After the fall of Alexandria, a single book was pulled and saved from the library, because it contained a precious secret. Inside the well-kept pages, the author described and pointed to a touchstone, which was described as a smooth and perfect stone that had the ability to turn anything it touched into pure gold. The touchstone was hidden on the shores of a faraway lake, and it could be found and used to create great wealth, if the reader would only take the journey.
Many years passed and the book was lost among many stacks of books. Eventually, the book found its way to a used bookstore, where it was discovered by an old man. As he turned the now tattered pages, he realized that this stone could make him very rich and provide him with a chance at reclaiming his lost youth.
The man eagerly purchased the book and rushed home to study it further. He poured over maps until he located the lost lake. He then made plans to travel, eventually arriving on the shores of the lake where the lost touchstone could be found.
The book described how the touchstone lay hidden among many pebbles on the north shore of the lake. And while all the other pebbles on the shore would feel cold to the touch, the touchstone would feel hot to the touch, and that is how the seeker would find the precious stone.
The old man studied the shore and concluded that the best possible way for him to find the touchstone was to pick up each stone and carefully test them to discover if they were cold or hot. As he picked up each rock, rather than throw it back down on the shore, he would toss it out into the lake. He picked up a pebble. It was cold. He tossed it away. He picked up another. It too was cold. He tossed it away. This process went on until many days had passed. The old man would pick up a pebble, test it, then toss it away into the lake.
After many months had passed the shore was becoming bare of pebbles and yet the man continued to pick them up and toss them away. Eventually, he picked up a pebble. It was hot to the touch! And immediately, he tossed it into the lake.
The man had become accustomed to his routine; pick up a rock, feel it for hot or cold, and toss it away. So accustomed, that when he had located the precious stone, he tossed it away without any thought.
Persuasive writing requires a good tale. The reader must be engaged and motivated to listen. The writer must give the reader a reason to stay with the story. Small anecdotes and metaphors provide perfect vehicles for engaging readers and listeners. Hook them with a story, then move on to your persuasive argument.
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