Changing hearts and minds is a highly beneficial skill, but it is not just an ability done from a podium in an inspiring speech. Persuasive writing created that compelling speech. It also produces the ads and sales emails sitting in your inbox.
The effectiveness of that text can determine if an email is opened for more information or goes into the trash unread. Aspiring writers need to be reliable and authoritative sources to sway others and spur them to take action. Influencing others through writing is a skill that can be honed, and breaking it down to the basics provides a solid understanding to begin improving.
The Basics
There are four types of writing: expository, narrative, descriptive, and argumentative. Narrative writing creates characters and tells a story. Descriptive writing aims to capture the details of an event or experience. Expository writing passively presents facts and explanations.
Persuasive writing is a form of argumentative writing that attempts to persuade (or argue for) readers to consider an alternative point of view or to take action. The main difference between expository and persuasive writing is intent. Expository writing does not intend for a reader to take action. It simply presents information neutrally by providing facts. The reader could take action, but that was not the purpose of the text. For persuasive writing, a writer presents information that tries to sway a reader to action.
Persuasive Writing Definition
Persuasive writing is a writing style that attempts to convince a reader to take action or consider a point of view. A writer tries to influence their reader through their words and with claims supported by evidence within the text. This evidence is supported by facts, data, and information. Persuasive writing is defined by its intention.
Depending on the requirements and purpose of the text, a degree of opinion could be included. In a formal or academic setting, opinion would typically be minimal to non-existent. They would be more reliant on concrete statistics or testimony. However, persuasive writing in marketing, for example, could contain more opinions and appeal to a reader’s emotions.
Persuasive Writing Examples
Persuasive writing is encountered daily. Newspapers, flyers, billboards, and advertisements are all examples of this style of writing. This writing style is commonly found in business, marketing, and academic settings. The idea pitching and scriptwriting process behind TV commercials are also forms of this format. If the intention of what was written suggests an action or tries to persuade, it is likely persuasive writing.
Example of Persuasive Writing:
Using a graphic organizer for writing can be a great way to help students complete Language Arts assignments. These aids help manage and visualize information. When executed correctly, graphic organizers act as road maps for writers. Language Arts students should consider illustrating their ideas before starting their following essay.
While this is a simple paragraph with basic information, it has an intent. The example talks about graphically organizing information and explains why it is beneficial. The sample ends with an appeal to the intended audience. Persuasive writing can take many shapes and forms, but if it intends to convince a reader to do something, it fits the definition of persuasive writing.
5 Tips for Persuasive Writing
Persuasive writing strategies help authors harness their influence into words to change hearts and minds. Writers need to consider their readers, especially in this style. Once a topic has been selected, plotting how to sway the target audience should be one of a writer’s primary focuses. Organizing the information to suit their strategy will provide an enormous benefit and help aspiring writers improve the writing process.
1. Make the Plan
Writing should always start with planning. Whether writing an academic research paper or a creative short story, plotting out the main beats of a text can go a long way when it comes time to put words to the page. Brainstorming and outlining can also provide a starting structure to work with. Persuasive writing can only be done effectively if the intention of the piece is clearly defined.
Plans should also include enough time to actually write. Deadlines can sometimes be unavoidable, but a road map of what needs to be covered aids efficiency during these tight schedules. However, procrastinators should ensure they give themselves enough time to work, especially when available. Time is a valuable commodity for writers that should not be wasted. Writing rushed to meet a last-minute deadline will never be a writer’s best work.
2. Use the Rhetoric
According to the Greek Philosopher Aristotle, the ability to persuade relies on appeals to an audience’s logos, ethos, and pathos. These three elements later became known as the rhetorical triangle. Understanding these aspects of persuasion and utilizing them correctly can help writers create engaging and persuasive writing.
Logos
The use of logic. Appealing to a reader through reasoning and evidence. Facts are used to persuade.
A brand of paper towels that promotes being 20% more absorbent is an appeal to logos. The information presented (with supporting evidence to prove this claim) is being used to promote the product. It is attempting to persuade an audience to consider and purchase paper towels.
Ethos
The use of ethics. Appealing to a reader through character and credibility. Expertise is used to persuade.
A brand of toothpaste recommended by 4 out of 5 dentists is an appeal to ethos. The expertise and credibility of these dentists are being used to promote the product. It is attempting to persuade an audience to consider and purchase toothpaste.
Pathos
The use of emotion. Appealing to a reader through passion and sentiment. Feelings are used to persuade.
A brand of dog food that is made with natural ingredients to keep your dog healthy is an appeal to pathos. The sentiment of providing a pet with healthy food is being used to promote the product. It is attempting to invoke emotion to persuade an audience to consider and purchase dog food.
3. Check the Facts
Supporting evidence in persuasive writing is vital. As mentioned, logos is one of the main pillars of influencing a reader. Ethos is typically not permitted in a formal or academic situation, so logos and pathos are crucial. Weak or inaccurate information could severely harm persuasive writing. If one fact is wrong, what other information could be misused? One piece of bad information could cause a reader to doubt an author’s credibility and destroy the entire integrity of a text.
