5.5 Elements of Persuasion - Convincing Reasons

Learning Targets

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to say YES to the following questions.

• Can you understand the elements of persuasive writing?
• Can you identify the importance of these elements in creating quality persuasive writing?

Convincing Reasons

Persuasive writing needs to have convincing proof or evidence. If you are going to make a claim about someone or something -- you need to be able to back it up.

Simply saying that something is really good or that you like this person is not enough.

You should appeal to both the heart and mind of your audience.  You should make them FEEL a connection to your words and why your cause is important. You also want them to THINK that your reasons are logically sound.

 Go to your Persuasive Writing Journal and do Journal #6: Heart and Mind.

Emotional Appeal Is Powerful

Here is an example of a commercial that uses emotional appeal to draw in the viewer.

Appeal to the Heart

If you want to get to people's hearts, include examples, scenarios, and anecdotes (another word for short stories) that appeal to their emotions.

E.g. When giving a speech about the importance of cancer research, include a story about how doctors have saved a child's life due to new technology.

E.g. When talking about the dangers of drinking and driving, describe a scene of a police officer telling parents their child has died in a car accident.

You can ask questions that are personal and appeal to the audience's emotions.

E.g. Are you living up to your full potential? Have you tapped into all that you can be?

E.g.  Have you ever had to worry about your water? Did you ever have to worry if it was clean enough? If you could get enough?

Use language that will evoke emotions.

E.g. Imagine if we could travel the universe in the blink of an eye. What planets would we see? What alien species would we find?

E.g. We live in a developed nation, but poverty still exists in Canada. Think of the homeless people living on our streets. Think of children that come to school with tummies that rumble because there is no food in their fridge or on their shelves. Think of what you can do to change this.

Appeal to the Mind

Emotional appeals can draw people in, but their minds are still looking for the reasons behind your claims. They want proof. They will want to know the facts and hear your evidence before they will believe you.

Find quotes from well-respected experts in that field of study. Give statistics from the latest research on the topic. This kind of information will appeal to the logical mind.

E.g. A recent study by Harvard university has found that regular daily exercise can improve a person's mood. They recommend 35 minutes a day for at least five days out of the week.

E.g. Leading climatologist Jean Jouzel says it is not too late solve our climate change problems. But, he adds that we must act now.

Do the assignment, Heart & Mind.