________

Period: ________

PAGE 1 INFORMATION

Essential Questions:

1. How do I write persuasively?

2. Why does structure aid persuasive writing?

3. How do the three appeals persuade an audience?

4. How does research support writing?

STANDARD = ELA10W2: THE STUDENT DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE IN A VARIETY OF GENRES.

1. The student produces persuasive writing that structures ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion; the student:a. Engages the reader by establishing a context and developing reader interest.

b. Develops a controlling idea or formulates an arguable thesis that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment.

c. Uses specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (i.e., appeal to emotion or ethical belief, personal anecdote, case study, analogy, and/or logical reasoning).

d. Clarifies and defends positions with precise and relevant evidence (i.e., facts, expert opinions, quotations, or expressions of commonly accepted beliefs).

e. Excludes information and arguments that are irrelevant.

f. Organizes points of argument effectively to achieve desired outcome.

g. Addresses readers’ concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

h. Achieves closure by summarizing main points of argument, appealing to reason, ethics, or emotion, or encouraging action.

STANDARD

2. ELA10W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.

PAGE 2 INFORMATION Persuasion = arguing about…

what something means. whether something is true. which alternative is best or most important. what course of action someone should take.

3 Parts of an Essay Introduction (Usually 1 paragraph, but not always – i.e. anecdote) Body (Usually 2 or more paragraphs) Conclusion (Usually 1 Paragraph)

3 Parts of a Paragraph Supporting Idea to assertion/controlling idea. Evidence to support claim Specific Details/Commentary

PAGES 3-4 INFORMATION

Persuasive Pattern Get audience’s attention Establish a need Pick a side/controlling idea

Offer a proposal

satisfying the need Take opposing views

into account

Invite listeners to

visualize the results with

sound logic & language Call to action

Introduction-

Body-

Conclusion-

Attention

Startling Statement

Assertion/Need/Thesis

Persuade using: Ethos,

Logos, & Pathos

Call

PAGE 5 INFORMATION: 3 APPEALS Logical Appeals (Logos): Generally based on sets of

assumptions, logical appeals give rational arguments to support an assertion and are supported with objective/factual evidence.

Emotional Appeals (Pathos): Appeals to emotion are often based on specific examples of suffering or joy. Emotional appeals can also include “loaded language” – language that is rich in connotations and vivid images.

Ethical Appeals (Ethos): Based on shared moral values, ethical appeals call for the audience’s sense of right, justice, and virtue. The speaker’s credibility and reputation also reinforce ethical appeal.

LOGICAL APPEALS

FACTUAL STATISTICS = LOGOS TRUTH COMMERCIAL

Attention Getter = 1200 People gather in rally

Assertion = Tobacco kills Evidence = Uncertain, but

most likely truth.com has data to support 1200. Carcinogens are commonly accepted as unhealthy and deadly.

Call to action = “Ever think about taking a day off.”

EMOTIONAL APPEALS

IS SHE REALLY THAT FLAWLESS? PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT?

Attention Getter? Assertion: People have

imperfections. Evidence: digital image

enhancement. Advertisement location with girls absorbing social standard of beauty.

Call to Action? Take part in Dove Self Esteem Campaign.

Persuasion Against Dove GreenPeace “Onslaught(er)”

Attention Getter? Parody of Dove commercial titled “Onslaught.” A Caucasian red haired girl is shown, followed by visual images of female social and media expectations.

Assertions? Evidence from speech to

support claim? Call to action?

Do You FEEL Persuaded to Help? PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT?

Attention Getter? Assertion: Animals need

humane help. Evidence: Every day innocent

animals are abused. Call to Action? Donate only a

small amount to help save an animal today.

ETHICAL APPEALS

THE POWER OF A WELL WRITTEN PHRASE.

JOHN F. KENNEDY “ASK NOT…” SPEECH

Attention Getter? Assertions? Evidence from speech to

support claim? Call to action?

ETHICAL APPEAL

Fight for “A Mixed Nation” “I HAVE A DREAM”

Attention Getter? Assertion? Evidence from speech to

support claims? Call to Action? Acknowledges oppositions’

perspective? Ethos? Rhetorical Devices?

Repetition

PAGE 6 INFORMATION: TOP TEN WAYS TO PASS GHSWT

1. Read directions several times (underline key words)

2. Do Prewriting/ Brainstorming (T Chart)

3. Pick a side, pick a side, pick a side!

4. “Steal” words from the directions (writing prompt)

5. The tone of the essay must be persuasive (prove/convince)

6. Write a controlling idea/thesis statement

7. Must have a clear IBC: Introduction, Body (multi paragraphs), Conclusion

8. Explain, explain, explain (use lots of details and examples)

9. Must write neatly! Must use a Pen!

10. Correctly use capital letters and end marks; indent paragraphs with clear topic sentence.

Page 7 Information: How You’re Graded. Domain 1: IDEAS. How well you make a controlling idea and elaborate the main points

with examples, illustrations, facts, or details that are relevant to the persuasive genre.Components: Controlling Idea/Focus Supporting Ideas Relevance of Detail Depth of Development Awareness of the Persuasive Purpose Sense of Completeness

Domain 2: ORGANIZATION. The degree to which your ideas are arranged in a clear order and the overall structure; is consistent with the persuasive genre.

Components: Overall Plan Introduction/Body/Conclusion IBC Sequence of Ideas Grouping of Ideas within Paragraphs Organizing Strategies Appropriate to Persuasion Transitions

Domain 3: STYLE. The degree to which the writer controls language to engage the reader.Components: Word Choice Audience Awareness Voice Sentence Variety

Domain 4: CONVENTIONS. How you demonstrate control of sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. Note: In general, sentence formation and usage are weighted more heavily than mechanics in determining the overall conventions score.

Components: Sentence Formation ( Simple, Compound, Complex, Comp/Complex)Usage Mechanics clarity of meaning complexity end punctuation subject-verb agreement standard word forms

Page 7 Information: How You’re Graded (cont.)

• verb tenses• internal punctuation• spelling• paragraph breaks• capitalization

Selling a Product Through Persuasive Rhetoric and Imagery

CREATE A PRODUCT, WRITE A PITCH, AND PRESENT YOUR PERSUASION

LET’S TALK ABOUT GROUP EXPECTATIONS

What “group norms” are important to you? Appropriate behavior? Ownership? Equal participation?

GROUP BEHAVIOR EXPECTATION

All members must participate at all times. Do not leave your group to visit! Voices low = no yelling or name calling like

children. Be respectful of all ideas and only one person

speaks at a time. The group will vote on a product – Majority

Wins. When teacher speaks, groups silently listen.

KABOOM COMMERCIAL

Getting Started in GroupsCreate & Sell a Product

Step One: Using provided materials, brainstorm and create a product or improve an existing product/invention.

Step Two: Develop a persuasive speech that sells your product to the class. Be sure to use a balance of all three appeals!

Step Three: Present Your Product!

1. Everyone Speaks!

SHAM WOW COMMERCIAL

ELLEN & INFOMERCIALS

•Ellen even gets you started!

•Ellen first explores products infomercials try and sell.

•Note how Ellen persuades her audience to use her invention.

•What appeals are used, and how might she improve her persuasive pitch?