Persuasive/ Argumentative writing - O'Janpa Writing Slide Show.pdf · debatable issue and convincing a reader to accept ... argument and persuasion? ... Everything’s an Argument

Persuasive/Argumentative writing

▸ I can write arguments to support claims using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.◦ I can introduce precise claims, distinguish the claim from

opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.◦ I can develop claims and counterclaims fairly, providing

evidence for each.◦ I can use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and

clarity.◦ I can establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone.◦ I can provide a concluding statement or section.

Learning targets

** They are often used interchangeably.

ARGUMENT: Presents a version of truth. It is logic and reason based.

PERSUASION: Taking a position FOR or AGAINST a debatable issue and convincing a reader to accept your point of view on that issue. While there is logic involved, it also relies heavily on emotional appeals and author credibility.

What is the difference between argument and persuasion?

▸ "With its roots in orality, rhetoric has a bias for viewing audiences as particular. Aristotle said, ‘The persuasive is persuasive to someone.’ In contrast to rhetoric, writing has a bias for an abstract audience or generalized conception of audience. . . . For this reason, a particular audience can be persuaded, whereas the universal audience must be convinced; particular audiences can be approached by way of values, whereas the universal audience (which transcends partisan values) must be approached with facts, truths, and presumptions.” ~Miller & Charney

On Argument v. Persuasion

▸ In everyday life… Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a job, negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court

▸ In academic life… Defending your ideas, engaging intellectual debate

▸ On the job… Getting people to listen to your ideas, winning buy-in, getting your boss to notice, getting cooperation, moving people to action

▸ In writing… Irrefutably making your point, writing to be read

▸ In reading and listening… Critically evaluating other’s arguments, protecting yourself from unethical persuasive tactics, recognizing faulty reasoning when you see it.

Why are we doing this?

▸ Support a cause▸ Urge people to action▸ Make a change▸ Prove something wrong▸ Stir up sympathy▸ Create interest▸ Get people to agree with you

Persuasive writing can be used to…

▸ Claim – Your basic belief about a particular topic, issue, event, or idea

▸ Counterclaim – A solid and reasonable argument that opposes or disagrees with your

claim ▸ Rebuttal – A written or verbal response to a

counterclaim. The object of the rebuttal is to take into account the ideas presented in the counterclaim and explain why they aren’t persuasive enough, valid enough, or important enough to outweigh your own claim.

Key terms – let’s give an example of each!

▸ Support – Your specific facts or specific evidence used to support why your claim is true

▸ Refute – Argue against a position or prove it to be wrong

▸ Qualify – A “partly-agree” stance in which you agree (in part) with another person’s

argument or position but also disagree with part of it.

Key terms – let’s give an example of each!

▸ Pathos◦ Emotional appeal, intended to evoke emotion, even physical

responses◦ These kinds of

appeals are most often found in persuasive pieces, as argumentation is more about conviction than it is motivation to action

Kinds of appeals

▸ Ethos◦ Argument based on character/authority, the presentation

of self that a writer brings to an argument◦ Readers must buy into the

authority, credibility, integrity or motives of the writer◦ It’s about establishing an

identity and sharing values with the intended audience

Kinds of appeals

▸ Logos

◦ Appeals based on facts, logic, reason◦ Hard evidence: facts,

statistics, testimony, witness◦ Reason/common

sense◦ Sometimes lead to

logical fallacies, calling into question the fairness or accuracy of the argument being made

Kinds of appeals

▸ INTRODUCTION consisting of an interesting opener that funnels to a thesis (position) statement.

▸ CONCESSION consisting of the admission (counterclaim) and refutation of an opposing view.

▸ PRO paragraphs where your arguments are asserted and supported with evidence.

▸ CONCLUSION where the thesis is restated and the reader is left with something to think about.

Persuasive essay format:

1. Read your prompt or begin brainstorming topics ( Choose something that affects you personally!).

2. Pick a side and draft a thesis (position) statement. 3. Know your audience◦ Who do I need to convince?◦ What tone would best serve my purpose?

How do I start?

▸ Arguments need. . . ◦ An issue◦ An arguer◦ An audience◦ Common ground◦ A forum◦ Audience outcomes

◦ Arguments fail with. . . No disagreement or reason to argueRisky or trivial issuesDifficulty establishing common groundStandoffs or fights that result in negative outcomes

Topics

Preventing Bullying

Name calling

Texting bad names

Narrowing a topic

▸ It is a claim you are supporting throughout the course of your essay.

▸ Which of the following is a thesis statement for a persuasive piece?

▸ Parents, often too busy to watch television shows with their families, can monitor their children’s viewing habits with the aid of the V-chip.

▸ To help parents monitor their children’s viewing habits, the V-chip should be a required feature for television sets sold in the U.S.

▸ This paper will describe a V-chip and examine the uses of the V-chip in American-made television sets.

Thesis statement

In order to convince the reader, you need facts and examples to support your opinion. What can you do when you cannot research?

PLAN

Make sure you have the essential components to each paragraph:

INTRO: Interesting opening Thesis

CON: Opposing view (counterclaim) Refutation addressing that view

PLAN

PRO #1 &2: Assertion/ claim(Your first argument in support of your thesis) Evidence

Elaboration Evidence Elaboration

PLAN

CONCLUSION: Restatement of thesis Call to action

PLAN

DO▸ Remember that organization is key to

coherence and clarity.▸ Remember that your two main pro arguments

must be different from your refutation in the concession paragraph.

▸ Save your strongest argument for the second pro paragraph.

Drafting Do and Don’ts

DON’T:▸ Use first or second person pronouns.▸ Be wishy-washy.▸ Forget to support your opinions with facts

and examples.▸ Neglect the interest getting opener and

lasting impression.▸ Forget to be you!

Drafting Do & Don’ts

▸ Always begin with the thesis statement in mind. How can you get the reader there?◦ Riddle◦ Bold statement◦ Quotation◦ Interesting fact◦ Anecdote◦ Fact/statistic◦ Question◦ Setting a sceneSample intro

How do I start?

▸ Transition to an opposing view. What are people most likely to say in objection to my position?

▸ Once you’ve admitted an opposing view, you must refute it, belittle it, or accept it, but be sure to bring the reader back to your position.

▸ Sample CON▸ Step by step CON

Concession

▸ Follow the same structure we’ve been working on: assertion, example, elaboration.

▸ Step by Step PRO

Pro Paragraphs

▸ Begin by rewording your thesis.▸ Find a way to bring the reader back to your

opening thoughts or issue a call to action.▸ Sample conclusion

Conclusion

▸What do you care about?▸What pet peeves can you explore?

▸What issues directly affect you?

But it all begins with a topic…

▸ Adapted from Mike McGuire’s Com 101 class notes, MV Community College http://eps.ucsc.edu/

▸ www.scribd.com/doc/.../Argument-and-Persuasion-PP-by-Debbie-Dean

▸ http://rpdp.net/files/ccss/ELA/ELA_9-10_Curr_Res/Writing%209-10/Writing%20Standard%201%20(9-10).pdf

▸ Lunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiesicz, and Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument (with readings). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007. Print.

Works cited