Composition

A persuasive essay:o presents your side of an arguable (has two sides)

issue while addressing opposing arguments.o uses evidence to support a position.o uses clear organization to present a logical

argument.o length: 5 paragraphs, 3-4 pages (double spaced),

including an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion.

o includes a minimum of 3 supporting reasons (develop each into a body paragraph).

Smoking should be banned—position

(Organize reasons from weakest to strongest). Reasons:

o It is too expensive.o Second-hand smoke harms those who are already

choosing not to smoke.o It’s harmful to the smoker’s health.

You must use at least 3 sources and cite them in the essay. One must be print:o Database articles (SIRS, Badgerlink, etc.)o Print sources (magazines, newspapers, journals,

pamphlets, books, etc.)o Personal interviewso NO WEBSITES ALLOWED AS SOURCES unless approved

by me (approval form).

Choose an issue that directly affects you in some way. o School dress codeo Teenage driving restrictionso School start timeso Hunting restrictionso Other ideas?

You must sign up for your topic and only one student per topic is allowed. Topics may not be re-used.

Consider your audience. o How can you appeal to your audience to make

them care about the topic?o Establish common ground with the audience. What

common beliefs, customs, ideas do you share with your audience?

o What does your audience know about your topic? Fill in necessary information and background.

Example: Thesis: Wisconsin should educate public school students in

single-sex classrooms. Who is my audience?

o People who attended co-ed public schools.o People who maynot think it’s necessary to educate the

genders separately. How can I appeal to my audience?

o Comfort – People may feel uncomfortable discussing certain topics or taking risks speaking in front of the opposite sex.

o Educational benefits – Single-sex classrooms would allow students to be in an environment where other people understand them from a gender viewpoint.

Build a strong case for your position by choosing the best methods of elaboration.

Consider these types of elaboration:o Facts: Information that is objective and can be proved

– names, dates, data, background info.o Statistics: Cite numbers that prove your position. Give

information that shows what percentage or how many.o Comparison: Show your readers how your topic

matches others they may already know.o Expert opinion: Cite outside sources who are experts

on your topic and whose opinion will strengthen your argument.

Once you have gathered sufficient supporting information and elaboration, organize it in a logical and persuasive format.o Introduction:

• Introduce your topic (hook).• Explain necessary background information, including

the controversy.• Establish common ground with your audience.• End with a strong thesis statement – your stand on the

issue.• NO QUESTIONS!

Body paragraphs:o Start with your weakest reason/argument first.o End with your strongest reason/argument.o Show and argue against opposing views (counter-argue)

immediately following the topic sentence• Use research to introduce the opposing view (paraphrase or

quote)• Use research (evidence) to argue against (your supporting

details) Conclusion

o Sum up each of your arguments (remind the reader).o Tell the reader what opinion they should reach as a

result of reading the essay (without saying you).

Why should you consider arguments against your position?o It can be a persuasive and disarming tactic:o It allows you to anticipate doubts and pre-empt

objections that a skeptical reader might have.o It presents you as the kind of person:

• who weighs alternatives before arguing for one• who confronts difficulties instead of sweeping them under

the rug• who is more interested in discovering the truth than

winning a point• who has conducted his/her research.

Choose topics that are not too broad, but are also not too narrow for a 3-4 page essay.

Too Broad More NarrowBullying Cyber bullyingGay marriage Gay rights in the militaryObesity School lunch programs

Overdone Topics Steroids in Sports Global Warming Stem Cell/Genetic Engineering Women’s Body Issues and

Media Eating Disorders Beauty pageants Plastic surgery Smoking bans Adoption Capital punishment Gambling Illegal Immigration Euthanasia Animal rights Cloning Drilling for Oil Nuclear weapons/energy Obesity

Outlawed Topics Legalizing Marijuana or

Drugs Abortion Alcohol/alcoholism Supernatural (ghosts, aliens,

life on other planets, etc.)

Visit SIRS Top 100 Issues

Break into 3-4 groups. Each group will be assigned a scenario. As a group, discuss what you would say to your parents in order to convince them of whatever the scenario calls for.

One member of each group will explain their group’s arguments.

There are three types of rhetorical appeals, or persuasive strategies, used in arguments to support claims and respond to opposing arguments. A good argument will generally use a combination of all three appeals to make its case.

Logos Pathos EthosThe appeal to reason The appeal to emotion The appeal of our good

character. Uses the audience’s sense of reason or logic through presentation of facts, examples, definitions, statistics, expert opinions, and research.

Uses the audience’s emotions and empathy by utilizing emotional examples and language, vivid descriptions, narratives of emotional events.

Uses the audience’s perception of the writer by utilizing language appropriate to audience and subject; fair presentation of facts; appropriate level of vocabulary; correct grammar. Convinces the audience that the speaker is reasonable, fair, moral, and authoritative.  

Were all of the arguments offered by the group effective?

Did the group use logical or emotional appeals? Both?

If the group has only used one form of argument, brainstorm other arguments that could fill the missing appeals tactic.