writing

Essay #3: Persuasive Essay

Write a persuasive essay arguing a thesis. Make it 5-9 paragraphs, each line double-spaced. Your main idea is to be a debatable opinion. Use at least 2 citations from 2 journals. Employ the MLA method, for in-text citation and a Works Cited List. You may 1) persuade us something is a problem; 2) persuade us something many people consider a problem is not a problem after all; 3) argue for a solution to a problem; 4) as in Essay #2, you may persuade us of the TRUE cause(s) of a problem/situation or the TRUE effect(s) of a problem. The body shall consist of a series of reasons for your opinion, roughly, one reason per paragraph. Each paragraph should contain a topic sentence and supporting minor details: clear explanation, logic, examples, facts, statistics, citing a study, quoting an authority, illustration, firsthand experience, and other forms of support. At least one paragraph should deal with the opposing position.

Provide an introduction of one or two paragraphs which: 1) hooks our interest (an interesting little story, fact, statistic, or surprising statement); 2) provides a brief explanation of the issue/problem, including any definition and other background; and 3) thesis statement. Provide a brief conclusion paragraph of 2-3 sentences summing up and restating your thesis.

Part of your introduction should incorporate the Rogerian strategy, described on p. 530. At least one paragraph and the paper as a whole should 1) reflect an honest, sincere understanding of the opposing point of view; 2) indicate the common areas of agreement ([In an essay on banning college football]: “Even the most ardent college sports fans generally agree that academics should have priority over sports in the university.”) and valid points of the opposing view (“Supporters of football programs correctly point to the sense of cohesion it brings to the university community, as well as to the educative value it can provide.”); 3) indicate how your solution will benefit those of the opposing point of view (“Students, parents, and alumni can get their sports fix from other venues, like the NFL, and know that their money is going to support academics not the sports teams.”) Ideally, all or some of this will be an introductory paragraph, but some could also go elsewhere, including the conclusion.

Topic: Choose a topic. Lists of topics can be found by googling “sample argumentative essay topics“ and also the lists of cause/effects topics. Fill a full-size page. (You will be able to change topics later if you want.) (Ex.: goodessaytopics.com and http://www.sierra-arts.net/a-list-of-argument-essay-topics-make-your-choice-wisely.html ) Narrow your topic as much as possible. In class, we will discuss a way to narrow topics.

Prewriting: Do two prewritings (freewrite, cluster, brainstorm) to find a topic or to develop ideas for it.

Thesis Statement: Write your first tentative thesis statement, stating your topic and the specific opinion you will argue. (It can change at any time, and should be rewritten and refined as you go.)

Research: Find articles on your topic on the library website and read up on your topic, taking notes. Rewrite your thesis as your knowledge about your topic grows. As you take notes, record all the information you will need to do a works cited entry (See Ch. 18). Of course, you may continue to research and read in all stages of the process.

Outline: List all the reasons you can think of. These are your major supporting details. Then, do another prewriting, perhaps a brainstorm or cluster, to come up with all the minor sup. details you can think of.

Draft: Assemble your detailed outline, all your prewritings, and all your notes, and write the draft. In integrating (fitting in) your secondary sources into your draft, see the handout and Ch. 19. Getting feedback from other students, a tutor at the Writing Center, and the professor, Revise and then Proofread/edit to make the final draft.

The grade will be based upon all of the features of good writing and documentation we have studied up to this point: Thesis statement, organization (with outline) with clear, logical order of major supporting points with appropriate, persuasive minor supporting details (evidence); good paragraphs (topic sent., support, unity), transitions; smooth, clear sentences and correct, appropriate diction; accurate grammar, spelling and other mechanics; smooth, correct integration of (at least 2) secondary sources; accurate MLA documentation.