persuasive writing

“I don’t know what I think until I see what I say.” -- E.M. Forster

By William Mares
Teacher, writer

What is persuasive writing? It’s about real issues in which you are using words (not clubs or looks) to get people to change their minds or actions. This is no mean feat when most people are set in their ways and opinions. Writing is about caring. Here are some thoughts on how to best write persuasively.

By Liz Matthews

You may have written a great thesis statement for your paper, but now your teacher tells you that you need to use examples — direct quotations from the book — to support your point. If this task seems overwhelming, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind.

Excerpted and edited from a 2005 YWP article
By Ed Darling
Teacher, South Burlington High School
Leader, National Writing Project, Vermont

• Look at examples from other writers before beginning your letter to the editor, minutes for a meeting, resolution, or other civic writing.

• Get feedback on your writing and be sure to edit before you send it out!
• Civic writing can be an important part of active citizenship and government participation. Improve your civic writing skills by practicing with the techniques below.

Excerpted and edited from a 2005 YWP article
By Elisabeth Arnold, Milton Junior/Senior High School, and
Nick Brooks, Williston Central School

Every day people make statements about who they are, what they believe and what they care about. Some people do it in private — a conversation with a close friend or an entry in a diary. Some do it in more public ways — speaking at town meeting or writing a letter.

Others express themselves in a common – and very public – way: with bumper stickers.