Persuasive essay assignment
The primary purpose of a persuasive essay is to convince readers to think the way that you do about a subject. To accomplish this goal, you will have to establish a reasonable and thoughtful argument supporting a subject or a position you have regarding a particular topic.
First, read through the 3 attached articles that comment on a current controversial topic, and choose one that interests you. Once you’ve chosen an article, thoroughly annotate the article for the following:
First, read through the 3 attached articles that comment on a current controversial topic, and choose one that interests you. Once you’ve chosen an article, thoroughly annotate the article for the following:
- background information that identifies the problem/controversial topic
- facts and statistics that explain/prove the argument the author is creating
- alternative perspectives to the author’s (perhaps people who disagree with the author, people who believe something completely different, etc.)
- the proposed solution to the problem/controversial topic
Assignment: - Once you understand your article, you will develop your own argument regarding the problem/controversial topic in a persuasive/argument essay.
Essay Requirements: - 3rd person
- a strong thesis statement/claim that takes a stance on the problem/controversial topic
- include the use of ethos/pathos/logos to develop your argument
- address the counter-argument
- provide textual evidence (direct quotes and/or paraphrases cited correctly using MLA)
- 2-3 pages in length
- a properly formatted works cited page
pro/con chart
To begin, use the information in your article to develop a list of pros and cons for your topic. A “pro” is an idea that is for the topic, while a “con” is an idea against the topic (for example, if the topic is school uniforms, a pro might be the unity that is created by all students looking equal, while a con might be the loss of individuality since all students loo
Once you’ve completed the pro/con chart, the next step is to determine what you want to argue, which will be written as your thesis statement/claim. Remember that your thesis/claim cannot support multiple sides of the argument: you must pick a side and stick with that side throughout the entire essay!
When writing your thesis statement/claim, you will either defend the topic (as in support), challenge the topic (as in go against), or qualify the topic (as in provide a different perspective of the argument beyond the pros and cons).
Someone who is defending the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
All schools should adopt the use of school uniforms because it is better for the students’ emotional and physical welfare.
Someone who is challenging the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
Schools should not adopt the use of school uniforms because they would stifle the creativity of the students.
Someone who is qualifying the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
It would benefit the students’ emotional and physical welfare if only elementary schools, not middle or high schools, adopted school uniforms.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once you have written your thesis statement/claim, you will begin creating your argument. First, determine your audience. To whom are you writing or trying to persuade? If you’re arguing for school uniforms, it might make sense to address the people who can actually make uniforms happen, like the administration or the school board. If you’re arguing against school uniforms, it might make sense to address those directly impacted by uniforms: the students. Choose an audience that will both care about your topic and have the ability to do something about it.
When writing your thesis statement/claim, you will either defend the topic (as in support), challenge the topic (as in go against), or qualify the topic (as in provide a different perspective of the argument beyond the pros and cons).
Someone who is defending the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
All schools should adopt the use of school uniforms because it is better for the students’ emotional and physical welfare.
Someone who is challenging the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
Schools should not adopt the use of school uniforms because they would stifle the creativity of the students.
Someone who is qualifying the implementation of school uniforms might write the following claim:
It would benefit the students’ emotional and physical welfare if only elementary schools, not middle or high schools, adopted school uniforms.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Once you have written your thesis statement/claim, you will begin creating your argument. First, determine your audience. To whom are you writing or trying to persuade? If you’re arguing for school uniforms, it might make sense to address the people who can actually make uniforms happen, like the administration or the school board. If you’re arguing against school uniforms, it might make sense to address those directly impacted by uniforms: the students. Choose an audience that will both care about your topic and have the ability to do something about it.
organizing your essay
Organize your paper as follows:
Introduction: After your attention getter, provide useful background information about your topic. Perhaps include a story of a real person, or a scenario that better explains your issue. Narrow your focus and include your claim statement as your last sentence.
In your body paragraphs, you need to use the appeals we talked about in class: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. In addition to proving your point, you must address the counter argument in its own section; this helps you build on the appeals, especially ethos. Remember the rhetorical triangle and aim for balance in your essay. Channel Atticus Finch and “wow” your audience!
Conclusion: Leave your reader with a thought or message as a “clincher” to finish your essay.
Introduction: After your attention getter, provide useful background information about your topic. Perhaps include a story of a real person, or a scenario that better explains your issue. Narrow your focus and include your claim statement as your last sentence.
In your body paragraphs, you need to use the appeals we talked about in class: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. In addition to proving your point, you must address the counter argument in its own section; this helps you build on the appeals, especially ethos. Remember the rhetorical triangle and aim for balance in your essay. Channel Atticus Finch and “wow” your audience!
Conclusion: Leave your reader with a thought or message as a “clincher” to finish your essay.
articles
Choose ONE of the following articles for the basis of your essay. You may need to support your argument with additional research.
1. Illinois Sex Education: State Bans Abstinence-Only Sex Ed in a Victory For the Real World
2. Study Shows Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras
3. It's Time to Pay College Athletes
4. Pentagon Opens All Frontline Combat Jobs to Women
5. Year-Round Schooling: Why It's Time to Change
1. Illinois Sex Education: State Bans Abstinence-Only Sex Ed in a Victory For the Real World
2. Study Shows Less Violence, Fewer Complaints When Cops Wear Body Cameras
3. It's Time to Pay College Athletes
4. Pentagon Opens All Frontline Combat Jobs to Women
5. Year-Round Schooling: Why It's Time to Change