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How to Inform and Argue

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How to inform and argue

interviews

essays

letters

newspaper articles

radio discussions

formal reports

chat shows

leaflets.

People inform and persuade through various forms of writing and speaking, in:

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Think about the following questions. Do you have an opinion on any of them?

1. Should parents be allowed to smack their own children?

2. Are CCTV cameras useful or invasive?

3. Should 16 year olds be allowed to vote?

Occasionally you will need to show that you can view an issue in more than one way. This can be difficult when you feel very strongly about the subject, but it is an important skill to learn.

Informative writing

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When you are asked to write informatively, this usually means you will have to accurately describe both the advantages and disadvantages of a particular situation, i.e. you will have to give a balanced analysis.

When you attempt to write an informative piece you will need to present an issue in such a way that it shows the ability to see a subject from more than one perspective.

Remember: there are always two sides to

every story!

Informative writing

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CCTV Cameras

CCTV cameras seem to be everywhere. But are they a protection or a plague?

If you are a driver, you’ll know how irritating the speed cameras are, positioned on nearly every major road in Britain to stop you going too fast. However, you’ll know how useful some cameras can be in preventing burglary and street crime.

In what ways does this writing try to present a balanced analysis of CCTV cameras?

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Should animals be kept in captivity?

YES NO

Your turn!

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Remember: try to hide your own views for now.

Using the extract on CCTV cameras and the list you have made, write an article which details both the advantages and disadvantages of zoos.

Should animals be kept in captivity?

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When you have an opinion to express, there are good and bad ways of arguing your case.

The most effective way to argue is by presenting your readers with a balanced analysis similar to the way you have been learning to write informatively. This shows that you know there are two sides to the argument and you are willing to take on board the views of others before coming to your own conclusions.

You will also need to give reasons for your conclusions; it is no good having an opinion if it cannot be explained.

Persuasive writing

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Read the extract below which presents a balanced view on the topic of credit cards. At present it is informative writing.

1. In what ways has the writer managed to present a balanced view?

2. How do you think readers will respond to this writing?

Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things which are beyond their immediate means. With a credit card, it is no longer necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash.

Of course they have their disadvantages. Many people come to rely on their credit cards and find themselves spending more than they can repay which results in huge debts with high interest rates.

Credit cards

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Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things which are beyond their means. With a credit card, it is no longer necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash but they cannot see their money being dwindled away.

Many vulnerable people come to rely on their credit cards and find themselves spending much more than they can ever afford to repay which results in huge debts with ridiculously high interest rates and serious stress for the poor naive shopper.

This writing can then be changed to reveal the writer’s own view.

What is the writer’s view? How can you tell?

Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things which are beyond their means. With a credit card, it is no longer necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash but they cannot see their money being dwindled away.

Many vulnerable people come to rely on their credit cards and find themselves spending much more than they can ever afford to repay. This results in huge debts with ridiculously high interest rates and serious stress for the poor naive shopper.

Credit cards

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Credit cards provide consumers with the funds

to buy those things which are beyond their immediate

means. With a credit card, it is no longer necessary for

shoppers to carry around large sums of cash.

Of course they have their disadvantages. Many

people come to rely on their credit cards and find

themselves spending more than they can repay which

results in huge debts with high interest rates.

Alter this extract again – convince readers that credit cards are useful and advantageous for shoppers. Use emotive language if possible.

Credit cards

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1. It is commonly accepted that animals are happier when out in wide open spaces.

2. Everyone knows that keeping animals in zoos improves their chances of survival.

3. No one can doubt that zoos are cruel places.

Other techniques are used by writers to produce arguments in writing.

Although the statements above present different opinions, they do so in a similar way. What have the sentences got in common and why might this help to persuade a reader?

1. It is commonly accepted that animals are happier when out in wide open spaces.

2. Everyone knows that keeping animals in zoos improves their chances of survival.

3. No one can doubt that zoos are cruel places.

Persuasive techniques

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1. What is the point in keeping animals caged up for the pleasure of humans?

2. If animals are so mistreated in zoos then why do they still remain so popular?

What is the purpose of these questions? Do you know what these types of questions are called?

Can you think of your own similar questions?

Persuasive techniques

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Activity

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Another way to persuade a reader is by giving factual information, that is, date, names and numbers, backed up by statistics. This makes it seems as though the writer is very knowledgeable.

The Audit Commission carried out its audit across 59 health authorities and 147 NHS Trusts. By 1st June this year, it had reviewed something like sixty per cent of those health authorities which commission CAMHS services and more than nine out of ten NHS Trusts which provide services at Tiers 2, 3 and 4 of the now widely accepted 4 Tier Model.

Can you pick out the factual information and statistics here?

Persuasive techniques

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Should you have to wear a school uniform?

Use some of the techniques you have learnt, to write a persuasive letter to your school governor.

Activity

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Quiz