Examples II

Fourth, you need to find some common ground with your audience. You want to show them that even though there are different positions, you have a similar goal in mind. You can also work to show your audience that you can persuade them to move toward your own point of view or argument, and they won't even have to conflict with their own position.

Wrong: "I deserve this raise, there is no other alternative."

Right: "I care about the financial success of this company and I would not be asking for a raise unless I thought I truly deserved it. With a raise I will be happier in my job and that will increase the productivity in my position, which can only help the company."

In the first example you do not find a common ground and you come off as argumentative. However, in the second example you again acknowledge that you care about the company as your boss does, and that you want the company to be successful, as they do. You feel the best way to make that happen is with you increasing your productivity.

Fifth, you want to put disclaimers into your persuasive argument. A disclaimer is a statement that presents your argument against your own position, while also explaining why that position is not correct. When you use a disclaimer, you have to make sure that you present the opposing view to yours with accuracy and respect. This will help you more than mocking the other side of the argument.

Wrong: "I deserve a raise even if the company is having financial trouble."

Right: "I know the company is having financial trouble, and that today is not the best time to be spending extra money, but I feel the time is right for me to get a raise. I have spent years in this position, even during high profit times without asking for a raise, and I feel now is the right time for me to ask."

In the first example, you acknowledge the other side of the argument, but you do not cite why you should be deserving of the raise. Instead you demand a raise even though the company is struggling. In the second example, you acknowledge that the company is in financial trouble and now is not the time to be spending money, but you follow that up by saying you have remained loyal and not asked for a raise even when everyone else did.

Sixth, you want to give your audience the ability to take action after reading your persuasive argument. There are many ways to do this, but you should make your action step as easy as possible, because people are often very busy and do not have the time to take everything into their own hands to do.

Wrong: Asking your boss to fill out the necessary forms so that you can have a raise.

Right: Talking to the accounting department and getting all the forms filled out so that all your boss has to do is sign the raise document and hand it back to you.

In the first example, you are putting too much work on the plate of your boss, who is most likely far too busy to be dealing with giving you a raise. In the second example you have already filled out everything for them, so that all they have to do is sign the document and hand it back to you the next time they see you. This makes it much easier for them to agree to what you want.

Lastly, you need to show the audience and your readers that you care deeply for what you are arguing for. If you do not care, then they will not care and you will lose your argument. You have to show passion because you need your audience to show passion as well.

Wrong: "A raise would be really nice."

Right: "I think a raise would impact my life for the better and make me a much happier person. I can see myself coming into work with a smile on my face, ready to earn my pay."

In the first example, you are not really showing any enthusiasm for your argument. However, in the second argument you are showing that you care deeply about getting a raise and even think that it will completely change your life. That is a big argument to make and it can prove to be very effective.

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