Effective persuasion relies on selecting and presenting information in such a way that your reader changes his opinion or is moved to action. Let’s go back and look at the issue of protecting our environment. Here is an opening paragraph. | Here s what you might have written. Cell phone use is being restricted in many places because it creates safety and courtesy problems. This is a simple statement of fact. On the other hand New Jersey should pass strict laws regulating the use of cell phones because they pose great safety risks and they ruin leisure-time activities. Do you see that the first thesis does not make a value judgment about cell phone use It simply says that cell phones are being restricted and will explain why. The second however will attempt to use the same information to move the reader to promote a specific change in New Jersey law. What is most important about the distinction between the two approaches is the way you use facts and details about your subject. Effective persuasion relies on selecting and presenting information in such a way that your reader changes his opinion or is moved to action. Let s go back and look at the issue of protecting our environment. Here is an opening paragraph which contains a thesis statement to persuade. We must take action to improve our environment by utilizing our resources more wisely. This can be achieved be reducing waste reusing items and recycling. By reducing solid waste and transforming solid waste materials into usable resources we can reduce air and water pollution and conserve energy. With this introductory paragraph the author has promised to tell us why and how we can accomplish his call to action which is reducing and or transforming solid waste. The introduction to a persuasive piece is extremely important because it should not only state the thesis but it should also include exactly what it is that you expect your reader to think or do at its conclusion. Now let s practice a little. Following are ten statements ready to be developed into persuasive thesis statements. Can you identify which ones are simple statements of fact and which ones are already persuasive Indicate with an I for informative and a P for persuasive 1. Capital .
