Informing versus Persuading: Writing Two Different Ways

What's the Difference?

When you write, you usually have one main goal: either to inform someone (give them facts and information) or to persuade them (convince them to agree with your opinion or take action). These two goals need completely different writing styles.

Informing is like being a news reporter. You present facts, details, and evidence as fairly as possible. Persuading is more like being a lawyer in court—you're building an argument to win someone over to your side.

How Informative Writing Works

When you're informing, your job is to be neutral and objective. This means you don't show your personal feelings about the topic. You stick to the facts.

Informative writing uses: clear, straightforward language; a logical structure that's easy to follow; evidence and data that readers can check; and sentences that explain 'what happened' or 'how things work' rather than pushing an opinion.

How Persuasive Writing Works

When you're persuading, you're trying to make readers feel something or agree with you. Your tone can be passionate. You choose your words carefully to create an emotional connection.

Persuasive writing uses: strong, emotional language; rhetorical devices like repetition and rhetorical questions; carefully selected examples that support your argument; and appeals to the reader's values, fears, or desires.

Spotting the Difference

Here's how to tell them apart in real life:

An informative sentence: 'Research shows that 65% of teenagers get less than eight hours of sleep on school nights.'

A persuasive sentence: 'Teenagers desperately need more sleep—schools must start lessons later to protect young people's health and happiness.'

The informative version gives you a number and fact. The persuasive version uses words like 'desperately' and 'must' to make you agree that action should be taken.

Why Does This Matter?

Understanding the difference makes you a better reader and writer. When you read news or social media, you can spot when someone is informing versus persuading. When you write essays, reviews, or speeches, you can choose the right style for your audience and purpose.

Two Different Ways to Write

When you write, you want to do one of two things. You either want to tell people facts (inform). Or you want to make them agree with you (persuade).

These need different writing styles. It's like the difference between a scientist explaining how plants grow and a friend begging you to try their new game.

Informing: Just the Facts

When you inform, you tell the truth without your feelings in the way. You're like a reporter on the news.

You use: simple, clear words; real facts you can prove; and a fair view with no sides chosen.

Persuading: Getting People to Agree

When you persuade, you want people to feel what you feel. You want them to agree with you or do something.

You use: exciting, emotional words; examples that support your view; and ways to make people care about your opinion.

Real Examples

Informing: 'Bees visit 50 to 100 flowers to collect enough pollen to make honey.'

Persuading: 'We must protect bees—without them, our world would starve! Every garden should have flowers.'

The first is a fact. The second uses words like 'must' and 'starve' to make you care.

Why Learn This?

When you read things online or in news, you can spot when people are lying to you or hiding facts. When you write, you know which style to use for homework, letters, or stories.