Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) Practice Test

What type of writing is intended to persuade others to adopt a certain viewpoint or take a specific action?

1. Descriptive writing

2. Narrative writing

3. Pantheistic writing

4. Persuasive writing

The correct answer is: Persuasive writing

Persuasive writing is designed specifically to convince readers to accept a particular viewpoint or to encourage them to take a specific action. This form of writing utilizes various rhetorical strategies and appeals, such as emotional (pathos), logical (logos), and ethical (ethos) appeals, to influence the audience's beliefs or behaviors. Persuasive writing is commonly found in advertisements, editorials, and opinion pieces, where the aim is to engage the audience and motivate them toward a preferred outcome. In contrast, descriptive writing focuses on creating a vivid picture through detailed observations, and narrative writing tells a story or recounts events, which may not necessarily aim to persuade. The term "pantheistic writing" appears to be less commonly recognized in this context, likely pertaining to topics surrounding belief systems rather than a writing style aimed at persuasion. Thus, persuasive writing stands out as the correct choice for this question, clearly aligning with the objective of influencing opinions or actions.