Persuasion...

[HeidiL]

I was thinking, and I realized I write to persuade a lot more than I consciously know. When I'm writing essays for class, I'm always thinking, "through my writing, how am I going to influence Mr./Mrs. X to give me a good grade?" That sort of bothers me, because I've never liked the idea of doing assignments just to get a good grade. There's more to school than that...Anyway, what do you think are the best ways to persuade people in writing? I find a few things useful: 1.To look through their eyes and see the situation as they do. I ask myself, "If I were _____, what would I want to hear?" 2. Determine what part of the person you need to appeal to- i.e., the pathos, ethos, or logos. Different types of people respond to different ways of persuasion, and different situations call for different methods too.

 

[Shabby]

The best way to be persuasive is to leave your argument hole-free. If you can't do that, it's all about selling the argument. Dress it up, use emotional appeal, back it up with facts and figures... as my restaurant manager says "Sell, sell, sell!" (Well, actually, I live in Arizona so it's more like "Vende, vende, vende!")

 

[Lindon Tinuviel]

What do you mean, Heidi? Are you writing a story, an essay, a speech?

 

[HeidiL]

Oh, I'm not really asking for advice. It's just a topic to discuss, I'm just asking what you guys do to persuade. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[Lindon Tinuviel]

I don't really try to persuade. I'm sure that my viewpoints come through loud and clear, regardless, but I just try to tell stories.

Of course, if I'm badgering the Mods on a messageboard, well... the less said about that, the better.

 

[Tariel]

If you're writing to persuade, one of the best things to do is to anticipate what arguments and concerns the other person may have, and address them in your paper. Then, whenever your audience has something to complain about, your answer is right there--you already thought of it. It makes it a LOT harder to argue Of course, chances are you're not going to think of everything, but a successful persuasion piece covers at least most potential arguments.

 

[avatarblade2000]

I always explain an issue in one POV (ethically, or dominant opinion of it, or misconceptions of it, etc.) and then I always follow it up with a practical argument. If you look at a lot of the issues in this world that are sinful and against God, many of which make great reports and speeches for collegiate courses (homosexuality, abortion, pre-marital sex, etc.), you will find that most of them - sins - are impractical. Practicality is a common ground upon which all people stand, and whether it is a calling we are afraid to do (Christians) it grounds the issue in reality no matter what it is. This leaves little room for argument and/or debate, especially coupled with facts.

For example, in my abortion thesis, I showed facts concerning mothers who have gone through with the procedure and how they carried on afterward. It has been proven without a doubt that mothers who have gone through with abortions - every single one, mind you - has developed some sort of mental illness immediately afterward, however mild or severe. That fact, coupled with the other innumerable risks and side-effects, got me an A-.

Don't misunderstand me, I'm not gloating. I'm just a firm believer that God knows what's best for us, and that the things He presents us, most of which we write off as being hard, are infinitely more practical and easier in the long run than, say, being a pathetic liar for the rest of your life (believe me, I know) just to cover your shame, or a mistake. I think that once everyone realizes this, then everyone will have that same A+ ('scuse me, A-) attitude.