Persuasive Writing: Examples and Tips for Nonfiction Writers

As a nonfiction writer, you know that your words have the power to influence and shape the opinions of your readers.

Whether you are writing a book, an article, or a report, your ultimate goal is to persuade your audience to adopt your perspective, believe in your ideas, or take action based on your recommendations.

In today’s world, where information overload is a common problem, the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively is more important than ever before.

Persuasive writing is a skill that can help you achieve your goals–by using language and rhetoric to appeal to your readers’ emotions, values, and beliefs, you can inspire opinion formation and motivate your audience to take action.

But what exactly is persuasive writing, and how can you use it to your advantage?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of persuasive writing and provide you with examples, tips, and strategies to help you become a more effective and persuasive writer.

From understanding your reader’s perspective to using evidence and statistics to support your argument, we will cover the essential elements of persuasive writing that every nonfiction writer should know.

The Power of Persuasion: How to Inspire Opinion Formation

The key to persuasive writing is understanding your reader’s perspective. You need to know what your readers care about, what motivates them, and what they believe in.

To do this, you can use emotional appeals and personal anecdotes to connect with your readers on a deeper level. By sharing your own experiences and feelings, you can create an emotional bond with your readers, making it easier for them to relate to your argument.

You can then introduce evidence and statistics to help support your argument and make it more convincing. Now, when using statistics, it’s important to use credible sources and to present the data in a way that is easy to understand.

Addressing potential counterarguments is also important because it shows that you have considered other points of view and can effectively refute them.

Sharing Your Opinion Effectively

When it comes to sharing your opinion effectively, make sure to write with clarity and conciseness.

Your argument should be easy to understand and your language should be accessible–avoid using technical jargon or complicated sentence structures that may confuse your reader.

Creating a strong and memorable opening statement is also essential. This statement should capture the reader’s attention and make them want to read more.

Using persuasive language and active voice will help you communicate your message more effectively.

Examples of Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is prevalent in numerous nonfiction books spanning a wide array of subjects and genres.

Some examples of persuasive writing in nonfiction books include:

• Political and social commentary: Books such as “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein, “The Audacity of Hope” by Barack Obama, or “The Righteous Mind” by Jonathan Haidt present arguments and perspectives on political or social issues, using persuasive language and evidence to sway readers’ opinions.
• Self-help and personal development: Books like “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, or “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle use persuasive storytelling and evidence-based arguments to convince readers of the value of certain techniques or approaches for self-improvement.
• Popular science and technology: Works such as “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell, “The Sixth Extinction” by Elizabeth Kolbert, or “The Singularity is Near” by Ray Kurzweil present compelling arguments and analyses on scientific or technological topics, persuading readers to understand and appreciate the implications of these ideas.
• History and biography: Books like “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond, “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, or “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot use persuasive storytelling and historical analysis to convince readers of the significance of specific events or individuals.
• Business and finance: Works such as “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, or “Good to Great” by Jim Collins utilize persuasive writing to argue for specific strategies or principles in business, finance, or entrepreneurship.
• Health and wellness: Books like “The China Study” by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, or “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker present persuasive arguments and evidence in favor of particular health practices, diets, or lifestyles.
• Environmental and sustainability issues: Works such as “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson, “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore, or “This Changes Everything” by Naomi Klein utilize persuasive language and evidence to raise awareness and inspire action on environmental or sustainability issues.

The above examples showcase how you can use persuasive writing to convey compelling arguments, shape opinions, and inspire readers to take action or embrace your viewpoint.

How to Incorporate Persuasive Writing into Your Work

Below are ten tips to help you develop your nonfiction persuasive writing muscle:

• Identify your purpose and audience: Before you start writing, determine the goal of your persuasive piece and understand who your target audience is. This will help you tailor your writing to resonate with your readers and achieve the desired outcome.
• Conduct thorough research: Gather relevant evidence, data, and examples to support your argument. Use reputable sources and ensure that the information you present is accurate and up-to-date.
• Create a strong opening statement: Start your piece with a captivating introduction that grabs your readers’ attention and presents your main argument. This sets the stage for the rest of your writing and encourages your audience to keep reading.
• Organize your argument: Structure your work logically, presenting your points in a clear and coherent manner. Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make your content easy to follow and understand.
• Use emotional appeals and personal anecdotes: Connect with your readers on an emotional level by sharing relatable stories and experiences. This helps to establish trust and rapport, making it easier for your audience to accept your argument.
• Provide evidence and statistics: Back up your claims with solid evidence, such as research findings, case studies, or expert opinions. Present your data in an easily digestible format, such as graphs or charts, to help your readers grasp the significance of your argument.
• Address counterarguments: Anticipate potential objections to your argument and address them in your writing. By acknowledging and refuting opposing viewpoints, you demonstrate that you have considered various perspectives and strengthen your own argument.
• Write with clarity and conciseness: Use simple, direct language and avoid jargon or overly complex sentence structures. Make your writing accessible to a wide range of readers, increasing the likelihood of persuading them.
• Employ persuasive language and active voice: Use powerful words and phrases that convey a sense of urgency and importance. Write in the active voice to make your message more dynamic and engaging.
• Revise and edit your work: Last but not least, carefully review your writing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Ensure that your argument flows smoothly and is easy to follow. Consider seeking feedback from trusted friends, colleagues, or an editor to help refine your work.

Conclusion

Persuasive writing is an essential skill for nonfiction writers who want to communicate their ideas effectively and make an impact on their readers.

By inspiring opinion formation and sharing your views in a way that resonates with your audience, you can persuade them to take action, adopt your perspective, or believe in your ideas.

Whether you’re writing a book, an article, or a report, the ability to write persuasively will help you achieve your goals and make a difference in the lives of your readers.

Harry Wallett is the Managing Director of Cascadia Author Services. He has a decade of experience as the Founder and Managing Director of Relay Publishing, which has sold over 3 million copies of books in all genres for its authors, and looks after a team of 50+ industry professionals working across the world.

Harry is inspired by the process of book creation and is passionate about the stories and characters behind the prose. He loves working with the writers and has shepherded 1000s of titles to publication over the years. He knows first-hand what it takes to not only create an unputdownable book, but also how to get it into the hands of the right readers for success.

Books are still one of the most powerful mediums to communicate ideas and establish indisputable authority in a field, boosting your reach and stature. But publishing isn’t a quick and easy process—nor should it be, or everyone would do it!