THE IMPORTANCE OF PERSUASION AND ARGUMENT
“argument literacy” is
fundamental to being educated
and its importance far exceeds
the classroom.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
1. Gather relevant information, cite sources, direct quote and paraphrase
2. Be able to give background information and needed definitions
3. Be able to create a precise claim and support with relevant evidence
4. To be able to explain strengths and weaknesses in arguments and
connect evidence to the claim/thesis
5. To be able to discuss and refute counterarguments
6. To be able to utilize formal academic voice and vocabulary with proper
grammatical skills
7. To be able to format a persuasive paper logically and correctly
8. To effectively revise, edit, rework a paper to improve writing skills
9. To utilize technology effectively and efficiently to enhance final product
SOURCES
You need to put at least 3 sources in your works
cited page with all information completed.
1 book if applicable
1 website
NO WIKIPEDIA
You may use procon.org
STARTING YOUR PAPER......
1. Log in to noodletools.com and create a new project
for Persuasive Paper or name of topic
2. Need to fill in a topic (what you are researching), a
research question, and once you choose which side
you are arguing...fill in the thesis statement
EX: Ohio schools must implement school uniforms in
order to increase achievement, decrease bullying, and
create a safer environment.
NOTECARDS......
You need notecards on the following topics:
Background Cards: Define your topic, discuss how and
why your topic is controversial. (NO OPINION IN THIS PART) at
least 3 cards.
Support Cards or Pro Cards: You need at least 3
cards that give researched information to support the side you
are arguing. Evaluate weaknesses in the information.
Counterarguments or Con Cards : You need at least
3 cards with information that the other side would argue.....and
why they are wrong. Evaluate weaknesses in the information.
INTRODUCTION
1. opening statement
2. background information-define your topic....when
did it become a topic of debate and why?
3. reasons (weakest to strongest)
4. Concluding sentence=thesis:
School Uniforms must be in public schools because
(list reasons).
Must be in paragraph form....check for banned
words.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Reason #1,2,3: School uniforms are beneficial
because….
Must use at least two of the three support reasons from
your planner. Explain each support after stating it and
evaluate any weaknesses.
Concluding sentence: how your reasons supports that
school uniforms will benefit students. (how evidence
supports what you are arguing in thesis statement)
LOGICAL/EMOTIONAL
Label on your planner what your logical and what your emotional
appeal will be.
You will have to underline and label these in your paper.
Your appeals must be in the three body paragraphs (not
counterargument paragraph)
Honors: label: appeals, question, and repetition, and parallelism etc.
COUNTERARGUMENTS
Topic sentence: Although many would argue
against school uniforms, the reasons for
school uniforms far outweigh the reasons
against.
Write down each counterargument and tell why
the argument is ineffective.
Concluding sentence: reiterate why your
argument is stronger
CONCLUSION
Reword thesis statement
Restate your arguments
End with a way to solve the
problem…what should people think
about and what can people do to
help.
BANNED WORDS
Got/gotten
Get/getting
We,us,our
I,You/your,
Me, my
Thing/things
Anything
Nothing
everything
Can’t (or any contractions) (type in apostrophe in find box)
USE YOUR SYLLABUS FOR ENTIRE LIST OF BANNED WORDS!!!
MORE BANNED WORDS
So
In conclusion
In this essay
Should
First, second, third
All in all
On the other hand
A lot
Stuff
Big/huge (when discussing importance)
USE YOUR SYLLABUS!!!!
PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE
Language to identify supporters of an issue
Supporters
Proponents
Those in favor of...
Advocats for this issue...
Defenders
PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE
Language used to identify those against an
argument:
Opponents
Those against the issue
Critics of
Defenders of
PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE: OPPOSING
ARGUMENTS
Argue
assert
Attend
Maintain
Claim
State
Believe
Allege
Insist
Point out
SHIFTING FROM OPPOSING TO SUPPORTING
However,
On the contrary,
In contrast,
Although,
In truth,
In reality,
Yet the fact of the matter is