1. Elaboration Techniques: Persuasive Word Choice Expert Testimony
Persuasive Writing
Elaboration Techniques:
Persuasive Word Choice
Expert Testimony

3. Expository vs. Persuasive Writing
Expository Writing
Persuasive Writing
Writing to Explain
Writing to Convince
Uses specific words and phrases that help the reader understand ideas.
Uses specific words, phrases, and persuasive strategies that urge or encourage to support a position.
Shows care about the topic with voice and language appropriate for the audience.
Shows commitment to position with voice and language appropriate for the audience.
Is elaborated using reasons, well- chosen and specific details, examples, and/or anecdotes to support ideas.
Is elaborated by using reasons, well-chosen and specific details, examples, anecdotes, facts, and/or statistics as evidence to support arguments.
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved. Modified 10/16/08

4. Expository Writing Example
Expository writing is explaining.
In my time capsule I also think that I would want to
include my I-Pod. When my great-grandchildren
opened the box and found it, they might think it was
really old-fashioned (like a record player!), but they’d
like to hear my favorite music. I bet that they would
laugh at some of the songs, but I can also picture them
listening to the “old music” over and over again because
it would be so different from their own.

5. Persuasive Writing Example
Persuasive writing is convincing.
Some late work counts as 70% credit, giving kids a C-
which is passing. Some kids are happy because they think
a C- is a good grade. How can we allow students to turn in
all of their work late but still have a passing grade? The
kids that have C-’s don’t care about their work because
even if they turn it in late, they can still get a passing
grade. These kids have sort of twisted the grading system
to benefit themselves. This can no longer be allowed.
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved

6. Persuasion is used for many reasons…
To Support a Cause
With your support and donations we can save our dance program.
Urge People to Action
Take a few hours out of your time and support your candidate by waving signs on the local corner.
Make a Change
The students at Nisqually should
have a wider variety of lunch options.
Prove Something Wrong
Despite what many people believe, giving students access to vending machines at lunch is not a bad thing.
Stir Up Sympathy
Without the support of people in our community, many kids will go without lunch during the break.

7. And Also… Create Interest Get People to Agree with You
If enough students participate in the
fund raiser we will be able to sponsor
the best Friday Activity Nights ever.
Get People to Agree
My idea to stock better choices of food
with You
in the vending machines at lunch will
help students become more healthy.

8. So…How do I Begin?

9. Persuasive Word Choice

10. Persuasive Language Using persuasive language means choosing just
the right words and phrases to urge or compel
the reader to support the position of the writer.
Precise words trigger strong feelings.
Seizes vs. takes
Snarls vs. says
Bewildered vs. confused
Repeated words or phrases for emphasis
I have a dream…(Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Different connotations
Mean or strict
Died or passed away
Used or pre-owned
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved. Modified 10/08.

11. The Power of Words
Word choice is very important when writing a persuasive piece. The stronger the word you choose, the more power you have to change someone’s opinions or ideas.
Look at the word following word groupings and discuss the differences in the feeling, or connotation, that comes from each word.
Which words have positive, neutral, or negative connotations.
Group, crowd, mob
Insinuate, suggest, imply
Thin, skinny, scrawny
Gentle, benign, harmless
Finicky, selective, picky
As a class, create your own groupings of words with similar meanings, but varying connotations.
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved. Modified 10/08.

12. Powerful Words:
Take a moment to look over the following list of persuasive words.
approved authentic authority critical discover guarantee memorable must new
prohibited
proven
quality
qualified
results
significant
truth
unquestionable
worthwhile
What words would you add to this list?

13. Ineffective Language
Teachers should let students turn in late work at XYZ School. Students are busy and some may not have time to get work done every night. Students know that getting work finished is important, but everyone knows they need a break sometimes. Students who have sports and music practice really need extra time because they are gone a lot doing those things.
Note the highlighted words in this section. How could you replace them and make each more powerful?

14. Powerful Words
It is absolutely critical that teachers reconsider the “No Late Work” policy at XYZ School. Life can become very hectic and difficult for a significant number of middle school students, which can result in them not getting homework completed on time. Students understand that completing work is critical in order to learn new skills, yet studies have proven that allowing students flexibility in due dates is necessary. Students who are involved in sports and music simply must have more time in order to complete quality work after long practices.

15. Persuasive Word Choice Practice
Read Letter to Principal Scaddilybob.
Take out a highlighter pen & mark the persuasive words and phrases found in the letter.
Compare what you highlighted with a person sitting near you.
What is the purpose of this writing?
Who is the audience?
What does the writer want (position)?

16. Your Turn! Persuasive Word choice Application
As a promotional activity, a local foundation is giving away an all-expense paid trip to a class of students to spend two days and one night at the Great Wolf Lodge, near Chehalis. Write a letter persuading this foundation that your class deserves the gift.
Select and use the precise language that would be the most persuasive for this audience.
Underline specific words or phrases that you think are the most persuasive for your audience.

17. Think, Partner, Share
What activities have you used in the classroom in the past to teach this strategy?
How might you apply this strategy in your own classroom in the next two weeks?
Do you have any new ideas or activities that you are thinking of using with this strategy?

18. Expert Testimony

19. Expert Testimony
Expert Testimony – is evidence in support of a fact or statement given by a person thought to have specialized skill or knowledge.
Football great Warren Moon suggested …
According to recent reports from the Surgeon General…
As Mr. Baginski explained last week in class, …
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved. Modified 10/08.

20. Expert Testimony guidelines
Quote the “voice of authority” – who would be an expert on this topic?
a scientist or doctor?
a political figure?
your teacher?
another student? (you are an expert on student or teenage issues!)
In a regular classroom essay or paper, the person
or study you use as an authority must be real, and
you need to use citations!
For on-demand writes, you may make up a source
(doctor, scientist, etc.) and your own fictional quote to
support your ideas

21. Expert Testimony Examples
I would then threaten the rest of the disruptive students with the same punishment if they did not stay in line. As a great philosopher once said, “The threat of force often produces greater result than it’s application”.
“The effort put in reflects the outcome,” says Professor Plum from the University of Washington. I must say that I have to agree with this powerful message.
One of my teachers, Mr. Brown, says late work is “a problem that needs to be fixed”. The extra time given to kids is getting ridiculous.
Copyright © 2007 Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. All rights reserved. Modified 10/08.

22. Expert Testimony Practice
Take out Letter to Principal Scaddilybob again.
Use a highlighter pen to mark any example of Expert Testimony found in the letter.
Compare what you highlighted with a person sitting near you.
Are there any other places in the paper where you could effectively add other examples of Expert Testimony?

23. Your Turn! Expert Testimony application
Look back at the paper you wrote on winning the trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.
Consider how an expert could support your position.
Who would that expert be and what might he/she say?
Decide where to add that expert testimony, then go back and do so.
Make sure that your “testimony” contains powerful word choice.
Share your changes with a partner. Discuss how these strengthened your argument.