Persuasive writing emphasizes the reader. Its primary aim is to influence others to take some action or

to bring about change. Persuasive writing may contain much information — facts, details, examples,

comparisons, statistics, or anecdotes. Its main purpose, however, is not simply to inform but to

persuade. This type of writing involves a clear awareness of what arguments might most affect the

audience being addressed. Writing persuasively also requires the use of critical thinking skills such as

analysis, inference, synthesis, and evaluation.

 

Persuasive writing is called for in a variety of situations. It may involve responding to a request for

advice by giving an opinion and providing sound reasons to support it. It may also involve presenting

an argument in such a way that a particular audience will find it convincing. When there is opposition,

persuasive writing may entail refuting arguments that are contrary to the writer's point of view.

In all persuasive writing, authors must choose the approach they will use. They may, for instance, use

emotional or logical appeals or an accommodating or demanding tone. Regardless of the situation or

approach, persuasive writers must be concerned with having a particular desired effect upon their

readers, beyond merely adding to knowledge of the topic presented.

 

Students are given 25 minutes (grades 6-8) to develop a composition based on the prompt.