Process 3
Persuasive Essay
Identify a topic that interests you. Here are a few examples:
- 1) School Vouchers and their Effect on the Public Schools
- 2) Global warming
- 3) Incorporating Suburbs as Villages
- 4) The California Energy Crisis
Topics are mainly about nouns.
Topics need direction:
- Are we going to write about whether global warming is real or not?
- Or are we going to write about global warming's causes and effects?
- Or are we going to compare solutions?
- Do you see that topics need direction?
Direction gives a thesis: Once you decide what frame or angle to take on
your
topic, you can turn this into the point (or thesis) your essay will cover or
prove.
Example:
Direction (persuade) + Global Warming = Title: Global Warming: Fact or
Mirage?
Now we
can see that he essay will argue in the direction of whether Global
Warming is real. And you will place your thesis statement in the
first
paragraph or two, after you introduce your topic. (See Freewriting.)
Other modes: Although this is a persuasive essay, you will probably define
some terms, classify some concepts, show comparisions, use examples,
or, perhaps, give causes and effects.
START WRITING...
- Collect 3 or 4 articles from the library on the Internet. Mix levels: some popular level and some technical level. If this cannot be done with your topic, explain why in your email to the group. Get articles on all sides.
No essay that uses only one side's data is very convincing.
- Freewrite in a variety of ( outlining, brainstorming with the "blimp")to warm-up for the persuasive essay.
- Organize your paper now.
Introduce by giving background on this topic.
Who deals with it?
Why should we all need to know about it now?
State your thesis about this topic.
Present the points the other side's sources make, then the points that
your side's sources make in a fair and civil tone, giving some credit to each
side.
Conclude wisely. The conslusion is not just a sign-off. Summarize what
you want to reader to remember. What is your main point? What surprised
you in your research? Does more data need to be found?
- Respond to peers' drafts.
- Revise your own draft, keep in mind feedback from peers and instructor.
Format: Just send all drafts as an email message.
Peer comment drafts should
be at least 1 and 1/2 pp. (if
double-spaced).
Be sure to make final draft at least 3-4 pp., double-spaced in
WORD
(using 12 pt. new Times Roman or
similar font.) You should "save as"
a text file. Paste your drafts into
email messages.