Writing to argue, persuade

Charles Dube, Highway to success

WE are living under the new normal which for now seems endless. As long as the majority of us are not adhering to the Covid-19 protocols it is very difficult to foresee a quick return to normalcy where learners will interface with their teachers. Meanwhile, time is moving fast and examination classes will have to sit for their examinations. This means somehow learning has to go on. This is briefly what drives this column to give a few hints which might help some learners cross the bridge of passing examinations.

You might be asked to write on various texts. Remember two weeks ago we reminded people on the importance of paragraphing their work. You might be asked to write the text for a speech, for example. Speech questions often ask you to argue or persuade. For example: “Write the text for a speech in which you persuade the local community to get more involved in conserving wetlands. This means that you can use a whole range of persuasive devices.

Here is a list of techniques you can use to argue. Make sure you use a few of them not necessarily all of them when you are writing to argue: emotive language, counter-arguments, repetition, rhetorical questions, the rule of three, generalisations, irony and satire, quoting authorities, personal anecdotes, facts and statics, flattery and exaggerations. Please do not bother using what you do not understand though I will briefly endeavour try to explain them.

Use emotive language to get through to your reader. Emotive language is language that provokes an emotional reaction in the reader, like anger, disgust or sadness. A tip on this one is that you can tell them some shocking or disturbing facts. You could also use contrasting adjectives. For example, one sentence given goes: these vile scientists use innocent, friendly and helpless rabbits in their experiments. The unfortunate creatures might otherwise be loved by a child in a kind home.

Note these three words: innocent, friendly and helpless. These build up a picture of the rabbit as a victim. Using three words together for effect is called the “rule of three”. Strong adjectives encourage the reader to see things in a certain light. In this description, the adjectives are used to provoke an emotional response. The reader will feel sorry for the rabbits and so will be encouraged to take the view that the scientists are evil.

I agree with the notion that all these persuasive techniques look intimidating in a big list like that, but do not worry — when you have practiced writing a few answers, using them will start to feel like easy stuff. There are different ways of persuading people — the one you choose depend on your purpose. Flattery gets you everywhere. A great way to persuade is to flatter your readers. If you compliment, they will think you have good taste, and will be more likely to agree with your other points.

Tell them how much you value them or that you know how intelligent they are. Also flatter the product or idea that you are trying to advertise. You can do this using “superlatives” — phrases that use the word “most” or words that have –est at the end. Use facts and statistics to prove your point. Aim to include some facts and statistics in your writing. You can make these up if you like, but make sure they sound realistic. They will make your argument more convincing.

60% of learners agree that homework keeps them ready for coming lessons. Facts are true. Opinions are what someone believes to be true, even if they are not. A great way to make your writing persuasive is by presenting your opinions as facts. This is called assertion. For example, one can say: This is a good school and it is clear that everyone who attends it will do very well. The phrase, “it is obvious . . .” makes it sound true even though it’s an opinion. The phrase “it is clear . . .” also makes the opinion sound like a fact. Statistics are a great way to back up your argument.

To make your argument sound convincing you can quote authorities to convince your audience. Quote people who would be expected to know about the subject. You could quote doctors, scientists or politicians. Again, you can make these up — just make sure they sound believable. Add generalisations to sound more convincing. Generalisations are sweeping statements about a subject. They are good way to sound forceful and convincing.

For example, most of the learners in this class feel that writing notes is pointless. Rhetorical questions are really persuasive. Rhetorical questions are questions that do need an answer. They are usually leading questions which encourage the audience to agree with the writer’s opinion. They are a really effective way to start a persuasive essay.

For example, you can write What can you do to help?

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