Excerpt from Preparing for Persuasion Carole Jenkins Persuasive writing tries to influence listeners or readers to accept a position on a distinct issue or to act in a certain way. This type of writing may include advertisements, editorials, speeches, letters, and articles in newspapers or magazines. Other types of writing are narrative, descriptive, and expository. Before attempting to gain support of others on a particular issue or course of action, you must have an awareness of the intended audience and a clear understanding of your opinion or position on the issue. What is the author's purpose in writing this passage