One common mistake made in a persuasive paper is taking one side to the extent that the writing becomes biased. How does a persuasive essay differ from a biased essay?
A persuasive essay and a biased essay are different in their approach and purpose. While a persuasive essay aims to present compelling arguments and evidence to persuade the reader to agree with a particular viewpoint, a biased essay takes a one-sided approach without considering opposing perspectives.
Here are some differences between a persuasive essay and a biased essay:
1. Balanced Presentation: A persuasive essay presents both sides of an argument and refutes counterarguments with strong evidence and reasoning. It acknowledges opposing viewpoints to provide a fair and balanced analysis. On the other hand, a biased essay ignores or dismisses opposing views and presents only one perspective, often with cherry-picked evidence.
2. Relevance of Evidence: In a persuasive essay, evidence is selected based on its credibility, reliability, and relevance to the topic. Multiple sources and different types of evidence are used to support arguments. In a biased essay, evidence is often selectively chosen to support a predetermined conclusion, leading to a narrow and inauthentic representation of the topic.
3. Logical Reasoning: Persuasive essays rely on logical reasoning to present arguments and counterarguments. The writer acknowledges potential weaknesses in their own arguments and addresses them through logical and rational explanations. A biased essay, on the other hand, lacks logical reasoning and tends to rely on emotion, personal opinion, or subjective bias to support its claims.
4. Audience Consideration: In a persuasive essay, the writer considers the needs and expectations of audiences with different perspectives and attempts to appeal to their reasoning. The goal is to engage the reader and provide a well-rounded analysis that can convince them to change their viewpoint. In contrast, a biased essay shows little consideration for opposing viewpoints and often disregards the audience's perspective, resulting in a limited or dismissive approach.
To avoid falling into the trap of a biased essay, it's crucial to conduct thorough research, consider multiple perspectives, anticipate counterarguments, and present a fair and balanced evaluation of the topic. By doing so, you can create a persuasive essay that respects differing viewpoints and promotes a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.