在論文寫作時(shí)，作者的目的就是通過影響讀者來使他們提出自己的觀點(diǎn)。這比起論證來說更難，論證包括舉出事實(shí)來證明論點(diǎn)。如同巧舌如簧的政客一樣，一篇成功的論文也可以在情感上影響到讀者。有說服力的演講者們并不一定要使讀者或聽者完全改變自己的觀點(diǎn)，而是以另一種不同的方式來考慮一個(gè)觀點(diǎn)或焦點(diǎn)。

While it's important to use credible arguments supported by facts, the persuasive writer wants to convince the reader or listener that his or her argument is not simply correct, but convincing as well.

使用以事實(shí)支撐的可信的論點(diǎn)十分重要，有說服力的作者想讓讀者或聽者相信，他們的觀點(diǎn)不單單是正確的，而且還是有說服力的。

There may be several different ways that you chose a topic for your persuasive essay. Your teacher may give you a prompt or a choice of several prompts. Or, you may have to come up with a topic, based on your own experience or the texts you've been studying. If you do have some choice in the topic selection, it's helpful if you select one that interests you and about which you already feel strongly.

你可以使用不同的方式來為你的論文選擇一個(gè)主題。你的老師可能會給你一個(gè)提示或可供選擇的方案?；蛘撸憧赡軙谀阕约旱慕?jīng)驗(yàn)或者正在學(xué)習(xí)的文本來提出一個(gè)主題。如果你可以選擇多個(gè)主題，你可以選擇一個(gè)自己感興趣和印象深刻的。

Another key factor to consider before you begin writing is the audience. If you're trying to persuade a roomful of teachers that homework is bad, for instance, you'll use a different set of arguments than you would if the audience was made up of high school students or parents.

在寫作之前，還有一個(gè)要考慮的要素就是觀眾了。如果你是想要讓在場的老師們明白留家庭作業(yè)不好，那么你就得采取一套面對高中學(xué)生或家長時(shí)截然不同的論據(jù)了。

Once you have the topic and have considered the audience, there are a few steps to prepare yourself before you begin writing your persuasive essay:

在你定下主題并考慮到觀眾之后，在開始論文寫作之前，還有幾個(gè)準(zhǔn)備步驟：

1.Brainstorm:Use whatever method of brainstorming works best for you. Write down your thoughts about the topic. Make sure you know where you stand on the issue. You can even try asking yourself some questions. Ideally, you'll try to ask yourself questions that could be used to refute your argument, or that could convince a reader of the opposite point of view.

頭腦風(fēng)暴：使用任何最適合你的頭腦風(fēng)暴方式。寫下你對主題的看法。確保明白自己所站的問題的立場。你甚至可以試著問自己一些問題。理想狀態(tài)下，你可以問一些對你的論點(diǎn)進(jìn)行反駁的問題，或者使持對立意見的讀者信服的問題。

If you don't think of the opposing point of view, chances are your instructor or a member of your audience will.

如果你不對相反意見進(jìn)行思考，你的指導(dǎo)者或觀眾就有可能進(jìn)行這項(xiàng)活動(dòng)。

2.Investigate:Talk to classmates, friends, and teachers about the topic. What do they think about it? The responses that you get from these people will give you a preview of how they would respond to your opinion. Talking out your ideas, and testing your opinions, is a good way to collect evidence. Try making your arguments out loud. Do you sound shrill and angry, or determined and self-assured? What you say is as important as how you say it.

調(diào)查：和同學(xué)、朋友和老師談?wù)剬χ黝}的認(rèn)識。他們是怎么認(rèn)為的？你從這些人那兒得到的反饋可以讓你預(yù)見他們對你的觀點(diǎn)的看法。說說你的想法，評估一下你的觀點(diǎn)是收集論據(jù)的好方法。試著大聲說出你的論點(diǎn)。你的聲音聽起來是尖銳憤怒的，還是果斷自信的？你所說的內(nèi)容和你表達(dá)的方式同樣重要。

3.Think:It may seem obvious, but you really have to think about how you are going to persuade your audience. Use a calm, reasoning tone. While persuasive essay writing is at its most basic an exercise in emotion, try not to choose words that are belittling to the opposing viewpoint, or that rely on insults. Explain to your reader why, despite the other side of the argument, your viewpoint is the "right," most logical one.

思考：這似乎是顯而易見的，但是你確實(shí)得想想自己應(yīng)該怎樣去說服觀眾。你得使用沉著、論證的語調(diào)。論文寫作從最基本上來說是情感的觸動(dòng)，不要用一些貶低對立觀點(diǎn)的詞語，或者一味地侮辱對方。向你的讀者解釋在對立觀點(diǎn)的存在下，為什么你的觀點(diǎn)是正確的，最符合邏輯的。

4.Find examples:There are many writers and speakers who offer compelling, persuasive arguments. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech is widely cited as one of the most persuasive arguments in American rhetoric.

尋找例子：有許許多多的作者和演講者提出引人注目、有說服力的論據(jù)。很多人將馬丁·路德·金的演講《我有一個(gè)夢想》作為美國修辭學(xué)中說服力最強(qiáng)的論據(jù)之一。

Eleanor Roosevelt's "The Struggle for Human Rights" is another example of a skilled writer trying to persuade an audience. But be careful: While you can emulate a certain writer's style, be careful not to stray too far into imitation. Be sure the words you're choosing are your own, not words that sound like they've come from a thesaurus (or worse, that they're someone else's words entirely).

埃莉諾·羅斯?！稙榱巳藱?quán)而奮斗》則是另外一個(gè)極富技巧的作者說服觀眾的例子。但是注意：當(dāng)你模仿某位作者的風(fēng)格時(shí)，要注意分寸。確保你所選用的詞語是自己想出來的，而不是那些聽起來像是從辭典里抄錄的（甚至是照搬某人的原文）。

5.Organize:In any paper that you write you should make sure that your points are well-organized and that your supporting ideas are clear, concise, and to the point. In persuasive writing, though, it is especially important that you use specific examples to illustrate your main points. Don't give your reader the impression that you are not educated on the issues related to your topic. Choose your words carefully.

組織語言：不管是寫作哪種類型的文本，你應(yīng)該確保自己的觀點(diǎn)是有條有理的，你的支持論點(diǎn)是清晰、簡潔和切題的。在論文寫作中，雖然使用具體的例子來闡述你的主要觀點(diǎn)很重要，但是不要讓你的讀者覺得你在關(guān)于主題的一些問題上不夠?qū)I(yè)。選詞需要謹(jǐn)慎。

6.Stick to the script:The best essays follow a simple set of rules: First, tell your reader what you're going to tell them. Then, tell them. Then, tell them what you've told them. Have a strong, concise thesis statement before you get past the second paragraph, because this is the clue to the reader or listener to sit up and pay attention.

忠于主題：最好的文章都遵循著一套簡單的規(guī)則：首先，讓你的讀者知道你準(zhǔn)備告訴他們什么。然后，向他們進(jìn)行闡述。然后告訴他們你說了什么話。在你進(jìn)行到第二段時(shí)，可以做一個(gè)簡短有力的觀點(diǎn)陳述，因?yàn)檫@是在提示讀者或聽者坐好并集中注意力。

7.Review and revise:If you know you're going to have more than one opportunity to present your essay, learn from audience or reader feedback, and continue to try to improve your work. A good argument can become a great one if properly fine-tuned.

回顧和修改：如果你知道自己有不止一次的機(jī)會來展示你的文章，你就可以從觀眾或讀者的反饋中進(jìn)行學(xué)習(xí)。如果調(diào)整合理，一篇好的論文可以變得更加出色。