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Author Topic: Persuasive Writing (Structure, Tips)  (Read 33220 times)  Share 

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loquaciouspepper

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Persuasive Writing (Structure, Tips)
« on: December 12, 2011, 08:14:40 pm »
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MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF WRITING
(Marshall Worthington)


Persuasive writing

• Manipulates the reader’s emotions and opinions in order to achieve a specific purpose, that is, to achieve a desired outcome or effect which is important to and selected by the writer
• Persuasive techniques chosen are influenced by the nature of the target audience; that is, the language (vocabulary, sentence structures, style/register), structure and sequencing of the piece are framed with the particular audience and purpose in mind
• Requires choice of the best word (with the precise shade of meaning and overtones of approval/disapproval, virtue/vice etc.), so range of vocabulary and dictionary technique are important
• Aims in certain instances (for example, advertisements) to keep the target audience unaware of being manipulated and adopts an appearance of objectivity and rationality by using indirect, subtle, secretive techniques; confidential, intimate, collaborative style and register
• Sometimes uses exaggeration, extravagant language, and humour to create a conspiratorial relationship between the writer and the reader
• Often uses the second person for direct address and appeal
• Sometimes employs direct speech and questions to intensify the relationship with the audience
• May use techniques such as the use of technical or scientific language and superlatives or quantitative statements to lend authority to the content


Insight persuasive language in media texts Iris Breuer & Melanie Napthine


Persuasive writing
Main purpose is to present your own point of view on a selected issue, constructing a sustained and coherent and reasoned argument to support your stance on the issue. This requires:

Planning and research so that you have enough material to sustain a developed, convincing argument
Careful ordering of points and evidence so that your argument is coherent and flows clearly
Use of logic, hard facts and evidence to give to your argument a basis in reason
Appropriate persuasive techniques

Persuasive writing may take many forms, such as speeches, essays, opinion pieces, editorials or letters to the editor of a newspaper.


Overview of persuasive devices


Persuasive techniques used by writers
Use strongly emotive words
Appeal to your emotions (play on feelings, desires, needs and prejudices)
Include you in their approach with we and us to get you on side (“we all know that…”)
Use a strong tone or voice to engage you, make you like or dislike someone or something
Use overstatement and exaggeration to manipulate feelings, amuse you and entertain you, make the issue sensational and increase the importance of something in your mind
Tell a brief story – an anecdote – to interest you and as part of supporting evidence
Attack a person, idea or situation to get you to reject them; often used to distract you from the main issue or make you think that if the person is ‘no good’, then neither is the viewpoint they support
Use rhetorical questions to engage you and position you to see the answer is so obvious that you can only agree
Use generalisations that make what is true for one or a few, appear to be true for everyone
Use experts, statistics, reports, graphs and so on to help convince you that something is fact, not just opinion
Repeat letters, words and phrases to attract your attention and to emphasise their point
Use metaphors to make a picture of a person, group or incident more graphic or memorable

Structuring strategies

Writers select and arrange their material in particular ways:
They give selected information – a little or a lot – that helps to sway you to believe and agree
Omit important information because they feel it will undermine their case or because they are poorly informed on an issue or because they have chosen to ignore the opposing side to be more persuasive
Declare their viewpoint up-front and then present evidence, a series of assertions and other techniques to persuade you to agree
Overtly set out to persuade / coerce you to agree by strongly favouring one point of view on the issue (opinion articles, letters to the editor)
Give a balanced account, but still aim to convince you that one viewpoint has more validity than any other (editorials)
Presents carefully structured argument with any number of highly persuasive devices


Step 1: brainstorm and explore ideas
Brainstorm your ideas, writing down as many points as you can on the topic. Select the most promising points and arguments. Note down explanations and examples to illustrate your point

Step 2: decide contention, audience and form
Contention: what do you want the reader to agree with? Formulate a clear statement of your contention
Audience: think about who you are writing for (newspaper readership / speech audience)
Form: consider the protocols of the form of writing (speech / editorial / letter to newspaper)

Step 3: plan your writing as follows:

Devise a heading if required

Introduction
Introduce the topic or issue. State your main contention. Make your opening clear and memorable

Body
Paragraph 1: topic sentence expressing an important point of your argument (your STRONGEST IDEA/POINT)   >   Examples and evidence   >   Explanation
Link point to your contention and make a link to the next paragraph

Paragraph 2: topic sentence expressing another important point of your argument
> Examples and evidence      >   Explanation   >   link to the next paragraph

Paragraph 3: topic sentence expressing an important point of your argument
   >Examples and evidence      >   Explanation   >   link to the next paragraph

Paragraph 4: Rebuttal (think of the main argument /s against yours; devise a sound counterargument)
   > Topic sentence expressing your counterargument   >Examples and evidence   > Explanation

Link this argument to your main contention. Create a link to your conclusion

Conclusion
   >sum up referring to your main contention, but avoid being repetitive. Finish on a convincing note

snow257

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Re: Persuasive Writing (Structure, Tips)
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2015, 05:42:08 pm »
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This is awesome, thanks  :)
2015: Psychology 
2016: Maths Methods, Chemistry, Further, English, Business Management