Persuasive Persuasive WritingWriting

Persuasive writing allows you Persuasive writing allows you to use the power of language to to use the power of language to inform and influence others. It inform and influence others. It can take many forms, including can take many forms, including speeches, newspaper editorials, speeches, newspaper editorials, billboards, advertisements, and billboards, advertisements, and critical reviews.critical reviews.

Presents the issue and states my opinion

Supporting Evidence

Supporting Evidence

Supporting Evidence

Supporting Evidence

Summary of opinion and call to action

Why I believe it

IntroductionIntroduction

BodyBody

ConclusionConclusion

Open the green Open the green Language Network Language Network book to page 465.book to page 465.

Successful persuasion shouldSuccessful persuasion should• have a strong introductionhave a strong introduction• clearly state the issue and the writer’s clearly state the issue and the writer’s

positionposition• present ideas logicallypresent ideas logically• support the position with facts, statistics, support the position with facts, statistics,

and reasonsand reasons• answer opposing viewpoints and possible answer opposing viewpoints and possible

objections to your positionobjections to your position• use language appropriate to the audienceuse language appropriate to the audience• end with a strong argument, summary, or a end with a strong argument, summary, or a

call to actioncall to action

Key TechniquesKey Techniques• State your opinionState your opinion

• Know your audienceKnow your audience

• Support your opinion (Evidence, Support your opinion (Evidence, Evidence, Evidence!—PROVE IT!)Evidence, Evidence!—PROVE IT!)

• Begin and end with powerBegin and end with power

State your opinionState your opinion —Taking a —Taking a stand on an issue and clearly stand on an issue and clearly stating your opinion are stating your opinion are essential to every piece of essential to every piece of persuasive writing.persuasive writing.

Public tax dollars should Public tax dollars should continue to fund Green Park continue to fund Green Park Zoo.Zoo.

Know your audienceKnow your audience——Knowing Knowing who will read your writing will who will read your writing will help you decide what information help you decide what information you need to share and what tone you need to share and what tone you should use to communicate you should use to communicate your message.your message.

Know your audienceKnow your audience::• Who is my audience?Who is my audience?

• What do they already know about the topic?What do they already know about the topic?

• What do they need to know?What do they need to know?

• What might their opinions be about the What might their opinions be about the topic?topic?

• What reasons might appeal to this audience?What reasons might appeal to this audience?

• Would your audience respond to humor or Would your audience respond to humor or would they expect a more serious approach?would they expect a more serious approach?

In the model below, the writer In the model below, the writer has chosen a formal tone that is has chosen a formal tone that is appropriate for a letter to a appropriate for a letter to a politician or for a newspaper politician or for a newspaper editorial.editorial.

In fact, an increase in funding In fact, an increase in funding will enable Green Park Zoo to will enable Green Park Zoo to expand its highly successful expand its highly successful habitat program.habitat program.

Support your opinionSupport your opinion— Using — Using reasons, examples, facts, reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and anecdotes will statistics, and anecdotes will show your audience why you show your audience why you feel the way you do.feel the way you do.

The zoo’s habitat program concentrates on The zoo’s habitat program concentrates on the conservation of endangered species, the conservation of endangered species, such as orangutans. Last year, the such as orangutans. Last year, the program raised 1.4 million dollars to program raised 1.4 million dollars to educate people about conservation (Selles, educate people about conservation (Selles, 346). Over 300,000 school children 346). Over 300,000 school children participated in their Conservation for Kids participated in their Conservation for Kids classes (Audit Report 2009). In addition, classes (Audit Report 2009). In addition, Green Park Zoo rescued three mistreated Green Park Zoo rescued three mistreated orangutans from private research orangutans from private research institutions. These examples show Green institutions. These examples show Green Park’s dedication to conservation.Park’s dedication to conservation.

