PERSUASIVE TEXTS

Definition…… Persuasive Text …..is an attempt to persuade, or convince others to accept a certain view or take a specific action.

Persuasive Text Types Include… Speeches Debates Editorials Letters to the Editor Opinion Blog Posts Ads

Persuasive Texts Point of View With persuasive text, an author’s point of view is what they think about a certain issue. Several factors can effect a person’s point of view about an issue. Age Background Culture Education

Persuasive Texts Author bias Examples When an author lets beliefs, position and background drive their point of view. Examples Grocery store owner: You will save money if you buy fruit at my store instead of at the farmer’s market. Farmer: My customers are willing to pay more because my fruit tastes better and is organic. Note: They may have data that supports, but it is all in how they interpret and present that data.

Structure – Argumentative Introduction Claim (Main Belief) Body Reasons Evidence (Research Based) Opposing Argument w/Rebuttal Conclusion Restates the Claim Summarizes Food for Thought

Evaluate the Argument Sometimes we have to decide whether or not the arguments are strong. That all depends on the evidence. Is it clear? Is it relevant or irrelevant? Relevant- Closely related to and supporting the topic Irrelevant- Not related or impacting the topic

For Example: Which is Relevant & Which is Irrelevant? Reason: Watching educational programs can help children learn more about math and science concepts. Evidence: A recent study showed that children who watched a specific educational show scored higher on a test of science concepts. Channel 123 offers six different educational programs for young children.

Evidence Research (Data) Survey Results (Data) Statistics (Data) Expert Opinions Anecdotes Direct Quotations from a reputable source

Opposing Arguments & Rebuttals Opposing arguments are good to include. We call these “rebuttals.” Definition- an argument against the speaker’s thesis. By including a rebuttal in a persuasive speech, the speaker is able to reduce the impact of counterarguments against their thesis by addressing them first. Example: Some people argue that wearing a helmet does not prevent injury. However, research shows that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 80 percent.

Persuasive Techniques/Devices Definition The methods that a writer uses to make an audience think a certain way. Persuasion is really to make people think by appealing to their Reasoning Emotions Respect for Expert Opinion

Persuasive techniques - Appeals Ethos Appeal to Credibility Moral Character Pathos Appeal to Emotions Logos Appeal to your reasoning. Making sense.

Examples: SHmoop

Persuasive Techniques for Deception Logical Fallacies Errors in Argument- WHAT you say Rhetorical Fallacies Errors in Speech- HOW you say it

Persuasive techniques for Deception Loaded Terms Use strong Words Caricatures Use a distortion of characteristics or faults of a person or thing to make something seem silly or comical Leading Questions Make certain assumptions in order to get someone to act a certain way. False Assumptions Draws an unreasonable conclusion based on putting information together only by inference Incorrect Premises A faulty statement that is used as the foundation of an argument.

Rhetorical Fallacies Often blur thinking; they distract readers from the argument by creating strong emotions

Loaded Terms (Rhetorical Fallacy) are words or phrases with strong positive or negative connotations meant to create an emotional response in people EXAMPLE) unloaded: plant loaded: weed EXAMPLE) unloaded: animal loaded: beast  

Caricature (Rhetorical Fallacy) A description of a person or using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others 

Logical Fallacies Consist of faulty reasoning; they are not errors in fact… they are errors in logic.

Leading Question (Logical Fallacy) Asking questions that are designed to make someone think in a certain way; either include the answer or point the listener in a certain direction For example, this question is leading: Were you at KC's bar on the night of July 15? (It suggests what location the witness visited on the night in question. ) The same question in a non-leading form would be: Where were you on the night of July 15?

False Assumption (Logical Fallacy) The basis of an argument is incorrect, so the conclusion drawn may be in error. If the streets are wet, it has rained recently. (premise) The streets are wet. (conclusion) Therefore, it has rained recently. What is wrong with this way of thinking?

Incorrect Premise (Logical Fallacy) Starts with a statement that is inaccurate and draws a conclusion from it. When arguments are based on false assumptions and incorrect premises, they are misleading.