Opinion vs. Persuasion vs. Argument

Summary

This video explains the differences between opinion essays, persuasive essays, and argumentative essays. It compares them to siblings, with opinion being the youngest, persuasion in the middle, and argument as the oldest. Opinion simply shares personal feelings, persuasion uses emotional tactics to convince others, and argument relies on evidence and reasoning to change minds. The video clarifies that while they share some common traits, their primary difference lies in their goals and methods: opinions inform, persuasion persuades emotionally, and argument convinces through logic and evidence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Opinion, persuasion, and argument are closely related but serve different purposes.
• 😀 Opinion is the youngest brother in the family and only aims to share a personal feeling or view without trying to convince anyone.
• 😀 Persuasion is the middle brother, using emotional tactics to convince others to adopt a particular opinion or viewpoint.
• 😀 Argument is the oldest brother, primarily focused on using evidence and reasoning to support a position or claim.
• 😀 An opinion essay simply shares an opinion without backing it up with facts or evidence.
• 😀 Persuasion attempts to influence someone's emotions to change their perspective, often through appeals to feelings like guilt or love.
• 😀 An argument essay presents a well-supported claim backed by solid evidence and reasoning, with minimal emotional appeal.
• 😀 The goal of an opinion is just to express how someone feels about something, without trying to change anyone’s mind.
• 😀 The goal of persuasion is to change someone's mindset or behavior by appealing to emotions, such as guilt or love.
• 😀 The goal of an argument is to convince someone to agree with a claim through sound evidence and logical reasoning.
• 😀 While argumentation may include emotional appeal, its primary tool is solid reasoning and factual evidence.

Q & A

What is the main difference between an opinion essay and an argument essay?

An opinion essay primarily focuses on expressing a personal viewpoint without attempting to persuade others or using facts or evidence. In contrast, an argument essay presents a claim and supports it with evidence and reasoning, aiming to convince the reader of that claim.

How are opinion, persuasion, and argument related?

Opinion, persuasion, and argument are closely related, as they all deal with expressing viewpoints and attempting to influence others. However, they differ in their methods: opinion shares a personal view, persuasion seeks to change someone's mind through emotional appeal, and argument uses evidence and reasoning to support a claim.

What role does emotion play in persuasion?

In persuasion, emotion plays a significant role. The goal is to evoke feelings in the audience to influence their decisions or views. Emotional tactics, like guilt or appeal to personal values, are commonly used to persuade others.

How does persuasion differ from argumentation in terms of reasoning?

While persuasion can use emotional appeals and some reasoning, it does not primarily rely on evidence or logical reasoning. Argumentation, on the other hand, depends on solid evidence and reasoning to convince others.

Can you provide an example of how an opinion is expressed?

An example of an opinion is: 'Missouri is a great place to live because we have nice people and lots of fun stuff to do.' Here, the person is simply stating their personal view without attempting to convince anyone.

How does the argument genre incorporate persuasion?

An argument incorporates persuasion by using evidence and reasoning to make a case while also appealing to emotions in some cases. The goal is to convince the audience not only through facts but also by making an emotional connection.

What makes argumentation the most effective form of persuasion?

Argumentation is often the most effective form of persuasion because it relies on credible evidence and sound reasoning to support a claim. While emotions are used for impact, the strength of the argument lies in the logical foundation.

How does the structure of an argument differ from that of an opinion or persuasive piece?

An argument is structured around presenting a claim, supporting it with evidence, and logically persuading the audience. An opinion simply shares a personal belief, and a persuasive piece aims to change the audience’s mind mainly through emotional appeals.

What is the goal of an argument essay?

The goal of an argument essay is to present a claim, change the reader’s mind about that claim, and persuade them through the use of evidence and sound reasoning.

Why is evidence and reasoning so important in an argument?

Evidence and reasoning are crucial in an argument because they provide a logical and credible foundation for the claim being made. They help persuade the audience that the argument is well-supported and valid, rather than relying solely on emotions or opinions.