AOP - Additional Persuasive Strategies Lesson

A good persuasive essay argues one side of a very narrow topic. Although the persuasive essay only addresses one side of the issue, the topic must be debatable. Simply put, the persuasive essay recognizes that there are multiple sides to every question, but only presents one side to the reader. Still, it's important to understand both sides of the debate in order to promote a viewpoint effectively.

Persuasion is generally an exercise in presenting a case that others find beneficial to agree with -- you make them an offer they can't refuse. Keeping in mind the fundamentals of Aristotle's rhetoric, consider techniques that can make your job easier and your case more compelling. Many of the strategies below relate to persuasive writing about a topic - but the general idea can also be universally applied to writing about literature.

Repetition. Make your point in several different ways - such as directly, using an example, use a quote from a famous person, etc.

Rhetorical Question. A question that is note meant to be answered, but meant instead to provoke thought.

Facts and Statistics. Incorporate concrete elements which lend proof to your argument.

Humor. Disarm an audience by providing a moment of comic relief related to your argument.

Comparisons. Relate your scenario or argument to something that the reader already accepts as true.

Address Objections. Refute counter-arguments or discuss alternatives,

Storytelling. Stories allow people to persuade themselves, and that's what it's really all about. Tell a good anecdote that relates to your argument and help others independently decide that your argument has merit.

Logical Fallacies to Avoid

Just as there are strategies that will strengthen an argument, it is important to be aware of what is called a logical fallacy. A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that will ultimately weaken the logic of an argument. Avoid making these errors in your writing. See general definitions of a sampling of fallacies below.

Hasty Generalization. A conclusion without enough or with irrelevant facts.

Slippery Slope. An assertion that some event must inevitably follow from another without any rational argument or demonstration to indicate a relationship.

Post hoc (false cause). Assuming that because something occurred after something else, that the first event is the cause.

Appeal to Authority. An attempt to strengthen an argument by appealing to a famous individual - the fallacy occurs if the famous individual in question has little to no expertise or influence on the matter.

Ad Hominem. An attack on the character or person, rather than an opinion or argument.

Red Herring. A tangent in the argument that misleads or distracts from the relevant issue.

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