Critical thinking\argumentation and persuasion

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Critical thinking\argumentation and persuasion
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Persuasion

• To persuade is to convince someone that a
  particular opinion or point of view is the
  correct one.

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• Any time you argue with a friend, you are each
  trying to persuade , to convince , the other that
  your opinion is the right one.
• Commercials on TV are another form of persuasion
  .
• You will often have to persuade in writing.
• Once you learn how to persuade logically and
  rationally, you will be less likely to accept the
  false , misleading and emotional arguments that
  you hear and read everyday.

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Methods Of Persuasion

• Facts Facts are simply statements of what is.
  They should appeal to the readers mind not just
  to the emotions. The source of your facts should
  be clear to the reader.
• Avoid the vague everyone knows that or it is
  common knowledge or they all say. Such
  statements would make your reader suspect your
  facts.

• Referring to an authority An authority is an
  expert , someone who can be relied on to give
  unbiased facts and information.
• If you wish to convince your audience that
  smoking is dangerous habit , you might use one of
  the surgeon generals warning.

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• Examples An example should clearly relate to an
  argument.
• Avoid examples that are not suitable enough to
  support your general statement. That your friend
  was once bitten by a dog does not adequately
  prove that all dogs are dangerous pets.

• Predicting the consequences This helps the
  reader to visualize what will occur if something
  does or does not happen.
• Avoid exaggerating the consequences. For
  instance, telling the reader if you dont eat
  fresh fruit everyday , you will never be truly
  healthy.

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• Answering the opposition Answering possible
  critics show that you are aware of the
  oppositions argument and are able to respond to
  it.
• Avoid calling the opposition fools or crooks.
  Attack their ideas not them.

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Considering the Audience

• Pay special attention to the audience as you
  write a persuasive paragraph.
• A persuasive paper should be directed towards a
  particular audience. It is helpful to consider
  just what kind of evidence this audience would
  respond to.
• When you take your audience into consideration ,
  you will make your persuasive paragraph more
  convincing.