Perspective: A writer’s choice of perspective shapes how readers understand and engage with the issue. For instance, if the perspective is first-person, it provides a personal viewpoint, making the account seem intimate and credible. This directness can foster empathy, encouraging readers to trust the writer’s insights. Conversely, a third-person perspective can make the argument seem objective, as though presenting "facts" rather than a personal opinion, which can also build trust by appearing impartial.

Anecdotes: Incorporating anecdotes can serve as a powerful persuasive tool. By telling a relatable story, the writer allows readers to see the issue through a personal lens, making complex or abstract topics more accessible and grounded. This can also help the writer build a bridge to the reader’s emotions, reinforcing arguments by appealing to shared experiences. A well-placed anecdote can illustrate the impact of an issue more vividly than data alone, creating a memorable connection.

Language Choices: By choosing emotive language or rhetorical questions, the writer can guide the reader’s emotional response and provoke reflection. This strategy is key in persuasive writing, as it actively engages readers by involving them in the topic emotionally and intellectually, which enhances conviction.

Structural Elements: The way arguments are arranged can also play a role. For example, starting with a strong anecdote followed by evidence can hook the reader's attention initially and then convince them with logical support.

Anecdote as a Persuasive Tool:
Valentine begins with a personal story of navigating gender identity without supportive language, illustrating his struggles in an underfunded Baltimore high school. This anecdote provides both emotional and informative appeal, showing the profound impact of language on identity and mental health.

Contrast to Highlight Social Division:
Valentine contrasts his experience of lacking language with today’s diverse terms like "non-binary" and "they/them." This juxtaposition shows the progress in language inclusivity, highlighting how today’s language provides self-expression tools he didn’t have access to in his youth.

Addressing Opposing Views:
Acknowledging the critique that “political correctness” has gone too far, Valentine contextualizes inclusive language as essential, not optional. He counters the view of critics by framing inclusive language as a “lifeline” for those on society's margins.

Language as a Lifeline:
Valentine frames inclusive language as vital for survival and dignity, urging readers to see it as crucial for identity validation. Without such language, marginalized individuals lack a means to assert their identities.

Expansive Language for Growth:
Valentine describes terms like “gender neutral” and “they/them” as “glorious,” showing how language has grown to celebrate and empower diverse identities. This positioning encourages readers to see language as adaptable and inclusive.

Critique of Power Structures:
Valentine critiques the privilege inherent in opposition to inclusive language, highlighting how those in power often dominate this debate. This underscores language reform as essential for marginalized groups to challenge oppression and gain visibility.

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