Essay #2: Arguing to Convince & Persuade

Essay #2:  Arguing to Convince & Persuade

NOTE: Essay # 2 should combine the strategies you have learned in both Chapters 9 & 10 (convincing and persuading). 

General essay requirements: 

• Margins: 1 inch (top, bottom, sides)
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 pt.
• Line spacing: Double-space EVERYTHING (extra line spaces between paragraphs and other sections of the paper is incorrect).
• MLA in-text citations should be used EVERY time material from a source is used—this includes references to material and paraphrases of material as well as direct quotes
• MLA Works Cited Page: The Works Cited page is always the last page of the essay, but it DOES NOT count as one in the required page length of the essay)
• MLA formatting guidelines: see the sample MLA guide in Canvas

 

Essay # 2 Guidelines: Arguing to Convince & Persuade: 

• This essay is based on Chapters 9 & 10 of the textbook.
• Make a case—write an argumentative essay that seeks to convince your audience of the validity of your position, and that persuades them to accept your claim. Your goal is to win the assent of readers—to influence readers.  Limit the focus of your essay to a topic that can be fully developed in a five page essay—see section titled: “Topic and Focus” (P. 218)
• Additionally, you must also make a special effort to appeal to your audience through character, reason, and emotion (ethos, logos, pathos)—SEE BELOW
• Identify the specific audience you address in your essay (senior citizens, students, American voters, artists, etc). In the header of your essay—below the date—identify your audience.  Make sure to read the audience analysis information (Pp. 205, 218-219, 247 and 248).
• Use the SAME subject (from Part III of the text, Pp. 303-521) as you used in Essay # 1.
• You must incorporate material from THREE of the readings associated with your chosen subject (from Part III) into your essay—paraphrases, direct quotes, and references.
• In addition, you must use material from at least TWO library sources (books or articles from the library databases—see end of document). If you fail to use material from three text book readings and two library sources as source material for your essay, you will earn a failing grade for the essay. Likewise, your grade will suffer if you use the source material in a superficial way, for example if you simply use one direct quote from each of the readings.
• Carefully review Chapters 6 and 7 to insure that you do not commit plagiarism or any other type of academic dishonesty.
• The essay must be at least five (5) FULL pages in length (a Works Cited page is required, but it does NOT count in the page length requirement for this assignment).
• Use the Student Sample Essay on Pp. 231-233 as a model for the organization and content of your essay.  

 

Essay Organization:

Part 1: General introduction of the issue; definition of key terms and concepts

Part 2: History of the issue—explain the controversy, the debate, why the issue is even “an issue;” conclude this section with the claim

Part 3: Reasons and evidence (Pp. 203, 227)—this should be the longest, most detailed section of the essay

Part 4: Conclusion

 

The Rhetorical Appeals: Ethos, Logos, Pathos

Ethos: An appeal grounded in the credibility of the writer.

Credible writers are trustworthy and believable; thus, they are better equipped to persuade an audience.  An appeal based on ethos is grounded in the character and / or position of the writer.  You can develop credibility in your essays by:

• Being fair-minded and respectful of the opinions of others
• Demonstrating your knowledge of the subject
• Connecting to values you share with the audience

 

Strategies for developing an appeal to ethos (credibility) in an argument:

1. Be knowledgeable about the topic

            “Do your homework:” read extensively about your topic; understand ALL perspectives

            Build a sound case: use plenty of accurate, appropriate data to support your claim

2. Demonstrate fairness

            Express an understanding of the opposing view

            Convey empathy for particular elements of the opposing view  

3. Build a bridge to the audience 

             Ground arguments in shared values and assumptions

 

Logos: An appeal grounded in reason and logic.

The rational appeal (logos) is grounded in logical, ordered reasoning and substantial, appropriate evidence—it satisfies the human desire for logic, reason, and order.  Writers must acknowledge that people act rationally most of the time, and will usually respond favorably to persuasive arguments based on reason.  Evidence is critical in making this appeal, and the effective use of appropriate evidence is a powerful strategy for persuasion.

 

Strategies for developing an appeal to logos (reason) in an argument:

1. Arrange the material in your essay in a logical order
2. Support claims with evidence and examples that make sense—clearly explain HOW and WHY evidence supports your claim
3. Gather evidence from credible sources

 

Pathos: An appeal grounded in emotion.

In a credible, academic argument, the emotional appeal (pathos) is based on shared values with the audience.  An appeal to emotion will also use language effectively to create pictures, smells, etc. in order to illustrate an aspect of the argument for the audience.  Because humans respond to data emotionally as well as intellectually, persuasion is sometimes most effective if an appeal to emotion is coupled with an appeal to logic in an argument.

Strategies for developing an appeal to pathos (emotion) in an argument:

1. Appropriate language choice

            Concrete language and specific details

            Vivid examples and illustrations

            Suitable metaphors and analogies

2. Sensitivity to audience values

             Acknowledge ads be respectful of audience values

            Avoid biased/slanted language that distorts the truth

Only an ethical, legitimate use of the emotional appeal is acceptable in academic writing.  Avoid the manipulative use of emotion that is often associated with politicians, demagogues, and religious fanatics, as this is unacceptable in classic argumentation.

In order to avoid inappropriate use of the emotional appeal in academic writing, use it with caution.   Test your emotional appeals for authenticity by checking them against the following questions:

Do the emotional appeals substitute for knowledge and reason?

Do they employ stereotypes and pit one group against another?

Do they offer a simple, unthinking reaction to a complex situation?