Journal -- Write about an issue that you feel very strongly about. It can be anything. You just have to be passionate about it.
Collect final drafts of narrative essay
Activity #2
Before we move onto the Persuasive essay, here is one final look at narrative writing.
Read in class: "The Bridge" by Jason Holland
What to look for -- If you are having a difficult time giving your reader a vivid picture of a scene in a personal narrative, you might try writing down as many adjectives and adverbs about various objects and people as you can associate with the place. After you have done this, then you can choose the most appropriate ones. That is what Jason Holland did when he was coming up with his descriptive essay about his adventures with his friends on a condemned bridge. As you read the essay look specifically at the detail he uses to enhance the essay.
Return to your journal:
1. Imagine that you are the narrator of "The Bridge." What "problems and fears" would you be leaving behind?
2. Holland describes the bridge as looking like "something from a surreal movie with a midnight atmosphere." Think about places you know that match that description and describe one of them.
Activity #3
Introduce Persuasive Essay -- from "Short Prose Reader"?
Introduce Persuasive Essay -- from "Short Prose Reader"?
"Thinking," said educator John Dewey, "is a problem-solving activity." It's a good thing, too, because we don't have to look very far to find problems to think about. People are suing one another, homelessness is increasing, health care is too expensive, children are taking guns to school, politicians are self-serving, sports have been tarnished by drugs and money, and violence against women continues. As you decide to write about controversy or problems, you will have plenty of subjects to choose from.
The Point of Argument and Persuasion
Your purpose in this type of writing is to encourage the readers to accept your point of view, solution, plan, or complaint as their own. Traditionally, the word persuasion refers to attempts to sway the readers' emotions, while the word argument refers to tactics that address the readers' logic.
Most convincing writing today mixes the two types of appeal. A personal testimony from a paraplegic accident victim pleading with readers to use their seat belts persuades through emotional identification. A list of statistics concerning injury rates before and after seat belt laws went into effect argues the point through rationality. A combination of the two tactics would probably be quite effective. In everyday language, persuasion means influence over the audience, whether emotional or rational.
The Principles of Argument and Persuasion
1. State the issue your essay will address, and put it in a context.
2. State your main point or thesis.
3. Provide well-developed evidence on your own side of the issue.
4. Respond to the opposing viewpoints.
5. Close by reminding your reader of your main point and the strength of your evidence.
The Pitfalls of Argument and Persuasion
Taking on too much -- it's important not to take on too much. Always consider moving the issue closer to home. For example, if someone in your family has been unemployed, you are probably equipped to write about the psychological effects of unemployment on the individual. If you have found yourself in terrifying and unnecessary credit card debt, you can probably write persuasively about uncontrolled consumerism. In these cases, you have credibility to discuss an issue.
In what other areas might you have credibility?
Mistaking the audience -- you want to reach the readers in the middle -- those who are undecided and might be swayed by your ideas. People with extreme opinions on either side are likely to be unmovable. The voice of sweet reason and a "we're in this together" attitude invite your readers to agree with you.
Logical fallacies (flaws in reasoning)
Overgeneralization --
Either or thinking -- Be sure that you don't present only two alternatives when more exist. National standards for mathematical achievement or our children will continue to fall behind other countries' children in math skills. There are many other options.
False Analogy -- (page 280 from "Short Prose Reader")
Faulty claims about causation -- (page 280)
What to Look for in Argument and Persuasion
1. Look for the specific issue being addressed
2. Examine the description of the issue
3. Observe the strategies -- Look for the use of examples, testimony, facts, statistics, and logical reasoning. How are objections dealt with?
4. Assess the proposed solution or point of view. Does the author offer a concrete plan? Were you persuaded by the argument?
Read Why Prisons Don't Work
Video on how to write a persuasive essay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiu32G73CQI
Persuasive Essay Assignment
Template handout
Persuasive Essay Outline
Homework: Read the first chapter of They Say I Say
Response to "Beauty" is due Friday.
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