Language of Research and Advocacy

Language of Research, Campaigns, and Advocacy

• Language is a system of communication used by a community or country. It's essential for informing, entertaining, influencing, and persuading. It's used in research (systematic investigation), campaigns (organized efforts for change), and advocacy (public support for causes).

• Research Language is a formal, academic, and persuasive style for presenting findings and analyses. Its purpose is to clearly communicate results so readers can trust and apply the information. Key components include familiarity with research terminology (concepts, hypotheses, samples, theories, variables) and academic/persuasive tone.

• Campaigns are organized activities for social or political goals. Advocacy is the activity of influencing decisions and policies for particular outcomes.

Persuasive Language Devices

• Persuasive techniques aim to convince or influence audiences through elements like:
  • Use of adjectives and adverbs to evoke emotions.
  • Connecting ideas with positive qualities.
  • Suggesting widespread acceptance (bandwagon).
  • Using impactful language.
  • Citing experts to add credibility.
  • Connecting with the reader through personal pronouns.
  • Using modal verbs denoting likelihood or necessity (e.g., can, might, should).
  • Repeating ideas for emphasis.
  • Asking rhetorical questions (to emphasize points without requiring answers).
  • Citing evidence (facts and statistics).

Argumentation

• Argumentative writing aims to convince readers to support a specific position or argument. Its purpose is to persuade readers to accept a viewpoint using evidence.

• Key components include proposition (main argument), a claim, reasons, and evidence. Several organizational patterns exist like Thesis, Pros, Cons, Refutation, Conclusion.

Opinion and Assertion

• Opinion is a personal view or judgment that is not necessarily fact-based.
• Assertion is a confident statement of belief that often lacks factual backing.

Claims in Argumentation

• Claims are statements expressing a clear position on a topic and serve as the main argument.
• Types: Claim of fact, Claim of value, and Claim of Policy.

Exposition

• Expository texts inform or explain a topic in a structured and factual way. Common examples are textbooks, news articles, recipes, and manuals. Structure includes a thesis statement, transitions between sections, examples with explanations supporting the text, and a conclusion.

• Idea development patterns like cause-and-effect, comparison-contrast, description, problem-solution, and sequence help structure ideas in these texts. Transitional words are critical in connecting thoughts.