Goal
You’ll be able to structure a persuasive or argumentative point using genuine supporting reasoning, distinct from simply stating an opinion without justification.
Learn
Persuasive language genuinely goes beyond stating an opinion — it structures a claim with supporting reasoning and, ideally, addresses a likely counterargument:
I believe remote work should be more widely available, because it genuinely improves work-life balance and reduces commuting time. Some argue it hurts collaboration, but many teams have found effective ways to stay connected remotely. Notice this structure: a clear claim, genuine supporting reasoning (not just repeating the opinion), and acknowledgment of a counterargument followed by a response to it. This is genuinely more persuasive than simply stating Remote work should be more available without any supporting reasoning at all.
Useful persuasive/argumentative phrases: The evidence suggests…, This is supported by…, Critics might argue…, however…, It’s worth considering that… These phrases genuinely signal reasoned argumentation, distinct from simply asserting an opinion as if it were self-evidently true.
Decision Task
You want to argue that a policy should change, making your argument genuinely persuasive rather than just stating your opinion. Before reading on: what should you include beyond simply stating your opinion?
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Genuine supporting reasoning (why you hold this view) and, ideally, acknowledgment of a likely counterargument followed by a response to it. Simply stating This policy should change without any reasoning is far less persuasive than a structured argument that actually explains why and addresses likely objections.
Common Mistake
Stating an opinion as if it were self-evidently true, without providing genuine supporting reasoning or addressing likely counterarguments. This significantly weakens persuasive impact — a claim with real reasoning behind it, and awareness of the other side’s likely objection, is genuinely more convincing than an unsupported assertion.
Practice Questions
1. Write a persuasive claim with genuine supporting reasoning about any topic of your choice.
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Any correct example with a claim followed by “because” and a real reason.
2. Write a phrase that introduces a counterargument before responding to it.
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Any correct example, e.g. Critics might argue…, however…
3. Why is Remote work should be more available alone less persuasive than adding supporting reasoning?
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Without genuine reasoning, it’s just an unsupported assertion; supporting reasoning gives the audience an actual basis to be persuaded, not just told what to believe.
4. What does acknowledging a counterargument, then responding to it, add to a persuasive argument?
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It shows awareness of the other side’s likely objection and directly addresses it, making the overall argument genuinely more convincing and complete.
5. Name one useful phrase for introducing supporting evidence.
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Any of: The evidence suggests…, This is supported by…
Try It Yourself
Without looking back, write a short persuasive paragraph (2-3 sentences) on a topic of your choice, including a claim, supporting reasoning, and an acknowledged counterargument with a response.
This is an open, ungraded reflection exercise — there is no single correct answer to reveal.
Quick Check
1. What does persuasive language include, beyond simply stating an opinion?
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Genuine supporting reasoning, and ideally acknowledgment of a counterargument with a response.
2. Why is an unsupported opinion less persuasive than a reasoned argument?
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It gives the audience no actual basis to be convinced, just an assertion.
3. What does addressing a counterargument add to an argument?
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It shows awareness of objections and directly responds to them, strengthening the overall argument.
4. Name one useful phrase for introducing evidence.
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Any of: The evidence suggests…, This is supported by…
5. Name one useful phrase for introducing a counterargument.
Show Answer
Any of: Critics might argue…, however…; It’s worth considering that…