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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: The power of persuasion
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingwor
kshop.org/).
Prepared by Ruth Douillette
Posted: Sunday, February 17, 2008
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character
tries to change
another person's mind or actions.
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To urge, influence, entice, impel, advise . . . to prevail on a person
to do something . .
. .
Call it persuasion, or call it nagging-- it depends on which side of
the conversation
you're on, but either way it involves using words and phrases with the
intent to
make your listener see things *your* way.
When it comes to persuading, we know that some words pack an emotional
wallop,
either positively or not. We also know that the way things are said
makes a
difference. We understand that appealing to the intellect or to vanity
may persuade.
Think of the techniques used in advertising, and think of ways you've
been
persuaded to change your point of view.
Then write a scene that shows someone using the power of words to try
change
another's mind or actions.
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene in which a character
tries to change
another person's mind or actions.
-------------------------
Critique by noting whether the words and phrases used are working
effectively to
persuade the listener.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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