Persuasive writing is a form of writing in which the writer uses words to convince the reader that the writer’s opinion is correct in regards to an issue.
Persuasive writing encourages careful word choice, the development of logical arguments, use of carefully constructed rhetoric and a cohesive summary.
Here are some of the techniques we have discussed. Remember to include these in your persuasive writing:
Engaging opening
Lists
Rule of 3
Addressing specific concerns of the audience
Rhetorical question(s)
Emotive language – think about connotation
Second guessing
Exclamation
Inclusive and Exclusive Language – Personal pronouns: I, my, you and your. Use of them / their
Repetition of key phrases / anaphora
Formal language
Antithesis / opposing ideas
Facts and figures
Similes and metaphors
Catchy words and phrases
Anecdotes – little stories to illustrate a point
Naming someone famous / an authority / an expert
Quoting from someone famous/ an authority / an expert
Quoting from a poem, a bit of Shakespeare/ a religious text
Naming a moment in history, or a classical reference
Ellipsis at the end of a paragraph…
Short sentences for effect
Long sentences, punctuated by semi-colons, and commas
Signal or Signpost Words
Linking Sentences
Forceful phrases
Humour / irony
Imperative verbs
Alliteration for effect
Engaging ending
THE EXAMINER’S VIEW
The best candidates:
Write in a way which shows clarity of thought and persuades in a convincing / compelling way
Engage the reader with detailed, succinct argument, a range and variety of persuasive ideas, abstract concepts, vivid detail, e.g. makes a moral appeal, invokes finer feelings
Makes and sustains the purpose, intention and objective of writing, e.g. by specifying outcomes, considering implications
Write a formal article, the tone of which is appropriately serious but also manipulative and subtle, employs e.g. assertion, reason, sophistication
Use linguistic devices such as the rhetorical question, hyperbole, irony, satire in an effective and appropriate way
Show control of extensive but appropriate discursive marking e.g. ‘ Surely it is reasonable to expect….’, ‘One alternative position might be..’ etc.
Now look at what you have written and check whether you have used some of these techniques.
