Claim first, then evidence
A claim is what you want the reader to believe: "School should start later." The reader does not agree just because you said it. They need evidence: something they can check.
Using evidence the reader can check
- Fact with a number: "8 in 10 students slept more when school started 30 minutes later."
- Expert: "A sleep doctor says teenagers need 8 to 10 hours."
- Example: "In our class trial last month, fewer children came late."
Name the source and the year when you can. Use two or more kinds, because each one covers a gap the others leave. "Everyone knows it" is not evidence.
Anticipating objections
An objection is a reason the reader may give against your claim. Before you write, ask: what would a doubtful reader say? Write down two or three answers. For "school should start later" an objection is "Buses cannot change."
If you ignore objections, the reader keeps them in mind and doubts you. If you bring them up yourself, you look fair and confident.
Answering with a rebuttal
A rebuttal is your answer to the objection. Use a pattern: "Some people may say ..., but ...". Say the objection fairly, without making it silly. Then answer with evidence. Example: "Some people may say buses cannot change, but in two towns the buses ran in two shifts without extra cost."
If the objection is partly true, say so: "It is true that this costs something, but the cost is small compared to ..." That is honest, and honest writing persuades.
Try it
Pick a request you really want, such as a later bedtime on weekends. Write one claim, three pieces of evidence (a fact with a number, an expert such as a doctor, and an example), and the two objections your parents would raise. Write an answer to each. Read it to a friend and ask: "Did you agree? What would you still ask?" In the 3D, press the buttons to add evidence, objections and answers and watch the scale.
Key formulas and definitions
- Persuasion = Claim + Evidence + Answer to objections
- Evidence = fact with a number, expert words, real example
- Objection = what a doubtful reader may say against your claim
- Rebuttal pattern: "Some people may say ..., but ..."
- Unanswered objection weighs more than you think; answer it
Worked examples
1. Claim: "Our school should have a library hour." List one fact, one expert and one example you could use.
Fact: "In a survey of 100 students, 70 said they have no quiet place to read." Expert: "A teacher-librarian says daily reading builds vocabulary." Example: "Class 7 tried a reading hour for a month, and 20 more children borrowed books."
2. Claim: "Students should wear a uniform." Write an objection and a rebuttal.
Objection: "Uniforms take away freedom to choose." Rebuttal: "Some people may say that, but a uniform saves morning time and hides who is rich or poor. Students still choose their shoes, bags and hairstyle."
3. A writer states a claim and gives one strong fact, but ignores an obvious objection. What happens in the reader's mind and how can the writer fix it?
The reader keeps the objection in mind and does not fully agree. The writer fixes it by naming the objection fairly and answering it with evidence, which moves the scale back towards agreement.
Common mistakes
- Using strong words like "obviously" or "everyone knows" in place of evidence.
- Giving only one kind of evidence, so one weak spot loses the reader.
- Ignoring objections that the reader will certainly think of.
- Making the objection look silly, so the reader feels cheated.