WRITING: GENRES AND DOMAINS OCSA LC8

Genres of Writing: Three Domains Narrative Purpose: Relays a series of events in a story-telling manner Elements : setting, protagonist, conflict, resolution, theme, figurative language and descriptive details, dialogue and other narrative techniques. Point of view : all Examples : -Short story -Allegory/fable -Novella/novel -Plays -Autobiographies, memoirs, personal anecdotes Explanatory Purpose: to inform/explain Elements : claim, evidence, commentary to elaborate to explain the, chronological or linear in the organization of main points, Point of view: all Examples: - INFORMATIONAL : Brochures/manuals/public service announcement; newspapers - LITERARY : narrative non- fiction (memoirs, autobiographical) - ESSAYS Argumentative Purpose: to prove a particular claim as valid Elements: claim, evidence, counterargument, ethos/pathos/logos **persuasive: call to action, emotional appeals Point of view: third person objective/omniscient; first person only used in a powerful anecdote Examples: -Essays -Editorials -Speeches

Using the terms from the study guide…

Argument and Persuasion ◦ In everyday life, we commonly have different opinions on various topics with different people. Regardless of who we argue with, the goal is to find common ground with our audience and perhaps to even change their views and/or compel them to action. ◦ If our audience – a peer, a friend, a store manager, a teacher – is front of us, we can adjust how and what we say in response to their gestures and expressions. But if our audience is not, we then have to anticipates their response in the way consider and approach the subject, the way we structure an argument, and the evidence we organize to support our argument.

Argument vs. Persuasion Technically, argument and persuasion are two different processes: - Argument appeals mainly to the audience’s sense of reason in order to negotiate a common understanding or to win agreement with a claim. It is the method of a columnist who defends a president’s foreign policy on the grounds of economics and defense strategy. - Persuasion appeals mainly to an audience’s feelings and values in order to compel some action, or at least win support for an action. It is the method of a mayoral candidate who urges voters to support her because she is sensitive to the poor.

The Elements of Argument 1. Assertion – the core of any argument is the debatable claim about the subject. This is synonymous with thesis and thesis statement. It may defend or attack a position, propose a solution to a problem, recommend a change, challenge a value or belief. ◦ The city should give first priority for summer job to students whose families need financial assistance. ◦ School prayer has been rightly declared unconstitutional and should not be reinstituted in any form. ◦ Smokers who wish to poison themselves should be allowed to do so, but not in any place where their smoke will poison others. 2.The central assertion is broken down into reasons or sub claims, each one supported by evidence. 3.Significant opposing arguments are organized into a clear, logical structure that pushes steadily toward the conclusion.

The Elements of Argument To develop an argument, a writer may draw upon various modes to rhetorical methods and strategies (you will learn more modes and rhetorical strategies in high school). By 8 th grade, you have already become acquainted with narrative and definition.

DEFINITION A Mode of writing

What is a mode? = a category of writing 1. narrative 2. definition 3. compare and contrast 4. classification, etc. You will learn different modes each year here at OCSA. These can be “mixed” like karate moves/forms into different domains of writing: 1.Narrative 2.Explanatory 3.Argumentative

Concrete There are some words and concepts that we need not debate over. The terms, in other words, are concrete; we can touch it, taste it, smell it, feel it, see it without debate. Hence, concrete language is language that describes specific, observable things, people, or places, rather than ideas or qualities. Examples: green, hot, walking, puppy. There really is no need to define and explore a concrete term. On the other hand,

Abstract ◦ Abstract ideas can not be seen, touched, tasted, or confined. ◦ We, therefore, need language to describe these abstract terms such as freedom, success, love, government, or any “-isms””: feminism, patriotism, nationalism, etc. ◦ Abstract language is language that describes concepts rather than concrete images: ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places.