1. Tips for Convincing Others.
Persuasive Essay
Tips for
Convincing Others.

2. Brainstorm Ideas
Serious
Silly

3. Using Evidence & Logic
You must think and write sensibly drawing reasonable conclusions from solid evidence. Furthermore you must be able to recognize and avoid fallacies.
Fallacies are fuzzy or illogical thinking that may crop up in your writing.

4. Fallacies of Thinking
Appeal to Ignorance: This suggests that since no one has ever proven a claim, it must be false. Unfairly shifts the burden of proof onto someone else.
Bandwagon: Appealing to everyone’s sense of wanting to belong or be accepted.
Broad Generalization: Unfair to suggest that it is true of everyone.

5. Fallacies cont.
Circular Thinking: Assuming the very point you are trying to prove. (I hate my class because I’m never happy when I’m there.)
Either-Or Thinking: Reducing a solution to two possible extremes unfairly eliminates every possibility in the middle.
Half-Truths: True but dishonest to leave out the part that isn’t benefiting you.

6. Fallacies cont.
Oversimplification: Almost no dispute is “a simple question of” anything.
Slanted Language: Choosing words that carry strong positive or negative connotations can distract the audience.
Testimonial: If it comes from a recognized authority in the field, great. Otherwise, beware.

7. Thinking Through an Argument
Making Claims & Supporting a Point
Claims of Fact: state something that is true or not true.
Claims of Value: state that something has or does not have worth.
Claims of Policy: assert that something ought to be done or not done
Using Qualifiers: terms that make a claim more flexible.
Almost
If…then…
Maybe
Probably
Often
In most cases
Might
Usually

8. Making Concessions Adding Support Admittedly Even though
Prediction Observation
Statistics Comparison
Expert Testimony
Making Concessions
Admittedly Even though
Granted I agree that
I cannot argue with
While it is true that

9. Thesis Statement
This is a sentence which explains your topic and your opinion.
Example: It is contemptible that in Nevada, a driver can be stopped and ticketed for not wearing a seat belt in their own vehicle.

10. Begin Your Research
Begin with a strong opinion about a topic. (Thesis) – Before you have an opinion, you must know the law or current situation. (1st Fact)
Have three main reasons why the reader should agree with your opinion. (Concrete Details/ 2 facts per reason)
Fully explain your side the best way you can. (Commentary this is all you, your ideas, thoughts, theories)
Explain the validity of the other side & why they are wrong. (2 facts possible)
Have an emotional appeal? (Introductory OR Conclusion paragraph) ?Fact?
Predict a future OR give a plausible solution (Introductory OR Conclusion paragraph)

11. When you discuss the opposition,
Acknowledge other side: For one’s own safety (to protect children)
Deny right of government to make personal safety decisions.
Argue personal property (ownership of the car) and right to do and make rules for what happens inside said personal property, as it can harm no one else on the roadways.

12. Your Research needs 7 sources.
Nonfiction Reference Books
Reputable Newspapers
Reputable Magazines
Source Documents: Speeches, legal cases, etc.
Experts in the field
Databases
Reputable Internet Cites (you can only have one as a source)
If it looks like a blog or personal testimony, you may use it as the emotional appeal, but you may not use it as factual support. It can count as one source.

13. How an Index Card Should Look
Topic you are researching
“Quote” / Paraphrased / Summarized information
found on topic goes on the next few lines.
In the in-text citation write the (Author’s last name,
pg. #s)
On the back of the card, cite your source fully.

14. Back of an Index Card
Smith, Robert. "Lincoln Facts ." Historical Presidents. 28 June Historical Society. 30 Oct <
For information on how to cite a source, use:

15. Plagiarism
You are plagiarizing if you use more source than your own words and if you neglect to cite your source (tell where the information came from.)
You can copy word for word if you use quotation marks and cite your source.
You can paraphrase by rewording/ rephrasing the information, but you still need to cite your source.
You can even summarize by reducing what you’ve read to a few important points, but you still need to cite your source.

16. When searching for information.
Use the Boolean search method.
This is a type of search that allows you to exclude or include certain words or phrases by using words such as AND, NOT, and OR.
Use reliable websites. If you can’t find an author, or an organization that is associated with a website, it may not be reliable.
See our library