Persuasive Writing Techniques

Persuasion in Writing

• Persuasive texts aim to influence readers to accept an idea, take action, or change their perception on a topic.
• These texts present evidence to support a convincing conclusion.

Argument Standpoint

• Persuasive texts use evidence like research, statistics, facts, and expert opinions to support arguments.

Aristotle's Three Modes of Persuasion

• Ethos is an appeal to credibility, using first-hand experience.
• Pathos is an appeal to the reader's emotions, using emotive language.
• Logos is an appeal to the reader's reasoning, presenting facts and figures.

Steps for Writing a Persuasive Text

• Choose and narrow down a topic and formulate an opinion.
• Support your thesis with proofs like testimonies, research, and statistics.
• Consider possible opposing views.
• Write a conclusion that highlights or reviews the main points.
• Prepare an outline to organize ideas logically.
• Revise, edit, and proofread the text.

Guidelines for Writing a Persuasive Text

• Make the introduction engaging by convincing the reader there is a problem to solve.
• Make an emotional or logical appeal in the conclusion.

Signal Words and Phrases

• Examples include: admittedly, certainly, consequently, etc.

Analyzing a Persuasive Text Example

• The argument in the example is that plastic bags harm the environment and should be banned.
• Logical reasoning is used by explaining how plastic bags harm marine life and take centuries to decompose.
• The modes of persuasion used are ethos and logos.
• Ethos is used by referring to successful plastic bag bans in other countries.
• Logos is used through logical reasoning about environmental damage.
• The text ends with a call to action: "It's time to take the same step toward a cleaner, greener planet."
• A claim of policy: Banning plastic bags can reduce waste, protect wildlife, and promote reusable alternatives.

Critical Reading

• Critical reading involves analyzing claims and evaluating messages based on proofs.
• Writers' beliefs and ideas are influenced by their ideologies, culture, and experiences.
• Critical readers communicate with the writer through the text and match arguments based on their own perspectives.

How to Read Critically

• Determine the writer's purpose.
• Prepare marginal notes.
• Summarize the message.
• Identify the writer’s claim.

Claims in Writing

• A claim is the central argument the writer wants the reader to accept, supported by details like logical proofs and expert opinions.

Explicit Claims

• Explicit claims are direct statements made by the author, often in thesis statements or topic sentences.
• Example: "Climate change is primarily caused by human activities, such as burning fossil fuels."

Implicit Claims

• Implicit claims are not directly stated but can be inferred from the author’s language or the logical connections between ideas.

Commonly Used Claims

• Claim of fact: Argues that something exists using credible sources and data.
  • Example: "Reading intervention programs improved the comprehension skills of grade 3 pupils."
• Claim of policy: Argues that a policy or law needs implementation to solve a problem.
  • Example: "ROTC should be revived and made mandatory among senior high school students."
• Claim of value: Asserts the importance or goodness of an argument.
  • Example: "Divorce is never acceptable considering our faith and culture as Filipinos."

Context in Writing

• Context includes historical, political, cultural, and economic factors that influence a writer's beliefs and values.
• Identifying a text's intertextuality helps understand its context.
• Intertextuality refers to how a text connects to or uses another text.

Intertextuality

• Intertextuality recognizes the impact of prior knowledge and context of writers and readers in interpreting a text.

Hypertext

• Hypertext is a non-linear way of presenting information.
• Readers can access information quickly and jump between sites using hyperlinks.