Persuasive Writing
CREATING A CONVINCING ARGUMENT
Defined
 Persuasive – “Tending to or having the power to
persuade.” (Am. Heritage 1039)
 Persuade – “To induce or to undertake a course of
action or embrace a point of view by means of
argument, reason, or entreaty.” (Am. Heritage 1039)
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From Latin persuādēre: to urge
Persuasive Writing
 Writing that is used to convince the reader of a
particular point of view or issue

“think” T.V. commercial
 Also called an argumentative writing because it
argue for or against a point of view.
 Research the facts, pro & con, that support and
refute your argument.
 Present your arguments in a logical manner. (See
slides on essay structure)
Tools of Persuasion
Facts & Statistics
1.
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Writer uses verified statistics from a reputable source
These include: almanacs, reference books, & governmental
websites
All statistical data must be vetted for accuracy!
2. Opinions (BE VERY CAREFUL HERE!)

All opinions must be from experts in the field
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Writer must vet all credentials
Tools of Persuasion (cont’d)
3. Testimonials
 Roughly similar to opinions when an expert gives advice
 Again, use caution & only expert advice
 Again, use a thorough vetting process
4. Examples & Anecdotes

Examples – define, describe, or illustrations used to make
concept better understood
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Anecdotes – “stories” that demonstrate the concept
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Use sparingly to not confuse the issues
Tools of Persuasion (cont’d)
5. Appeals to Reason - Logos
 Often used as a logical approach to a topic
 “Think” if this happens, then natural conclusion would be…..
 Be sure not to use faulty logic or huge topic leap
6. Appeals to Emotion - Pathos
 Often used with strong emotion (pity, love, hate, etc.)
 Caution! Use of this tool can have adverse effect if topic is
controversial or already driven by emotion.
7. Appeals to Expertise – Ethos

Often uses logic of expert opinions or facts

Be sure the facts have been vetted.
Tools of Persuasion (cont’d)
8. Ridicule & Name-Calling
 When an author uses words to make another opinion or ideas
look less than worthy and foolish

THIS DEVICE SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN AN
ASSIGNMENT!
9. Bandwagon
 “Think” everyone thinks this or everyone is doing this…

THIS DEVICE SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN AN
ASSIGNMENT!
Words & Phrases Commonly Used
in Persuasive Writing
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WORDS
Accordingly
Because* Use sparingly
Consequently
Clearly
Indeed
Obviously
Since
Thus
Therefore
Subsequently
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PHRASES
For this reason
This is why
It is necessary to
It makes sense to
It seems clear that
It stands to reason
It then follows that
We must
Structure of Persuasive Essay
 Essays often follow the classic 5 paragraph
format.
 Paragraph 1 – Introduction
 Paragraph 2, 3, 4 – Body of paper
 Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
Structure of Persuasive Essay – Introductory Paragraph
Paragraph 1
 Introduction – quite
simply this is where the
argument is introduced
and includes a thesis
statement
 Remember this is where
you engage the reader &
entice them to read the
paper.
 5 Ways to Introduce
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Use a Quote
General statement
moving towards your
thesis
Use a statistic
Propose the opposite
argument
Quote the best source
available “hitting them
with your best shot”
Structure of Persuasive Essay – “Body Paragraphs”
 1st Body Paragraph – although
there are arguments, it is best
to use solid facts in favor of
your argument here.
This is not your strongest
argument! It is just a plain good
argument.
2nd Body Paragraph – this can
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either be your weakest
argument point or when you
present the “con” of your
argument.
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How better to support your
argument than giving a
counterpoint.
 3rd Body Paragraph – this
where you present your
strongest argument

This is where you “wow” them in
the end.
 Be sure to have solid facts to
back up all the arguments.
 Be sure to use the transitional
words and phrases between
paragraphs to make smooth
transitions and good sense of
writing style
 Remember to keep referring
(hinting) back to the thesis
statement!
Structure of Persuasive Essay – “Concluding Paragraph”
 Final paragraph usually summarizes your argument.
 Resembles the introduction and most often does not present
any detailed arguments. (A new argument should be a
complete paragraph!)
 It directly links and completes the thesis statement. (Think
completing the circle.)
 Sum up all the arguments.
 Leave them with what must be done next.
Works Cited
Francis, Peter J. Essay Types - The Persuasive Essay. HGPublishing,
2001. Web. 14 Feb. 2012.
<www.hgpublishing.com/Free_Essay_Help/Types/Persuasive.html> .
Francis, Peter J. Essay Structure. HGPublishing, 2001. Web. 14 Feb.
2012. <www.hgpublishing.com/Free_Essay_Help/Structure.html>
Friedman, Laurie S., ed. Writing the Critical Essay Gay Marriage. New
York: Greenhaven Press, 2008. 60-63. Print.
"persuade." American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002. 1039.
Print.
"persuasive." American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002. 1039.
Print.