English 101
Davis Oldham
Persuasive Essay
Write a 1,000 – 1,250 word essay with a prescriptive thesis on a topic that relates to the personal narratives in some way.
There are many ways to approach this assignment. Here are a few questions to get you started:
· Does the pattern you described in your Expository Essay suggest the need for some action by policy makers, parents, educators or others?
· Is there something that educators, parents, or others who work with people going through major transitions should know, study, be aware of, to make them better at dealing with such events? What is it? Why do they need to know about it? How should they deal with people going through these kinds of changes?
· Is there something that people in general should know, to prepare them for this kind of major life change? What is it? Why do they need to know about it?
· Is there some sort of experience described in the narratives that everyone should have? What is it? Why should they have it?
· How should you have acted in the situation that you wrote about? Why?
· How should one of your classmates have acted in the situation they wrote about? Why?
· How should anyone act when they find themselves in situations like these? Why?
Alternatively, you could approach it from the other direction: What topic would you like to write about? Then, answer these questions:
· How does it relate to the narratives? (Example: Some of the narratives talk about moving, often for greater economic opportunity. Some discuss working in dead-end jobs or entry-level positions. Both of these, and others, relate to the question.)
· What is a debatable question about this topic? (Example: Should entry-level jobs pay more?)
However you choose to approach the essay, it must meet these requirements:
· The thesis should be expressed as a complete statement.
· The thesis should be prescriptive.
· The thesis should be understandable, coherent and arguable.
· All parts of the essay should help to support the thesis.
· The paper should proceed in a logical fashion through a series of steps designed to prove the thesis.
· The thesis should be supported with evidence that is sufficient, relevant and representative.
· The paper should explain how or why the evidence supports the thesis.
· The second draft must include at least two explicit assumptions, identified as such, on which the argument rests. (Part of your job here will be demonstrating that you understand the difference between a claim, an assumption and evidence.) The assumptions should clearly identified—for example, “I assume that …”
· The final draft will have a counter-argument expressed in a complete paragraph, and a rebuttal in a separate paragraph.
· The final draft will incorporate material from two outside sources, including one recognized news source (newspaper, magazine, broadcast journalism, etc.).
Some tips
· Remember that a prescriptive thesis makes a “should” statement. It answers the question, Who should do what?
· Since this is a persuasive essay, your audience is, or will include, those who you think should do something (the target of your prescriptive thesis). Consider especially what it would take to convince that person or group to take action.
Format
Formatting requirements are the same as for the other two papers (typed, double-spaced, name and page number on every page, number of words on page 1, with a title above the first paragraph, etc.).
Grading
Your essay will be graded according to how well it performs the tasks described.
An “A” paper (3.5 – 4.0) will perform most of these tasks superbly, without flaw.
A “B” paper (2.5 – 3.4) will exhibit minor flaws in most areas—for example, a somewhat vague or obvious thesis, evidence that is somewhat insufficient, less than flawless explanation of how the evidence supports the conclusion; unlikely or unconvincing counter-argument; less relevant assumptions.
A “C” paper (1.5 – 2.4) will exhibit noticeable flaws in most areas—for example, a confused or unfocused thesis; evidence that is not sufficient, relevant or representative; difficulty showing how the evidence supports the thesis; under-developed counter-argument or rebuttal; assumptions mis-identified or poorly explained.
A “D” paper (0.8 – 1.4) will exhibit significant flaws in most areas—for example, a thesis split between two different ideas; seriously insufficient, irrelevant or unrepresentative evidence; reasoning that largely fails to explain how the evidence leads to the conclusion; 1-sentence or missing counter-argument; failure to identify assumptions.
An “F” paper (0.7 or below) will be one that simply does not respond to the assignment.
over for grading