3.3 Writer's Workshop: Persuasive Letter

Remember, you learned this:

DELETE "I THINK" AND OTHER "I STATEMENTS".

These sentences became stronger because I-statements were removed.

I-statement examples are:

  • I think...
  • I believe...
  • I know...
  • I say...

Using I-statements makes your persuasive writing weaker because it highlights this information as your opinion. Also, by saying, "I think" or "I believe," it shows a level of uncertainty.  By cutting out I-statements, it makes your writing feel more like a fact. People are swayed more by facts than opinion.

Example: I think it is a good idea to read a book every day for at least 30 minutes.

Change to:

Example: It is a good idea to read a book every day for at least 30 minutes.

CHOOSE STRONG MODAL VERBS AND POWERFUL ADVERBS.

STRONG MODAL VERBS

Must and will show we are sure about our beliefs or that something has to happen. Could, might, can, and may are much weaker. 

POWERFUL ADVERBS

Possibly, perhaps, maybe, possibly, and definitely are all adverbs. They change the power of a verb in different ways.

If you want to be persuasive, make sure to cut out weak adverbs. It is better to just have a strong verb on its own. Definitely is definitely the best choice.

Revising your own writing:

Go through your letter.

  • Eliminate "I statements". 
  • Change weak modal verbs to strong modal verbs.
  • Change weak adverbs to powerful adverbs.