Begin with powerBegin with power

Hook your readers with a:Hook your readers with a:• Detailed descriptionDetailed description• Amusing or shocking Amusing or shocking anecdoteanecdote

• Provocative questionProvocative question• Clever quotationClever quotation• Shocking statisticShocking statistic

Have you ever enjoyed the antics of Have you ever enjoyed the antics of the orangutans at Green Park Zoo? the orangutans at Green Park Zoo? Have you learned about the Have you learned about the habitat of polar bears by visiting habitat of polar bears by visiting the zoo’s polar bear exhibit? I the zoo’s polar bear exhibit? I want to ensure that this wonderful want to ensure that this wonderful facility does not close down and facility does not close down and make sure that public funding for make sure that public funding for the zoo continues.the zoo continues.

End memorably with powerEnd memorably with power

• Sum up what you have said in Sum up what you have said in support of your standsupport of your stand

• Finish with a:Finish with a:

• Plea for actionPlea for action

• PredictionPrediction

• Memorable quotationMemorable quotation

Many people, old and young alike, Many people, old and young alike, have spent countless enjoyable have spent countless enjoyable hours at Green Park Zoo. Not only hours at Green Park Zoo. Not only is it a place for relaxation and fun, is it a place for relaxation and fun, it is also an important scientific it is also an important scientific laboratory where trained laboratory where trained professionals work together to professionals work together to create educational programs and create educational programs and ensure the survival of endangered ensure the survival of endangered species. species.

Don’t let this valuable asset close Don’t let this valuable asset close down. Make sure that public tax down. Make sure that public tax dollars continue to support Green dollars continue to support Green Park Zoo.Park Zoo.

Call for actionCall for action

(Issue)(Issue)ProsPros

(Arguments in favor of the issue)(Arguments in favor of the issue)

ConsCons(Arguments against the issue)(Arguments against the issue)

Create the following chart in your S.O.K.Create the following chart in your S.O.K.

Water ConservationWater ConservationProsPros

(Arguments in favor of the issue)(Arguments in favor of the issue)

ConsCons(Arguments against the issue)(Arguments against the issue)

Create the following chart in your S.O.K.Create the following chart in your S.O.K.

• We live in a desert—less We live in a desert—less water to begin withwater to begin with

• Drought conditions existDrought conditions exist

• Population increases—need Population increases—need more water to go around—more water to go around—prevent shortagesprevent shortages

• More water for food More water for food growing = lower food costsgrowing = lower food costs

• Water costs are going upWater costs are going up

• Inconvenient to obsess Inconvenient to obsess about using water all the timeabout using water all the time

• Want attractive, clean, fun Want attractive, clean, fun yards and homes—need yards and homes—need water for landscaping, water for landscaping, swimming pools, etc.swimming pools, etc.

•Believe drought is being Believe drought is being used to raise water rates—not used to raise water rates—not a necessitya necessity

Issues Group Discussion:Issues Group Discussion:1.1. Get into the group with students who have Get into the group with students who have

the same issue. This will be called your the same issue. This will be called your issue group.issue group.

2.2. Without debating, discuss the pros and cons Without debating, discuss the pros and cons of the issue. To do this, go around the group of the issue. To do this, go around the group and share what you came up with.and share what you came up with.

3.3. Don’t evaluate the arguments at this point, Don’t evaluate the arguments at this point, but take notes and add to your chart.but take notes and add to your chart.

Homework:Homework:1.1. Carefully research the sites on your issue. Begin Carefully research the sites on your issue. Begin

at balancedpolitics.org/index.htm. It’s linked on at balancedpolitics.org/index.htm. It’s linked on yourhomework.com. From there use some the yourhomework.com. From there use some the links listed to get more information. Make sure links listed to get more information. Make sure your research is balanced. If you go to a pro site, your research is balanced. If you go to a pro site, make sure you go to a con site too. Keep track of make sure you go to a con site too. Keep track of any sites you go to on your citing sources sheet.any sites you go to on your citing sources sheet.

2.2. Add to your T chart any arguments on both sides Add to your T chart any arguments on both sides that should be considered. At this point you have that should be considered. At this point you have NOT determined a position. You are researching NOT determined a position. You are researching each side’s position and gathering information each side’s position and gathering information from both sides. Bring your updated chart with from both sides. Bring your updated chart with you to class, but don’t tear it out of your S.O.K.you to class, but don’t tear it out of your S.O.K.