The Art of Persuasion

Using Quotes for SupportThesis: Renewable energy needs to be explored and utilized much more than it is today.

Solar power should play a much larger role on a global stage. The earth gets all of its energy from the sun; however, the human race has invested billions of dollars harvesting fossil fuels like gas and coal. According to renowned author and environmental activist Ralph Nader, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry doesn’t own the sun.” As Nader explains, solar energy would take profits away from the oil industry. As long as the oil companies control America’s energy use, solar energy will not be thoroughly investigated or utilized.

1) Make an OPINIONATED Claim

Solar power should play a much larger role on a global stage. The earth gets all of its energy from the sun; however, the human race has invested billions of dollars harvesting fossil fuels like gas and coal. According to renowned…

Your claim should be something that some people may disagree with—it should be something you have to PROVE by explaining yourself.

2) Set some support for yourself

Solar power should play a much larger role on a global stage. The earth gets all of its energy from the sun; however, the human race has invested billions of dollars harvesting fossil fuels like gas and coal. According to renowned author…

Think of it like setting a volleyball before a big spike, or speeding up before a ramp—you need to pull your audience in before you use your quote to prove your point.

3) Add your quote for support

The earth gets all of its energy from the sun; however, the human race has invested billions of dollars harvesting fossil fuels like gas and coal. According to renowned author and environmental activist Ralph Nader, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry doesn’t own the sun.” As Nader explains…

If you choose a QUALITY quote that CONNECTS with your big ideas, the quote speaks for itself. Let it do the work for you.

4) Connect the quote to your claim

According to renowned author and environmental activist Ralph Nader, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry doesn’t own the sun.” As Nader explains, solar energy would take profits away from the oil industry. As long as the oil companies control America’s energy use, solar energy will not be thoroughly investigated or utilized.

You need to make the connection for your audience. By making a solid connection between the quote and your ideas, you have more credibility.

5) Summarize the paragraph

According to renowned author and environmental activist Ralph Nader, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry doesn’t own the sun.” As Nader explains, solar energy would take profits away from the oil industry. As long as the oil companies control America’s energy use, solar energy will not be thoroughly investigated or utilized.

The last sentence of the paragraph should always connect the ideas from the paragraph with the thesis:

Renewable energy needs to be explored and utilized much more than it is today.

Remember…

* CLAIM* QUOTE

* CONNECT

1) Solar power should play a much larger role on a global stage. The earth gets all of its energy from the sun; however, the human race has invested billions of dollars harvesting fossil fuels like gas and coal.

2) According to renowned author and environmental activist Ralph Nader, “The use of solar energy has not been opened up because the oil industry doesn’t own the sun.”

3) As Nader explains, solar energy would take profits away from the oil industry. As long as the oil companies control America’s energy use, solar energy will not be thoroughly investigated or utilized.

Claim, Quote, Connect