Persuasive Research Paper 2Nd Draft

Persuasive Research Paper – 2 nd Draft

In the second draft of the persuasive research paper, you will be challenged with bolstering and expanding your arguments, sharpening your grammar, and making assurances that your thesis has clarity and plenty of support. Think of your first draft as a batch of clay you have prepared. Now is the time to mold it into shape.

Step One:

I recommend you begin your lab time by addressing the written feedback I have provided your first draft. All written criteria should be used to improve your paper. A major portion of your second draft’s grade will be based on whether/ how well you have done this.

Step Two:

When you have finished this, I recommend you make sure your paper meets all criteria of the section labeled “Assignment Specifics” on the reverse side of this sheet. A portion of the grade will also be based on this.

Step Three:

Finally, you may finish the paper off by expanding it to five pages. By this point, your adjustments may have brought you there already or you may need to do some more research and composition. A portion of the grade will be based on the quality of the expansion.

Remember that MLA citation is tricky for inexperienced users. If you are not sure of something, ask! Handbooks, as well as the “Using Sources” packet in your binder, are available. The “Using Sources” packet has also been posted on my website. The Assignment Specifics In this assignment, you will try three different tactics (logos, pathos, ethos) in arguing for a position statement (the thesis). . You should also have an introduction (label it) which explains your position statement. You use a formulaic introduction (which we covered at the beginning of Comp IA) or an artistic introduction (which we covered in chapter 1). . The last sentence of the introduction should be your thesis. To write a specific, unified, and restricted thesis, refer to pgs. 3-10 that we covered in Chapter 1. . Support the thesis with 1 logos section, 1 pathos section, and 1 ethos section. LABEL each. . You do not have to spend equal time or page length with section, but make sure the logos section is at least a page in length. . Make sure you properly cite all sources from which you draw using MLA citation practices. A well written paper will have (approximately) one or two in-text citations per page. An especially well written paper will have two to three. Remember that you can use a source (and, therefore, an in- text citation) more than once. . Your instuctor will notify you what sources should be used. Write them here: ______. You will end the paper with a conclusion (label it) that reflects upon and ties together the thoughts made in each of your sections. . Students often forget that numbers less than 100 should always be spelled out in academic writing. For instance, spell out “two percent” instead of “2%.” If a three digit number is paired with a number with less digits, then you may use numerals for consistency’s sake: “37 of 452 surveyed” instead of “thirty-seven of 452 surveyed.” . Your second draft should be at least five pages. . Attach a bibliography at the end of the paper. Use the “Using Sources” packet to guide you (if you do not have your binder with you, it is also posted on Mr. Rokenbrodt’s website). Make sure your formatting exactly matches the example I provided on the first page . Remember that http://citationmachine.net/ can give you in-text citations and full citations that you can copy and paste into your paper. Otherwise, manuals will be available for use in class. . All grammar mistakes should be corrected. See my grammar key hanging in my classroom to intepret the check marks. A quick review…

Logos – an appeal to the mind. Support your argument with reasons and facts. These could include statistics, case studies, facts, prominent theories, logical statements and arguments, and other appeals to the the intellect. MAKE THIS SECTION AT LEAST A PAGE IN LENGTH!

Pathos – an appeal to the heart. These usually come in the form of examples, stories, and details. For instance, if you are trying to convince your audience to aid the homeless, you could share a story of a homeless woman who froze to death on a cold night after being turned away by a six people because of her looks.

Ethos – an appeal to the character. Do you know someone who you think is intelligent, responsible, and sincere? Would you accept that peron’s opinion more quickly than the opinion of someone you think is unintelligent, unresponsible, and insincere? In this style of argument, you can either bring in the opinions of experts and the lifestyles, beliefs, and choices of respected figures. A pro-slave writer of the South might point out that George Washington owned slaves for instance. Another style in this argument is where you point to yourself as being the expert and respectible figure to be copied – and you explain why. For instance, you can discuss the benefits of athletics more effectively if you point out that you were a state wrestler. You can discuss the benefits of foster homes more effectively if you point out that you lived in several before becoming adopted. What if I am having trouble coming up with new material for the expansion?

Have you considered using example support? A paper persuading me to support a pro-green group might do well to provide examples of their projects that have helped the environment. Cause and effect support? A paper persuading me to be more active in my fight against drugs might do well to look what has happened to the lives of drug users in thirty years. Process analysis? A paper persuading me to avoid voting for our current congressmen might do well to explain how they go about burdening the middle class with taxes while providing the rich with loop holes. Formal or informal definition support? Is there a term within your topic that you haven’t explained properly? A paper persuading me to not support current education trends might do well to explain the meaning of a “three minute walk through,” a “PLC,” and “Q Comp.” Formal or informal comparison and contrast support? Could you introduce a similar (or not similar) term outside of your topic to bolster an argument? A paper persuading me to bush three times daily might do well to compare plaque to a viral infection or flossing to a scavenging vulture. Formal or informal classification support? Could your clarity improve by breaking something down into parts? A paper persuading me to participate in civic service might do well to categorize people in the categories of avoiders, self-servers, and selfless heroes.