Composition No 4 Persuasive Essaya Persuasive Essay Is An Essay Writ ✓ Solved

COMPOSITION NO. 4: PERSUASIVE ESSAY A persuasive essay is an essay written to convince an audience to think in a certain to way or to take an action. A good persuasive essay presents arguments, shows evidence, and appeals responsibly to the emotions of its audience. Because different audiences respond to different arguments and varying emotional appeals, a persuasive essay must build its case forcefully and intelligently for its audience. Guidelines for Achievement A persuasive essay: • begins with a concise statement of position on an issue that will interest the audience. • presents its points clearly and logically. • supports its position with valid evidence and logical arguments (facts, statistics, examples, reasons, expert opinions) and responsible appeals to emotion. • addresses an audience whose views probably differ from the writer’s. • anticipates opposing arguments. • ends in a way that prompts readers to change their thinking or to take a certain course of action.

What Issue Should I Write About? The point of a persuasive essay is to change your readers’ minds. If all your readers already agree with you about an issue or a debate resolution, then whom are you persuading? If you have not already been assigned a topic and wish to find one that hits a nerve, try any of these strategies: 1. Scan the editorial pages of your newspaper for a controversial issue such as a social or political problem that affects you or someone 2.

Research some of the ethical dilemmas arising from technological or scientific advances such as genetic research. 3. Tune in to a radio talk show and list the gripes that callers have. Is there a caller to whom you would like to respond? 4.

Conduct a class survey to find out what issues are of concern to your peers. Developing Thesis Statements Once you have chosen an issue, you must develop your position, or thesis statement. Developing your thesis statement right away will help you focus on your issue as you draft your essay. You should include your thesis statement in the introduction of your essay to let your readers know what issue you have chosen and what your position is. Narrow your position to one strong, clear statement incorporating as usual topic, purpose and method.

One way to formulate your position and focus on an issue is to ask yourself the question “What should be done about it?†Keep revising your answer until you can state your conclusion in one sentence. Once you have formulated your thesis statement you are ready to begin developing the body of your paper. What Should I Include in My Essay? You should begin your essay by defining the debate resolution or issue you will address. Try to use facts examples, anecdotes, or statistics to show your readers what the issue entails and why it is important If you have chosen a controversial issue, summarize the controversy.

Then state your position, and develop your supporting argument. How Do I Develop My Argument? Once you have stated your position, you must make a case for it. As you build your argument, you should provide logical proofs. You may also want to appeal to your readers’ emotions: however, you should not use such appeals in place of good arguments and you should not stir up feelings that are harmful or dangerous.

The proportion of logic to emotion that you should use will depend entirely on your audience, your purpose and your subject. As you plan your argument, consider the following: Subject: Can you make your point by using valid arguments that appeal to logic and at the same time appeal responsibly to emotion? For example, effectively mobilizing people to work toward ending wrongful imprisonment requires valid arguments that are logically convincing and emotionally motivating. If you have chosen a controversial issue, you know that the issue is probably charged with emotion. Rather than focus on the emotional aspects of the issue, you could probably win your readers’ confidence by basing your arguments on careful thinking and facts, and by using emotional appeals only sparingly, to indicate your concern over the issue.

Audience: Are you addressing scientists who expect to hear hard evidence or an audience that is apathetic about a serious problem? Consider your audience when you are composing your arguments. Purpose: Do you want readers to see something in a different way or do you want to motivate readers to take action? How urgent is your issue? The proportion of reason to emotion should be tailored to your particular purpose.

Here are some tips to help you write valid arguments that will appeal to both logic and emotion: Establish Common Ground. When you are addressing an audience that disagrees with your thesis, search for a common ground, or area of agreement. If you want to ban smoking in restaurants and all other public places in your town, and you are addressing an audience of smokers, you might argue that the town government has a responsibility to safeguard public health. Since most readers would agree with this statement, they might be more inclined to consider your argument that smoking, as a public health hazard, should be banned in public places. Distinguish Facts from Opinions.

Facts are statements that can be proved or verified. When citing a fact to prove a point, ask yourself: Is this fact accurate? Is it relevant? Opinions are personal judgments. Do not use opinions as the sole basis of your argument.

Argument Based on Opinion: Goat’s milk tastes better than cow’s milk. [Taste is a matter of opinion or personal preference] Argument Based on Fact: Goat’s milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk. [This fact can be verified.] Use Statistics Accurately. Statistics are facts based on numbers. Because statistics can be confusing, double-check such information in more than one source. When writing on a current topic, note the publi- cation dates of your sources to be sure your statistics are up-to-date. Be aware that the statistics you choose not to include can alter your case.

Advertisers often manipulate statistics to make their point. Build Credibility. Citing reliable sources gives your writing validity. When quoting an expert, ask yourself, “Does this person s knowledge help me prove my point? Is this opinion unbiased?†Set an Effective Tone and Convey a Confident Voice.

Your tone, or attitude toward your subject, can help you to win readers’ respect. Tone is revealed through the connotations of the words you choose and through the care with which you develop your arguments. Voice is the distinctive identity you reveal in your writing. Establish a voice that shows you are confident, reliable, and committed to your position. Check your Logic.

A valid argument must follow logically from one step to another. If your readers cannot follow your argument, they may not be persuaded. Map out the steps of your argument before writing. Check to make sure your essay has included all of them. Anticipate Opposing Arguments.

You need to anticipate the arguments that will be leveled against yours. You can strengthen your case by acknowledging valid dissent or by refuting invalid arguments. In the fol- lowing excerpt, a professional writer clears the way for her argument by conceding several points to the opposition. Use Responsible Appeals to Emotion. Another effective way to persuade your audience is to try to stir the heart as well as the mind.

It is important to make such appeals sparingly, so that they do not ignite feelings that are unreasonable or harmful. Evaluate Your Points. Find a way to emphasize the strongest point of your argument. You may want to devote more space to it. You can do this by using a memorable image to illustrate it or to place it last in your essay so that your readers will remember it.

And have you properly cited your sources? Note, Shakespeare citations identify act, scene and lines, as illustrated here, (1.2.). How Do I Revise My Persuasive Essay?: Checking Your Performance 1. Does my essay contain a clear definition of my issue and a statement of my position? 2.

Have I presented my points clearly and logically? Have I supported my points using valid evidence, logical arguments, and making responsible appeals to emotion? 3. Do I acknowledge that my audience’s view is probably different from my own? 4.

Do I acknowledge valid opposing arguments or respond to invalid ones? 5. Does my conclusion challenge readers to think in a new way or to take action? Notice how the following student-writer, develops argument with anecdotes and logical reasoning, and concludes with a call to action and a restatement of her thesis. “The Coffee Cup Half Full†Although many experts may say that to truly understand society we must study its people, how they live and make a living, their families, how they treat others, what their values are, and what’s really important to them, I think you can get the best view of today’s society through the eyes of one who works at a coffee shop.

Ahhhhh, a coffeehouse. The modern soda fountain. It has come a long way since the days when beatniks were the prominent customers. Nowadays, coffee cupping is almost as popular a pastime as wine tasting, and coffee connoisseurs are willing to pay top dollar for premium coffee beans. Since I began work at Second Cup a few months ago, I have learned a lot that I could never have learned in school; not just how to make a cappuccino in under 90 seconds, or how to treat third degree burns from an espresso machine, but I have learned valuable lessons about mankind.

The people who come into the Second Cup where I work are from all walks of life. Although you may not believe that all types of people can afford a latte or