This document discusses how to organize an argument. It explains that an argument involves establishing a claim and proving it with logical reasoning, examples, and research. Organization is important as it guides the audience through the reasoning, offers a clear explanation of points, and demonstrates writer credibility. Key elements of an organized argument include a title to generate interest, an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences supporting main points and addressing opposition, and a conclusion that restates main ideas. Body paragraphs should build on introductory claims and be ordered logically. Effective arguments address opposing views tactfully to demonstrate credibility. Research should support topic sentences to prove the argument.
I\'m a <a href=\"http://www.essaywriters.net\">freelance writer</a> of any topic. I can write about anything under the sun that\'s why I\'m so called by my friends \"The Writing Machine\"
Teaching argumentative writing can help develop students' critical thinking skills through inferences, arguments, facts and critical analysis. This powerpoint presentation provides: a definition for argumentative writing; examples of everyday arguments; elements of argumentative writing; ideas about how to organise an argumentative essay; practice prompts and much more!
I\'m a <a href=\"http://www.essaywriters.net\">freelance writer</a> of any topic. I can write about anything under the sun that\'s why I\'m so called by my friends \"The Writing Machine\"
Teaching argumentative writing can help develop students' critical thinking skills through inferences, arguments, facts and critical analysis. This powerpoint presentation provides: a definition for argumentative writing; examples of everyday arguments; elements of argumentative writing; ideas about how to organise an argumentative essay; practice prompts and much more!
ENG 123 Assignment Two, Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric Draft O.docxLinaCovington707
ENG 123: Assignment Two, Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric Draft Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each and every one of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of what we should feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion. Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one's thoughts, and also the ability to change one's mind about a particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue utilizing researched facts and information. This also gives the chance to recognize that there is an opposing viewpoint to a position and to refute their argument, noting they are the intended audience of the piece. Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive essay. At this point in the course, if you have completed the previous milestone guided activities, the textboxes should be combined and transformed into a draft. This milestone will help you address the critical elements from Sections II - IV below, which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive essay. You have until the deadline to work on this draft. Whatever is completed by the deadline will be submitted to your instructor for grading and feedback. Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Introduction: This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the points that you planned out, while also stating your argument. A. Overview the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument. B. Compose an engaging thesis that states the argument that you will prove and support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction to your essay and should be well thought out. II. Body: The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way that is easy for readers to follow and understand. A. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the thesis argument as the essay progresses. B. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a right or wrong argument; the key is how it is supported and the quality of the evidence used. C. Address and refute any opposing viewpoints to your argument. This i.
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric 5.docxSALU18
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric
5-6 Draft
Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each and every one of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are
inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of what we should
feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of
persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue utilizing researched facts and information. This also gives the
chance to recognize that there is an opposing viewpoint to a position and to refute the opposing argument, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints
are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive essay. At this point in the course, if you have completed the previous milestone guided
activities, the text boxes should be combined and transformed into a draft. This milestone will help you address the critical elements from Sections I–III below,
which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive essay. You have until the deadline to work on this draft. Whatever is completed by the
deadline will be submitted to your instructor for grading and feedback.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your
information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the
points that you planned out, while also stating your argument.
A. Provides an overview of the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument.
B. Compose an engaging thesis that states the argument that you will prove and support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction
to your essay and should be well thought out.
II. Body
The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way
that is easy for readers to follow and understand.
A. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the
thesis argument as the essay progresses.
B. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a
right or wrong argument; the key is how it is support ...
13
Research and Persuasive Essay
Unit Three
Front Range Community College
ENG 122 Spring 2014
Caroline Daniel, Instructor
Table of Contents
Essay assignment ………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Tips for The Beast ………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Topics ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Calendars ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Essay Assignment - Research and Persuasive Essay Paper “The Beast”
This assignment will consist of each step in the writing process.
Brainstorming Due: ________________________________________________________
Outlining Due: ______________________________________________________________
Working Thesis Statement Due: __________________________________________
Argument Proposal Due: __________________________________________________
Portfolio/Annotated Bibliography Due: _________________________________
Rough Draft #1 Due: _______________________________________________________
Rough Draft #2 Due: _______________________________________________________
Conference Date and Time: _______________________________________________
Final Draft Due: December 8, 2014
Assignment: write a 10-page persuasive research paper on the topic of your choice. Your task is to present your opinion on an issue or problem in such a way that your presentation reveals your understanding and attempt to convince others of its efficacy. Unlike argument, the persuasive essay requires an audience, which will consist of your classmates and instructor. The Research and Persuasive Essay (RPE) calls upon the skills of analysis and synthesis, i.e. “breaking” the larger issue into smaller components and incorporating opinions and evidence from sources into your own argument. You will also be using the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting sources to substantiate and support your position. The subject must be controversial: this assignment requires you to take a position and defend it, and you must be able to address the opposition, i.e., the refutation.
