Argumentative/Persuasive Essay: Implementation & Material Design (Instruction, Prompt & Topic Statement)

There are fuzzy boundaries between the two types of essay-writing under study: the argumentative essay & the persuasive essay – and many people
declare themselves in confusion as they don’t see the difference between the two in a clear way.
Similarity: They both deal with arguments in an attempt to convince the reader.
Difference in persuasion techniques: A persuasive essay depends on opinions and emotions while an argumentative essay uses logic and reason.
Difference in form & content: (Let’s consider a four-paragraph Essay/CNC)

The Argumentative Essay

Form Content
Introduction Two distinct parts in the same paragraph: Introducing the essay.

1. Exploring the topic. 1. The writer exhibits understanding of the topic revealed in the statement.

2. Lead in – Thesis Statement. 2. The writer confronts two positions that he/she is going to discuss in relation
with the theme triggered in the topic statement without showing what he/she
sides at this level.
Body Two paragraphs: Tackling the two ideas in the thesis statement.

Paragraph 1 1. It generally deals with the idea that the writer does not favour. He/she tries to
Idea, argument, support, concluding stay neutral and objective (speaking out of knowledge) with the idea so as not
sentence. to lose the credibility he/she will need when defending the idea he/she favours.

Paragraph 2 2. It deals with the idea that the writer wants to gather votes for. He/she
Idea, argument, support, concluding endeavours to convince the reader to adopt it using persuasion techniques such
sentence. as logic and reason. To convince the reader that his/her idea is true, he/she
should do a thorough research; gather accurate facts and figures before writing
(Whether the content of P1 or P2 comes first, remains a question of style)
Conclusion Two distinct parts in the same paragraph: Concluding the essay.

1. Recapitulation 1. The writer reminds the reader of the two ideas being discussed.

2. Attitude 2. The writer reiterates his attitude (trying not to be repetitive) to end the essay.
One may notice that argumentative writing mainly uses logos (logic and reason) as a major tool of persuasion to make people side a standpoint.
One may also notice that ethos (neutrality, objectiveness for the sake of argument credibility) can be used when one is not a specialist or reference.
The Persuasive Essay
Form Content
Introduction Two distinct parts in the same paragraph: Introducing the essay.

1. Exploring of the topic. 1. The writer exhibits understanding of the topic revealed in the statement.

2. Lead in – Thesis Statement. 2. The writer’s position is shown and backed up with two ideas relevant to the
topic to discuss. So, from as early as the thesis statement we know whether the
writer is for OR against. (the ideas to be defended or attacked should be clearly
stated and joined by a linker of coordination. Let’s call them: Idea1 & Idea2)
Body Two paragraphs: Tackling the two ideas in the thesis statement separately. One in each
paragraph. (Remember: the two ideas are either supporting or opposing the
statement announcing the topic)

Paragraph 1 1. The writer generally starts this paragraph with a recall of Idea1 as a “topic
Idea, argument, support, concluding sentence”. He/she should defend it by using persuasion techniques such as
sentence. opinions and emotions. In other words, evoking feelings in the reading/audience
in order to convince them to agree with his/her opinion. He/she should have
certain awareness about the audience.

Paragraph 2 2. Idem with idea2

Idea, argument, support, concluding
sentence.
Conclusion Two distinct parts in the same paragraph: Concluding the essay.

1. Recapitulation 1. The writer reminds the reader of the two ideas being discussed.

2. Attitude 2. The writer reiterates the attitude of choice or the one imposed in the prompt
(using different words) to avoid redundancy.
One may notice that persuasive writing mainly uses pathos (opinions and emotions) as the ultimate technique of persuasion to accumulate as many
proponents as possible. Here, neutrality does not serve any purpose, but objectiveness and the credibility remain essential tools in convincing one’s
audience.
Americans seem not to make any difference formulating the prompt for the essay, because many topics lead themselves to both argumentative and persuasive essay-
writing.
It’s the prompt that determines the type. You may notice that all the following topics could be supported or opposed. Yet, some lead themselves better to argumentative
writing (4).
It encompasses two opposing ideas (poles) “national security” & “privacy” and “an adjective” holding “a value judgement”. Here, this adjective is used in the comparative
form, which sets the writer free to defend one of the poles at the expense of the other; provided that he could show the ills of the idea he rejects and the worth in the one
he favours.
Topic (5) is a Yes/No question leading itself to a “Yes” or a “No” answer – thus two opposing ideas. (6) is another example.
This does not mean that topic (4) can’t be used for persuasive writing. On the opposite it can, but then the whole statement should be taken as a chunk; like (1), (2) and
(3). Yet, topics (5) & (6) can’t possibly lead themselves to persuasive writing.
1. “Monkeys would make excellent pets.” 4. “National security is more important than privacy.”
2. “The death penalty is an effective way to scare off the criminals.” 5. “Do we have a fair tax system?”
3. “Censorship plays the most significant role in the digital world.” 6. “Having siblings or being alone in the family?”
In persuasive writing we cannot be “for” and “against” at the same time. The whole essay should serve one stand: either “for” or “against” as show the tables above.
Hoping the topic statement is verified in deciding whether the essay to write is argumentative or persuasive, let’s deal now with the prompt. This element in the essay
instruction is as crucial for the examinee as the instruction itself.
If an instruction is a cue, hint, signal explaining what is to be done, a prompt is what is added before and/or after the instruction to increase the rate of responding among
examinees, lower their frustration, and help them deal with the instruction more efficiently.
The Argumentative Essay
Instruction Prompt Topic statement
Write an argumentative essay discussing the advantages and disadvantages of “having siblings or being alone in the family”
on the benefits and drawbacks of
in response to the following question: “Do we have a fair tax system?”
*******************
discussing/debating the following statement: “National security is more important than privacy.”*
….
The Persuasive Essay
Instruction Prompt Topic statement
Write a persuasive essay supporting or opposing the following statement: “Censorship plays the most significant role in the digital world.”
In favour of or against the following statement: “Monkeys would make excellent pets.”
Supporting/in favour of the following statement: “The death penalty is an effective way to scare off the criminals.”
*******************
Opposing/ debating against the following statement: “National security is more important than privacy.”*
* Agree/disagree (don’t agree) marry better with argumentative essays, even though they can be encountered in prompts of persuasive essays.
The following are helpful tables taken from the internet. They are good for brainstorming and norming background knowledge and practice.