Persuasive Text

Persuasive text has similarities and differences with other types of text. Like other types of text, a persuasive text has a purpose. The purpose is to convince the reader of something. It is structured so that the reader can follow along easily, but there is an emphasis on providing details and evidence to convince the reader to believe something or do something.

Today's lesson objective is:

• Students will be able to determine how an author structures a text to make it more manageable and efficient to read.

Think about a time when you tried to convince someone of something and the argument that you used. If you have attempted to convince someone else of something, then you have most likely used persuasive techniques. How can you tell

Instruction, Modeling and Student Activities

Persuasive texts are written for the purpose of presenting a point of view in favor or against a specific topic. The ultimate aim is to try to convince the reader to agree with your opinion, or take a certain course of action, by giving reasons and examples to support your ideas. Nonfiction is based on facts. Facts are information that can be proven true. However, nonfiction can also contain a writer’s opinion. An opinion is a personal belief, feelings or attitudes. When you read nonfiction it is important to be able to tell facts from opinions.

A Persuasive text is structured similar to other texts in that it has an introduction, body section that contains specific details, and a conclusion. Each part of the persuasive structure includes the following:
Introduction should:
– include a statement to give the author’s opinion
– preview important arguments
– engage the reader’s attention
Body should
– include a series of

When using persuasion, the writer first has a specific opinion on a topic, which is the writer’s belief or attitude. Next the writer makes an argument to try to convince, or persuade, readers that his or her opinion is the one that everyone should agree with and believe in. To be persuasive, you must make sense. Signs of persuasive techniques include:
• a clearly states opinion, or claim in the introduction section of the text structure
• logical reasons for opinion supported by relevant evidence in the body of the text structure
• an appeal to the interests and backgrounds of the audience throughout the entire structure of the text.

Watch for these signs of persuasion, but do not just accept the message as is. Check to make sure the writer is not playing with your emotions and using propaganda techniques. Propaganda techniques are appeals to your emotions rather than your common sense. Propaganda techniques are used to convince you to think, feel, or act in a certain way. We mostly see propaganda in advertisements but you ca see in other persuasive writings.

There are several types of propaganda. Here are seven most common types:
NAME-CALLING – links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. Examples: nerd, yuppie
GLITTERING GENERALITIES – use of virtue words; the opposite of