Lecture Notes about Persuasive

Persuasive Essay promotes change
Change in the information available
Change in complexity of the issue
Changes how reader understands subject
But it ISN’T about changing the reader’s position on the subject

Take the Defensive Approach
Attacking is the Offense approach
It’s also usually Offensive
Explain How and Why YOU came to this view
Minimal confrontation
You share A view, AN understanding, not THE one and only way to see the issue

Argument should not be based on emotion or faith
Expectation is for logic and reason, physical evidence and examples
Emotion can be a start, but should only be AN element, not the focus
Faith is what we belief without proof
Physical/logical evidence is the emphasis of persuasive essay

Can’t just tell us that things are true
You have to offer the reader the evidence that has convinced you
Not just “Gun violence is too high”
Instead, give actual statistics and evidence about gun violence
The better the source, the better the argument

Arguments have 3 main elements: Logos – logic, data; Ethos – Ethics, credibility of information; Pathos – People, human side/face

Used in different proportions, but all 3 must be present for effective argument
Partial argument might be temporarily effective, but not in long-term

Arguments are not dichotomies – 2-sided
Shades of gray, not black or white, right or wrong, us or them
Show understanding of other views
Admit when they have points,
But show how evidence weighs in towards your view
Honesty convinces reader, not avoidance

Evidence – specific and direct (and cited)

Analysis - explanation of how evidence supports assertion

The drug Perspexix has worked, but in a very limited way. Clinical trials conducted over several years showed that it improved people’s vision, but with common negative side effects like nausea and high blood pressure (Smith 23). Thus, it is only useful for patients in the most severe of cases who don’t already have serious medical conditions.

Determine your subject: Something you have definite views about; Something others are discussing

Find credible sources about subject

Determine WHY you feel as you do: What evidence/sources have convinced you
Organize reasons into scratch outline: Which points are most significant; What order do they need to be in?

Determine what alternate views exist: Choose ones reader will likely know; Determine how to present them; Argue against, if you have the evidence; If not, present weight of other evidence
Determine background reader needs: Definitions or explanations of terms?

Determine solutions, if any, are available: Be honest – don’t claim miracles; Be as specific as you can; What do you want to change?

Confirm Logos, Ethos, Pathos elements

Re-organize scratch outline

Persuasive

3 elements to argumentative ¶

3 elements to argumentative ¶

3 elements to argumentative ¶

3 elements to argumentative ¶