PERSUASIVE WRITING WK5VEALS
Invention and Organization
This week’s assignment is intended to help get you started on the persuasive essay we will be working on throughout the remainder of this course. Before getting started on this assignment, it might be beneficial for you to read the criteria for the Week Six Persuasive Essay.
For this week, we will be practicing topic selection and outlining. Because this is preparation for next week’s persuasive essay, you will need to start by picking a topic that is persuasive. This topic must meet the following criteria:
Think of a specific problem or issue that you are interested in researching and writing an essay about. This issue should be argumentative in nature, so the topic that you choose should have an equally valid opposing viewpoint.
An example of an appropriate topic would be this:
A specific community is debating an ordinance banning the ownership of pit bulls. Some residents agree that pit bulls should be banned, while others disagree with this position (there is plenty of research to back up either side of the argument).
Your job from there will be to explore the issue, look at both sides of the argument as completely as you can, and take a side. Your essay will be an attempt to convince others to join you in your decision.
Directions
Step-by-step through the writing process. (2007). Writing, 30. 1-8.
(Note: You do not need to answer any of the questions from the reading in your assignment).
Part One: Topic Search
For the first part of this assignment, consider the following three questions:
Then, freewrite for 10-15 minutes about the topic you have chosen. Share all of the reasons you can think of for why your problem needs to be fixed. Do not worry about grammar, spelling, or format. Do not edit. Write what comes to mind. Do not research yet. If you are stumped and cannot write what you know for 10-15 minutes, go back to #1 and start with a new topic.
Part Two: The Outline
Draft an informal outline for your upcoming persuasive paper. Do not include quotations or paraphrased material. Your outline should be built from your current knowledge of the topic. You can refine this later when you conduct your research.
Basic Outline for a Five Paragraph Essay