1. Persuasive/Editorial Writing Assignment
Writing for College
Persuasion: the act of convincing to induce action or belief.
Persuasive Writing convinces the reader that your view of a subject is valid.
Your entire argument and each solid point you make should be based on solid evidence.
Know your audience, engage their interest and utilize a strong voice!
Persuasive Editorials often:
o Use vivid examples that play on your emotion and that also make sense.
o Present both sides of the issue and illustrate how your opinion is logically the better
choice.
o Avoid being preachy.
o The tone is fair and balanced.
Types of Editorials:
o Editorials that Explain- An editorial that attempts to inform the reader about an issue,
as opposed to arguing a specific point of view. Opinions of the author are expressed in
the way that information or facts are presented in the article. The evidence used to prove
a point, therefore, expresses the opinion.
o Editorials that Evaluate- An editorial that evaluates focuses on an event or situation that
the author believes is wrong or needs to be improved. Criticism must be presented in a
constructive or positive way or you run the risk of losing your audience. Offering an
alternative solution to the problem or situation would be required in an editorial of this
nature.
o Editorials that Persuade- An editorial that persuades presents a specific solution to a
problem. This type of article demands that immediate action be taken to fix the situation.
An editorial of this nature would attempt to bring change in the policy of an organization
or nation.
Assignment:
• Choose a topic that you feel passionate about and begin the brainstorming process.
• Write a 500 word (minimum) persuasive editorial piece
• Essays must be typed in MLA format and be approximately 500 words in length.
Format:
• Introduction
o Hook
o Background
o Thesis
• Concession
o Strongest Argument Against your position
• Strong Argument
• Stronger Argument
• Strongest Argument
• Conclusion