Journal: From Issue to Persuasion
Persuasion is a constant ineach of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going toencounter some formof persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television want to convince us of howweshould feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs toothers, and the process we apply is typically some formof persuasion.
Persuasive writing is one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the abilityto influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability tochange one’s mind about aparticular issue. The persuasive essay is an idealtool forsupporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives youthe chance to recognize an opposing viewpoint andrefute it, notingthat those who hold the opposing viewpointare the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt: For this assignment, you will use a guided prompt to write notes that will help you better understand how to approach the persuasive essay. As you follow the guide, remember to apply the information you have learned in Modules One and Two when discussing your issue.
In ModuleThree, you will build upon these writing notes to prepare a more refined Writing Plan, which will help to prepare you to draft your persuasive essay. For this Writing Notes assignment,the following critical elements must be addressedinone fully developed paragraph each:
I. Writing Notes: Use these writing notes as a way to gather your thoughts and determine your strategy for writing your persuasive essay.
This process will allow you to develop a potential structure for effectively persuading readers to agree with your argument. These notes will be helpful in keeping your thought process on track when you begin writing and revising your essay.
1. Your argument is the main point that you are trying to make in your essay. It should clearly state your opinion on your issue. Describe the argument to be addressed in your persuasive essay, and include how the argument is connected to your major, the major you are considering pursuing, or your field of work.
2. Key points are pieces of evidence that support an author’s main argument.What are three possible key points for your selected issue? How do they support your main argument?
3. Your audience is the person or people you are addressing in your essay. Who is the audience that will be reading your essay? What potential challenges will you encounter in supporting your argument with this audience?
4. Your goal is the end result that you wish to achieve in writing this essay. What goal do you hope to accomplish? What will this essay need to be successful?
5. Potential resources are pieces of evidence that could be used to support your argument. List potential resources that could be used as supporting evidence for your argument, and provide a brief description of each and how it will reinforce your argument.
6. Using the supporting resources you identified above, list each of the points of your argument with the resources that support them. This process will help you begin to form an effective essay structure.
7. Determine aspects of your argument that would be effectively supported with evidence. Defend your choices.
