Writing Persuasively

Writing Persuasively

Understanding Persuasive Writing

• Persuasive writing aims to convince the reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a specific action.
• It is grounded in presenting an argument or position in a way that is compelling, thoughtful, and backed up with evidence.

Techniques in Persuasive Writing

• Utilise rhetorical devices such as rhetorical questions, lists of three, repetition, and emotive language.
• Use statistics or factual information to support your argument and make it more convincing to the reader.
• Appeal to the reader’s emotions and values to engage them deeper into your argument.
• Present counter-arguments to show awareness of different perspectives, but ensure to refute them convincingly.

Formulating a Persuasive Argument

• Clearly articulate your position on the issue from the onset to guide your argument.
• Develop a persuasive thesis statement. This is the central idea you want the reader to accept or act on.
• Build your argument using a combination of logical reasoning, emotional appeal and credible evidence.

Structuring Persuasive Writing

• Use your introduction to present the topic and your position on it.
• The body paragraphs should each discuss a single point that supports your argument, backed up with relevant evidence.
• Use transitional words and phrases to ensure a smooth flow between sentences and paragraphs.
• Conclude by restating your thesis and summarising your arguments, leaving the reader with a strong impression of your viewpoint.

Evaluating and Adjusting Persuasive Writing

• Review your writing to ensure your argument is convincing and your position on the issue is clear throughout.
• Check if your supporting evidence is relevant and strong enough to back up your argument.
• Adjust your language and style based on the target audience and the context of the issue to maximise persuasiveness.
• Ensure your conclusion leaves the reader with a firm understanding of your argument and any action they should take.