Argumentative vs Persuasive Writing

Using a Variety of Persuasive and Argumentative Writing Technique

​Writing is probably the most difficult and uninteresting activity for most students, especially when they need to meet a certain number of word count for the write-ups that they need to submit. They are usually at a loss for words, or they struggle with organizing the information into a cohesive essay, probably due to not having read enough. But while writing may seem a challenging task or a difficult skill to master, its uses and benefits are vast.

There are different writing styles that are worth learning, and two of the most common are persuasive and argumentative writing. These two may seem similar; however, they differ in terms of purpose, tone, style among others. For instance, persuasive texts aim to convince readers to agree with the writer’s opinions or to act the way he wants them to, but an argumentative essay lets the readers choose which side to agree with​.

Open Ended

Study the word cloud and then copy five (5) words which are very much related to the concept of PERSUASIVE WRITING.

​Have you ever tried asking your parents for an increase in your allowance, or convincing your friends to do something for you? If you did and you succeeded, then you must have good persuasive skill and you can channel this skill into writing.

Persuasive writing is a type of writing that aims at convincing people to think, feel, or to act in the writer’s way. Persuasive texts may be in the form of essays in books, articles in newspapers and magazines, posters and, of course, advertisements. All these forms of persuasion try to get the readers to agree or to take an action.

​A persuasive writing usually contains: a) the writer’s opinion, which he/she wants the readers to accept; b) evidence or information to support the writer’s opinion; c) the action that the writer wants the readers to do.

Persuasive writing is so common that it seems easy to do, but the writing process is not as simple as just sharing an opinion. The writer needs to combine thorough research with good word choice in order to make his opinions believable and get the readers to agree with him. That is the ultimate goal, and this is why persuasive writing is powerful.

​Here are some of the effective and commonly used persuasive techniques used by writers to achieve their purpose.

1. Rhetorical Question. This is a question that is not intended to be answered. Instead, it is meant to state the obvious, or to challenge the readers and to make them think. For example: Wouldn’t you do everything to make your family happy?

2. Repetition. Repeating key words or phrases will likely make readers remember them.

3. Bandwagon. This is the technique that would convince a reader to believe in an idea because the majority or everybody else believes it’s true. For example: Nine out of 10 students got higher grades because of the modular learning setup.

4. Appeal to Emotion. The use of emotive language can help sway the readers to side with the writer or to do what he says. For example: Be thankful that you have more than what you need. Others children do not even have a roof above their head, but they study harder than anyone.

5. Appeal to Authority. The writer needs to establish himself as an authority in the topic he is writing about by using facts, figures, and other proofs that would support his opinions or claims.

Multiple Choice

Activity 3: Recognize Me?

Read the following paragraphs lifted from Marla Manlapig’s “What’s to blame for the low reading comprehension of the Filipino youth?” (CNN Philippines, April 21, 2020). Afterwards label each paragraph according to the parts of a persuasive writing.

1. “Our students do not know how to process the text,” opined Frederick Perez, current president of the Reading Association of the Philippines.

• Introduction

• Evidence

• Call to Action

Multiple Choice

2. The dismal performance of the Philippines in the 2018 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) sends the message that the country’s educational system need to take reading instruction seriously, particularly in upskilling teachers and developing effective materials for reading instructions.

• Introduction

• Evidence

• Call to Action

Multiple Choice

3. The PISA report also revealed that expenditure per student in the country is 90 percent lower than the global average, and this limited funding results in the absence of viable teaching materials. This hampers the ability of each student to learn and comprehend the materials presented.

• Introduction

• Evidence

• Call to Action

Multiple Choice

4. The reading problem is a national issue, so there has to be an immediate evaluation of the curriculum. Also, the government must consider allocating more funds to the education sector to make possible the training of teachers, as well as the creation and evaluation of teaching and learning materials

• Introduction

• Evidence

• Call to Action

Multiple Choice

5. Moreover, the Department of Education should develop materials that would introduce the learners to expository texts which deal with information. Filipino learners performed poorly in the PISA because the test is mostly made up of expository texts and calls for the processing of information, and they are not prepared for it.

• Introduction

• Evidence

• Call to Action

​Use Argumentative Writing Techniques

Multiple Choice

Activity 4: Right Where It Belongs

Identify where these elements are found in an argumentative essay by choosing the answer.

1. Background Information

• introduction

• body

• conclusion

Multiple Choice

2. Counterarguments

• introduction

• body

• conclusion

Multiple Choice

3. Reasons

• introduction

• body

• conclusion

Multiple Choice

4. Summary

• introduction

• body

• conclusion

​

​To make sure that the content of each paragraph has substance, here are some argumentative writing techniques or tips outlined from Sarikas (2019) and other sources:

1. Make your thesis crystal clear. Readers should be able to pinpoint immediate what your thesis statement is; otherwise, it would make your essay weak. Make it stand out by putting it in the first paragraph of your essay.

2. Use evidence to support your side. For every point that you make, make sure you have facts to back it up. This not only makes your essay stronger, but it also helps you build your authority or credibility as a writer.

3. Show why the other side is weak. The best argumentative essays are not that focuses only on their side but those that present opposing arguments and then countering them. This tells the reader that the writer has really considered all sides and found out which is better.

4. Use logical connectors. Knowing the right words or phrases to use plays an important part in making sure that all the contents of the essay are organized. Therefore, make sure to use where appropriate some logical connectors such as however, on the other hand, consequently, therefore, and so on.

​Activity 5: Mix and Match

Exercise further your critical thinking skill in this activity. Read the given thesis, and then choose from the table two valid and strong arguments and three accompanying evidences that would support the thesis

Activity 6: Table for Two

Complete the table by filling-in the missing information about persuasive and argumentative writing. Base your answers from the discussions in this module.​