Organization: The essay must follow the classical arrangement of persuasive discourse. Use this guideline while preparing your outline:
1. Introduction
Remain neutral
Remain general, no specific points
Generate reader interest
Avoid overuse of sources in the introduction
2. Background
Give overview of differing opinions
Define terms (if relevant)
Provide history (if relevant)
Provide overview of interest groups
Establish credibility or authority
Introduce thesis
3. Confirmation
Your points (1 idea or point per paragraph)
Support opinion with evidence and facts from sources
Comment on how sources prove or illustrate your position
Avoid using source material, especially quotations, as topic or transitional sentences
Think about transitional words and devices that will move the argument forward seamlessly and fluidly
3. Refutation
Identify opposition by name or title (A.C.L.U., the Catholic Church)
Fairly and acc.
English Language - Argumentative Writing Goh Bang Rui
Follow me now on slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/gohbangrui
These slides are used to explain the idea of writing an argumentative essay for English Language. Students are introduced to the concept of writing an argumentative essay and then expected to write a speech based on three appeals to the audience - logos, pathos and ethos. From there, they are to write an argumentative essay. These slides also explain the concept of evidence and its various examples.
If you have any feedback, please comment and like it if you find it useful.
ENG 123 Summative Assessment Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter
some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events. We are put
into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal tool for supporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the chance to
recognize an opposing viewpoint and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoint are the intended audience of the piece.
In this assignment, you will write a persuasive essay that makes an argument about a change or a current issue in your major, a major you are interested in
pursuing, or your field of work.
The project has one milestone, which will be submitted earlier in the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. This milestone will be
submitted in Module Five. The final submission is due in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Develop stylistically appropriate writing that incorporates strategies for writing to a given audience, subject, and purpose
Incorporate feedback from peer review for improving the quality and effectiveness of one’s own writing
Write informative introductions; coherent theses; well-developed, organized, and supported body paragraphs; and conclusions that are persuasive and
supported by effective research
Utilize appropriate research for developing a well-informed position through written composition
Prompt
For this essay, you will identify an issue in your current major, a major you are interested in pursuing, or your field of work. You will then establish an argument
and support that argument with research and relevant evidence.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction: This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all
of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of
the points that you planned out, while also stating your claim.
A. Provides an overview of the issue you have sele ...
Argument paperEnglish 1 Spring 2014 Argument Assignment Paper.docxrossskuddershamus
Argument paper/English 1 Spring 2014 Argument Assignment Paper.doc
PAGE
English 1: Argumentative Essay Assignment
The Assignment: Write a six-to-ten page argument paper that addresses a current issue that will address our theme of the impact of technology on communication on ourselves, on our world and on what it means to be human (Barrios, 583). The topic and the issue for this paper is the same as your exploratory paper assignment. The purpose of this paper is to present your position on the issue and then argue why by presenting your own reasons and evidence to support your thesis statement.
Locating Sources for Research. The purpose of the exploratory paper was to explore different writers and their position, their perspective, and the types of evidence they used in order to form your own position and perspective. You have three sources that you may use in your paper. For this paper, you must include a variety of sources; they cannot all come from Web sites. Search SMC’s library online catalog, search for a book, search online databases, find newspaper articles, use the search engine Google scholar at www.google.com, or www.yahoo.com . In addition, observations or experience from your personal life are not allowable. Refer to the following handouts: “Research Guide for Papers,” “Sources Acceptable for Academic Papers.” Both of these handouts are on eCompanion. If you include an article from a Website, there must be a date and a sponsor/publisher. If this is not available you cannot use this source.
Thesis Statement and Claim: Does your thesis clearly include a claim? Is it arguable? Does it take a perspective on an issue? Is it narrow and specific enough for the length of this assignment? Is it focused on one subject? Is it a claim of policy where you argue that certainpolicies should be changed? Is it a claim of value where you argue that some action, belief, or policy is morally wrong, good, or bad? Once your claim is clear, you must develop reasons that match and correspond to the type of claim being made.
Audience/Point of View: An effective argument is tailored to its audience. The reasons and the types of evidence you offer, the needs and values to which you appeal, terms defined, all depend on your audience and the type of claim. Ask: What does your audience know or not know about your topic? The audience is your instructor and classmates. Never assume that the audience is familiar with your topic or terms. You may need to include definitions and relevant details to help the audience understand your position in the first body paragraph. For this argument essay, you will use only the third-person point of view. No, “I” “We” or “You.”
Content/Body Paragraphs. For the length of this assignment, you should have at least three-to-four distinct and relevant reasons to support your thesis. Follow the guidelines for writing the argument paper when developing your reasons. Use the “because” clause approach.
