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Persuasive/Argumentative Essay

In his 1998 book Life the Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality , Neal Gabler wrote the following:. Persuasive/Argumentative Essay. DO THESE THREE THINGS…. Understand the nature of the position taken in the prompt Take a specific stand Clearly and logically support your claim.

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Persuasive/Argumentative Essay

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  1. In his 1998 book Life the Movie: How Entertainment Conquered Reality, Neal Gabler wrote the following:

  2. Persuasive/Argumentative Essay

  3. DO THESE THREE THINGS… • Understand the nature of the position taken in the prompt • Take a specific stand • Clearly and logically support your claim

  4. Reading the Prompt… • Read, think, read, think • Take some time to decide your position—you may not choose the side that first appeals to you • Don’t forget to consider the thoughts and position of the opposing side *Prompt may deal with contemporary society, historical applications, moral/value/ethical judgments, current events/popular culture

  5. After CAREFULLY Reading the Prompt– ask yourself… • Do I think about this subject in the same way as the writer/ speaker?– AGREE • Do I think the writer/ speaker is totally wrong?– DISAGREE/REFUTE • Do I think some of what is said is correct and some incorrect? (redefinition) – QUALIFY

  6. Example #1: Response to opinion (quote) In his 2004 book, Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton argues that the chief aim of humorists is not merely to entertain but “to convey with impunity messages that might be dangerous or impossible to state directly.” Because society allows humorists to say things that other people cannot or will not say, de Botton sees humorists as serving a vital function in society. Think about the implications of de Botton’s view of the role of humorists (cartoonists, stand-up comics, satirical writers, hosts of television programs, etc.). Then write an essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies de Botton’s claim about the vital role of humorists. Use specific, appropriate evidence to develop your position.

  7. Example #2: Response to opinion (passage) The following passage is from Rights of Man, a book written by the pamphleteer Thomas Paine in 1791. Born in England, Paine was an intellectual, a revolutionary, and a supporter of American independence from England. Read the passage carefully. Then write an essay that examines the extent to which Paine’s characterization of America holds true today. Use appropriate evidence to support your argument.

  8. Example #3: Opinion Evaluation For years corporations have sponsored high school sports. Their ads are found on the outfield fence at baseball parks or on the walls of the gymnasium, the football stadium, or even the locker room. Corporate logos are even found on players’ uniforms. But some schools have moved beyond corporate sponsorship of sports to allowing “corporate partners” to place their names and ads on all kinds of school facilities—libraries, music rooms, cafeterias. Some schools accept money to require students to watch Channel One, a news program that includes advertising. And schools often negotiate exclusive contracts with soft drink or clothing companies. Some people argue that corporate partnerships are a necessity for cash-strapped schools. Others argue that schools should provide an environment free from ads and corporate influence. Using appropriate evidence, write an essay in which you evaluate the pros and cons of corporate sponsorship for schools and indicate why you find one position more persuasive than the other.

  9. EXAMPLES OF GOOD EVIDENCE FOR YOU TO USE IN YOUR RESPONSE… • Facts/ statistics • Details • Quotations • Needed definitions • Recognition of the opposition • counter-arguments • Examples • Historical • Current events • Literature • Film • Music • TV • Anecdotes • Contrasts and comparisons • Cause and effect • Appeal to authority *Make sure evidence is appropriate for the topic/issue of the essay as well as for your particular claim*

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