Persuasive Writing

Argumentative writing The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade your audience that your ideas are valid or more valid than someone else’s The Greek philosopher Aristotle divided the means of persuasion, appeals into three categories: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Ethos (Ethical) We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central problems of argumentation is to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to The author has to exude someone who is likable and worthy of respect.

Pathos (Emotional) Persuading by appealing to the reader’s emotion Language choice affects the audience’s emotional appeal Emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument

Logos (Logical) Persuading by the use of reason The most important technique and Aristotle’s favorite Persuasive reason to back up your claims

Parts of an Argument In an argument, a writer expresses a position on a particular issue and supports the position with reasons and evidence. When you are reading an argument identify the following: Claim, Reasons, Evidence, and the Premise

Claim-Reason-Evidence-Premise Claim: Writer’s position on an issue; a conclusion Reason: Declarations that support a claim Evidence: specific pieces of information that support a claim or reason Premise: a general principle most people agree with; links the reasons and evidence to the claim.

Rhetorical devices A rhetorical device is a technique of using language that will increase the persuasiveness of a piece of writing. The devices in argumentative writings are as follows: parallelism, repetition, rhetorical questions, diction, figurative language, anecdotes, oxymoron, imagery, the rule of three, and hyperbole

Rhetorical Device Examples Parallelism: using elements in sentences that are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning, or meter. To show kindness is praiseworthy; to show hatred is evil. Repetition: a literary device that repeats the same words or phrases a few times to make an idea clearer. I felt happy because I saw the others were happy and because I knew I should feel happy, but I wasn’t really happy.

Rhetorical Device Examples Rhetorical Questions: thoughtful questions that aren’t meant to be answered. Can we really expect the school to keep paying from its limited resources? Diction: choice of words and there positive or negative connotation Overweight vs fat, issue vs problem Figurative language: words or expressions with a meaning that is different from the literal interpretation (metaphor, simile, personification, irony…)

Rhetorical Device Examples Anecdote: brief stories that illustrate a point Oxymoron: contradictory words appear next to each other Jumbo shrimp, pretty ugly, walking dead, random order Imagery: visually descriptive or figurative language that appeals to the 5 senses. Imagine being cast out into the cold street, lonely and frightened.

Rhetorical Device Examples The rule of three: a writing principle that suggests that things that come in 3’s are funnier, more satisfying, or more effective than other numbers of things. The reader is more likely to remember the information. I ask you, is this fair, is it right, is it just? Hyperbole: using exaggeration for effect While we await your decision, the whole school holds its breath.