Argumentation and Persuasion Essay Writing

Elements of Argumentation To convince the reader through logic If logic makes sense, reader may be convinced of argument Argumentation consists of: Deduction and Induction

Deduction Accepts a general principle as true Applies general principle to certain scenarios Syllogism: Major premise – All men are mortal. Minor premise – Socrates is a man. Conclusion – Socrates is mortal.

Major premise: Progress is good. Sometimes deductive logic does not work, because the major premise is contentious Example: Major premise: Progress is good. Minor premise: The automobile represents progress. Conclusion: The automobile is good.

Induction Is the opposite to deduction – looks at specific cases and then creates a general rule based on those cases Scientists use induction; years and years of consistent results have led to their conclusions (re: disease, food production, natural processes) See p. 281 for example about students owning cars… Thesis typically found near beginning of this essay style

Deduction and Induction… Are sometimes found in the same essay Most principles that we accept as true began as someone else’s induction Our induction could become the basis for someone else’s deduction

Persuasion Tries to convince reader through use of emotion We often create arguments to justify how we already feel, therefore purely argumentative essays are difficult to write No essay in the Act of Writing is purely logical to the exclusion of emotion, but some are more argumentative than others

Persuasive Techniques See handout provided

Your Turn: To Read Read “Capping the Great Cup Debate” on p. 286 Answer Structure – #1, 2, 3; Argumentation and Persuasion – #1, 2; Ideas for Discussion and Writing –# 4 Read “The Seven-Minute Life of Marc Lepine” on p. 322 Answer Structure – #1, 2, 4; Argumentation and Persuasion - #2 Compare the two essays. What are the similarities and differences? Which do you find more convincing, and why?

Your Turn: To Write Topics for Writing Argumentation and Persuasion: Choose one from P. 337