Writing to Persuade Building an Argument

Definition A persuasive essay is a sound argument of a position backed up with facts, details, examples and one additional element—appeal. Persuasion is the kind of writing that depends on the reader’s reaction to what the writer says. One should remember that the goal of persuasive writing is to make the reader change from his viewpoint to the writer’s viewpoint. Therefore, the writer must present his argument in a way that will not offend his reader.

Elements of the Argument Facts- Here, you offer FACTUAL information from the text to support your argument. WHY is your character the hero? What does the TEXT say? Details- Here, you include details about the character’s personality, actions, etc. from the TEXT to SUPPORT your factual information you have. Additional examples- This is a great way to SHOW the reader your character is the better hero by offering actual examples from the text. Appeal- While telling the reader the facts, including details, and offering examples, you are really just trying to APPEAL to the person reading your paper; to make them AGREE! There are 3 ways to affect/appeal to your reader; emotional(feelings) , logical (makes sense!) & ethical( right/wrong). Counterpoints - You don’t want to OFFEND your reader, so you need to include other points of view. What would someone say to argue with you? Can you mention those arguments (called counterpoints) and prove the wrong!? Example: “Although Priam does rely heavily on the Gods, he still takes into consideration the advice of his friends and family before making a decision.”

Change the reader’s MIND!! The Argument (from the WRITER) Facts Details Examples Appeal Counterpoint Reader’s Reaction CREATES GOAL Change the reader’s MIND!!

So…now BRAINSTORM! FIRST- what is a hero? Brainstorm the characteristics of hero. SECOND- who do YOU think is a better hero? (look at the archetypal heroic traits to help you decide and think about the text). Brainstorm the characteristics of each character to help you decide. THIRD- Look at the chart you have made. What do you think? Tell me. THIS will be your THESIS! YAH! GET going!!

Here is what we KNOW (from our notes; so get yours out!) Traits of an Epic Hero: Unusual Circumstances of Birth (ie. Achilles mother is immortal sea goddess) Leaves Family and Lives With Others (ie. Achilles lives on shore of Troy) Traumatic Event Leads to Quest (ie. Death of Achilles’ friend Petroclus) Unusual Human Courage & Strength (ie. Achilles isn’t afraid/very strong) Special Weapon (ie. Gods made Achilles’ armor and shield) Supernatural Help (ie. Gods allow Greeks to do poorly in battle) Proves Himself on Quest (ie. Achilles’ defeats Hector and brings fall of Troy) Journey and Unhealable Wound (ie. Achilles’ heel) Atonement With Father (ie. Achilles’ father Peleus was mortal King) Spiritual Reward (ie. Achilles’ legend lives forever beyond his death)

Here is what we THINK…(an ex.) strong Achilles kills Hector Hector runs from Achilles protects Hector more worried about wife than glory of war Achilles wants to protect his people from the plague brave Hector faces Achilles even after told not to Achilles goes to fight for the Greeks even though he knows he will die there HERO

Now put together what we KNOW and what we THINK about heroes. Yes, a hero is associated with strength, but look at our list of epic traits. Do any match up to make your argument stronger for the reader (which is Me!) -How about…Unusual Human Courage & Strength (ie. Achilles isn’t afraid/very strong) So…what now? Well, let’s create a chart for EACH character. Take what we think and we know and combine these to see what we have!

Hector VS Achilles Best Trojan warrior; prince of Troy (unusual birth) Faces Achilles even though he is told not to (Unusual Human Courage & Strength) Priam begs to get body back to his family; restored (Atonement With Father)- Zeus helps him (Supernatural help) Mother is immortal sea goddess (unusual birth) Death of his friend Petroclus (traumatic event)/ avenges his death Hera sends Athena to keep him from killing Agamemnon/ Athena as Hector’s brother(Supernatural help)

Thesis Time!! Reminder, this is your point – a statement whether Achilles or Hector is the best epic hero. List the reasons why ... NO “I think” statements)!!!! Respond ONLY to your TOPIC: In the epic poem Iliad, who best fits the traits of the hero? Hector or Achilles? Who is the better hero? Why? I do not care if you think Hector is the better hero because he was killed and you think that was mean. This is a terrible example. FYI. Use the TEXT and your focus questions to help support your thesis. Oh YEA….WRITE IN THE LITERARY PRESENT TENSE!!!

Introductory Paragraph Include the title of the work and the author’s name in your first sentence (Homer, The Iliad) Background on the work – what is it about? (no need to go into excessive detail here – just hit the main points in a sentence or two) For example, an epic poem depicting the quest of ______ as he fights against the ______ for ______. Something like that…and no stealing that!! FINALLY> your thesis goes where??? LAST sentence. And this is the ONLY time I want to see your thesis. If it is in your conclusion, you are writing in circles. Literally.

Body Paragraphs Don’t ask HOW MANY. Just don’t. There is no formula. The answer is; as many as you need. THINK: What are your reasons? (ie. Why is Achilles/Hector the best hero?) Choose several reasons and list them. Then, expand and come up with several supporting ideas (what we called details earlier) for each main idea. These supporting ideas will likely draw attention to specific aspects of the book and will be where your quotes come in to prove your point.

Body Paragraphs FOR EXAMPLE – Reason #1: Achilles, like most epic heroes in ancient Greek literature, has a close bond with the Gods. Support 1: Achilles is a direct descendent of Support 2: Support 3: Make sure you have a Topic Sentence for each body paragraph – and be sure to use TRANSITIONS between ideas( wraps up one idea and leads toward the next one). Now, reminder, WHERE do topic sentences go? IF you say the end of the pargraph…I will cry.

Body Paragraphs/ Quotes Primary Quotes (from The Iliad) Now….look through your text and pull quotes from the text to support your thesis. Think about what characteristics you are supporting. What part of the story would work best to SHOW your readers your hero is the better of the two? Jot these down WITH BOOK AND LINE NUMBERS (1.115-116). We will put these into your body paragraph in a bit…see last slide for inclusion rules 

Conclusion (woo!) What have you proven in your essay? Sum up your ideas by showing what you have proven in your writing. Make a statement of appeal – what’s one last way you can convince readers to agree? Finisher: would you want on your side in a battle today? Achilles or Hector? Why? Real world connection! **DO NOT REPEAT YOUR THESIS** or any other sentence for that matter. Avoid, in conclusion, or to wrap things up…ugh. This is terrible.

Ms. ’s Final Thoughts In MLA format TYPED….and turned in on March 3rd. If you “have” it but it is not printed, do you really have it? NO! If I “have” a cookie for you but still have to go to the store, mix the ingredients, put it in the oven, let it cool, and bring it to you, do you really “have” a cookie? NO! Length: 1 ½ - 2 pages long in typed double-space format. Primary source quotations (two from the Iliad in textbook). “---” (22.313-315). *Note where the period goes* Do not DROP these quotes in from nowhere. You need to LEAD IN to these. Quotes cannot stand alone. Don’t believe me? Look at the next slide…

Which makes sense? While caught outside the walls, “he [Hector] fled in fear and Achilles went for him” (22.57-58). Hector becomes fearful “he fled in fear and Achilles went for him” (22.57-58). “He fled in fear and Achilles went for him” Hector says (22.57-58). ---think this is crazy? People do it! Remember; do not have says unless you know it is that character speaking. This is just the narration…so there essentially is no real speaker we attribute this quote to.

Now WRITE ON!!!