Introduction to Persuasion It’s everywhere!

What is persuasion? A way to convince someone or a group of people: to agree with an opinion to buy a product or service to do something, believe something or act in a certain way

Where do we see persuasion? In Magazines During TV commercials During TV infomercials On billboards During debates In stores (sales) In restaurants When family members interact (kids asking to stay up late; parents asking kids to have ‘one more bite’) In Newspapers (Letters to the Editor/Political Cartoons/Editorials) On the computer (pop up ads, blogs, etc.) In the movies (previews)

Three Important Questions 1. What is the writer’s or speaker’s opinion? What is the position/claim/argument statement? 2. Who is the target audience? Who does the writer or speaker want to persuade? 3. What is the purpose of the essay, letter or debate? What does the writer or speaker want to happen?

How to Persuade Provide your opinion/claim – Kids should be required to wear uniforms in school. Provide 2 or 3 strong reasons for your claim 1.Uniforms keep families from spending a lot of money on expensive, designer clothes. 2.Uniforms help create a serious learning environment for kids and teachers. 3.Uniforms reduce distractions that some clothing choices make. Sum up your ideas and ask your reader to do something (this is our “call to action”) – Uniforms should be required for all students to wear in school. Uniforms will keep rising costs down for families, help create a serious tone in the school and keep kids from getting distracted by flashy or inappropriate clothing. Vote ‘yes’ for uniforms at the next Board of Education Meeting. The kids are counting on you!

Persuasive Techniques Provide facts to support your reasons: Statistics – numbers and percentages 90% of the school’s student population agrees that uniforms are a great idea. Expert testimony – quotes from a professional Dr. Sayanything Formoney, a psychologist from Harvard University, said, “Children who wear uniforms to school perform better on state testing than children who do not.”

More Persuasive Techniques Anecdotes – personal stories or other people’s stories that support your reason. I can remember how proud and studious I always felt in my school uniform. I was ready to learn. Interviews – opinions from others about the issue Our newest student, Kalani, wanted to know why we don’t wear uniforms here at MPMS. She said that uniforms were great. They kept kids from having to call their parents to bring clothes when their t-shirts had inappropriate sayings or when the girls’ dresses were too short.

Even More Persuasive Techniques Call to Action – at the end of the persuasive piece when the writer asks the reader(s) to do something. Vote ‘yes’ for uniforms at the next Board of Education Meeting. Hyperbole – extreme exaggeration Save our students. The future of America is depending on you.

Topics for Debate 1.All 6 th graders will have recess every day. 2.All 6 th graders will have the right to choose their own bedtime. 3.Homework will be banned within the Livingston Board of Education. 4.Cell phones will be allowed for use during the school day.

Positions Affirmative = YES This idea (known as a ‘resolution’) should be put in place. Negative = NO This idea is not needed or necessary. We need to stick with the “status quo”