PersuasiveTechniques:How do YOU convince them

you are right?

Persuasive Vocabulary

Main Proposition ConnotationSupposition DenotationIntroduction hook Logical Appeal Counterargument Emotional Appeal

Call for Action Facts Opinions

Main PropositionMain PropositionWhat are you trying to say or prove?

In a persuasive essay, your mainproposition is your “thesis statement.”

Remember: A topic sentence expresses the main idea or purpose of a paragraph. A thesis statement expresses the main idea of a longer piece of writing. A thesis statement appears in the introduction. It provides information about the structure, tone, and purpose of the text.

SuppositionSupposition

The supposition(s) are your main points or topic sentences. Your supposition backs up your main proposition. It is your reasoning or examples.

Introduction Hook…

In your first few sentences, you want to In your first few sentences, you want to

hook the reader into your persuasive hook the reader into your persuasive paper. Make them want to read your paper. Make them want to read your argument about an issue. You want them argument about an issue. You want them to be interested in what you are trying to to be interested in what you are trying to say. “HOOK” the reader in with a say. “HOOK” the reader in with a clever/catchy point or idea.clever/catchy point or idea.

Counterargument It is essential that you address the

other side of the issue. You need to state what people might say against you and your argument.

Example:Example: “I know school administration might say that a

implemented dress code is necessary for learning, but I can not learn if I am not comfortable in what I am wearing.”

Call for Action The Call for Action is the preferred outcome

you are hoping to achieve. In other words, what do you want the reader to think or do. MAKE A MAKE A STATEMENTSTATEMENT.

In your Call for Action, you may also tell your

reader what they can do to support your idea or cause.

Is there a petition they can sign? Rally they can attend? Person they can write a letter to?

Connotation & Denotation

Good writers choose their words carefully. Good writers choose their words carefully. They think about words’ literal meanings They think about words’ literal meanings and are also sensitive to the implied and are also sensitive to the implied meanings and associations of words.meanings and associations of words.

A word’s A word’s denotationdenotation is its literal or is its literal or dictionary meaning. Its dictionary meaning. Its connotationconnotation refers refers to the attitude or emotions that are to the attitude or emotions that are associated with the wordassociated with the word

Art of Argument:Art of Argument:The Emotional Impact of WordsThe Emotional Impact of Words

Notice the boldfaced words in the following sentence:

While some believed that the government had a responsibility to investigate the crime, others were angered that strangers were trying to pry into their lives.

In this sentence, the words investigate and pry are synonyms with different associations. Pry is a more negative word that implies a secret investigation.

It is your CHOICECHOICE

Choice of words often reveals a Choice of words often reveals a writer’s attitude toward a writer’s attitude toward a subject.subject.

For example, a politician who For example, a politician who is firm in his opinion might be is firm in his opinion might be praised as praised as adamantadamant by a by a supporter and criticized as supporter and criticized as inflexibleinflexible by an opponent. by an opponent.

Fact vs. OpinionFact – statements that can be proven

Opinion – statements that can be

supported

In your essay, try to incorporate both facts and opinions.

Lets practice:Lets practice:

Fact or Opinion?Fact or Opinion? - The book American Political and Social History

by Harold U. Haulker has 984 pages.- Steak tastes better than lamp chops.- Baseball is as interesting as football.- There are 37 students in the classroom- It is very hot today- Time Magazine has a section called “Art.”

Logical & Emotional Appeal

Logic appeals to reason:Statistics

Examples Facts

Emotions appeal to feelings:Emotional language Humor

Mention of basic values

Recognizing PersuasionRecognizing PersuasionInaccurate or over-generalizedA generalization is a broad statement about a number of people or things. While it is possible to accept generalizations, many are too broad to be true.

Example

All students at Northridge Academy High School love English.

Either/OrThis technique tries to convince you that there are only two possible solutions to a problem or ways of looking at something, when in fact there may be many.

Example

Sign up for our club, or get stuck with another boring afternoon.

Bandwagon AppealThis technique is often used in advertising. It encourages you to think as others are thinking. It appeals to people’s desires to belong to a group.

Example

Vote for Amber! All the cool 8th graders will!

Loaded LanguageWriters or speakers who want to sway your opinion may try to appeal to your emotions by using loaded language. This means using words to which you are likely to have a strong positive or negative reaction.

Example

My opponent’s goals can only be funded by stealing money from hardworking taxpayers.

Persuasive Essay Structure

Beginning The beginning introduces and states your position/argument.

Middle The middle presents the important reasons and evidence that support your position/argument.

Ending The ending restates your position/argument and asks readers to do something.