The Persuasive Argument

1. The Persuasive Argument Alyson O’Shea XingxuanQiao

2. Thesis • Active Voice • Persuasive Tone • Evidence • Advocacy • Refutation of Counter Argument • Organization

3. Thesis • Presents an opinion that you have developed after doing extensive reading and thinking about the issue. • Strongly worded and written with precision in the active voice

4. Active vs. Passive • More powerful Someone does something > something is done by someone • Depend on the emphasis E.g. Jonas Salk discovered the polio vaccine in 1955. The polio vaccine was discovered by Jonas Salk in 1955.

5. Persuasive Tone • Evidence: facts and statistics, the previously accepted data, testimony of recognized experts, etc. • Is the information up-to-date and accurate? • Are my sources for quotations recognized experts in this field? • Have I selected the most convincing information? • Have I fully explained the points that justify my position? • Advocacy

6. Refutation of Counter -Argument • Describe the major arguments of your opponents • Explain why these arguments are inaccurate, unsupported by evidence, misleading, or based on false assumptions. • Be clear, precise, and definite (IF: p. 151)

7. Organization • Refutation Last vs. Refutation First • Descending order vs. Ascending order

8. Refutation Last I. Introduction A. Background information about the topic B. Thesis (the writer’s opinion) II. Support for argument III. Support for argument IV. Refutation of counter-argument V. Conclusion • Summary • Restatement of thesis

9. Refutation First I. Introduction A. Background information about the topic B. Thesis (the writer’s opinion) II. Refutation of counter-argument III. Support for argument IV. Support for argument V. Conclusion • Summary • Restatement of thesis