Argumentative and Persuasive Essays

Inciting People to Thought or Action

Persuasion

• Names a purpose for writing
• Convince people to think, act, or feel a certain way
• Appeal to reason, emotion, or sense of ethics

Argument

• Deal with complex issues that are debatable
• Need opposing views
• Appeal to reader’s reason and intellect

Argument and Persuasive Essays

• Must be clear
• Must display evidence
• Must use flawless logic
• Must be organized well
• Must have an assertion or proposition stating what you believe about a certain issue (Or a debatable statement)
• Must justify the significance of the issue
• Must support the thesis with:
• Facts, figures, examples, opinions from recognized authorities, case histories, narratives/anecdotes, comparisons, contrasts, or cause/effect studies

Three Methods of Persuasion

1. An Appeal to Reason
1. Relies on logic and intellect
2. Most effective when you expect readers to disagree with you
3. Can help you change a reader’s opinions through the use of logic.
4. Facts and statistics
2. An Appeal to Emotions
1. Attempt to arouse reader’s feelings, instincts, and biases
2. Best when readers already agree with you
3. Validates, reinforces, and/or incites in an effort to try to get reader’s to share your feelings or ideas.
3. An Appeal to Ethics
1. Cultivate a sincere, honest tone to establish your reputation as a reliable, qualified, experienced, well informed, and knowledgeable person whose opinions are believable because they are ethically sound.
2. Being believable