<p>College Writing Ms. Radlinger</p><p>GUIDELINES</p><p>The aim of an informative essay is to give information as impartially as possible, while the aim of a persuasive essay is to argue for a particular point of view in an attempt to convince the audience to believe you. </p><p>Topics for persuasive writing deal with controversial issues that involve people’s most basic attitudes, values and beliefs. </p><p>Go to http://debatepedia.idebate.org/en/index.php/Welcome_to_Debatepedia%21</p><p> http://www.buzzle.com/articles/persuasive-speech-examples.html</p><p>You will write a QUESTION OF VALUE essay in which you will TAKE A POSITION on a controversial issue stating the right/wrong, good/bad, morality/immorality of it and WHY!</p><p>WRITING A QUESTION OF VALUE Essay Five Steps</p><p>___ 1. Approach your topic in a question form that can be answered from different sides. Example Should abortion be legal?</p><p>_____ 2. From this preliminary question choose ONE side of the issue and develop the major points of your argument with REASONS why you have chosen that side.</p><p>Abortion should (not) be legal because 1, 2, and 3.</p><p>___ 3. Support your position with a variety of types of evidence from:  Facts or statistics  Anecdotes (short story) or case studies (observations)  Scenarios (what if? futuristic speculation)  Testimony (interview quotes or survey results)</p><p>___ 4. Counter argue by presenting objections to your position and prove them wrong.</p><p> Acknowledge objections to your position. Shows you are open minded and thorough. Introduce objections with lead-ins such as “Some critics say…” or “One argument against…” or “Those that disagree argue…” or “One student at M.G.H.S. feels…” Use quotes from sources including surveys!!!</p><p> Accommodate objections by incorporating them into your argument.</p><p> Refute objections. “Ok you’ve got some good points, but I am still right.” “Even though Mr. Smith makes a valid point he neglects to recognize….” ___ 5. Persuasive, Rhetorical & Figurative Language will make your argument stronger. Include, highlight, and label ALL of the following:</p><p> parallelism  repetition  figure of speech (simile, metaphor…)  rhetorical question  historical/literary allusions  emotional appeal  logical appeal  personal appeal</p><p>___ 6. SOURCES You are expected to cite at least 10 bits of information from five different sources in your speech.</p><p> Use lead ins – According to…… (must see TEN!) HIGHLIGHTED!!!!!!</p><p> Provide a proper bibliography.</p><p>Content & Organization 33 points Introduction ___ attention getter effectively grabs reader ___ background information effective ___ thesis clear and effective</p><p>___ clear and effective organization ___ clear and effective ideas ___ ideas effectively supported with a variety of facts, statistics, examples, anecdotes</p><p>Conclusion ___ thesis restated ___ main points summarized ___ profound statement</p><p>Style: 33 points ___ three appeals (at least one of each) : logical, personal, emotional ___ diction (solid, scholarly word choice) ___ six stylistic devices (alliteration, simile, metaphor, parallelism, allusion, etc.) ___ transitions ___ variety in sentence length, types, and beginnings ___ strong, tight sentences (no wordiness) Correctness: 33 points ____ no: sentence errors, spelling errors, comma errors, contractions, no second person (you/your) or first person (I, me, we, us) ____ smooth and proper integration of quotations or borrowed information ____ 12 point font, proper heading & title ____ proper works cited Prep Outline Taking a Position NAME:______Add LEAD-INS!</p><p>Preliminary Question:______.</p><p>Preview Statement (THESIS) Position:______Reason1:______Reason 2:______Reason 3:______</p><p>I. Reason 1 A. Evidence 1.______( ). 2.______( ). B. Counterargument 1. Acknowledge Objections a.______( ). b.______( ). 2. Refute Objections______II. Reason 2 A. Evidence 1.______( ). 2.______( ). B. Counterargument 1. Acknowledge Objections a.______( ). b.______( ). 2. Refute Objections______II. Reason 3 A. Evidence 1.______( ). 2.______( ). B. Counterargument 1. Acknowledge Objections a.______( ). b.______( ). 2. Refute Objections______</p>