Every day in life we encounter with persuasive writing. Weather is the radio announcer telling us why we should keep listening to his radio station, a magazine article about our favorite music artist, or even the president of the United States giving a speech on television, persuasive writing plays an important role in our everyday life. “The ability to communicate persuasively is an important managerial tool. Surveys of both students and employers underscore the importance of oral and written communication skills and persuasion to successful careers in business” (Stevens, B, 2005, p. 1). On her book she teaches students how to argue persuasively using evidence to support their assertion. “…Persuasive writing offers unique challenges in the corporate and journalistic worlds” (Vassallo, P, 2002 p. 1). On his book he offers helpful ideas for writers. “Using persuasive definitions and persuasive language generally to put a spin on an argument has often held to be suspicious, if not deceptive or even fallacious” (Walton, D, 2005, p. 1). On his book he shows how abusive as well as reasonable uses of persuasive language can properly be identified, analyzed and evaluated.
The author of The Car Accident: An Exercise in Persuasive Writing (Stevens, B. 2005) tells the importance to analyze the audience and the use of appropriate tone. The writer emphasizes on how difficult it is for some students to assume a role they have not yet experienced when they are given certain assignment to complete. She suggests a better approach; to use real-life situations that must be resolved in the course of everyday life. She gives ideas on how to analyze purpose and audience and to use theories of persuasion. She makes the writing interesting by giving a personal experience on how she had a car accident and how she used persuasive writing with the insurance company to get what she wanted. She shows how she did her research to have evidence about her argument. The writer then tells on how she created an assignment for the students based on her example and gives them an ample explanation on how to complete it. Then she goes on by telling how the students were enthusiastic about the assignment. The writer is completely confident on how her techniques help students learn more efficiently, and how persuasive writing will help the students with their everyday life.
The author of the book persuading powerfully: Tips for writing persuasive documents (Vasello, P. 2002) explains how journalist and corporations face challenges when writing persuasively, and gives helpful ideas for writers. He gives an explanation of different type’s readers and how to approach them. He explains how we need to keep in mind the readers concerns when we are writing. The author uses metaphorical words by saying we need to “arm” readers when strengthening their opinions inclined to favor our point of view, but who may lack sufficient information to support their position. He also writes about readers with limited knowledge on certain issues and how they represent a greater opportunity for writers because it is easier to persuade them. The author also states how we should not neglect readers inclined to oppose our viewpoint; because showing them a clear path to stability may encourage them to see things as we do. He then gets more specific by giving persuasive methods; telling the readers to create a powerful opening by using anecdote, quotation, intriguing questions, startling statistics, or threat/opportunity statement. He also gives an excellent advice on how not use rhetorical flaws and gives various examples with it.
This other author from the book Deceptive Arguments Containing Persuasive Language and Persuasive Definitions