ENG 100
PERSUASIVE/ARGUMENTIVE ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
This assignment will introduce you to the world of persuasion and research—skills you will need
for the remainder of your academic career regardless of the field you are in.
What is persuasion?
At its simplest form, it is rhetoric— the use of language to accomplish a goal. Generally, these
goals are aimed at persuading an audience of the importance of being informed of your topic or
to believe as you do about your topic and then perhaps respond to a call to action that you are
asserting. You will be arguing that your audience should see things your way. A well-written
persuasive essay will leave your readers having difficulty arguing against your point of view.
Your reader will not have an opportunity to point out flaws in your argument that could
ultimately lead to proving you wrong.
Why is research a necessary component of persuasion?
Research can enable us to become effective participants in the “conversation” that is happening
around a topic and to know what the important components of the topic are. While your personal
experiences will probably influence your viewpoint, EVERY point that you make needs to be
supported with evidence. Your entire argument should be based on evidence from reliable
sources.
We have looked at the terms Logos, Ethos, and Pathos and have learned a great deal about
author’s style. You have analyzed how these strategies assert themselves within writing. This
means that you are familiar with some of the ways in which writers create effective persuasion.
For this essay, you will most likely ally yourself closely with logos through your research,
though ethos and pathos will also play importantly in the discussion of your topic. Voice and
audience awareness will be of central importance to this essay. Now it is your turn to participate
as a writer yourself.
Choosing a Topic
First you will choose a topic. Since you have already chosen a project focused on improving the
community, your topic should focus on arguing that the product you are creating is valuable in
answering the essential question pertaining to your project. Identify what you believe has some
potential for discussion surrounding this issue. Address what is controversial or at least an area
of the subject with multiple sides or viewpoints being presented. The topic MUST be something
that has MORE THAN ONE point of view. In other words, you must address something related
to your project and its need that you know people may disagree about. In an argument of this
kind, it is important that you know and feel strongly enough about your project and its benefits
Kay M. Hedrick
ENG 100
KYTSE Version
rev. 10/14
that you feel confident arguing your side. You will be required to turn in your specific argument
(topic) with an annotated bibliography and sources list by Friday, October 17, 2014.
The Assignment
You are to research and compose an argumentative or persuasive essay. Argumentative essays
enlighten your readers to the rationale behind your position on a debatable issue. However,
persuasive essays not only enlighten your readers to your position on an issue but also attempt to
coerce readers to take some sort of action. If you choose persuasion, a counterargument is
required. This will be discussed in class and will take the form of a fourth point in your essay.
Specifics
You will have 3 weeks to complete this assignment with work due in the following
manner:
Working Thesis and Annotated Bibliography Due: Friday, Oct. 17, 2014
Outline Due: Monday, Oct. 20, 2014
Product Due for Revisions: Friday, Oct. 17, 2014
Presentations of Products Due: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014
5 Printed Copies of draft due for workshop: Monday, Oct. 27, 2014
Final Draft in MLA format with Works Cited Page due: Friday, Oct. 31, 2014
Your essay must be 5-8 pages in length.
You must include at least three outside sources with no more than one from web
sources. Two of these must be academic print sources (book, journal article, etc.).
Do not just “Google and Go,” or use Wikipedia as a primary source etc.
The research part of this assignment is one of the most important and also one of the most timeconsuming. Do not procrastinate!
Kay M. Hedrick
ENG 100
KYTSE Version
rev. 10/14