Appealing to the Audience
Writing Workshop - Research Based Argument Essay - Self Selected Topic - Lesson 5
Writing Workshop - Research Based Argument Essay - Self Selected Topic - Lesson 5
Today, you will focus on your audience and ways to specifically talk to them. You will also start to fill out your essay pillar.
Just as lawyers think carefully about the jury to whom they are presenting and tailor their arguments accordingly, writers of arguments think carefully about the audience for their writing and tailor it accordingly.
Let's look at some sample arguments and determine if they are a good way to address the audience.
The audience is a school principle.
Recess should be longer because it's fun for us to play. And we want to play for more time. So can it be longer, please?"
If recess were longer, kids could do the stuff that kids like to do, like play ball and run around and hang out with our friends, and stuff. You know, we deserve to have extra time 'cause we work so hard."
if kids had a longer recess time, we'd be more productive when we returned to the classroom. First, we'd get out all that pent-up energy we build up from sitting all day, and so we'd be able to concentrate on our work. Another think is recess is an important time to make friends, and when we have friends, we're happier in school. That helps us do better. And finally, sometimes we play games that involve reasoning skills -like capture the flag- so even though it looks like we're just playing, we're actually doing thinking that helps us in some subjects in school."
Which of these arguments focused on what their audience cares about? Which one is most likely to sway your audience?
Persuasive Techniques to Sway an Audience
Focus on what your audience cares about.
Show how your audience will benefit, telling several specific ways.
Use a confident, persuasive (not whiny) voice.
Make comparisons that emphasize your point/help your audience visualize.
Choose vocabulary that's just right for your audience.
As you fill out your essay pillar today, I hope that all of you will also think about the audience. Ask yourself what you can add to your draft that will angle it to get that group of people on board with what you believe.
Start filling out your essay pillar. You will not finish it today. Also, we have not discussed everything on the pillar, so if you come across something new that we have not done a lesson on yet, skip it for now.
When you are finished with the assignment, here is what you can do:
Just keep writing.
Keep adding seeds.
Add to a already started seed.
Decide to take a seed through the writer’s process.
Reread your writing.
Edit your writing.
Work with a writing partner (with permission).
NEVER say "I am finished"
You need to be writing for a minimum of 30 minutes.