An Introduction to Persuasion and Argument Writing

1. An Introduction to Persuasion and Argument Writing Moving people to a belief, position, or course of action

2. Persuasion vs. Argument • Persuasion and argument are often used interchangeably • Persuasion is a broad term, which includes many tactics designed to move people to a position, a belief, or a course of action • Argument is a specific kind of persuasion based on the principles of logic and reasoning

3. The Importance of Argument and Persuasion In everyday life: Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a job, negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court. In School: Defending your ideas, debating an issue

4. The importance cont…. • On the job: Getting people to listen to your ideas, getting your boss to notice you, getting cooperation, moving people into action • In Writing: Making your point, writing to be read • In reading and listening; Evaluation other’s arguments, protecting yourself from unethical persuasive tactics

5. What exactly is an Argument? • An argument involves the process of establishing a claim and then proving it with the use of logical reasoning, examples, and research.

6. The Role of your Audience • Understand your audience is key to effective writing of all kinds • When writing an argument, assume the reader will not agree with you

7. Structure of an Argument

8. The Thesis Statement • ….is the most important sentence in your paper • …….answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?” • …… brings focus to the entire essay • ….. Lets the reader know the main idea of the paper • … is not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper.

9. Example: Which one is a thesis statement • Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of a V-chip. • To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be required feature for television sets sold in the U.S. • This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.

10. Ethos ( appeal of the writer) • You are convincing your audience that you are intelligent and can be trusted. You can’t say…”I am smart and a good person so trust me on this issue” • Use a personal experience • Use expert support • Up-to-date research

11. Logos (logical) • You are appealing to the reader’s intelligence • Use facts • Examples : events or circumstances that the audience can relate to their own life • Deductive/ Inductive reasoning: Look at the evidence and draw a conclusion

12. Pathos ( think passionate appeal) • Very effective • Because your audience has emotions as well as intellect, your argument must engage the audience as well as with logical and ethical appeals. • The best way to do this is with WORDS!

13. Denotative vs. Connotative Words • Denotative Words: Dictionary definition • Connotative Words: Words that carry a second meaning • For example: If you ask a woman how she’d like to be described from a list of words, what would be her answer? • Slender……………….thin…………………..scrawny

14. Words cont. • Slender has a positive undertone • Thin is a neutral word • Scrawny brings an unhealthy undertone