Persuasion

Writers (and speakers) use persuasive techniques to get

you to accept their arguments and think like they do…

Notes Title: Persuasive Techniques

• Instructions:• Create a Cornell Notes sheet –• A two-column chart with a space for

summarizing/evaluating what you learn saved at the bottom

• The left side of the column should be for CONCEPTS = underlined

• The right side for DEFINITIONS and DETAILS = italicized

• At the top of your page, write down one topic you know and feel strong about. You will use this topic for examples.

Why use persuasive techniques when writing?

• We work to persuade people when we want something.

• Writers often use persuasive techniques to CONVINCE their readers to agree with them.

• Think of a time you have in the past or might want to in the future convince someone through writing.

Ex. Writing a letter to a congressperson to get them to pass a law on equality.

• When you use persuasive techniques in writing, you are creating an ARGUMENT.

• A written argument is not a fight between two people with shouting and bitter words; rather it is-

• A position or claim the writer believes in and supports with reasons and evidence to prove their rightness

The Elements of an Argument

A Claim• A claim is the writer’s

position on an issue; it is what they argue to be true; their controlling idea

• Claims can be stated directly

Ex. Cheese is better than ice cream.

• Claims can be implied. Ex. Vote for Dorothea!

Support• The details, reasons and

evidence, a writer uses to prove their claim

• Supporting details can include: facts, statistics, examples, etc.

Ex. Cheese has more protein per ounce than ice cream.

Ex. Dorothea tutors needy children.

Example: Claim and Support

• A student is asked to write a persuasive paper about recycling.

• Claim: Recycling is good for society. • Reason 1: Recycling helps keep our air clean. • Evidence 1: Cities that recycle more have

lower carbon imprints. • Reason 2: Businesses that recycle save

money. • Evidence 2: The businesses that recycle the

most get government tax credits of up to a million dollars.

Claim and Support Challenge

• Read an excerpt of the following policy speech (a recommendation for a plan of action) with the class.

• http://www.gatesfoundation.org/speeches-commentary/Pages/melinda-french-gates-2007-malaria-forum.aspx

• Identify the claim and supporting reasons and pieces of evidence. Be able to explain to the class why these are the persuasive elements.

Claim and Support Practice1. Make a claim about this picture. 2. Then give a reason for your claim. 3. Then give a piece of evidence for your claim.

Persuasive Techniques

• Persuasive techniques

Methods intended to encourage you to accept an argument

• There are three main kinds of persuasive techniques; leave room for notes on each

• Logical Appeals, Emotional Appeals, and Ethical Appeals

Thought Connections• How do you go about

getting what you want?

• Who do you have to persuade in your life?

• What are the most effective ways you can convince them to agree with you?

• Be sure to write down at least one example for each appeal type.

Emotional Appeals

Definition• Playing on someone’s

feelings to get them on your side

• Advertisers often try to tap into vulnerable feelings like pity, sympathy, fear, hopefulness, and vanity

• Emotional appeals can be positive or negative

Examples• If you don’t adopt this cute

little puppy, the pound will put it to sleep.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmw-3hboqLA

• What examples can you think of for your topic?

Logical Appeals

Logic is…

Attempting to convince someone through their brain; making sense on an intellectual level

Logical appeals often include: facts and figures, multi-step plans, past successes

Examples• Studies show that people

with pets live an average of five years longer.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DOPNWK0zdo

• What examples can you think of for your topic?

Ethical Appeals

Definition• Using a person’s or

group’s credibility or expertise

• Ethical appeals often rely on people’s tendency to believe famous/brilliant people

• Testimonials are a commonly used type of endorsement from well-known people or people who have already agreed with the argument

Examples• Veterinarian Romola Villette

says schnauzers are her favorite dogs, so adopt one now!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JteiIRWXls

• What examples can you think of for your topic?

Combination Appeals

• Many if not most arguments try to use a combination of the different types of appeals

• Bandwagon Appeal – the suggestion that you should do it because lots of others are (logical and ethical)

• Loaded Language – Using words/phrases with strong positive or negative associations (logical and emotional)

• Everyone drinks orange juice because it’s the healthiest!

• What examples can you think of for your topic?

Rhetorical Fallacies

Rhetorical Fallacies• Not all arguments should

be believed• Rhetorical fallacies are

false or misleading statements that are used to persuade and appear like real appeals

• Has anyone ever tried to scam you into believing them? What did that feel like when you realized it? (Become a good reader and you’re a lot less likely to get tricked!)

Types of R. F.’s • Ad hominem is an

attack on a person instead of their argument

• Stereotyping is making a broad statement on the basis of some arbitrary category like gender, race, job, religion, etc.

Fallacious Examples

• Ad hominem = Don’t vote for Mr. Larsen because he’s aJerk!

• Stereotyping = If you like pizza, you will love our new pepperoni because it was made for pizza lovers like you.

• Create examples for your topic.

Persuasion Notes Recap.

Evaluation• What are three reasons

being a good persuasive writer might come in handy in your life?

• What is the most important skill to be very persuasive?

• Which appeal gets to you most? Why?

• Which example persuaded you most? Why?

Creation• Summarize three-six

key points you’ve learned.

• Invent a persuasive argument to convince someone to be your friend.

• Create an assignment that challenges the writer to be persuasive.