3Argument and Persuasion
Preparing to Write
What is the difference between argument and persuasion?
* persuasive essays typically appeal to emotions and feelings
* i.e. you will not be cool if you don't wear a certain brand
* an argument uses factual evidence to support an idea, but the evidence can quite often be used to support the other argument
* i.e. "physically challenged" vs. "physically disabled"
What do you already know about arguing and persuading?
* we all develop argumentative skills as we grow older
* we learn to persuade people about ideas and facts
* we also learn how to compromise from arguments
How do you analyze your audience?
* in order to make a good persuasive essay one has to analyse their audience
* you should ask yourself questions like:
1. Who will be reading this?
2. What do they already know about this subject?
3. What are their values?
4. etc.
* your arguments should always revolve around your audience; and will allow you to pick out the evidence that will most likely hit home with them
* you should also anticipate any arguments or objections that they could make and answer them in your writing
What does it take to persuade your reader?
* if your argument goes against the morals of the audience you will fail to persuade them
* choose something that you feel strongly about
* you must make a fair, logical argument; express honest emotion; but avoid distorted evidence and inflammatory language
* for an argument there are 2 main types of support:
1. factual
2. emotional
* the strongest evidence that you can gather is factual
* you can appeal to your readers values as a way to persuade them
* the best way to persuade someone is to appeal to both their emotions and their reason
* another thing that you must display is fairness, reason, and credible
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