1. Persuasive Strategies Copyright 2006 IRA/NCTE. All rights reserved. ReadWriteThink.org materials may be reproduced for educational purposes. Images ©2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

2. Claim Example: Chocolate is a healthy snack. State your argument clearly and confidently. Avoid “I” statements.

3. Logical Example: A Snickers bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy. Facts, numbers, and information can be very convincing.

4. Research Example: A recent study found that students who watch TV during the week don’t do as well in school. Using reliable research can help your argument seem convincing.

5. Big Names Example: Former U.S. president Bill Clinton states that junk food should be taken out of vending machines. Important people or experts can make your argument seem more convincing.

6. Emotional Example: Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home. Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can help your argument.

7. Moral Example: This will change your life and you will feel as if you made a difference. It is the right thing to do. If people believe and trust in you, you’re more likely to persuade them.

8. Call to Action Example: This is a one-time offer. You can’t get this price after today. Try to convince your audience that this issue is so important they must act now.

9. Your Turn: Claim 1.State your argument (claim) clearly and specifically. Give a hint of what’s to come in your essay or speech. My Dog Skip is an emotional, fun-loving realistic film that will entertain people of all ages. A popular book, it was turned into a film in 2002, and brings to life the loving friendship between a boy and his dog. Besides pure entertainment value, this film has many other specific and endearing qualities that makes it the obvious choice for our class. My Dog Skip is the right video selection for our class to view on the last day of school.

10. Paragraph Two - Logical Research for data, statistics, experts to appeal to the logic of your audience: Box office numbers Critic reviews Viewer reviews Ratings by multiple reviewers Video sales What else can you find?

11. Paragraph Three: Emotional Evidence How can you get your audience to CONNECT to this claim? Paragraph Four: Moral Evidence How can you convince your audience that this is a “correct” choice or the “right” thing to do? Call to Action: Conclusion Restate your major pieces of evidence, with different words, to leave your audience with no other choice but to follow your claim.