Composition
Authentic Argument
Mrs. Kirk
TASK: Compose an authentic argument to a real audience about a topic that is personally
relevant to you. Make a clear claim and have a very specific purpose (what you would like
your audience to do, think, believe) as this argument will be relatively brief. (This is not the paper in
which you should address a large social issue)
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Audience: Whoever is most likely to disagree with your stance. Write to/for REAL
people: your peers, your sister, your mom, your teacher, your coach, your boss, your
neighbor…
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Format: A letter, about two double-spaced pages in length
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Goal: Successfully employ the three appeals and various rhetorical strategies to
convince your audience of your point:
ETHOS: Establish your credibility and decency
Connect to the values of the audience
Use pronouns with careful intention
Concede to the opposition where appropriate, showing that you are fairMinded
PATHOS: Pinpoint your audience, their values, beliefs, assumptions
Carefully choose which emotions to call upon
Use powerful language and images that will elicit these emotions
LOGOS: Make certain the intention of your argument is clear
Choose your supporting ideas and development pattern wisely
(we will review)
Anticipate, concede, refute opposing arguments
Avoid faulty logic: bandwagon appeals, circular reasoning…
Note:
Your diction, syntax, and tone will help craft these appeals, so choose your words carefully!!
Possibilities:
Convince the student body to accept a controversial school rule or policy
Convince your parents to allow you to do something they would typically prohibit
Convince a friend to break up with his/her significant other
Convince your teacher to assign more extra credit
Convince your sister to switch rooms with you
Convince sophomores to be kind to the freshmen
Things I want or need
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Things that interfere with my happiness or goals or time:
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5.
Things that bug me about other people/behaviors that annoy me:
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5.
Things that bug me at school
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5.
Things that bug me at home or within my family
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Things that bug me within my personal life: activities, friends, relationships:
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Things about my community that I’d like to see changed or improved
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