Informative, Persuasive, and Argumentative Writing

• Communication can be informative, persuasive, and argumentative.

Overview

• Writing techniques have characteristics and uses.
• These techniques are useful in developing an effective essay.
• Informative, persuasive, and argumentative writing techniques can be used in essays.

Informative Text

• The purpose of informative text is to provide information about a topic to the audience.
• It gives the audience a new understanding or appreciation of topics with which they might be familiar.
• Specific descriptive language and creative thinking is used to make the topic more lively for the audience.

Types of Informative Writing

• Definition essays provide a detailed explanation of an idea (e.g., about love).
• Cause and effect essays explain the connection/link of two or more events (e.g., cyberbullying).
• Opposing sides essays present all sides of an issue (pros and cons) (e.g., on the death penalty).
• Process essays give a step-by-step explanation of how something works (e.g., How to Travel Solo Successfully).

Parts of an Informative Essay

• 1st Paragraph: Introduction; introduce the topic using words from the prompt, then write a thesis statement that contains all the main ideas.
• 2nd Paragraph (Body): MI = 1st Main Idea sentence, begin with "First", D = Details; use text evidence to prove your point.
• 3rd Paragraph: MI = 2nd Main Idea sentence, begin with "In addition", D = Details; use text evidence to prove your point.
• 4th Paragraph: MI = 3rd Main Idea sentence, begin with "Finally", D = Details; use text evidence to prove your point.
• 5th Paragraph: Conclusion C = Conclusion; restate the thesis statement, begin with "In conclusion", and wrap up the essay.

Persuasive Text

• Persuasive text provides the opportunity to convince someone to adopt a particular viewpoint.
• The aim is to inform, educate, and convince or motivate an audience to do something.
• It uses thought-provoking, daring, and clear opinions, and tries to change the audience's opinion by providing facts and evidence.
• It speaks about something the author is knowledgeable about and can argue in favor of, and objectively discusses counterarguments.
• Persuasive text is common in ad campaigns, where marketing aims to convince you to buy something.

Types of Persuasive Writing

• Criticisms.
• Reaction papers.
• Reviews.
• Editorials.
• Proposals.
• Advertisements.
• Brochures.

Parts of Persuasive Writing (I + B3R + C)

• Introduction: Articulate source of information with a thesis statement (reaction to the issue).
• Body: List at least 3 reasons for opinions.
• Conclusion: Restate opinion in a persuasive way.
• Imperative form of the verb should be used to rally readers behind the cause.

Argumentative Text

• Argumentative text tries to change the reader's mind by convincing them to agree with the writer's point of view.
• It presents arguments about both sides of an issue, either balanced or with one side presented more forcefully.
• It is highly persuasive and logical.
• It assumes the reader disagrees with the writer, but is no less intelligent.
• A writing technique refers to a short account or story of a real incident that supports an argument; this is called an anecdote.

Types of Argumentative Essay

• Classical Argumentative Essay: A basic form of persuasive essay that uses facts and logic to convince others.
• Rogerian Argument: Used to find the best solution to an issue by considering the needs of all parties.
• Toulmin Argument: Uses a claim, evidence, and a warrant to support an argument.

Parts of an Informative Essay

• Introduction: Introduce the issue, give background information, and state claim.
• Body: Present evidence (reason and supporting details).
• Each paragraph must contain one reason and supporting details.
• Supporting details may include examples, statistics, quotations, or experiences.
• Conclusion: A general statement that supports the claim, or a quotation or a call to action.

Essay Writing Prompts

• Informative: What are the nursing programs and facilities offered at Tanchuling College Inc., and how do they prepare students for a career in healthcare?
• Persuasive: Persuade future nursing students to choose and enroll at Tanchuling College Inc.
• Argumentative: Is Tanchuling College Inc. the best choice for nursing students compared to other nursing schools in the region?
• Must write a 3 paragraph essay containing introduction, body, and conclusion.