Persuasive Writing
Persuasive Writing
A work written in which a writer
presents a case for or against a
particular argument.
Each logical argument, powerful image,
or striking phrase in the text is like a
step on a staircase.
A persuasive writing has:
• an issue with more than one side
• a clear organization that builds toward a
conclusion
• a clear statement of the writer's position
• evidence supporting the writer's position,
including arguments, statistics, expert
opinions, and personal observations
• powerful images and language
Common types of
persuasive writing:
• Editorials are brief persuasive
essays, intended for publication in a
newspaper, magazine, or other
medium, that state and defend an
opinion on a current issue
Common types of
persuasive writing:
• Political speeches are persuasive
speeches intended to win support for
a policy, law, or reform
Common types of
persuasive writing:
• Public-service announcements are
radio or television commercials
written to persuade and educate the
public
Your mission is to create a Public
Service Announcement (PSA) using
Photo story.
• PSAs came into being with the entry
of the United States into World War
II.
• Radio broadcasters and advertising
agencies offered their skills toward
the war effort and established the
War Advertising Council.
• PSAs became the carriers of such
messages as "Loose lips sink ships"
and "Keep 'em Rolling."
• Examples from the Ad Council:
– "Smokey the Bear" was invented by the Ad
Council to personify its "Only You Can Prevent
Forest Fires" campaign
– "A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Waste" raised
millions for the United Negro College Fund
– the American Cancer Society's "Fight Cancer
with a Checkup and a Check" raised public
awareness as well as funds for research and
patient services
A PSA should…
•
•
•
•
•
•
be serious
have a clear message
be no longer than 30 seconds
have important information
have accurate information
give statistics (when appropriate, e.g.
number of people that die because they
were not wearing seatbelts)
Example PSA
Announcements:
• Childhood Obesity Prevention – watch Bullseye &
Grandpa
http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=45
• Save Energy – watch April & Malcolm
http://www.adcouncil.org/default.aspx?id=19
• Being Normal
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/ayv/index.cfm?ev
ent=detail&ayvid=403
• Parent Control
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/ayv/index.cfm?ev
ent=detail&ayvid=301
• Narrow your topic - make sure you
can cover it thoroughly.
• Use "reporter's questions"
-Who? What? Where? When? and How?
Consider your audience:
• Your purpose in writing a persuasive text
is to convince readers of your opinion.
• Knowing your audience will help you find
the evidence and language to best achieve
this purpose.
– What do my readers know about the topic?
– What are their likely opinions or prejudices on
the topic?
– What might concern them the most?
Questions?