Informative writing aims to present facts and explain a topic clearly, while persuasive text seeks to convince the reader to adopt a specific viewpoint or act on an issue. You will write a persuasive essay in ENG 190. The chart below shows some of the differences between the two types of writing.
Informative vs Persuasive Text
| Category | Informative Text | Persuasive Text |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To educate or explain a topic objectively | To convince the reader to adopt a viewpoint or take action |
| Tone | Neutral, objective, fact-based | Emotional, assertive, passionate, or urgent |
| Content | Facts, data, definitions, explanations | Arguments, opinions, emotional appeals, and rhetorical devices |
| Structure | Logical organization (intro, body, conclusion) | Includes claims, counterarguments, and persuasive techniques |
| Audience | Readers seeking knowledge or understanding | Readers who can be influenced or persuaded to agree or act |
| Language Features | Clear, precise, technical, or academic language | Persuasive language, rhetorical questions, strong adjectives, and figurative language |
| Type of Evidence | Statistics, research findings, expert quotes, appeal to reason | Anecdotes, emotional stories, selective facts, appeal to values & emotions |
| Genre | Textbooks, news articles, research reports | Advertisements, opinion pieces, speeches, debates, persuasive essays |
| Sample Text | The Amazon rainforest spans over 2 million square miles and is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. | We must act now to protect the Amazon rainforest, as its destruction threatens the region's biodiversity. |
Additional Resources
For more information about writing styles and purposes, check out the Introduction to Writing Styles Guide and The Persuasive Thesis vs the Informative/Explanatory Thesis Guide with Video.
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