This document discusses persuasive writing and some techniques used to convince readers. It explains that persuasive writing takes a position for or against an issue to get the reader to believe or do something. Some techniques discussed are loaded language, appealing to basic needs, bandwagon appeals, testimonials, and snob appeals - all of which try to connect the writer's message to the reader's emotions. The conclusion notes that emotional appeals can be effective but that readers should focus on facts over feelings to make better decisions about opinions.

1. •In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR
or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the
reader to believe or do something.
•Persuasive writing is often used in advertisements
to get the reader to buy a product. and other
types of writing to get the reader to accept a
point of view.
•In order to convince the reader you need more
than opinion; you need facts or examples to
back your opinion.

2. •Have a firm opinion that you want your
reader to accept.
•Begin with a grabber or hook to get the
reader’s attention.
•Offer evidence to support your opinion.
•Conclude with a restatement of what you
want the reader to do or believe.

3. • Begin with a clear statement of your
opinion or position.
• Support your position with organized
and relevant information (evidence).
• Anticipate and address the reader’s
concerns and counter-arguments.

4. Pro means you are for something.
Con means you are against something.
1. Begin with a clear statement of
opinion or position.

5. Is this statement FOR or AGAINST the use
of marijuana?
Sometimes I think it would be okay, but not
always, if people really wanted to legalize
marijuana, but you know, it is very harmful
to your brain cells, even more than alcohol
FOR? AGAINST?

6. FOR? AGAINST?
For several logical reasons, I do not think
marijuana should be legalized.

7. 2. Support your position with organized
and relevant evidence.
Which of the following most strongly supports the
idea that marijuana should not be legalized?
A. Marijuana damages brain cells that can never be
replaced.
B. Marijuana is addictive and often leads to the use of
even stronger, more addictive drugs.
C. Marijuana helps relieve severe pain that other
pain medicines can’t relieve.

8. C. is a counter-argument. A counter-argument is a
statement that someone who opposes your position
might make.
Restate these items so that the weaker argument
comes first, then the stronger argument, then the
counter-argument.
_A__ Marijuana damages brain cells that can never be
replaced.
_B_ Marijuana is addictive and often leads to the use of
even stronger, more addictive drugs.
_C__ Some argue that marijuana helps relieve severe
pain that other pain medicines can’t relieve. However, ….

9. 3. Anticipate and address the reader’s concerns
and counter-arguments.
The essay points are now organized with the strongest
argument after the weaker argument, and also includes a
counter-argument.
A. Marijuana is addictive and often leads to the use of even
stronger, more addictive drugs.
B. Marijuana damages brain cells that can never be
replaced.
C. Some argue that marijuana helps relieve severe pain that
other pain medicines can’t relieve. However, ….

10. How writers and advertisers use your feelings to get
you to agree with them.

11. Writers and advertisers
use many techniques
to convince you to
agree with them or
buy their product.
An emotional appeal
tries to make the
reader connect the
writer’s message with
an important
feeling.

12. Loaded Language
Basic Needs
Bandwagon
Testimonial
Snob Appeal

13. The loaded language
technique uses words
that cause a strong
feeling.
Once the reader is
feeling strongly, he or
she may be more likely
to agree with the writer.

14. When a mother reads
the word “Jahan
mamta wahan Dalda”
in this ad , what
emotion do you think
she will feel?
What could this
feeling make her want
to do?

15. The basic needs technique
tries to connect your need for
 Love
 Safety and security
 Convenience
 Health
 Money
to agreement with the writer’s
opinion.

16. This example came from an ad for safe and healthy
chicken. What basic need does it appeal to?

17. The bandwagon technique appeals
to the reader’s need to belong and
to do what everyone is doing.
Should you by a
product just because
it is the most
popular?

18. The testimonial technique uses
a famous person or someone
who looks like a normal, average
person.
The testimonial tries to connect
the writer’s opinion to the
reader’s feeling about this
person.

19.  Snob appeal is a technique
that uses the reader’s desire
to be better than others and
connects this feeling to the
writer’s opinion.
 Advertisers use
famous models to
sell clothing
because many
people want to look
as beautiful as the
model.

20. CONCLUSION
• Emotional appeal techniques can be
extremely effective in persuading the
reader to act on a feeling.
• As readers of persuasive writing, we
must learn to recognize emotional
appeals.
• If we focus on the facts instead of the
feelings, we will make a better decision
about the writer’s opinion.