1. Putting together your final paper
Persuasive Writing
Putting together your final paper

2. Characteristics of Written Persuasion
It focuses on a debatable proposition or claim—the claim becomes your thesis.
In this situation, the debatable proposition is whether or not your person/text should be taught in 10th grade World Literature. This is debatable because some people might strongly agree with you while others might strongly disagree.
It is based on an analysis of your audience.
For this, your audience is your teacher and your classmates. You need to keep this in mind as you write your paper.

3. Characteristics of Written Persuasion
It represents and evaluates opposing points of view on the issue fairly and accurately.
You need to address what the opposition might say—why would someone argue against your stance?
It reasonably argues for your claim and against opposing claims.
You need to argue your point (thesis) and demonstrate why ‘we’ should listen to you and not the opposition.
It supports your claims with sufficient evidence.
This is where your research comes in!

4. Making Appeals to the Audience
is a strategy for gaining their trust or confidence that the argument you are presenting is reasonable, appropriate, and worthwhile.

5. Kinds of Appeals Appeals to reason (logos)
Quotations, statistics, facts, citations from experts and authorities.
Appeals to character (ethos) **demonstrates your credibility as a writer
Language appropriate to audience and subject
Appropriate level of vocabulary
Correct grammar
Appeals to emotion (pathos)
Vivid, concrete language and emotional tone or emotional examples. Vivid descriptions…

6. Organization is important in argument because it:
Guides an audience through your reasoning process
Offers a clear explanation of each argued point
Demonstrates the credibility of the writer

7. Organizing your Argument
Title
Introduction
Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
Constructing Topic Sentences
Building Main Points
Countering the Opposition
Conclusion

8. Thesis Statement: is the MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE in your paper.
answers the question: “What am I trying to prove?”
is not a factual statement, but a claim that has to be proven throughout the paper.
should guide your reader through your argument.

9. Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s)
Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience become familiar with your topic and the complexity of the issue.

10. Body Paragraphs
Paragraphs may be ordered in several ways, depending upon the topic and purpose of your argument:
General to specific information
Most important point to least important point
Weakest claim to strongest claim

11. 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.

12. Offering 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.

13. Counter arguing effectively
Consider your audience when you offer your counterargument.
Conceding to some of your opposition’s concerns can demonstrate respect for their opinions.
Remain tactful yet firm.
Using rude or deprecating language can cause your audience to reject your position without carefully considering your claims.

14. Conclusion: The Big Finale
Your conclusion should reemphasize 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.
Don’t raise new claims in your conclusion.

15. Outline #1 Introduction Your arguments
Attention grabber
Background
Claim/thesis
Your arguments
Refutation of opposing arguments
Conclusion

16. Outline #2 Introduction Refutation of opposing arguments
Attention grabber
Background
Claim/thesis
Refutation of opposing arguments
Your arguments
Conclusion

17. Outline #3 Introduction
attention grabber
Background
Claim/thesis
Refutation of first opposing argument that matches your first argument
Refutation of second opposing argument that matches your second argument, and so on
[Additional arguments]
Conclusion

18. Today: Today is all about planning your paper.
Work on a thesis statement
Decide on how you will organize your arguments
Think about counterarguments
Think about where you will need to do more research.
Start working

19. This week… In the lab the rest of the week: Tuesday: P100E (sub)
Thursday: P100W
Friday: P100E