Persuasive Writing

If you can think, you can write

I was going to name this post, "If you can talk, you can write," but that's not true. Just listen to some of the people around you. If we're going to be honest, they really should keep their mouths shut. I'm sure this doesn't apply to you, however.

Good writing is conversational in style. It should speak directly to the reader without the impediments of complicated words or sentence structure. It should be an honest, from-the-heart attempt to reach another person. Or at the very least, it should sound that way.

Good writing should sound like an informed, honest, reasonably smart person talking. It's really a monologue. If you can think in an orderly fashion, you can write.

Conversational standards, text messaging and e-mail -- not to mention semi-literate contemporary slang -- have degraded the spoken word. Many, many people take so many shortcuts in their communications that they cannot rely on their ears to tell them if their writing is effective. But I'm being an old crank. My audience requires standard English in a casual style. Perhaps yours wants to be asked, "Whassup, Dawg?"

Know who you're writing for, think through what you're going to say, and write in the language that your audience understands.

The Big Secret: How to Jump-Start Your Brain with a Thesaurus of Quotations

What if you just don't give a rip about your subject? What if the very thought of it is stupefying? How are you ever going to write about it?

By loading your brain with ideas. Other people's ideas. Great thoughts that have endured the ages. But be careful! Loading your brain does not mean stealing or plagiarizing. All I'm telling you to do is put good stuff in so that good stuff will come out.

Another writer taught me this. Get a good thesaurus of quotations. The one I like best is The International Thesaurus of Quotations by Rhoda Thomas Tripp. Of course it is out of print but Amazon offers used ones for $1.97 (as of this writing). There are others out there. What you want is one that is organized by ideas. For example, if I need to write yet another thing about the importance of education, I might load my brain by reading the sections on education, ignorance, employment, wisdom, etc. Read away -- but not so long that it turns into procrastination.

Then go take a shower or go for a walk, whatever relaxes you and lets your brain work things out on its own without your interference.

Now. Go back to your computer and start brainstorming. Do not look at the thesaurus again -- it is very easy to plagiarize by accident. Think back on what you've read and try looking at the same idea from a different angle. Keep messing with it until you have something.

Something. Anything. Once you get started, the ideas will flow faster than you can type them.

Oh! And if you decide to buy a book, how about do me a favor and buy it through this site. Thanks a bunch.

Look at things from the other side

Okay, you've got your notes or list of the reasons you chose your position. You believe in what you're trying to persuade other people to believe (if this is all new to you, scroll down to my first post).

If you haven't already, go do your research. What are the reasons behind your thinking? What are the facts behind your position? What makes you so sure you are right? Go to the library. Read everything you can find. Check on the Internet (note that not all information on the Internet is reliable). List your strongest points -- the things that really back up what you say.

For example: Kids who inhale spray paint can die from paint coating the lining of their lungs.

If you've got facts and figures and percentages, use that information, too, if the numbers are heavily in your favor.

Look at what you've got in front of you. How can anyone not be persuaded?

Easily. There's always another side.

That's what you're going to do next. If you had to make the counter-argument to your position, what would you say? What facts or information out there hurts your logic? There's always something.

For example:

Your position is: All U.S. children should be vaccinated for (fill in the blank) disease because this disease is fatal in 95 out of 100 cases.

The counter argument might be: (Fill in the blank) disease is a terrible disease. However, it is not very contagious and only twenty children in the U.S. contract this disease every year, and the vaccine for this disease causes developmental damage and sometimes death in a high number of children.

Think (and research) every possible counter-argument to yours. Make a list, leaving room for a second column. Now, spend some time thinking of believable, truth-based reasons why these counter-arguments are faulty. Write these reasons in the second column, refuting what is in the first column.

At this point, you should have a full understanding of both sides of the issue and should be able to write a persuasive paper (at least from the standpoint of understanding your subject and having sufficient knowledge) convincing your audience of either side of the issue.

Now here is where we get on shaky ground morally and ethically. Look at your list of counter-arguments. Which ones will people know intuitively? In other words, when people hear you state your position, what reasons do they already know or objections will they already have to what you are saying? These top-of-mind problems will need addressing. Get a separate sheet of paper and list these problems. In order to persuade people of your position, you will have to clear up these issues for them. You don't want to spend lots of time on these issues nor give them prominence, but they are questions that you will have to answer in some way, even if indirectly. Be careful that you don't over-emphasize these problems or you will be working against yourself.

Now, look at the rest of the list. Is there anything on there that would be unethical to leave out, even if it hurts you?  I hope you will keep your integrity and address these issues. In the best case, it will give you greater credibility because you put yourself and your argument at risk by including non-helpful or even hurtful information. In the worst case, well, at least you didn't lie.

As for the rest of the list of counter-arguments, know that these issues are out there but don't plan to include them in your piece. If you bring these things up, you are working for the other side. If no one is hurt by excluding this information, you're okay.

Another consideration is length. One way to be persuasive is not to bore your audience. Fully cover your subject, but be as brief as possible. That means you may not be able to include all the information you have, and in fact, it may be counter-productive.

You won't persuade anyone whom you have put to sleep.

Copyright 2007 by Anne Creed

If you believe what you're saying, you're halfway there

I started this blog because of the high volume of traffic I'm getting on my freelance writing web site, www.SuperWriter.com, for people desperate for help with persuasive writing. If you're looking for a professional writer to write something for you, please go to my web site for my contact information. I'll be glad to help.

If you're a student or someone who needs to write your persuasive piece yourself, well, then this blog is for you. I'll be glad to help. I won't write it for you. I write for pay and I'm not cheap.

Plus, it would be wrong for me to write it for you. Think how much better your life will be if you know how to write persuasively. This is a learning experience for you, and you may be surprised to learn how easy it is. You can do it!

I'm not heartless. I'm not going to leave you to your own panic. I'll help you through this. Just don't call me. Read my posts, buy the books I recommend and engage in discussions (comments sections) when you don't understand or have a suggestion for someone else.

First, calm down. Whether you simply don't think you can do it or you've waited too long to start, it really doesn't matter at this point. Your panic is not helping you.

So, get comfortable. Calm yourself down. Take some deep breaths. Give your hands something to fidget with, such as a cup of mint tea or a pencil. Now start thinking about your topic.

If you chose it yourself, jot down a few notes on just why you chose it. I hope one of those reasons is because you believe your topic or the point you need to make is true. If so, you're halfway there.

If you don't believe in your topic, you have two choices. If your persuasive writing piece will be used in the real world to talk people into thinking or doing something you don’t endorse, for heaven’s sake, don’t do it! You’ll hurt others – and yourself. Keep your integrity. Stand up for your convictions and don't write it. Don't talk anybody into something you don't believe is true.

Now, if you don't believe in it but what you believe isn’t important because this is an academic exercise or one designed to help you in some other way, keep going. How's your acting? What you're going to need to do is become an actor on the stage (or rather, on  your keyboard) and take on the role of a person who believes in your topic. Spend some time thinking about who this person is and why they believe as they do. Make this imaginary person someone you care about -- perhaps a family member or close friend. Feel for them. Step into their shoes and head. And then, believe their belief.

You're halfway there.

Copyright 2007 by Anne Creed