How Does Language Persuade? As you read persuasive writing, you may find that some appeals are more persuasive than others.

• • Details Good writers use details to make appeals easier to understand. The writers of both of these sentences want you to save water:

  • A. Leaking faucets waste lots of water.

  • B. That little drip, drip, drip sends hundreds of gallons down the drain.

  Specific details bring the second sentence to life.

• • Word Choice Choosing the right words can make a difference:

  • A. Our school is too warm. We are hot in our classroom.

  • B. Our school is overheated. We roast in our classroom.

  Which sentence is more persuasive? Different words have shades of meaning that can strengthen or weaken an argument.

Practice Together

Improve Sentences Work with a partner. Suggest ways to improve each of the following sentences from “Soup for the Soul.”

• 1. Provide Details: “For one thing, you get to be creative.”

• 2. Word Choice: “I know that my aunt feels good about making the quality of people’s lives better.”

Try It!

Strengthen Writing Revise these sentences to make them more persuasive.

• 3. Word Choice: “I think working in a restaurant is a lot of fun.”

• 4. Provide Details: “The restaurant is a great space to relax and socialize.”

Restaurant work involves good communication.