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. Choose something you are genuinely interested in and something
that you believe has some potential for discussion. The subject should be either controversial or
at least a subject with multiple sides or viewpoints being presented. The topic must be
something that has MORE THAN ONE point of view. In other words, it must be something that
you know people may disagree about. Pick a topic that you know and feel strongly enough about
that you could feel confident arguing your side. You will be required to turn in your topic ideas
with an annotated bibliography and sources list by ____________________________________.
Kay M. Hedrick
ENG 100
rev. 10/12
Possible Topics
 Issues that have an active thread of debate occurring in relation to them. For example,
current events, topics from the news, state or national political issues — anything that
has a current debate going in which you can enter the conversation and add to it your
informed argument.
 You may complete a review of literature related to the career field you are considering.
What issues are being discussed or debated in this field. For example, if you are
interested in entering a business-related field, you could review articles in such
publications as Fortune, Barron’s, The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, or their
websites. For education related-fields, you might look at Education Digest, NEA, AFT,
ERIC, or other education resources. If you choose this option, it is also important to
consider what the general population is saying about the same topic, after reviewing what
the professionals in the field are saying.
 Pick a subject that you want to know more about, or that you are already somewhat of an
expert about. Research that subject to determine what other people need to know about
it. For example, if you are a football fan, you could research the XFL and write a paper
persuading whether or not it is a good or bad sport.
Topics that Won’t Work
 Issues that are based in moral reasoning are best to avoid. Despite your research, wit
and charm, you will probably not convince your readers to take your side. (An
example of this is the abortion debate).
 Topics that are based purely on opinion, such as “Classic Rock is the Best Music of
All Time.” This idea is too subjective and your reader will not change his or her
taste in music because of your well-written essay.
 Topics that are already understood to be true, such as “Everyone Should Exercise
Regularly.” Though many people still don’t, it is common knowledge that exercise is
good for you, and therefore is NOT debatable.
 Please do not write on the following topics: abortion, gun control, marijuana
legalization, gay marriage or rights, or creationism/evolution.
Kay M. Hedrick
ENG 100
rev. 10/12
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.
Kay M. Hedrick
ENG 100
rev. 10/12
Specifics
You will have 3 weeks to complete this assignment with work due in the following
manner:
Working Thesis and Annotated Bibliography Due:____________________________
Outline Due:__________________________________________________________
5 Printed Copies of draft due for workshop: _________________________________
Final Draft in MLA format with Works Cited Page due: _______________________
Your essay must be 5-8 pages in length.
You must include at least five outside sources with no more than three from web
sources. Two of these must be academic print sources (book, journal article, etc.).
Do not just “Google and Go,” 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
rev. 10/12