Teaching Persuasive Writing: Fundamentals, Exercises & Context

Introduction

Persuasive writing is a type of writing which seeks to convince an audience of a particular point of view. It can be used in many different contexts, from academic essay writing to marketing campaigns, and it requires strong research, argument construction and an awareness of the audience’s needs. In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of persuasive writing, as well as practical exercises to teach students how to craft effective arguments.

Fundamentals of Persuasive Writing

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of persuasive writing, it is important to lay down some groundwork. The two key elements in any persuasive writing are audience analysis and argument construction. Audience analysis involves understanding the needs and wants of the reader, while argument construction involves laying out the main points of the argument and backing them up with evidence.

Practical Exercises

Once the basics have been established, teachers can move onto practical exercises to help students hone their persuasive writing skills. One way to engage students in the process of persuasive writing is to provide them with real-world examples of persuasive texts, such as advertisements or political speeches, and ask them to identify the main argument being made and the evidence being used to support it. This can then be followed up with a discussion about which elements were most effective and why.

Another exercise which can be beneficial for students is to identify and address logical fallacies. Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning which can weaken an argument, and by helping students to recognise these and understand how to avoid them, they can build more robust and convincing arguments.

In addition, providing examples of effective persuasive writing can be a great way to get students thinking about how they can apply the techniques they have learned in their own work. For example, reading a persuasive essay written by a student at an advanced level and discussing the techniques used can be a great way to give students an insight into what makes an effective argument.

Finally, getting students to construct counterarguments is a great way to get them to think more deeply about their own arguments. By asking them to consider the other side of the argument and come up with ways to refute it, they can not only strengthen their own argument but also develop their critical thinking skills.

Using real-world applications is also a great way to practice persuasive writing skills. For example, having students write a letter to a local politician or an opinion piece for a newspaper can be a great way to get them to apply their knowledge and put their skills into practice.

Understanding the Importance of Context

Context is an essential component of persuasive writing, and it is important that students understand why context matters when crafting an argument. Context can shape the way an argument is received by the audience, and it can also affect the way an argument is framed and presented.

For example, a persuasive essay written for a college professor may require a different approach than one written for a local newspaper. Understanding the needs and wants of the audience and tailoring the argument accordingly is key to making an effective argument.

There are several strategies teachers can use to help students understand the importance of context in persuasive writing. For example, having students read persuasive texts from different contexts and discuss the differences in tone and structure can be a great way to demonstrate the importance of context. Additionally, having students create persuasive essays for different audiences can help them to develop an understanding of how to tailor their arguments accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, teaching persuasive writing involves understanding the fundamentals of persuasive writing, such as audience analysis and argument construction, as well as engaging students in practical exercises to hone their persuasive writing skills. It is also important to understand the importance of context and to provide students with strategies to help them understand how to tailor their arguments accordingly.

For further resources, teachers can refer to the following websites: The Purdue Online Writing Lab, The Writing Centre at Harvard University, and The University of Toronto Writing Centre.