Learn the traits of powerful persuasive and opinion writing plus a quick strategy to help you harness that power to make your point and make it matter. Previous versions of this deck have amassed almost 16,500 views here on SlideShare! Thanks, folks!

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© 2020 by The Word Factory, LLC. All rights reserved.
Persuasive Writing
Capture the Power of Your Ideas

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Make your point.
Make it fast.
Make it matter.

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OBJECTIVES
• Understand traits
• Learn a quick strategy
• Identify channels
• Capture the power of our
ideas

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Writing that…
• Builds support
• Educates and informs
• Influences opinion & policy
• Changes minds & behaviors

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How do you describe effective
persuasive & opinion writing?

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TRAITS
• Grabs attention & piques interest
• Includes a clear call to action
• Shares enough facts & details
• Relates to the audience
• Presents a clear position or point of view
• Conveys just enough emotion
• Has a reasonable scope

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What frustrates you about
persuasive & opinion writing?

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This strategy eases the pain.

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People-Ideas-Goals Strategy©

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PEOPLE
• Who are you trying to reach?
• What are their questions?
• What are their objections?
• What are they afraid of or concerned
about?
• What voice resonates with them?
• What kind of person do they trust?

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People-Ideas-Goals Strategy©
Define your audience & voice

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IDEAS
• What’s the one most important idea?
• What do you need to support your idea?
• What information addresses questions,
fears and objections?
• What kind of details meets audience need:
Examples
Explanations
Evidence

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People-Ideas-Goals Strategy©
Outline ideas & details

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PURPOSE
• What do you want people to think?
• What do you want them to feel?
• What do you want them to do?
• What do you want to see happen after
someone has read, seen or heard your
piece?

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People-Ideas-Goals Strategy©
Establish your goals

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Let’s write!

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ORGANIZATION
• Main Idea, Support, Goals
• Question/Objection, Detail, Main Idea,
Support, Purpose
• Think/Feel, Details, Do
• Detail, Main Idea, Details, Purpose

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LTE REQUIREMENTS
These are general guidelines. Check the
specific requirements with your chosen
outlet.
• 250 - 300 words
• Preference given to local residents
• May ask for exclusivity

20. • Local, regional and national magazines,
newspapers & broadcast stations
• Podcasts
• Advocacy blogs & social accounts
• Live events
• Your own channels
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SHARE

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22. Downloadable packet on pre-writing and
drafting with the PIG, including examples:
bit.ly/Write2Advocate
General writing tips:
thewordfactory.com/our-blog
© 2020 by The Word Factory, LLC. All rights reserved.
For more information contact Margot Lester at margot@thewordfactory.com
MORE RESOURCES

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margot@thewordfactory.com
@word_factory
linkedin.com/in/margotlester
www.thewordfactory.com
© 2018 by Teaching That Makes Sense, Inc. All rights reserved.

24. © 2018 by Teaching That Makes Sense, Inc. All rights reserved. For more information contact Margot Lester at margot@thewordfactory.com