THIS IS A SUBMISSION CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FINAL PAPERINTRODUCTIOGrazynaBroyles24
THIS IS A SUBMISSION CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FINAL PAPER
INTRODUCTION
_______ Do you have an overview of the issue you are writing about
________ Do you introduce the main points of this issue
________ Do you have an identifiable thesis statement that states your argument
________ Is it clear what your direction for the essay is
BODY
______ Do you have more than one body paragraph
______ Is it clear what each paragraph’s intent is
______ Do the paragraphs transition logically from one to the next
______ Do they clearly connect back to the thesis statement
______ Do they provide supported evidence for your claims with credible sources
______ Do all sources have a proper in-text-citation
______ Did you include opposing viewpoints to your argument
______ Do you refute these opposing viewpoints with evidence
CONCLUSION
______ Do you have a review of your argument
______ Do you have a summary of the main points you discussed in your body paragraphs
______ Did you discuss some new insight about your claims that follow logically from your argument (In other words, are you actually concluding something from your argument, and is it clear what that is)
RESEARCH MATERIALS
______ Have you added a cover page if you’re following APA formatting
______ Do you have a citation page
ARTICULATION OF RESPONSE
______ Have you checked the project one last time for any citation, grammar, spelling, or syntax error
ENG 123 Summative Assessment Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter
some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events. We are put
into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal tool for supporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the chance to
recognize an opposing viewpoint and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoint are the intended audience of the piece.
In this assignment, you will write a persuasive essay that makes an argument about a change or a current issue in your major, a major you are interested in
pursuing, or your field of work.
The project has one milestone, which will be submitted earlier in the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. This milestone will be
su ...
Module 7 Discussion Board Algebra1. What does it mean when s.docxmoirarandell
Module 7 Discussion Board Algebra
1. What does it mean when something grows or decays exponentially? How is that different then rising or falling linearly?
2. Give an example of a real life application of exponential growth or decay. Include the link to a website to show this.
Please answer as two different posts. You need three posts for full credit.
When you reply to others in the class, your replies should contain original thought and/or a follow up question.
Classical Argument
Persuasion and ArgumentPersuasion is the process of drawing conclusions and getting others to accept them and act upon them.Argumentation is the process of drawing conclusions after looking at both sides of an issue and getting others to accept one side based upon logic and careful exploration of facts.
Rhetoric and AudienceRhetoric is the “art of speaking or writing effectively”It is a set of skills used in college and in the business world Effective communication is an important skill in the work forceEffective communication gets our point across without embarrassment for ourselves or others. Effective communication understands what the audience does and does not know about the topic.
Aristotle’s Appeals: Ethos, Logos, and PathosAristotle was a student of Plato. Later, he was a teacher for Alexander the Great. He identified three appeals that can be used to persuade others. Ethos=ethics. Logos=logic. Pathos=emotion
Ethos=Ethics, CredibilityAs a writer, you will establish your credibility through careful research. Articles from experts in the field of study will help you build your ethos in the paper. An advertisement using ethos would be a McDonald’s commercial stating the number of years in business (hence they know how to make a decent hamburger). A car dealership might also state how long they have been at the same location. Or, the dealership might make sure you know“ 2013 Time Dealer of the year award nominee for being among the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service” (Fuson Automotive).
Logos=LogicWhen using logos in an argument, we provide facts, statistics, evidence, and reason. An automobile commercial stating the vehicle gets x mpg is proving a logos appeal. When gas prices climb, auto makers want to highlight how many miles per gallon the car can travel. Therefore, a car advertised as getting 40 mpg would appeal to a consumer who travels a distance of 40 miles to and from work. If the reader finds the evidence given “logical” it will appeal to the reader.
Pathos=EmotionA pathos appeal will tap into human emotions. Some commercials are deliberately funny and are geared to draw us to the restaurant or product being advertised. From about mid-January until February 14, TV ads focus on how we should tell our “significant” other “I love you.” Commercials such as the “Sandals Resort” plays to adults who want a romantic get-away. We are frequently told ...
ENG 123 Writing Plan Guidelines and Rubric
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to
encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events.
We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the
chance to recognize opposing viewpoints and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this essay, you will identify an issue in your current major, a major you are interested in pursuing, or your field of work. You will then establish an
argument and support that argument with research and relevant evidence.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Writing Plan: Use this writing plan as a way to gather your thoughts and determine your strategy for writing your critical analysis essay. This process will
allow you to develop a potential structure for effectively communicating and supporting your claim. This plan will be helpful in keeping your thought
process on track when you begin writing and revising your essay.
A. Describe the argument to be addressed in your persuasive essay. Explain how the argument relates to your major, the major you are considering
pursuing, or your field of work.
B. Determine three key points that will be helpful in supporting your argument.
C. Identify the audience who will be reading your essay. What potential challenges will you encounter in supporting your argument with this
demographic?
D. Establish a goal that you hope to accomplish with this essay. What will this essay need to be successful?
E. List potential resources that could be used as supporting evidence for your argument, and provide a brief description of each and how they will
reinforce your argument.
F. Align key points of your argument with supporting resources for establishing an effective essay structure.
G. Based on your argument, determine at what points in the essay integrating evidence would be most effective, and explain why.
H. Describe a revision strategy that would be most effective while writing this essay. Why would this strategy be effective?
I. Review the feedback provided by your i ...
ENG 123 Assignment Two, Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric Draft O.docxLinaCovington707
ENG 123: Assignment Two, Milestone One Guidelines and Rubric Draft Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each and every one of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of what we should feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion. Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one's thoughts, and also the ability to change one's mind about a particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue utilizing researched facts and information. This also gives the chance to recognize that there is an opposing viewpoint to a position and to refute their argument, noting they are the intended audience of the piece. Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive essay. At this point in the course, if you have completed the previous milestone guided activities, the textboxes should be combined and transformed into a draft. This milestone will help you address the critical elements from Sections II - IV below, which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive essay. You have until the deadline to work on this draft. Whatever is completed by the deadline will be submitted to your instructor for grading and feedback. Specifically the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Introduction: This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the points that you planned out, while also stating your argument. A. Overview the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument. B. Compose an engaging thesis that states the argument that you will prove and support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction to your essay and should be well thought out. II. Body: The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way that is easy for readers to follow and understand. A. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the thesis argument as the essay progresses. B. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a right or wrong argument; the key is how it is supported and the quality of the evidence used. C. Address and refute any opposing viewpoints to your argument. This i.
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric 5.docxSALU18
ENG 123 Assignment 2, Milestone 1 Guidelines and Rubric
5-6 Draft
Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each and every one of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are
inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of what we should
feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of
persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue utilizing researched facts and information. This also gives the
chance to recognize that there is an opposing viewpoint to a position and to refute the opposing argument, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints
are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this milestone, you will submit a draft of your persuasive essay. At this point in the course, if you have completed the previous milestone guided
activities, the text boxes should be combined and transformed into a draft. This milestone will help you address the critical elements from Sections I–III below,
which will ultimately inform your final submission of the persuasive essay. You have until the deadline to work on this draft. Whatever is completed by the
deadline will be submitted to your instructor for grading and feedback.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all of your
information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of the
points that you planned out, while also stating your argument.
A. Provides an overview of the issue you have selected, briefly describing main points and your argument.
B. Compose an engaging thesis that states the argument that you will prove and support throughout your essay. This statement will give direction
to your essay and should be well thought out.
II. Body
The body is your opportunity to describe and support your argument in depth. Make sure your thoughts and evidence are clear and organized in a way
that is easy for readers to follow and understand.
A. Be sure that you write multiple paragraphs that are focused, clearly state their intent, and move logically from one to the other, building the
thesis argument as the essay progresses.
B. Your body paragraphs should support your argument by combining thoughts and ideas with evidence from sources. There is no such thing as a
right or wrong argument; the key is how it is support ...
13
Research and Persuasive Essay
Unit Three
Front Range Community College
ENG 122 Spring 2014
Caroline Daniel, Instructor
Table of Contents
Essay assignment ………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Tips for The Beast ………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Topics ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8
Calendars ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
Essay Assignment - Research and Persuasive Essay Paper “The Beast”
This assignment will consist of each step in the writing process.
Brainstorming Due: ________________________________________________________
Outlining Due: ______________________________________________________________
Working Thesis Statement Due: __________________________________________
Argument Proposal Due: __________________________________________________
Portfolio/Annotated Bibliography Due: _________________________________
Rough Draft #1 Due: _______________________________________________________
Rough Draft #2 Due: _______________________________________________________
Conference Date and Time: _______________________________________________
Final Draft Due: December 8, 2014
Assignment: write a 10-page persuasive research paper on the topic of your choice. Your task is to present your opinion on an issue or problem in such a way that your presentation reveals your understanding and attempt to convince others of its efficacy. Unlike argument, the persuasive essay requires an audience, which will consist of your classmates and instructor. The Research and Persuasive Essay (RPE) calls upon the skills of analysis and synthesis, i.e. “breaking” the larger issue into smaller components and incorporating opinions and evidence from sources into your own argument. You will also be using the skills of paraphrasing, summarizing and quoting sources to substantiate and support your position. The subject must be controversial: this assignment requires you to take a position and defend it, and you must be able to address the opposition, i.e., the refutation.
Organization: The essay must follow the classical arrangement of persuasive discourse. Use this guideline while preparing your outline:
1. Introduction
Remain neutral
Remain general, no specific points
Generate reader interest
Avoid overuse of sources in the introduction
2. Background
Give overview of differing opinions
Define terms (if relevant)
Provide history (if relevant)
Provide overview of interest groups
Establish credibility or authority
Introduce thesis
3. Confirmation
Your points (1 idea or point per paragraph)
Support opinion with evidence and facts from sources
Comment on how sources prove or illustrate your position
Avoid using source material, especially quotations, as topic or transitional sentences
Think about transitional words and devices that will move the argument forward seamlessly and fluidly
3. Refutation
Identify opposition by name or title (A.C.L.U., the Catholic Church)
Fairly and acc.
English Language - Argumentative Writing Goh Bang Rui
Follow me now on slideshare
http://www.slideshare.net/gohbangrui
These slides are used to explain the idea of writing an argumentative essay for English Language. Students are introduced to the concept of writing an argumentative essay and then expected to write a speech based on three appeals to the audience - logos, pathos and ethos. From there, they are to write an argumentative essay. These slides also explain the concept of evidence and its various examples.
If you have any feedback, please comment and like it if you find it useful.
ENG 123 Summative Assessment Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter
some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events. We are put
into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal tool for supporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the chance to
recognize an opposing viewpoint and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoint are the intended audience of the piece.
In this assignment, you will write a persuasive essay that makes an argument about a change or a current issue in your major, a major you are interested in
pursuing, or your field of work.
The project has one milestone, which will be submitted earlier in the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. This milestone will be
submitted in Module Five. The final submission is due in Module Seven.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Develop stylistically appropriate writing that incorporates strategies for writing to a given audience, subject, and purpose
Incorporate feedback from peer review for improving the quality and effectiveness of one’s own writing
Write informative introductions; coherent theses; well-developed, organized, and supported body paragraphs; and conclusions that are persuasive and
supported by effective research
Utilize appropriate research for developing a well-informed position through written composition
Prompt
For this essay, you will identify an issue in your current major, a major you are interested in pursuing, or your field of work. You will then establish an argument
and support that argument with research and relevant evidence.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction: This is where readers will have a chance to get an idea of what your essay will be about and what you will prove throughout. Do not give all
of your information away here, but give readers a sample of what is to come. Do not forget to review your writing plan to make sure you are hitting all of
the points that you planned out, while also stating your claim.
A. Provides an overview of the issue you have sele ...
Argument paperEnglish 1 Spring 2014 Argument Assignment Paper.docxrossskuddershamus
Argument paper/English 1 Spring 2014 Argument Assignment Paper.doc
PAGE
English 1: Argumentative Essay Assignment
The Assignment: Write a six-to-ten page argument paper that addresses a current issue that will address our theme of the impact of technology on communication on ourselves, on our world and on what it means to be human (Barrios, 583). The topic and the issue for this paper is the same as your exploratory paper assignment. The purpose of this paper is to present your position on the issue and then argue why by presenting your own reasons and evidence to support your thesis statement.
Locating Sources for Research. The purpose of the exploratory paper was to explore different writers and their position, their perspective, and the types of evidence they used in order to form your own position and perspective. You have three sources that you may use in your paper. For this paper, you must include a variety of sources; they cannot all come from Web sites. Search SMC’s library online catalog, search for a book, search online databases, find newspaper articles, use the search engine Google scholar at www.google.com, or www.yahoo.com . In addition, observations or experience from your personal life are not allowable. Refer to the following handouts: “Research Guide for Papers,” “Sources Acceptable for Academic Papers.” Both of these handouts are on eCompanion. If you include an article from a Website, there must be a date and a sponsor/publisher. If this is not available you cannot use this source.
Thesis Statement and Claim: Does your thesis clearly include a claim? Is it arguable? Does it take a perspective on an issue? Is it narrow and specific enough for the length of this assignment? Is it focused on one subject? Is it a claim of policy where you argue that certainpolicies should be changed? Is it a claim of value where you argue that some action, belief, or policy is morally wrong, good, or bad? Once your claim is clear, you must develop reasons that match and correspond to the type of claim being made.
Audience/Point of View: An effective argument is tailored to its audience. The reasons and the types of evidence you offer, the needs and values to which you appeal, terms defined, all depend on your audience and the type of claim. Ask: What does your audience know or not know about your topic? The audience is your instructor and classmates. Never assume that the audience is familiar with your topic or terms. You may need to include definitions and relevant details to help the audience understand your position in the first body paragraph. For this argument essay, you will use only the third-person point of view. No, “I” “We” or “You.”
Content/Body Paragraphs. For the length of this assignment, you should have at least three-to-four distinct and relevant reasons to support your thesis. Follow the guidelines for writing the argument paper when developing your reasons. Use the “because” clause approach.
THIS IS A SUBMISSION CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FINAL PAPERINTRODUCTIOGrazynaBroyles24
THIS IS A SUBMISSION CHECKLIST FOR YOUR FINAL PAPER
INTRODUCTION
_______ Do you have an overview of the issue you are writing about
________ Do you introduce the main points of this issue
________ Do you have an identifiable thesis statement that states your argument
________ Is it clear what your direction for the essay is
BODY
______ Do you have more than one body paragraph
______ Is it clear what each paragraph’s intent is
______ Do the paragraphs transition logically from one to the next
______ Do they clearly connect back to the thesis statement
______ Do they provide supported evidence for your claims with credible sources
______ Do all sources have a proper in-text-citation
______ Did you include opposing viewpoints to your argument
______ Do you refute these opposing viewpoints with evidence
CONCLUSION
______ Do you have a review of your argument
______ Do you have a summary of the main points you discussed in your body paragraphs
______ Did you discuss some new insight about your claims that follow logically from your argument (In other words, are you actually concluding something from your argument, and is it clear what that is)
RESEARCH MATERIALS
______ Have you added a cover page if you’re following APA formatting
______ Do you have a citation page
ARTICULATION OF RESPONSE
______ Have you checked the project one last time for any citation, grammar, spelling, or syntax error
ENG 123 Summative Assessment Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter
some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events. We are put
into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal tool for supporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the chance to
recognize an opposing viewpoint and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoint are the intended audience of the piece.
In this assignment, you will write a persuasive essay that makes an argument about a change or a current issue in your major, a major you are interested in
pursuing, or your field of work.
The project has one milestone, which will be submitted earlier in the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. This milestone will be
su ...
Module 7 Discussion Board Algebra1. What does it mean when s.docxmoirarandell
Module 7 Discussion Board Algebra
1. What does it mean when something grows or decays exponentially? How is that different then rising or falling linearly?
2. Give an example of a real life application of exponential growth or decay. Include the link to a website to show this.
Please answer as two different posts. You need three posts for full credit.
When you reply to others in the class, your replies should contain original thought and/or a follow up question.
Classical Argument
Persuasion and ArgumentPersuasion is the process of drawing conclusions and getting others to accept them and act upon them.Argumentation is the process of drawing conclusions after looking at both sides of an issue and getting others to accept one side based upon logic and careful exploration of facts.
Rhetoric and AudienceRhetoric is the “art of speaking or writing effectively”It is a set of skills used in college and in the business world Effective communication is an important skill in the work forceEffective communication gets our point across without embarrassment for ourselves or others. Effective communication understands what the audience does and does not know about the topic.
Aristotle’s Appeals: Ethos, Logos, and PathosAristotle was a student of Plato. Later, he was a teacher for Alexander the Great. He identified three appeals that can be used to persuade others. Ethos=ethics. Logos=logic. Pathos=emotion
Ethos=Ethics, CredibilityAs a writer, you will establish your credibility through careful research. Articles from experts in the field of study will help you build your ethos in the paper. An advertisement using ethos would be a McDonald’s commercial stating the number of years in business (hence they know how to make a decent hamburger). A car dealership might also state how long they have been at the same location. Or, the dealership might make sure you know“ 2013 Time Dealer of the year award nominee for being among the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service” (Fuson Automotive).
Logos=LogicWhen using logos in an argument, we provide facts, statistics, evidence, and reason. An automobile commercial stating the vehicle gets x mpg is proving a logos appeal. When gas prices climb, auto makers want to highlight how many miles per gallon the car can travel. Therefore, a car advertised as getting 40 mpg would appeal to a consumer who travels a distance of 40 miles to and from work. If the reader finds the evidence given “logical” it will appeal to the reader.
Pathos=EmotionA pathos appeal will tap into human emotions. Some commercials are deliberately funny and are geared to draw us to the restaurant or product being advertised. From about mid-January until February 14, TV ads focus on how we should tell our “significant” other “I love you.” Commercials such as the “Sandals Resort” plays to adults who want a romantic get-away. We are frequently told ...
ENG 123 Writing Plan Guidelines and Rubric
Put the argument into a concrete shape, into an image, some hard phrase, round and solid as a ball, which they can see and handle and carry home with them,
and the cause is half won.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to
encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of how we should feel about events.
We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a
particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the
chance to recognize opposing viewpoints and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this essay, you will identify an issue in your current major, a major you are interested in pursuing, or your field of work. You will then establish an
argument and support that argument with research and relevant evidence.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Writing Plan: Use this writing plan as a way to gather your thoughts and determine your strategy for writing your critical analysis essay. This process will
allow you to develop a potential structure for effectively communicating and supporting your claim. This plan will be helpful in keeping your thought
process on track when you begin writing and revising your essay.
A. Describe the argument to be addressed in your persuasive essay. Explain how the argument relates to your major, the major you are considering
pursuing, or your field of work.
B. Determine three key points that will be helpful in supporting your argument.
C. Identify the audience who will be reading your essay. What potential challenges will you encounter in supporting your argument with this
demographic?
D. Establish a goal that you hope to accomplish with this essay. What will this essay need to be successful?
E. List potential resources that could be used as supporting evidence for your argument, and provide a brief description of each and how they will
reinforce your argument.
F. Align key points of your argument with supporting resources for establishing an effective essay structure.
G. Based on your argument, determine at what points in the essay integrating evidence would be most effective, and explain why.
H. Describe a revision strategy that would be most effective while writing this essay. Why would this strategy be effective?
I. Review the feedback provided by your i ...
This is a presentation by Dada Robert in a Your Skill Boost masterclass organised by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS) on Saturday, the 25th and Sunday, the 26th of May 2024.
He discussed the concept of quality improvement, emphasizing its applicability to various aspects of life, including personal, project, and program improvements. He defined quality as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to achieve the best possible results and discussed the concept of the "gap" between what we know and what we do, and how this gap represents the areas we need to improve. He explained the scientific approach to quality improvement, which involves systematic performance analysis, testing and learning, and implementing change ideas. He also highlighted the importance of client focus and a team approach to quality improvement.
Synthetic Fiber Construction in lab .pptxPavel ( NSTU)
Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPCeline George
The map views are useful for providing a geographical representation of data. They allow users to visualize and analyze the data in a more intuitive manner.
Palestine last event orientationfvgnh .pptxRaedMohamed3
An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
How to Split Bills in the Odoo 17 POS ModuleCeline George
Bills have a main role in point of sale procedure. It will help to track sales, handling payments and giving receipts to customers. Bill splitting also has an important role in POS. For example, If some friends come together for dinner and if they want to divide the bill then it is possible by POS bill splitting. This slide will show how to split bills in odoo 17 POS.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
2. What is an Argument?
An argument involves the process of…
establishing a claim and then
proving it with the use of
• logical reasoning,
• examples, and
• research.
3. The Importance of
Organization
Why is organization important in argument?
Guides an audience through your reasoning process.
Offers a clear explanation of each argued point.
Demonstrates the credibility of the writer.
4. Organizing
Your Argument
Title
Introduction
• Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
• Constructing Topic Sentences
• Building Main Points
• Countering the Opposition
Conclusion
5. Why You Need A Title
Title: (1) introduces the topic of discussion to the audience
and (2) generates reader interest in the argument.
Tip: Use active verbs in titles
For example:
Clean Campus Cleaning up Campus With Recycling
Bins or Reducing Rubbish: Recycling on Campus
6. Considering Titles
Imagine you just wrote a paper offering solutions to the
problem of road rage.
Which do you consider to be the best title?
Road Rage
Can’t Drive 55
Road Rage: Curing Our Highway Epidemic
7. What is an Introduction?
Introduction: acquaints the reader with the topic and
purpose of the paper.
An introduction offers a plan for the ensuing argument:
Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them.
Body: Tell them.
Conclusion: Tell them what you told them
8. Methods for Constructing
an Introduction
Personal anecdote
Example—real or hypothetical
Question
Quotation
Shocking statistics
Striking image
9. What is a
Thesis Statement?
It is the most important sentence in your paper.
It lets the reader know the main idea of the paper.
It answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”
It is not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be
proven throughout the paper
10. Role of the
Thesis Statement
1. The thesis statement should guide your reader
through your argument.
2. It is generally located in the introduction of the paper.
3. A thesis statement may also be located within the
body of the paper or in the conclusion, depending
upon the purpose or argument of the paper.
11. Thesis Practice
Choose a thesis for an argument about the need for
V-chips in television sets?
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.
12. Body Paragraphs and
Topic Sentences
Body paragraphs: (1) build upon the claims made in the
introductory paragraph(s); (2) are organized with the use of
topic sentences that illustrate the main idea of each
paragraph.
Tip: Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent
developments of topic within the early body paragraphs can
help the audience become familiarized with your topic and
the complexity of the issue.
13. Body Paragraphs
Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending
upon the topic and purpose of your argument:
General Specific
Most important
Least
important
Strongest
claim
Weakest claim
14. Offering a
Counterargument
Addressing the claims of the opposition is an
important component in building a convincing argument.
It demonstrates your credibility as a writer—you have
researched multiple sides of the argument and have come
to an informed decision.
It shows you have considered other points of view - that
other points of view are valid and reasonable.
15. Locating a
Counterargument
Counterarguments may be located at various locations
within your body paragraphs. You may choose to:
Build each of your main points as a contrast to
oppositional claims.
Offer a counterargument after you have articulated your
main claims.
16. Effective
Counterarguments
Consider your audience when you offer your
counterargument:
Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can
demonstrate respect for their opinions.
Using rude or deprecating language can cause your
audience to reject your position. Remain tactful yet firm.
17. Research in
Body Paragraphs
Researched material can aid you in proving the claims of
your argument and disproving oppositional claims.
Be sure to use your research to support the claims made
in your topic sentences—make your research work to
prove your argument.
18. The Conclusion
Conclusion: Reemphasizes the main points made in your
paper.
You may choose to reiterate a call to action or
speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate.
Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.
19. Where to Go
for More Help
Purdue University Writing Lab, Heavilon 226
Check our web site: http://owl.english.purdue.edu
Email brief questions to OWL Mail:
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/contact/owlmailtutors
20. The End
ORGANIZING YOUR ARGUMENT
Purdue OWL staff
Brought to you in cooperation with the Purdue Online Writing Lab
Activity: This slide offers a definition of the term “argument.” The facilitator may invite the audience to offer answers to the title question. Students often assume that building an argument is simply a confrontational activity designed to denigrate the opposition’s position. The facilitator may choose to explain to students that the focus of a strong argument should be upon a cohesive explanation of claims effectively paired with correlating evidence.
Key Concept: Organization is an important component in any argument. Not only does a clear sense of organization guide the reader through the reasoning process, but it also demonstrates the credibility of the writer--that the writer has a clear conception of the issues involved and has the ability to offer a well-crafted response to the topic. An argument that has a confusing organization--that jumps from point to point without establishing connections between topics--is less likely to be convincing to its audience.
Rationale: This slide illustrates the topics covered in this presentation, as well as the ordering of the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion within an argument.
Key Concept: The title is often an overlooked component in the development of arguments. Indeed, the title provides the first words the audience encounters upon reading the paper. The title should introduce the topic of the argument as well as generate interest in reading the argument.
Activity: The facilitator may have students consider which title for a paper on road rage is the most effective. “Road Rage” provides little to entice the reader, though it does introduce the topic. “Can’t Drive 55,” while offering an interesting image, would better fit a paper on the speed limit than on road rage, which is defined by more than speeding. Also, “Can’t Drive 55” is unoriginal (a title from a popular Sammy Hagar song). The third choice is the best selection here: it both introduces the topic and provides an interesting analogy to describe the seriousness of the problem.
Key Concept: The introduction continues upon the tasks of the title--it both introduces the topic and generates audience interest in reading the entire paper. The introduction also indicates the purpose of the paper--to inform, persuade, call to action, etc.--as well as offers a plan for the ensuing argument.
Activity: The facilitator may ask students about effective methods for beginning an introduction.
Key Concepts: A personal anecdote illustrates the writer’s involvement within the topic, as well as moves the topic from the abstract to the real. Examples, both real (have happened) and hypothetical (have the potential to happen) can also help to illustrate the problem. Posing an interesting question can also generate reader interest; however, the question should be answered within the course of the paper. A quotation can provide a branch for discussion. Quotations, however, should be made relevant to the topic of the paper. An explanation of shocking statistics or the presentation of a striking image can also invite the audience to continue reading the paper.
Key Concept: A definition of a thesis statement is offered in this slide. The facilitator may choose to emphasize to students the difference between a claim that has to be proven and a statement of fact.
Key Concept: This slide discusses the role of the thesis statement in the paper. Thesis statements are often located in the introduction, thereby setting up for the reader the claims of the argument. However, theses may also be located in the body paragraphs or in the conclusion, depending upon the writer’s purpose, audience, topic, and mode of argument.
Activity: Additionally, the facilitator may also wish at this point to discuss strategies for constructing a thesis statement for a current class assignment.
Activity: The facilitator may ask students to identify the most effective thesis statement from the three listed examples. The first example, while a well-phrased informative sentence, offers a factual statement rather than an argumentative claim that needs to be proven. The third example also fails to provide an effective claim about the value of the V-chip. The second example is the strongest argumentative thesis; it clearly articulates the writer’s position on the issue and suggests that the writer will proceed to prove this claim throughout the rest of the paper.
Key Concepts: This slide explains the function of body paragraphs within an argument-to continue proving the claim posited in the thesis statement. Clearly stated topic sentences within each paragraph can help writers to focus their arguments around their thesis statements. The facilitator may also suggest that students offer a synopsis of the topic, including the history of the issue and recent changes in current events that affect the topic.
Key Concepts: Body paragraphs may be ordered in various patterns, depending upon the purpose, audience, and topic of the argument. This slide offers participants options for organizing their work.
Activity: The facilitator may choose to offer suggestions on organizing patterns for a current argumentative assignment.
Key Concepts: Concerned with asserting the importance of their own claims, writers sometimes overlook the importance of considering the views of the opposition within their own arguments. Countering oppositional claims demonstrates to the audience that the writer has carefully considered multiple components of the issue and has reached an educated decision. If a writer finds that the opposition cannot be countered effectively, he or she may need to reevaluate his or her own opinions and claims about the argument.
Key Concept: Counterarguments may be located at various points within a paper. It is important, however, that the writer offer a convincing response to the claims of the opposition.
Activity: The facilitator may choose to offer specific tips to students about counterarguing in a current argumentative assignment.
Key Concepts: This slide suggests the importance of considering the audience in offering a counterargument. If a writer is trying to argue about the dangers of second-hand smoke to a group of smokers, the writer needs to offer his or her opinion in such a way that the opposition can see the rationality of his or her claims. If the writer instead chooses to rant about how much he or she dislikes smokers, it is doubtful that the audience will feel any sympathy with the argued position and will reject the argument. The facilitator may choose to emphasize that tact and audience consideration are very important elements of effective counterarguments.
Key Concepts: Writers sometimes fall into the trap of letting research material overwhelm the paper, rather than using sources to prove their own argumentative claims. It is important to be selective when using source material; just because a source may relate to your topic does not mean it will necessarily be useful or relevant to proving your claims. Offering clear topic sentences that articulate claims relating to the thesis can be a useful strategy for offering a frame to researched material. Sources can then be used to back the claim provided in the topic sentence.
Key Concepts: The conclusion is also an important paragraph in a paper--it provides the last words that a writer will present to his or her audience. Therefore, it should have a lasting impact. The conclusion should work to reemphasize the main claims of the argument, articulating the importance of the argued position and, when appropriate, the reader’s need to take action on the issue. Writers should also avoid raising new claims in concluding paragraphs--there is no more room to argue points comprehensively or convincingly. Such new points would be better repositioned within the body paragraphs.
Notes:
The Writing Lab is located on the West Lafayette Campus in room 226 of Heavilon Hall. The lab is open 9:00am-6:00 pm. OWL, Online Writing Lab, is a reach resource of information. Its address is http://owl.english.purdue.edu. And finally, you can email your questions to OWL Mail at owlmail@owl.english.purdue.edu and our tutors will get back to you promptly.