Persuasive Writing

Purpose

-Convince your readers to do the following:

1. follow the course of action you suggest2. think differently about an issue

Aristotle’s Means of Persuasion Logos (Logical)- persuading by the use of reason

Greek: word

• Refers to the internal consistency of the message—

• The clarity of the claim, the logic of its reasons, and the effectiveness of its supporting evidence.

• The impact of logos on an audience is sometimes called the argument's logical appeal.

Aristotle’s Means of Persuasion Ethos (Credibility)—ethical appeal; means convincing by the character of the author

Greek: character

• Refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. • Often conveyed through tone and style of the message and

through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views.• It can also be affected by the writer's reputation as it exists

independently from the • The impact of ethos is often called the argument's 'ethical appeal'

or the 'appeal from credibility.

Aristotle’s Means of Persuasion Pathos (Emotional)- persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions

Greek: suffering or experience

• Appeals to the audience's sympathies and imagination. • Causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to

identify with the writer's point of view • Pathos thus refers to both the emotional and the

imaginative impact of the message on an audience, the power with which the writer's message moves the audience to decision or action.

Short VersionEthos: the source's credibility, the speaker's/author's authority

Logos: the logic used to support a claim (induction and deduction); can also be the facts and statistics used to help support the argument.

Pathos: the emotional or motivational appeals; vivid language, emotional language and numerous sensory details.

What is an argument?A statement or statements offering support for a claim.

It is composed of three parts: claim, support, and the warrant.

ClaimUsually the claim appears as the thesis statement (3 kinds)

Claims of Fact- based on facts or data

Claims of Value- desire; morality

Claims of policy- express should, must, or ought

Support

The evidence or data consists of facts, statistics, and testimony from experts.

WarrantAn inference or assumption that is taken from the claim and support

For example:

Claim: Backscatter screening should be implemented in airports.

Support: Being seen unclothed is better than dying.

Warrant: Being safe is worth a small loss of privacy.

Where to start?Introduction

1) Paradox or intriguing statement2) Shocking statement3) Question4) Quote or allusion5) Story, joke, or anecdote6) Description (emotional appeal)7) Contrast8) Catalog of examples9) Problem or misconception

Thesis

This is a condensed analysis of what your paper is about.

Start broad but interesting to keep the reader wondering and intrigued to read on

“Roadmap” for the rest of the paper

Teachers all over the state, country, and world are tying to figure out the best strategies and tools that they can use to make a significant impact on their students’ education. Some may have found the answers, and others are still on the hunt for the most perfect methods to instruct their students. Some teachers and schools have found what works for them, and they have done so by trusting cooperative learning. These schools have adopted such approaches such as Support for All, which is “a whole-school reform strategy that features research-proven tools, cooperative learning to engage students and collaborative leadership for continuous improvement” (Success). With this strategy, districts, schools, and teachers have been able to impact their students using leadership, powerful instruction, intervention tools, professional development, and research. Not all teachers need to adopt this particular strategy, but adopting some of the core concepts and adapting it according to their needs can truly make an impact on students.

Because nearly half of American women’s pregnancies are unplanned, this increases the rate of abortions in the United States. Four out of every ten unintended pregnancies end in abortion (Guttmacher). This has become a big ethical debate on whether or not abortions are right or wrong. While creating this debate, there have been two main groups formed: Pro-Life protestors and Pro-Choice. In this scenario, it is really hard to put one’s own biases aside and use critical thinking to come up with the best answer on whether or not this concept is truly right or wrong. By trying to gather facts and other data, using critical thinking can help make a better judgement call, and help figure out what is the best ethical answer by using critical thinking and tying to put those biases and personal beliefs on the back burner.

Argument Essay Prompt

“I try to plant peace if I do not want discord; to plant loyalty and honesty if I want to avoid betrayal and lies.”

– Maya Angelou

For your argument essay, I would like you to support or refute this statement of Angelou’s. You will need a clear thesis for your argument with three reasons supporting the side of the argument you have chosen.

Your Essay

Your essay will be a claim of value.

In order to change the audience’s point of view you will want to use these approaches:

Logos- logicPathos- emotion

The BodyFor each of your paragraphs:

• Topic sentence • Use logical and emotional examples to support

(These need to be realistic, no funny business.)• Comment on your examples and explain why they

support your claim.

Where to end?Conclusion

1) Restate the thesis and main points (long essays)2) Evaluate the importance3) Make a call to action4) Give a warning5) Use a witticism that sums up your thesis6) Quote, joke, or story that sums up7) Ask a rhetorical question

MLA

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NameMiss AppellHonors English II24 September 2013 (Date Due)

Title

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