Argumentative vs. Persuasive
What's the difference.
Argumentative and persuasive writing are both forms of communication that aim to convince the audience of a particular viewpoint or opinion. However, they differ in their approach and purpose. Argumentative writing focuses on presenting logical reasoning and evidence to support a claim, often engaging in a debate-like structure. It aims to persuade the reader by presenting a strong and well-reasoned argument. On the other hand, persuasive writing appeals to the emotions and values of the audience, using techniques such as storytelling and rhetoric to sway their opinion. It aims to convince the reader by appealing to their emotions and personal beliefs. While both forms of writing are effective in their own ways, argumentative writing relies more on facts and evidence, while persuasive writing relies on emotional appeal and personal connection.
Further Detail
Introduction.
When it comes to communication and expressing opinions, two common approaches are argumentative and persuasive. While both aim to convince others of a particular viewpoint, they differ in their strategies and techniques. In this article, we will explore the attributes of argumentative and persuasive communication styles, highlighting their similarities and differences.
Definition and Purpose
Argumentative communication involves presenting logical reasoning and evidence to support a specific claim or position. The primary goal is to engage in a rational debate, presenting facts and counterarguments to persuade the audience that the presented viewpoint is more valid than others. On the other hand, persuasive communication focuses on appealing to emotions, values, and beliefs to influence the audience's attitudes or behaviors. The purpose is to sway individuals by creating an emotional connection and tapping into their desires or fears.
Approach and Tone
In terms of approach, argumentative communication tends to be more formal and structured. It relies heavily on logical reasoning, critical thinking, and evidence-based support. The tone is often objective and impersonal, aiming to present a well-reasoned case. On the contrary, persuasive communication adopts a more personal and subjective tone. It often employs storytelling, rhetorical devices, and vivid language to evoke emotions and create a sense of connection with the audience.
Evidence and Support
Both argumentative and persuasive communication rely on evidence and support to strengthen their claims. However, the types of evidence used may differ. In argumentative communication, the focus is on empirical data, research findings, expert opinions, and logical deductions. The aim is to provide a solid foundation for the argument and counter any opposing viewpoints. In persuasive communication, anecdotal evidence, personal experiences, testimonials, and appeals to authority or popular opinion are often employed. The goal is to create relatability and establish credibility through emotional resonance.
Structure and Organization
Argumentative communication typically follows a clear and logical structure. It often begins with an introduction that presents the main claim, followed by body paragraphs that provide supporting evidence and counterarguments. Finally, a conclusion summarizes the main points and restates the claim. This structure helps the audience follow the line of reasoning and evaluate the presented arguments objectively. On the other hand, persuasive communication may adopt a more flexible structure. It often starts with an attention-grabbing introduction that captures the audience's interest. The body paragraphs focus on building an emotional connection and presenting persuasive techniques. The conclusion aims to leave a lasting impression and call the audience to action.
Audience Engagement
While both argumentative and persuasive communication aim to engage the audience, they do so in different ways. Argumentative communication relies on intellectual engagement, appealing to the audience's sense of reason and critical thinking. It encourages the audience to evaluate the presented evidence and make an informed decision. Persuasive communication, on the other hand, seeks to create an emotional bond with the audience. It aims to captivate their attention, trigger empathy, and tap into their values and desires. By establishing this emotional connection, persuasive communication can influence the audience's attitudes and behaviors more effectively.
Use in Different Contexts
Argumentative communication is often employed in academic settings, formal debates, and legal proceedings. Its emphasis on logical reasoning and evidence makes it suitable for situations where objectivity and rationality are valued. Persuasive communication, on the other hand, finds its place in advertising, marketing, political campaigns, and public speaking. Its ability to tap into emotions and create a personal connection makes it effective in influencing public opinion, consumer behavior, and decision-making processes.
While argumentative and persuasive communication share the goal of convincing others, they differ in their approach, tone, evidence, structure, and audience engagement. Argumentative communication relies on logical reasoning and evidence-based support, adopting a formal and structured approach. Persuasive communication, on the other hand, appeals to emotions and personal beliefs, using storytelling and vivid language to create a connection with the audience. Understanding the attributes of these communication styles can help individuals choose the most appropriate approach based on the context and desired outcome.
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Home » Language » Linguistic » Difference Between Argumentative and Persuasive Essay
Difference Between Argumentative and Persuasive Essay
Main difference – argumentative vs persuasive essay.
Persuasive essay and Argumentative essay are similar in nature and thus, often confused to be the same though there exists a difference between the two. In fact, Persuasive essay and Argumentative essay are two different types of essays, and the main difference between them is that the persuasive essay depends on opinions and emotions while an argumentative essay uses logic and reason. Let us first look at these two types of essays in detail and then move on to identify the differences between a persuasive essay and an argumentative essay.
What is an Argumentative Essay
An argumentative essay is a piece of writing that attempts to convince the readers that the author’s idea is true . This is a genre of writing that is used to defend or prove a point. A writer should do a thorough research; gather accurate facts and figures before writing an argumentative essay. This is more like a debate written on paper. While writing an argumentative essay, a writer should be aware of both pros and cons of the argument, and should try to discredit the opposing view by using evidence .
What is a Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay is a piece of writing that attempts to convince the readers to agree with author’s ideas. In this type of essay, the writer can use his own ideas, opinions and evoke the emotions in the reader in order to convince them to agree to his opinion . A writer of a persuasive essay needs to do research, gather evidence, but a clever writer can create a successful essay without knowing much. This is because; a persuasive writing appeals more to reader’s emotions rather than minds. In persuasive writing, the writer should have certain awareness about the audience . For example, opinions and ideas that could appeal to teenagers may not have the same effect on adults. First person narration and Second person narration (Ex: In my opinion, I believe, etc.,) are commonly used as the writer is addressing the audience directly.
As discussed before, argumentative essays are a genre of writing that attempts to convince the readers to accept the writer’s idea as true, by using statistics, facts and figures, etc. while persuasive essays are a genre of writing that attempts to convince the readers to agree with the writer, by using emotions, personal ideas, etc. In other words, an argumentative essay is based on logic and reasons while a persuasive essay is based on emotions and personal opinions. When it comes preparations, before writing an argumentative essay, the writer needs to do a thorough research on the subject but does not need to have the knowledge about the audience. On the other hand, the writer can write a persuasive essay even without doing much research, but he should have certain knowledge about the audience.
When we look at both types of essays in the perspective of the audience; an argumentative essay appeals to the minds of the readers whereas, a persuasive essay appeals to the hearts of the readers. Also, an argumentative essay acknowledges opposing views, but a persuasive essay may not acknowledge opposing views.
About the Author: Hasa
Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.
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