Persuasive Writing

            HELLO EVERYONE 

Am here once again to share with you on another exciting writing genre that was explored in our LIT102 class. This week the writing train's next stop was at ......

Surely we are all aware as to what this type of writing is about and have engaged in it several times.

This short video below, will give you a brief reminder of it.

Simply put, persuasive writing is writing done with the main purpose of convincing someone to take the writers viewpoint on something or to get them to take action about something. More commonly in my opinion, it is the written form of our begs and appeals to get something we want. 

Sounds easy to do right? Especially the begging part, since most children/humans if not all , have that natural instinct to beg in one way or another. However, the act of persuading is not as easily done in writing as done orally, and because we ourselves often times have trouble with it, we have difficulties teaching it to our students who in turn have a very difficult time composing it.

Let us look at some of the aspects of Persuasive Writing that was explored, to help us with knowing what and how to teach our students this genre. 

Teach students the characteristics/features -It was noted that for a more effective and convincing argument, writers should:

👉 use a hook

👉 state a clear position

👉 support their viewpoint with facts, evidence and examples

👉 address alternative positions and refute arguments

👉 conclude with an appealing summary.

Teach students the Techniques (Persuasion vs Propaganda) - We are encouraged as teachers to teach our students these techniques that will assist them in mastering this genre and to warn or steer them from the use of propaganda (i.e.: underhanded techniques to distort, conceal and exaggerate facts) in their writing. 

Some Techniques to teach include: 

👉 reasoning  - where they can make logical generalizations and draw on cause and effects conclusions

👉trust of character - the reader can be more convinced if the writer is known to

have that personal knowledge, experience and expertise in that which they are writing.

👉Emotional appeal - the reader can be convinced once they sense the writer is

writing out of deep concern for their well-being or rights.

Teach our students to avoid such acts of Propaganda as the use of loaded words, double speaking and inflated language. 

You can check out the site below for more information on both techniques.

persuasion vs propaganda - they differ

Teach our students how to properly organize their persuasive writing. It would help them to realize that just like a story it is organized by beginning, middle and end and they should incorporate the use of transitional words to highlight the structure and point out counter arguments.  As with all other genre's the use of graphic organizers are critical for the effectiveness of persuasive writing.

Teach them through the use of technology and to use it in writing. Technology is a most critical tool in education right now for every concept and skill under the sun, and writing is no exception. There is a lot of help with this genre for both teachers and students online. We are urged to take advantage of such to make writing easier, more interactive and fun for our students. Below are few of the websites that are recommended quite useful to us all.

scholastic.com

readwritethink.com

readingrockets.com

As teachers, we should be aware of the different types of persuasive writing that we can engage our students in and  give them every opportunity to do so. Some types include: persuasive posters, flyers, letters, postcards, essays, speeches, banners etc. 

Some of the note worthy points I gleaned from our discussions were that:

1. Student's as young as kindergarteners can do persuasive writing. I will admit that to me, the words "persuasive writing" meant essays, speeches, letters and most of these complex writing we do in college, hence it was for students in grade six onwards. Anyone else with me? 👀👀👀.

The techniques alone had me scratching my head as to how I  was going to get my young students to integrate them in their writing.  However, I am reassured that while our young students can write persuasively, their ability to use these techniques effectively depend heavily on their age level and their overall writing abilities. They may be able to do some but not all at one time. It is our responsibility as teachers to teach them how to use them. This would make for another very interesting writers workshop doing so through the use of the writing process.

2. Persuasive writing is not just essays, speeches and those complexed writing pieces done at secondary and college levels. The little special occasion postcards, letters inviting their friends to places, banners to promote care for the environment are ways we engage our students in persuasive writing. 

3. Students must be taught this and the other genre's not just during that time mandated or specified by the curriculum for the grade they  are in, but in all grades. By waiting for such times to introduce or engage them in this or any another genre has very negative implications for them being successful in it. That I can attest to, as I struggle most with this genre than the others. It is imperative that we teachers give our students the opportunity to engage in this type of writing, especially as was mentioned before they are more natural at persuading than we think. If they can speak it, we should allow them opportunities to write it.

4. Persuasive writing can definitely be done in all other content areas by letting them create posters and flyers, write newsletters  promoting awareness of or warning of issues that they encounter in areas like health, social studies or science lessons. 

What I like about the way our discussions begin is the reading of the vignette from the text mentioned before in other blogs. It give us clear examples and better understanding as to what teaching these genres look like. I am also grateful for the opportunities given to practice my own writing through the course work assignments given, as I know this will help to sharpen my skills with my own writing. I feel better equip to teach this genre.

My recommendation for us teachers is to try as much as possible to promote this genre in our classrooms. I would also like to recommend that curriculum reviews be done promoting more teaching of these genres at all grade levels.

Thanks for tuning into this weeks blog, and remember to check out all the other posts in this blog  and leave your comments.