The POWER of PERSUASION

According to Wikipedia… Persuasion is a form of social influence. It is the process of guiding oneself or another toward the adoption of an idea, attitude, or action by rational and symbolic (though not always logical) means.

The Persuasive Writer Takes a position for or against an issue or topic which people disagree Convinces the opposition to believe what the writer believes

Purpose… Persuade readers to care about your issue and do something about it.

Persuasive Topics Easier Topics… Best restaurant? Best hobby? Best sport? Best television show? Best book? Best actor/actress? Best radio station? Trickier Topics… Consequences for Cheating or Bullying Passing students without passing grades Healthier food at schools Local community issues

Know your audience! The audience is the person or group of people you are trying to convince. Your word choice and approach will vary depending upon your audience.

Brainstorm both sides… What is your position? Why? What is the opposing side’s position?

Plan the Counterarguments… Identify the best reasoning that your opposition has for believing what they do. These are their arguments! Brainstorm convincing arguments to change their thinking in these areas. These are your counterarguments!

Effective Reasoning Devices… Appeal to logic through reasoning Appeal to emotion Ethical arguments/beliefs Personal anecdotes (stories) Case study (research) Analogy (comparison)

Practice persuasion… TOPIC: Should animals be used for experimentation? POSITION: Animals should NOT be used for experimentation.

Appeal to logic There are other methods to test products and achieve the same results.

Appeal to emotion Does any animal have to experience pain in order for us to have a better shampoo?

Ethical arguments/beliefs Shouldn’t all living creatures be treated humanely?

Personal anecdotes Can you imagine your own pet suffering? Animals of all sorts are tested in order for companies to develop better products? If you wouldn’t allow your animal to suffer, why should others?

Case study Over 5,000 bunny rabbits were maimed or killed during the research process to develop a certain store brand shampoo.

Analogy Just because animals can’t verbalize their pain doesn’t mean they don’t experience emotion. It’s like a baby who can’t tell you what is wrong but can still cry to express how she feels.

PERSUASIVE ESSAY: 5 PARAGRAPH FORMAT Paragraph #1: Introduction-attention grabber, background, and position statement Paragraph #2: Position Support Reason #1 and explanation Paragraph #3: Position Support Reason #2 Paragraph #4: Counterarguments and rebuttals Paragraph #5. Conclusion- Restate your position and call the audience to action.

5 Paragraph Essay Format Introduction Supportive Reason # 1 and Explanation Supportive Reason # 2 and Explanation Counterarguments & Rebuttals Conclusion

Introduction Attention Grabber (question, anecdote, quotation, statistic, startling statement) 2) Background information 3) Position Statement

Paragraph 2 First reason of support for your position. 2) Explanation and support

Paragraph 3 Second reason of support for your position. 2) Explanation and support

Paragraph 4 List two counterarguments of the opposition. 2) Give logical rebuttals to address their concerns.

Conclusion Restate Position 2) Restate supportive reasons 3) Call the audience to action

Calls to Action Be reasonable and specific. Don’t just tell audience to change mind or make a weak request. Specifically tell the audience to do something.

Common Calls for Action Possibilities: Attend a meeting. Write an important person of the cause. Fill out a survey. Volunteer to… 5) Do SOMETHING!