WRITING AND RESEARCH
PURPOSE AND GOALS — Take a stance on a debatable subject — Support or prove that viewpoint using compelling and weighty evidence — Encourage your readers (especially those that disagree with you) to approach your subject with a new understanding or tolerance
TRADITIONAL EXAMPLE TOPICS — Gun control — Abortion — Smoking bans — Assisted Suicide — Attending college vs. entering the work force — Gay marriage *For this assignment stick to local topics i.e. Duluth’s Red Plan.
TIPS FOR ACHIEVING YOUR PURPOSE 1. Distinguish between self‐expression and argument 2. Avoid the tendency to let off steam 3. Rely on reason instead of emotion 4. Brainstorm subject as a whole, not just your position 5. Consider how you will appeal to your reader
GETTING STARTED — Make an assertion (this will be your thesis) — Create accessibility through a concrete example or short introductory narrative OR — Explain the issue and its context THEN — Create a tone of authority — Technical vocabulary — Elevated vs. conversational diction — Be formal
ORGANIZATION — Deductive reasoning – Move from general to specific (thesis to examples) — Move from least important to most important. This allows the essay to build dramatically. — Begin with a narrative or some explanation. You may wish to return to this at the end.
ARGUMENTATIVE HANGUPS — Hasty generalizations – only one example — Either or reasoning – no middle ground — False authority – Michael Jordan on restaurants — Ad hominem – name calling — Begging the question – arguing off topic
FINAL THOUGHTS 1. What position do you want to take towards your topic? 2. How will your audience respond to your assertion? 1. Remember to focus on those who disagree with you. Reread and play devil’s advocate. 3. How can you appeal to your reader’s emotions and or reason? (Again, acknowledge the opposition.) example, description, narration, analogy, comparison contrast, etc. 4. What tone is the most appropriate to the kind of appeal you want to emphasize?
Some Controversial People… — Bill Clinton — Michael Vick — Madonna — Obama — Tiger Woods — Vladimir Putin — Mark Zuckerberg — Bing Crosby — Lady Gaga