Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing

Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing - The Crucible

Know the difference

Argumentative writing/speaking

• attempts to convince the readers/listeners to agree with the writer/speaker

• but is based on logic and reasons

Persuasive writing/speaking

• attempts to convince the readers/listeners to agree with the writer/speaker

• by using emotions, personal ideas, etc.

Multiple Choice

Which one focuses on using logic and reason to convince the reader or listener?

• persuasive writing

• argumentative writing

Multiple Choice

Which one focuses on evoking emotions to convince the reader or listener?

• Argumentative writing

• Persuasive writing

Multiple Select

Which of the characters in the Crucible do you consider to be persuasive, as in they are able to convince others to do or believe things?

• Abigail

• Elizabeth Proctor

• John Proctor

• Reverend Parris

• Judge Danforth

Multiple Choice

Do you think Abigail uses more of a persuasive style (one based on emotions and personal opinions) or an argumentative style (one based on logic and reasoning)?

• persuasive

• argumentative

Multiple Choice

What is the emotion that Abigail typically evokes in order to persuade others to do or believe what she wants?

• Sadness

• Love

• Fear

• Sympathy

Poll

In the play, which character do you think has the most argumentative approach (based on logic and reasoning) during the witch trial?

• Giles Corey

• John Proctor

• Deputy Govenor Danforth

• Mary Warren

• Reverend Hale

Open Ended

Last year you learned some techniques for persuasive writing - what were they?

Techniques

Review some techniques

Use language to make the reader feel a specific emotion.

It is shameful and despicable that children have to live like this

Multiple Select

Which words evoke emotions in that example: It is shameful and despicable that children have to live like this. Two answers.

• live

• shameful

• children

• despicable

• have

Using words such as “you” or “your” to include the reader.

Address listeners and readers directly and ask them to reflect on their experiences.

Use of words such as “I” and “my”. This makes the reader feel they are getting to know the narrator.

Include personal anecdotes and stories

Multiple Choice

Look at what Rev. Hale says to Elizabeth: "Let you not mistake your duty as I mistook my own. I came into this village like a bridegroom to his beloved, bearing gifts of high religion; the very crowns of holy law I brought, and what I touched with my bright confidence, it died; and where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up." What is he trying to convince her to do?

• Confess to to witchcraft

• Tell her husband that he should give a false confession

• Tell her husband to die with his honor

Emphasising something as being much greater or much worse than it actually is.

"This is life or death." This is actually often used as part of a logical fallacy or The Slippery Slope Fallacy, making it seem that the other argument is opening the door to a slide towards the worst possible scenario.

Open Ended

Danforth, angered now: Reproach me not with the fear in the

country; there is fear in the country because there is a moving plot to topple Christ in the country!

What is Danforth exagerrating here?

•Using a commanding verb such as “Sit down and shut up!”

Imperatives are powerful, especially when accompanied by a change in tone.

Multiple Choice

Danforth, reaches out and holds her face, then: Look at me! To your

own knowledge, has John Proctor ever committed the crime of

lechery? In a crisis of indecision she cannot speak. Answer my

question! Is your husband a lecher!

How many times does Danforth use commanding verbs here?

• Once

• Twice

• Three times

• Four times

Using true statements to support your point.

You can also bring in expert opinions and quotes.

Multiple Choice

What techinque does Danforth use here?

Proctor: Mr. Hale—

Danforth: Be quiet!

Proctor, to hale: Do you see a bird?

Danforth: Be quiet!

• Personal anecdote

• Imperative

• Direct address

Humor

Using a joke when appropriate can ingratiate you to the reader/listener and make the situation more light-hearted. 

Using a word or phrase more than once for emphasis.

Repeat key terms and phrases

Open Ended

Danforth: These will be sufficient. Sit you down, children. Silently they sit. Your friend, Mary Warren, has given us a deposition. In which she swears that she never saw familiar spirits, apparitions, nor any manifest of the Devil. She claims as well that none of you have seen these things either. Slight pause. Now, children, this is a court of law. The law, based upon the Bible, and the Bible, writ by Almighty God, forbid the practice of witchcraft, and describe death as the penalty thereof. But likewise, children, the law and Bible damn all bearers of false witness. Slight pause.

Why does Danforth call up the bible so frequently here?

The Rule of 3

Three ideas, often adjectives, to add emphasis to a point. You can also do this when adding examples. Three examples is better than one.

Multiple Select

Which techniques does Abigail employ here?

Abigail: I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood

runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I

done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people—and this is my

reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned like a—

• Personal pronouns/anecdotes

• Rule of 3

• Addressing the listener with "you" or "your"

• Language that evokes emotions

• Using commanding verbs

Multiple Select

Which techniques does Danforth use here?

Danforth: No, old man, you have not hurt these people if they are of good conscience. But you must understand, sir, that a person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between. This is a sharp time, now, a precise time—we live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world. Now, by God’s grace, the shining sun is up, and them that fear not light will surely praise it. I hope you will be one of those.

• Repetition of key ideas

• Addressing your audience with "you" or "your"

• Rule of 3

• Exaggeration

• Humor

Poll

So, who do you think employs persuasive/argumentative techniques the best in the play?

• John Proctor

• Abigail

• Deputy Govenor Danforth

• Reverend Hale

• Reverend Parris