That is why checking the integrity of facts and sources is paramount for this format. Assure sources are from respectable and reputable sources, not fringe or biased origins. For example, information about the benefits of cheese from a pro-dairy organization would be biased and should be avoided. Of course, they will have positive data about cheese- it is the reason for their existence. However, that information could also be skewed or cherry-picked to hide alarming statistics.
Similarly, when using ethos in persuasive writing, check that the expert authority is truly a master in their field. As another example, in a paper about the benefits of exercise, a personal trainer with a resume and professional certifications has much more credibility than a random guy at the gym that can bench press 300 pounds. Appealing to ethos requires a true expert’s opinion.
4. Reinforce the Message
Readers should be aware of a text’s message as they make their way through an author’s words. Writers should ensure that message is clear from start to finish. Whether a five-paragraph essay or a multiple-page research paper, the intent of a piece of persuasive writing should be unambiguous. A reader that reaches the end of a text unsure of the point of what they just read is a writer’s worst nightmare. It is crucial to present a thesis statement in the introduction of a text that is reinforced throughout the body and into the conclusion.
However, this does not mean a reader should be frequently bludgeoned with a call to action line after line. Over-repetition can also have detrimental effects on persuasive writing. Tying supporting evidence to the thesis effectively creates a strong text with a clear and constant message. The message should also be restated at the conclusion.
5. Remember the Reader
Writers should always keep their intended audience in mind. In persuasive writing, connecting with the reader is incredibly crucial persuasive writing strategy. Extra effort should be taken to ensure writing resonates with the right people. Understanding the target audience will help provide powerful insights into creating a moving piece of writing specifically for that crowd. If persuasive writing is explicitly designed to engage with that group, it has a much better chance of rallying them to action.
To do this efficiently, consider researching the other position on a topic. Fully understanding both sides of an issue can help bridge the divide and make a text more convincing. Furthermore, the tone should also be monitored. Aggressive writing that talks down to the audience will not win over their hearts or minds. In fact, it could make them dig into their position and drive them away from the call to action.
Attempt to include a degree of pathos- as much that can be allowed. Connecting with a reader’s emotions can be highly influential. For example, a paper that promotes spaying and neutering pets and includes statistics on the number of animals euthanized in shelters can appeal to readers’ emotions and make a convincing point to sway their point of view. Be empathetic to the reader’s potential position on a topic and work out how to best engage them.
Persuasive Writing Activities for Self-Improvement
Writing is improved through practice and dedication. Writers looking to enhance their ability to influence others through written words should exercise with persuasive writing activities. There is no limit to what topics or drills aspiring writers can practice as long as production and improvement are made. Consider the following suggestions to get started.
Practice By Blogging
Creating a space to fill with content can be an excellent outlet to hone wordcraft. Aspiring writers could look into how to write a convincing blog about a topic or hobby they are passionate about. The emotion that can be conveyed through creating meaningful content will aid in improving a writer’s ability to excite an audience and get them to take action.
With a zealous topic in mind, there are many persuasive blog topics to dive into. A cooking blog could write an article about using avocado instead of olive oil. A blog about mechanics could try to convince readers to use synthetic rather than regular motor oil. A diver could write a persuasive essay about employing a particular diving technique. Starting a blog does not have to be public. Aspiring writers can practice in this offline setting until they are comfortable sharing their work online.
Practice By Philosophizing
In a sense. Writers should consider returning to Aristotle and his logos, ethos, and pathos ideas. Consider taking a topic and writing how each of these pillars could be accomplished as an exercise. Rhetorical questions make strong points in this format of writing. This practice could also help during brainstorming to help diagram the outline of an actual persuasive writing text.
For example, starting with the topic of playing guitar could be broken into the following sections. Logos could appeal to statistics on guitar players or how long they should practice to see results. Ethos could appeal to players by providing advice and encouragement from professional guitarists. Pathos could appeal to the benefits of being a rock star or the nostalgia of playing around the next campfire.
Practice By Starting Small
Take everything a step at a time. Sometimes, starting from an earlier point might be what is required. Do not be afraid to tackle an academic question for a writer earlier in the learning process or persuasive writing for kids meant for the classroom.
Simplicity is what is being captured in this practice. A persuasive essay on the role of fate in Julius Caesar might be more intimidating than writing a paragraph about a favorite animal. Work with a level of difficulty that both presents a challenge and falls within a level of comfort. To get to an advanced level, the basics must be solid.
Understanding persuasive writing can have massive benefits for anyone looking to gain the confidence of others through text. Even if that text becomes spoken word, understanding the components written into that speech gives insight into how persuasion works. Mastery of this art starts with knowing how it works.
Writing can be a tedious and challenging process, but persistence and dedication help make it easier. Writing a moving piece of writing takes practice. Aspiring writers may not craft amazing persuasive writing on their first try. However, finding areas to improve on in the last project can lead to learning and improvement on the next one.
Aspiring writers should always take time to reflect on their writing. Practicing with persuasive essay writing can be an invaluable aid in identifying weak points. Knowing why these components are not working and improving those imperfections will only yield better writing. Keep typing and keep finding ways to improve your writing.
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