Learning how to develop pieces of writing with the intent to convince or persuade readers to embrace the point-of-view presented by the author by appealing to their reason and personal understanding
1. Developing Persuasive Documents
Purdue OWL staff Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab
2. This presentation will cover: "The persuasive context. "The role of the audience. "What to research and cite. "How to establish your credibility.
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4. You encounter persua Junk (10655 messages)
(SE. a every day: ESSAY TV Commercials if 1a. it, feel it (2 "Letters to the Editor “Junk ma missed you faa ae aa Ir . "Magazine ads Love To Cook? Tr Ses "College brochures Can you think of other persuasive
5. = Understand your audience. = Support your opinion. = Know the various sides of your issue. " Respectfully address other points of view. .o . .
6. 1. Your organization needs funding for a project. 2. Your boss wants you to make recommendations for a course of action. 3 if , int of
7. Who is your audience? What beliefs do they hold about the topic? your audience? _ How can you refute counterarguments with
8. What concerns does your audience face? For example: "Do they have limited funds to distribute? "How much time do they have to consider your
9. Help your audience relate to your topic. Appeal to their hearts as well as their minds. "Use anecdotes when appropriate "Paint your topic in with plenty of detail "Involve the reader’s senses in these sections
10. Become familiar with all! sides of an issue. You can try to: "Find common ground. "Understand the history of the topic. "Predict counterarguments your audience might "Find strong support for your own perspective.
11. Find common ground with your audience. For example: Point of Opposition: You might support a war, whereas your audience might not. Common ground: Both sides want to see their troops come home.
12. Predict counterarguments. For example: Your Argument: Organic produce from local
13. Appeal to the audience’s ae "Use statistics and reputable studies. i" Cite experts on the topic: : "Do they back up what you ;
14. Which source would a reader find more "The New York Times Which person would a reader be more likely to believe? "Joe Smith from Fort Wayne, IN. "Dr. Susan Worth, Prof. of Criminology at Purdue
15. Cite credible sources Cite sources correctly and thoroughly. Use professional language (and design). Edit out all errors. Cummings, J. N., Butler, B., & Kraut, R. (2002). The quality of online social relationships. Communications of the ACM, 45(7), 103-108. Hu, Y., Wood, J.
., Smith, V., & Westbrook, N. (2004). Friendships through IM: Examining the relationship between instant messaging and intimacy. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 10, 38-48.
16. Don’t misrepresent a quote or leave out important Misquote: “Crime rates were down by 2002,” according to Dr. Smith. Actual quote: “Crime rates were down by 2002, but steadily began climbing again a year later,” said Dr. Smith.
17. * Don’t lecture or talk down to
* Don’t make threats or “bully” your reader. person, “you.”
18. Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226 Check our web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu Email brief questions to OWL Mail:
19. EFFECTIVE PERSUASION DANA BISIGNANI Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab