The document discusses the key components of creating a persuasive argument, including an introduction with a catchy title and thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences and evidence to support claims and counterclaims, a conclusion that restates the main points, and a call to action. Organization is important to guide the audience through the argument. Research should be used in the body to prove claims and disprove opposing views. The goal is to convince the audience of the argument's claim by the end.

1. Creating the
Persuasive
Argument
By: Shannon Puckett

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. Why is Organization Important?
• Guides the audience
• Offers a clear explanation of each point
• Demonstrates credibility

4. Persuasive Organization

5. The Title
• Your title introduces your topic to your audience
and should create interest for your reader.
• When creating a title you should:
• Create a title that grabs attention
• Avoid titles that are too generalized
Examples:
General: “Fire the Replacement Refs”
Catchy: “ A Faulty Decision-Making Process”

6. The Introduction
• Informs your audience with your topic and purpose.
• Creates the interest of the audience
Best practices to begin the introduction:
• Examples
• Questions
• Quotations
• Statistics

7. The Thesis Statement
• This is the most important sentence in your argument!
• Lets the audience know the main idea.
• Is a claim that must be proven throughout your argument.
• Generally located in your introduction, toward the end of your
introduction.
Example:
“America's anti-pollution efforts should focus on privately
owned cars because it would allow most citizens to contribute
to national efforts and care about the outcome.”

8. The Body Paragraphs
• Your body paragraphs should build on the claim you made in
the introductory paragraph.
• Topic sentences should begin each paragraph to give the main
idea.
Best Practices for Organizing Body Paragraphs:
• General to specific information
• Most important to least important points
• Weakest claim between the two stronger claims.

9. The Counterclaim
It is essential to address the opposing point to create a
convincing argument.
• This demonstrates credibility.
• This shows you have considered other points of view.
• Counterclaims may be used in various locations within your body
paragraphs based on where they will be most effective.
Effective Counterclaims:
• Consider your audience
• Recognize your opposing claims to show respect
• Be tactful and firm
Example: Claim - Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight
pollution.
Counterclaim:
“Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving
even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building
and encouraging use of mass transit systems.”

10. Using research in your body
• Use research to prove your claims of your argument and
disprove the opposing claims.
• Use research to support the claims you make in your topic
sentences.
• Make your research do the work of proving your argument.

11. Call to Action
Your call to action is the suggestion or call for your audience to
take some sort of action in support of your topic.
• The call to action generally comes at the end of the conclusion
of your argument.
Example:
“I urge you to donate blood through the American Red because
it is easy, you will get great snacks and, most importantly, you
will save lives”.

12. The Conclusion
Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points in your
argument.
• You can reiterate your call to action.
• Avoid raising new claims or ideas.

13. Summary
• Introduction • Tell them what you’re going
to tell them.
• Body • Tell them.
• Conclusion • Tell them what you told them.

14. Assignment
Now that we have discussed the parts of a persuasive argument,
go to the discussion board on Blackboard and create a post that
includes an original claim, counterclaim, and call to action based
on the following topic prompt:
“Many other countries including: England, Australia and New
Zealand, encourage students to take a year off to travel and
explore the world before going to college. While not a mainstay
in American culture, this "gap-year" movement is beginning to
take hold. Do you feel that it is a good idea for students to take a
year off between high school and college? Or should they go
straight into college following high school?”

15. Citations
• http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/1/
• http://speakingcenter.uncg.edu/resources
• www.readwritethink.org
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/279584027/
(http://creativecommons.org)