 Influences the reader by using fact based evidence and reasoning to express a point of view or uncover the truth  It is the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research  Aggressively seeks to change a person’s opinion and stimulate an action based on their reasoning

 In everyday life… Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a job, negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court  In academic life… Defending your ideas, engaging intellectual debate  In writing… Irrefutably making your point, writing to be read  In reading and listening… Critically evaluating other’s arguments, protecting yourself from unethical persuasive tactics, recognizing faulty reasoning when you see it.

 Goal: to get the reader to acknowledge your side as a valid point of view  Technique: Offers relevant reasons and sufficient evidence to honor the writer has a worthy perspective  Always acknowledges an opposing viewpoint but tactfully counters to prove their view is more valuable

 Goal: to get the reader to agree with the writer's viewpoint  Technique : Blends facts with emotion in an attempt to convince the reader that the writer is in fact “right”  One single-minded goal based on personal conviction and facts

 Understanding your audience is key to effective writing  Audience awareness is absolutely essential to successful persuasion and argument; therefore…  Know your audience › What is their position on the issue? › How strongly do they feel about it? › Are they open-minded enough to consider other views? › What will their objections be to your argument?

 Audience: Does not always need an audience,; simply wants to put the evidence “out there“  Writing is more balanced  Audience: Needs an audience to know what they think in an attempt to change their mind  Writing is more aggressive

 “Debate on paper” Logical  “Aggressive Conviction” Emotional

Introduction Background Information Thesis Statement Reasons and Evidence The Counterargument and rebuttal Conclusions

 is the most important sentence in your paper …answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”...brings focus to the entire essay …lets the reader know the main idea of the paper …is not a factual statement or an announcement of purpose, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper

 Shows you are fair-minded and therefore adds to your credibility  When you acknowledge the opposition with balanced language, it shows that your respect the opposing views  No matter how passionate you are about the issue, don’t resort to careless, harsh words; this would show more about your than the issue

 Addressing the opposition demonstrates your credibility as a writer  It shows that you have researched multiple sides of the argument and have come to an informed decision  Remember, keep a balanced tone when attempting to debunk the opposition

 Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can demonstrate respect for their opinions  Remain tactful yet firm › using rude or deprecating language can cause your audience to reject your position without carefully considering your claims

 Introduction and Thesis (the claim: what you are persuading)  Reason 1 and supporting evidence  Reason 2 and supporting evidence  Reason 3 and supporting evidence  Counterargument and rebuttal  Conclusion and action

 First(ly)  Second(ly)  Third(ly)  Finally  Furthermore  Moreover  In addition  Finally  Later  Instead of  Beyond  Before  After  At last  Although  For example  During  Also  Rather than  Since  Unless  In conclusion  In summary  Thus

 S ENTENCES : Write in complete sentences and complete thoughts  L INE LENGTH : Provide enough information to support the thesis and preview points and meet the minimum length requirement  A NSWER THE QUESTION : Be sure to write about what is being asked or the prompt, do not deviate from the topic  M ECHANICS : Spelling, grammar, punctuation, mechanics and capitalization are all very important  S UPPORT : Use research, text-related details, data, and enough background information to fully explain your thought