Persuasive Writing

1
Persuasive Writing

• Persuasive writing attempts to inform, persuade,
  and convince readers to agree with the writers
  point of view.

2
Types of Persuasive Writing

• Advertisements
• Billboards
• Newspapers editorials
• Speeches
• Reviews

3
What is an Argument?

• An effective argument clearly makes a claim or
  states a position on an issue and supports it
  with good evidence and logical reasoning.
• It also presents opposing views and explains
  their weaknesses.

4
Strategies for Reading

• Look for a statement of the main issue or problem
  and the authors position on it.
• Evaluate the evidence -- facts, statistics, and
  opinions -- that support and that oppose the
  authors position.

5
Tracing an Authors Argument

• Mapping the structure of an argument can help you
  read the argument critically and decide if it is
  convincing.
• Be sure to include the following elements
• Authors position on issue
• Statements supporting authors position
• Evidence given to support authors position
• Statements against authors position
• Evidence given to support those statements
• Authors conclusion

6
Evaluating Reasoning

• To be convincing, a proposal or other persuasive
  statement must show sound reasoning.
• There are four types of unsound reasoning to
  watch out for overgeneralization, the either-or
  fallacy, the cause-and-effect fallacy, and
  circular reasoning.

7
Overgeneralization

• An overgeneralization is a broad statement that
  says something is true for every case, with no
  exceptions.
• Overgeneralizations often include the words all,
  none, everyone, no one, any, and anyone.
• Ex. Every school official who cares about
  students supports video monitoring.

8
Either-Or Fallacy

• The either-or fallacy states that there are only
  two possible ways to view a situation or only two
  options to choose from.
• Either-or fallacies often include the words
  eitheror.
• Ex. Either video monitors are installed in the
  school, or students will be injured.

9
Cause-and-Effect Fallacy

• In the cause and effect fallacy, the writer makes
  the assumption that because one event follows
  another, the second event was caused by the first
  one.
• Ex. Westview School cut security staff, and two
  students fell down the stairs and were seriously
  injured.

10
Circular Reasoning

• Circular reasoning is an attempt to support a
  statement by simply repeating it in other words.
  (It does not include supporting facts)
• Ex. Using video cameras to monitor school
  hallways is good because it feels right.

11
Fact and Opinion

• A fact is a statement that can be proved.
• An opinion is a statement that cannot be proved.

12
Stereotyping

• A stereotype is a generalization about a group of
  people that doesnt take individual differences
  into account.

13
Bias

• Bias is a preference for one side of an argument.

14
Propaganda

• Propaganda is a form of communication that may
  use distorted, false, or misleading information.

15
Emotional Appeals

• Emotional appeals are statements that create
  strong feelings rather than use facts and
  evidence to make a strong point.
• Be alert for statements that make you feel angry,
  sad, or even happy.
• They are directed at feelings rather than
  thoughts, so sometimes they are called
  unreasonable persuasion.