10.16 Getting ready to write a draft for the persuasive essay

Feedback on Practice Argument 2. We did not spend any time in class today going over Practice Argument 2, so for those of you who have posted your arguments, I will look at them, hopefully by Friday and certainly by Saturday, and write some comments with an eye to what you should work on for your Draft essay.  

Topics + readings for persuasive essay. By the close of the first class, each of you had identified a general focus for your essay + the particular assigned essay you were going to write for/against.  For those of you who are writing "for" an argument stated in one of the readings, be aware that you will need to bring in additional information and that the information you add to the author's argument should be directed toward your particular audience (the people you need to convince).   

As we discussed in class, the kind of source you choose to support your "side" is an ethos move.  If your reader thinks NPR is a bunch of bleeding heart liberals out of touch with what working class life is really like - then the NPR program on the high cost of college is not going to be a good source.  You need to pick facts from sources that the people against your argument will believe.

Ethos, pathos, logos. We reviewed what ethos and pathos moves will look like in your essays, and emphasized that every move you make in your argument should be directed toward the people you need to convince = the people who do not believe/are against what you will be arguing.  We noted that effective pathos moves appeal to the feelings, belief and self image of your audience.  If you are arguing to cut costs and improve education by eliminating tenure track faculty, you need to appeal to the beliefs/feelings/self interest of tenured faculty members in particular, and teachers in general.  

During the second part of class we talked about the form and focus for the assignment. As you draft and revise, read/re-read the assignment sheet.  Some general tips we noted include the following.

1. Use the academic forms/language discussed in the They Say/I Say chapters.

2. Set up theThey Say (identify the focus + the essay you will argue with) BEFORE responding with the I say

3. After you have identified the general focus, set up the points  that you will argue for/against

4. Include ethos & pathos moves.  Ethos and pathos can be in separate paragraphs, or as a supplement to a logical argument. Where you make these appeals will depend on the flow of your argument.

5. Write to the demands of the assignment

·       Be in conversation with one or more of the assigned articles

·       Make appeals to ethos, pathos & logos

·       Plan the an essay that will be the right length

·       Clear statement of your position

We also discussed a general process for writing your draft.

Process:

1. Find your topic + identify the article you will reply to

·       Free write = to things you know about/care about with respect to $$$ & college

·       List

·       Review the essays to see which one your feel interested in

2. Re-read the article paying attention towhat you will argue for/against

Identify your audience; who is on the other side? (list their beliefs, values, interests)

3. Consider your audience.  Idenfity the points, sources, and pathos moves that will convince that audience.  Also think about the “persona” that will work to convince this audience.  Write down some lists of points.  Read the sources and decide how you will use them.  Think about where your authority comes from for your chosen audience.   List the values/beliefs/identities associated with your audience and write how you might appeal to them.

4. Write down an overall plan for your essay.  List the moves or points you will make in the order you expect to make them.  Step back from this list and think about whether it will give you an essay that meets the demands of the assignment?  Right focus?  Enough material available for development?  Right organization?  Right length?

5.  Draft your essay.  You do not need to write it from begnning to end.  Since you have a list (point 4) you can write the sections in any order that works for you.  

6.  Re-read your essay.  Think about what you would like some help with in the peer-review workshop.

7.  Post your essay to your Persuasive essay page labeled NameArgumentDraft1.

For next class:

Write: Draft persuasive essay=>See the process described above.

Read: Chapter 10 : metacommentary; This chapter provides language that will help you to elaborate, explain, organize, and otherwise develop your discussions. 

In class Tuesday we will workshop your drafts, have conferences.  You will write a plan for revising and get started on those revisions.

It was great to be back in class.  Thanks for your good participation and I am looking forward to reading your drafts!