English 101
Argumentation-Persuasion
Winter 2009
Yablon 1
Taking Both Sides
Notes:
Argumentation -- clear thinking, logic to convince reader of the
soundness of a particular opinion on a controversial issue.
Persuasion -- emotions used to convince reader to take a particular
action.
Persuasion and argumentation are often combined.
"Logos" or soundness of argument -- facts, statistics, examples,
authoritative statements to support viewpoint. Evidence must be
unified, specific, sufficient, accurate, and representative.
Main strength of argument.
"Pathos" -- appeals to readers' needs, values, and attitudes,
encouraging them to commit themselves to a viewpoint or course of
action. Pathos derived from language (connotative -- strong
emotional overtones).
"Ethos" -- credibility and integrity. Prove to reader that you're
knowledgeable and trustworthy. Give a balanced approach,
acknowledge differing points of view, and give lots of support
for your viewpoint.
Structure -- beginning -- identify controversy about issue, state
position in thesis. Provide background information.
-- body -- give strong support for thesis, meets the needs of
logos, pathos, and ethos.
Goodwill -- readers are more likely to listen to an argument if it is
reasoned, cool, calm, and relatively dispassionate. Focus on the
issues, not the reader or opponent.
Refutations -- restate opposing points of view, acknowledge the
validity of some of the arguments given by opponents, point out
common grounds, present evidence for your position.
Building Blocks – state and explain facts; refer to an appropriate
authority (document or expert person); provide and
explain/interpret plenty of examples; predict the consequences of
doing/not doing an action; refute the opposition; make a
recommendation; make a call to action.
Inductive reasoning -- draw a conclusion from using specific details.
That is, observing the way certain specific (individual) things
happen and then applying that individual observation to a more
general population. (For example, seeing on apple fall and
English 101
Argumentation-Persuasion
Winter 2009
Yablon 2
concluding that gravity affects it and, therefore, gravity will
affect other things and make other things fall down as well.)
Deductive reasoning -- apply a generalization to a specific case.
That is, observing the way many things happen and then apply that
general observation to a specific instance. (For example, seeing
that everything falls down toward the ground – by way of the
force of gravity – and then observing or predicting that one
particular apple, if dropped, will probably fall down toward the
ground as well.)
Problems to avoid -- faulty conclusions, post hoc fallacy (causeeffect sequential but not related); non sequitur fallacy
(conclusion has no connection to evidence); ad hominem argument
(attach person rather than point of view); faulty authority (when
authority is in doubt); begging the question (reader expected to
accept a controversial premise without proof); false analogy (two
things share all characteristics if they share only a few);
either-or fallacy (viewpoint can only have one of two solutions);
red herring argument (deflect attention).
Although argumentation-persuasion essays may follow any
particular pattern (the Rogerian pattern is certainly not your
only choice), an excellent persuasive essay will always include a
clear thesis, sharp topic sentences, and a refutation of the
counterarguments.
The Assignment:
Although I cannot verify this (and apparently it’s mythical in
origin), apparently there’s an old Chinese curse that says, “May you
live in interesting times.” Alas, we most certainly do live in
interesting times! We live in a time filled with controversy, with
individuals taking a side on an issue without being able to agree with
or even see the other person’s perspective. Well, this assignment is
really about broadening your mind and your perspective.
I want you to find a controversial issue – an issue upon which
there is disagreement and at least two sides to be argued – and write
two short essays focusing on that issue. (I don’t really care what
the issue is, as long as it is controversial and it interests you.)
This issue must have been reported in an article in the news media –
print or electronic – within the last month. Please copy and/or print
out the original article and attach it to your essays. Please write a
two-page essay advocating for (PRO) the issue. Then, write a separate
two-page essay advocating against (CON) the issue. Since you’ll need
to cite the article in each essay, you may attach one Works Cited page
to the back of the two essays (along with a copy of the original
article). Keep in mind, the challenge is not really to write an
argumentative essay. The true challenge is to be able to argue
soundly, persuasively, and completely from both sides of the issue –
English 101
Argumentation-Persuasion
Winter 2009
Yablon 3
that’s stretching and broadening your mind to be able to see an issue
from more than one perspective!
Keep in mind that you need to have an identifiable thesis
statement. You need to cite and use your original article as a source
in both essays. You also need to include a Works Cited page.
Formatting:
All papers must have the following characteristics. Papers that do not
follow these guidelines will be returned to the student without being
read or graded.
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All text double-spaced
Use a sans-serif font such as Chalkboard or Ariel
12 point height (neither less nor more)
Follow consistent MLA formatting
A hard copy delivered to the instructor (no disks/emails/excuses)
Length: two two-page essays, plus the Works Cited page
Identified as to type of paper being submitted (“Narrative Paper”)
Given an appropriate title (not a label such as “narrative paper”)
MLA citations and a Works Cited page
Evidence of peer review
A formal outline
Good luck! You’ll do just fine.

[File: Argumentation essay, 2 sides.doc]