Grammaropolis
The Writing Company · with the Mayor

Write to Persuade

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Write to Persuade

When you persuade, your reader is not sure yet. That is why you build.

An argument is a little bridge you build for your reader. Here is what holds it up.

  1. What I think
    Say it plainly. "I think..." One sentence.
  2. One reason, the pillar
    A pillar is a leg that holds the bridge up. Your reason is the pillar. Pick one your reader would nod at.
  3. One proof, the footing
    The footing sits under the pillar. Your proof is something real that happened, or a true fact.
  4. The far bank
    End by telling your reader what to do next.

Spend your tools

Your craft moves still help. Here they are, pointed at persuading.

Nelson portrait

Nelson · Specific nouns

A noun names a person, a place, a thing, or an idea. "Food" is fuzzy. "Cereal" is the real thing. Name the real thing.

I made some food. I made a bowl of cereal.

The Mayor portrait

The Mayor · Voice

I talk one way, and my friend Slang talks another. Both are real voices. Use the voice that fits your reader.

Dear reader, I shall now tell of my breakfast. Guess what I made this morning!

Connie portrait

Connie · Long and short sentences

A short sentence is quick. A long sentence takes its time. Try one of each, and let them take turns.

I got up and I got the bowl and I got the milk and I ate. I got up. Then I got the bowl, the milk, and my spoon.

The Mayor portrait

The Mayor · Beginning, middle, and end

Every story has three parts. The beginning opens the door. The middle is where something happens. The end tells how it felt.

Things happened, all mixed up. I wanted breakfast. The milk splashed. I felt proud.

The Persuade Plan

Same three moves as always. When you persuade, the plan is the Bridge.

The Mayor's Power Plan

  • Pick it. Choose something you really think.
  • Plan it. Set your pillar and its footing.
  • Pour it on. Write, and make your reason strong.

The Bridge

A bridge stands when the pillar holds, and the footing holds the pillar.

  1. Your claim spans the river: say what you think, plainly.
  2. Your reason is the pillar: one your reader will believe.
  3. Your pillar needs a footing of proof: something real.
  4. The far bank: tell the reader what to do.
Watch the Mayor plan it

Watch me build a little bridge from the cereal morning. What I think: kids can make their own breakfast.

Pick it. Kids can make their own breakfast. I think it, and I have one real morning to prove it.

Plan it.

  • My claim I think kids can make their own breakfast.
  • My pillar (one reason) Making it yourself helps you learn to do things on your own.
  • The footing (my proof) I made my own cereal. The milk splashed, and I fixed it all by myself.
  • The far bank Try it tomorrow morning. Start with cereal.

Pour it on. When I write it, I ask the bridge question: would my reader nod at this reason? One strong pillar with a real footing can carry a reader across.

Start the quiz →