christopher l Teggatz*    

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 Notes for lectures on the persuasive essay*

 

 

In the first week we focused on the proper structure for a paragraph and an essay. This week, we will begin discussing different kinds of essays. The first is the persuasive essay.

 

CLASS PLAN

 

TUESDAY

 

Collect final drafts which were assigned on Monday

Read through Introduction to Academic Writing chapter 9 pp. 155-160.

 

 

WEDNESDAY

 

Finish reading through Introduction to Academic Writing chapter 9

HOMEWORK: Write an outline of your persuasive essay for Thursday.

o        Give examples and arguments in a good order of appearance (p 159)

o        Give at least 3 supporting facts for each topic you discuss (p 157)

o        Include at least one citation (from a magazine, newspaper, TV show, the web, etc.) for each major point you make. Give citations like this:

·         For a book:(Oshima, Introduction to Academic Writing, 1988: p 87)

·         For a newspaper or magazine article: (Smith, "Tsunami Disaster Strikes Thailand," Korea Times 5 Jan 2005: p. 1)

 

 

 

THURSDAY

Discuss people's outlines in class. Suggest ways to improve.

HOMEWORK: Write your opening paragraph for Monday. We will peer-edit together in class, so be prepared to read your opening paragraph.

 

 

NOTES

 

TUEDAY

What is persuasion? To persuade. To be persuasive.

P 157: this paragraph contains 2 examples. The second example is stronger than the first--why? Because it cites a college study, and because it cites figures. It would be even more persuasive if the writer gave a proper reference citation.

P 158: have the students fill this out.

 

 

WEDNESDAY

P 160-167: briefly review this grammar. Stress that modals are very important in a persuasive essay because your aim as a writer is to persuade the reader that he or she should, can, ought to (etc.) do something.

P 170 Freewriting: Ask one or two students: What would you write here?

Review the format of an outline

 

 

OUTLINE FORMAT:

 

 

TITLE

 

                               I.            General background of the issue

                                                      a.            Background statement #1

                                                      b.            Background statement #2

 

                             II.            Thesis statement of essay

                                                      a.            Topic #1 you're going to discuss

                                                      b.            Topic #2 you're going to discuss

                                                      c.            Topic #3 you're going to discuss

 

                          III.            Topic #1

                                                      a.            Supporting fact #1 (weakest)

                                                      b.            Supporting fact #2

                                                      c.            Supporting fact #3 (strongest, with figures or citation)

 

                           IV.            Topic #2

                                                      a.            Supporting fact #1 (weakest)

                                                      b.            Supporting fact #2

                                                      c.            Supporting fact #3 (strongest, with figures or citation)

 

                             V.            Topic #3

                                                      a.            Supporting fact #1 (weakest)

                                                      b.            Supporting fact #2

                                                      c.            Supporting fact #3 (strongest, with figures or citation)

 

                           VI.            Final thoughts on the subject (p. 94, 100)

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.teggatz.com l christopherteggatz@yahoo.com

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