Persuading Using Research

1. Persuading Using Research ISNP 2011-2012

2. Research is a great strategy to use when trying to persuade others. Research must be reliable; making up information isn’t considered actual research. Facts, graphs, and charts can be used to encourage others to sway to your side of an argument. Don’t forget to keep track of where you find information. If you are borrowing information to persuade, you MUST be able to cite your sources! Facts must stay on topic. Don’t forget what you are trying to persuade readers to believe/think.

3. Here’s an example: Rain forests are at risk, and we must all act to save them! “In the past 30 years, deforestation has destroyed nearly 80% of the orangutan’s habitat.” (Time for Kids, Vol.1 No.22) As companies continue to cut down trees, there is barely any room for the animals to continue to live! Forestry experts found that palm-oil companies are using the rain forests to remove this oil for things such as soap, cleaners, and even cookies. Environmentalists say that these companies clear so much of the rain forest, that it begins to look and feel like the desert instead. People need to become aware of this problem, and take a stand. We should limit the use of products that contain palm oil, and write letters to the companies that are doing this explaining the damage that they are causing! The facts in the above paragraph were found in a Time for Kids article called “Rain Forests at Risk.”

4. Our turn. . . While I read the article “Elephant Camp,” listen and look for facts that might help us in trying to persuade others to help preserve the elephant community.

5. Your turn. . . Using that facts that we pulled out of the article, write a paragraph persuading your reader to take part in helping to save the elephants!