After carefully considering the visual argument below, write an argument
either condoning or refuting this idea. Add support of your own to
strengthen your argument: evidence, emotional appeals, and so on.
Conclude your brief argument with a convincing statement.
Persuasion is an Argument for a
Intelligent but Uninformed audience.
Sound
Arguments
Makes a
Claim
Reasons
and
Evidence
Appeal to
Emotional
and
Logical
Narrow the Issue:
The intelligent audience
probably knows the
overview
ofEffects
the topic.
Health
Your job is to teach them
somethingHemp
new!
Make a Clear and Specific Claim
Tell your position on the issue.
Make your thesis the last statement
of the first paragraph
What is a Specific Thesis?
• General:
• Specific:
– Marijuana should be
legalized in the United
States.
– Marijuana’s prohibition is
costing the U.S. billions of
dollars in incarcerations, and
therefore, should become a
regulated substance like
alcohol, so the state can
profit from it instead.
– Marijuana should remain
a banned substance.
– Marijuana has been shown to
cause significant health risks,
especially to children, and
must be remain banned in
the United States.
Agreeing Audience
Focus on:
• Urging readers to a specific action
• Concentrate on reinforcing a shared viewpoint
• Build emotional ties
Neutral or Wavering
Audience
Emphasize:
• Importance of the issue
• Offer Explanations that clear up
misunderstandings
• Establish yourself as knowledgeable
• Engender trust
• Present solid evidence
Disagreeing Audience
Goal:
Get the Reader to Consider your Point of View
How:
• Logical line of Reasoning
• Establish Common Ground
• Basis of trust
• Lots of evidence
• Recognize the opposition’s ideas as valid
Logical Lines of
ReasonInductive
Reasoning
Uses specifics to make a
general conclusion
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3
Reason 4
Conclusion
Logical Lines of Reason- Deductive
Reasoning
Chain of reasoning
Uses generally accepted principles
to draw conclusions about the
specifics
Reader’s Needs and Values
Emotional Appeals