Do you want to learn how to write persuasive writing examples? If so, you’ve come to the right place! This blog post will discuss the three pillars of persuasion: ethos, logos, and pathos. Then, we will give you tips on using each one in your writing to create a powerful argument.
What is persuasive writing, and why do thriller writers use it?
Persuasive writing is defined as writing that attempts to convince the reader to agree with the author’s point of view. Thriller writers use persuasive writing techniques to create suspense and tension in their stories. By making readers feel like they need to take a side, thriller writers can keep them engaged in the story until the end.
How to write a persuasive opening for your thriller novel
A persuasive opening for your thriller novel can take many forms. For example, you might want to start with a bang by introducing your readers to a character in peril. Or, you might want to gradually build suspense by hinting at the danger that lies ahead.
Whatever approach you choose, remember that your goal is to make your readers want to turn the page and find out what happens next.
Persuasive writing examples for a thriller opening
Here are the first few paragraphs of best-selling author Dan Brown’s novel, Inferno:
“In the darkness, he could hear the muffled screams of men, women, and children. Somewhere close by, someone was weeping. A light breeze carried the sickening sweetness of burning flesh through the night air.”
Another example of a suspenseful opening for a thriller is: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This famous quote from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities immediately sets a tone of duality and intrigue, hinting at the conflict to come.
An excellent opening for a thriller is “In six months, the president will be dead.” This immediately grabs the reader’s attention and raises questions about who might kill the president and why. It also sets up high enough stakes to keep the reader turning pages.
Persuasive writing examples from popular thriller novels
– In Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, the reader is immediately introduced to a suspenseful situation: “Renowned curator Jacques Saunière staggered through the vaulted archway of the Louvre’s Grand Gallery, his body twisted by a paralyzing gunshot wound. Silently, he collapsed on the polished stone floor.”
– One great example of persuasive writing in a thriller is in the book The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. The narrator, Rachel, is unreliable and often drunk, so the reader constantly questions whether what she’s seeing is real. However, with Hawkin’s convincing descriptions and suspenseful writing, we’re still drawn in and rooting for her to figure things out.
– One of the most famous examples of persuasive writing is from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In this novel, Atticus Finch uses persuasive arguments to defend an African American man accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Finch’s argument is so successful that the jury finds the man not guilty.
The power of persuasion in creating suspense and tension in thrillers
One example of persuasive writing in a thriller is when the protagonist tries to convince someone else to help them with their plan. For instance, they might use emotional appeals or appeal to their sense of duty or morality.
In some cases, the protagonist might even threaten the other person if they don’t comply. Whatever method is used, the goal is to get the other person on board with whatever scheme the protagonist has cooked up.
Here are two examples of the power of persuasion:
Example 1
In the novel and movie adaptation of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist wrongly convicted of libel, hires Lisbeth Salander, a young woman with a photographic memory and an eidetic ability to recall detail.
Example 2
In Stephen King’s novel Misery, the protagonist is held captive by a crazed fan. King does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the story, often leaving readers wondering what will happen next. And it seems to work – Misery was nominated for several awards and remained one of King’s most popular novels.
How to use rhetorical devices to strengthen your persuasive writing
There are several rhetorical devices that you can use to strengthen your persuasive writing. Some of these devices include appeals to logic, emotion, and authority, using specific examples or data to support your argument, and employing rhetorical questions to engage the reader.
Here are a few key devices you can use in your persuasive writing to make it more convincing:
Use strong, concrete language that paints a clear picture in the reader’s mind
You can find a good example in the opening lines of Faulkner’s novel, The Sound and the Fury.
“Benjy was dragging his body through the weeds. He was thirty-three years old, and he would never be any different from what he was now.”
Faulkner successfully creates a vivid picture of Benjy and his condition in these few sentences. He doesn’t use flowery language or abstract concepts; he gets right to the point, showing us what Benjy looks like, how he moves, and what his life is like.
Use emotion to tap into the reader’s feelings
When you appeal to someone’s emotions, you can often sway their opinion more effectively than if you appeal to their logic and reason. Appeal to the reader’s feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, or love to get them on your side.
Make logical arguments supported by evidence
If you can back up your argument with credible sources or expert testimony, it will be much harder for the reader to dismiss your points. Show that you have done your research and are knowledgeable on the topic. Here are some good persuasive essay examples you can use as a reference, and here are some examples of the essay writing process.
One example could be a trial scene where the prosecutor tries to convince the jury that the defendant is guilty of the crime. He would use strong language and rhetoric to persuade them while providing evidence and facts to back up their argument.
Appeal to the reader’s sense of logic and reason
One example could be when the protagonist tries to convince the police that they are innocent. Another example could be when the antagonist tries to convince someone to commit a crime.
Use logical fallacies sparingly to avoid undermining your argument
Logical fallacies can be very persuasive, but they can make an argument seem weak or unconvincing if used too often. It’s important to use them sparingly so that your argument doesn’t lose its impact.
Be clear and concise in your writing
It’s also important to be clear and concise in your writing and use strong verbs and active language to convey your message. Using these devices can make a powerful case for your point of view and persuade the reader to agree with you.
Concluding thoughts on the use of persuasive writing in thrillers
Good thrillers use persuasive writing to keep the reader hooked and engaged in the story. A thrilling story can be utterly captivating by mixing up the pacing, keeping the suspense high, and providing twists and turns.
In addition, you can use persuasive writing to make readers feel like they are right there in action, experiencing everything firsthand. This creates an immersive reading experience that is hard to put down.
Conclusion
Persuasive writing is a powerful tool for thriller writers. You can use it to create suspense and tension in the reader while also driving the plot forward. Using rhetorical devices to strengthen your argument, you can create a compelling opening for your novel that will get readers hooked from the start.
Try practicing gentle persuasion on a friend and find out what works best.
If you’re working on your first novel and are looking for more help with your writing, please check out my other articles at https://ullahakanson.com/blog/
Best of luck with your writing!
Ulla