WRITING A POSITION PAPER

AKA: Persuasive Essay

BEGINNING THE WRITING PROCESS

Determine PurposeWhy are you writing? (And no, the answer is not because you have to!) Analyze the AudienceWho is your audience? Name it. Focus on the SubjectWrite a sentence stating what you ultimately want the reader to do or think. Study the Readers (your audience) position

What is the readers current position? y What does the reader have or not have that is related to the issue? y What objections does the reader have toward your position? y How will the issue affect the reader personally? In the wallet? At the dinner table? On the job? In his/her childrens future?
y

PREWRITINGTHINKING THROUGH THE ARGUMENTS With the readers position defined, begin planning your arguments. Answer the following questions concerning your point of view (your position): What information can I give the reader to make his/her current position uncomfortable? Will something happen to the readerto his/job, home or children as a result of this current position? What facts, statistics, or examples, will help the reader see the importance of changing his/her position? What information can I include that will negate the readers counter-arguments? What personal appeal will most likely cause the reader to take action?

PREWRITING: USING THE RIGHT APPEALS You must somehow appeal to the reader in order to change his or her position or opinion. Logic Emotional appeal Credibility A combination of these three will most likely persuade the reader. Lets look at each one of the three individually

LOGIC

Cause and effect relationships, in which one event is proved to be the cause or effect of another Facts and examples that support or explain a given situation or idea Judgments or opinions that support ideas

EMOTIONAL APPEAL
Persuasive writing must somehow help the reader become personally involved in the argument. If a situation or belief will not affect the readers life in some way, he or she will have little reason to respond, positively or negatively. Consider these possible emotional appeals: Physiological needsfood, drink and shelter Psychological needsthe need to be loved, or to feel attractive, accepted, successful Emotionslove, hate, guilt, fear, loyalty, pride, selfesteem

CREDIBILITY
An authors credibility in large part determines the readers reaction. A credible writer is one who approaches the reader as an equal, avoids reasonable untruths, uses only subtle (slight) emotional appeal, and shows clear understanding of his topic, either as a result of firsthand knowledge or objective research. Content that enhances writer credibility enhances persuasiveness. Choose the appeals most suitable for your topic and your audience. List them. Use the MEETS memory device to help you to focus your argument listing the pros/cons of each position. (benefits/drawbacks)

BENEFITS

DRAWBACKS

MEETS
Money Effort Education Time Safety

money effort

Would it cost less? Would it cost more? Would it require some effort to organize? Would it be troublesome to organize?

education Would it be a good Would it promote a negative educational for education/educatio experience? nal experience? time What are the timing benefits? Will it cause any benefits to safety? Will it cause people to be safer? Will implementing this take a lot of time? Will this cause a dangerous situation?

safety

PREWRITING: ORGANIZING THE APPROACH

Remember, you only talk about one side. Decide which side you have a strong opinion about. If you dont have enough information to prove it, (simply saying that the other side is ridiculous is not proving your point) then you may need to change your point of view, or do more research. In your prewriting, list all the evidence you can think of to support your point. Remember, you are not attacking the other side. Your points should be strong enough to convince an adult, as that is your audience. After you have listed all your points, decide which three are the best and rank them (1-3) from weakest to strongest. You should have examples underneath each point so that you know how you are going to prove your point.

NOW ITS TIME FOR A 3-PART THESIS STATEMENT!

The thesis statement states or implies the topics to be developed in each of the 3 body paragraphs. The thesis statement is ordered in the same way as the body paragraphs will be ordered. The thesis statement should:
Be arguable y Have three parts y Be parallel in structure
y

Now use your graphic organizer.

(This one is called a FLEE map)

FLEE MAP
Introduction: Main Idea and Subtopics

First Subtopic

Second Subtopic

Third Subtopic

1. 2. 3. In conclusion

1. 2. 3.

1. 2. 3.

YOU SAID 5 PARAGRAPHS

1st paragraphintroductory paragraph

y y y

It is fine to use you for a more personal approach Use an attention-getter (hook) to set the scene The thesis sentence should be the last sentence and name the 3 body paragraphs (in order from weakest to strongest arguments) Include a topic sentence derived from the thesis statement Rely on careful use of transitional words and phrases to connect ideas within and between paragraphs Follow a logical plan using one of the orders of development (cause and effect, logic, emotional appeal) Supporting details (explanations, examples, reasons) Stick with first person throughout the body Summarize/emphasize to bring the paper to a satisfying end Also use you in conclusion

2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphsbody paragraphs

y y y y y

5th paragraphConclusion
y y

EDIT IT

Revise
Check for content, organization, unity, effective transitions, appropriateness, strong nouns and verbs. y Does essay stay on topic?
y

Proofread
Check for punctuation, grammar, mechanics, and usage. y Check word choice and spelling.
y

THE END