Thursday, November 12

In class today you talked through what you will write about for your persuasive essay, and we looked at a sample persuasive essay to get an idea for the overall organization.

I've looked through the pre-writing assignment you did for homework, and many of you have not yet identified the particular statement you will argue against. As illustrated in the sample essays => the position you will argue against determines the points you will discuss in your paper.

Do some more pre-writing for your essay - only this time make it more specific. Develop a document where you:

1. state your position; include both your assumptions and your reasons (for example, to argue that the owners of teams + facilities, along with the sponsors in national organizations are responsible for stopping racism in soccer - you might need to assume that the people who run the games + receive financial benefit from them are responsible for respecting the players and the "values" that are enacted on the field and in the stadium . . . what else do you need to assume?)
2. quote the statement that you will argue against
3. identify the values that underly the position you are arguing against (do some writing to figure out why the other side holds the position it does)
4. list the points you will have to acknowledge to keep from alienating you readers
5. map out the organization for your essay

Bring a print copy of this writing to class.

In the first part of class you will workshop your pre-writing with classmates to make sure you have a solid organization to start your essay. You will also identify places where you will need to support / develop your argument with evidence. You will then work with classmates to develop a list of the kinds of sources that you will need (scientific facts, personal testimony, experience, testimony by expert witnesses etc.)

In the second part of class you will work on gathering some of the sources you will use as references, and on the proper patterns for quoting your sources.


For Tuesday:
Finish your portfolios.
Complete the assigned pre-writing & bring a written copy to class.

Have a good weekend.