Persuasive Writing:

Persuasive writing is writing where the writer presents his/her opinion and/or facts about a topic and tries to convince the reader to agree with an argument or act in a particular way.

Why do authors try to persuade their readers?

• To change someone's opinion
  
• To make money (advertisements)
  
• To support what they believe
  
• To get what they want
  
• To offer a solution to a problem
  

How/Where We Notice Persuasive Writing:

• It uses "I" Statements: I think, I believe, I feel
• It says "You": You should, you could, you ought to
• It shares opinions
• It has facts to support opinions
• It can be fiction or non-fiction
• It looks like an advertisement
• It could be a book or movie review
  

How do authors persuade their readers?

• Logical arguments - facts and information that makes sense
  
• Emotional appeal - make the audience feel something
  
• Use humor - be funny
  
• Scare someone
  
• Talk about their favorite things
  
• Use celebrities or important people to endorse their ideas/products
  

Words to Use:

In persuasive writing, word choice is very important.  The writer is not just writing facts.  He or she is writing them in such a way to get the reader to agree with him/her or choose his/her side over that of an opponent.  Words that are often used in persuasive writing:

• Want / I want to
  
• Need / You need to / I need you to
  
• Love / I would love it if you
  
• Let me / I promise
  
• In my opinion
  
• In fact / For example
  
• On the other hand
  
• I believe / My belief is
  
• Because / I think
  
• You should / I should / We could