Download Persuasive Essay

Persuasive Essay
RCL II – Ben Henderson
The aim of this 1800-2400 word, double-spaced essay is to draw on all the rhetorical
skills you have been building in this course to write a persuasive argument that first
educates us on the importance and scope of a social problem, and then advocates for a
detailed solution to the problem.
Specifically, you will present, explain, and argue for the adoption of a new policy (for
example, a law, regulation, program, or community practice) to be implemented by
some collective agent of change (i.e., the university, the local community, the state, the
federal government, the UN). While your proposed policy might not be able to
eliminate the problem you describe entirely, the argument should show evidence that
the policy could reduce or ameliorate it.
It’s not a requirement, but you may want to consider arguing for a policy addressing
the issue you’ve been writing about for your Civic Issue blog.
The policy itself need not be something you design yourself; you are free to argue for a
policy that has been proposed by an individual or a group, or one that has been
adopted in another community or similar situation. (“Pennsylvania should adopt
Ohio’s approach to issue X.”) In fact, conducting extensive research, quoting reliable
sources, and drawing on the work of experts will improve your own ethos; plus, it
contextualizes your proposal within a broader conversation.
Rhetorical Goals
Your main goals for this essay are:
 To raise awareness and inform your readers about the problem.
 To convince your readers that the proposed policy is feasible to implement.
 To demonstrate that the policy will work.
If these goals are reached, your readers should have assurance that the plan is realistic
and will produce results. To keep in alignment with the proper persuasive purpose,
please refrain from requesting individual action. The goal of this essay is to convince
your readers that your policy is sound and best, not to persuade them to act. (Personal
appeals to act would be more appropriate for the advocacy project.)
Organization
It’s not the only option, but one effective way to organize this essay is in terms of need,
plan, and practicality/advantages.

First, explain the need for a solution by educating us on the problem at hand—
specifically its severity, scope, and urgency. Consider addressing questions such as:
Where is this problem happening? Who is being affected? What are the causes and
effects of the problem? Organize this section of the essay logically, and support the
existence of the problem with credible research.

Next, explain the plan to solve this problem. Explain what your policy is and how it
would work by addressing the method of implementation in specific terms. In other
words, tell us what the policy entails, who will enact the policy, where it will be
instated, how it will be done, etc. Note the use of journalistic terms here. In order
for us to be able to judge whether the policy could be effective, we first must
understand its workings fully. This section should be direct and informative.

Finally, argue for the practicality and/or advantages of the policy. Now that you
have explained the problem and have informed us of the proposed policy, you must
then convince your readers that this policy will reduce the problem and produce
positive results if implemented. This section is crucial for the success of the essay – it
is here where you work to persuade us that this solution is a viable and effective
one. Advocate that your policy can be implemented, that it will produce the desired
results, that it is morally just, and that it is better than the alternatives. Do so by
providing supporting evidence, expert testimony, successful examples of similar
programs, etc. Be honest if there are disadvantages to your plan, but convince your
readers that the benefits outweigh the costs.
Basic Requirements /Mechanics

Essay must contain a minimum of 6 different cited sources. Sources should be used
both to substantiate the problem and to support the feasibility and effectiveness of
the proposed policy.

Your introduction should engage your reader from the onset, and it should include a
vivid thesis statement (central claim) that guides the entire essay. The thesis should
be supported throughout the essay with specific (and appropriate) evidence,
examples, and details.

Organization should be coherent. There should be evidence of a smart and stylistic
manner of transitioning between your key points, paragraphs, and sentences.
Paragraphs ought to be controlled by (explicit or implicit) topic sentences, be well
developed, and progress logically from what precedes them.

The essay should have a memorable written voice, be filled with strong, original
verbs and language choices, and have good sentence variety. Writing should be free
of grammatical and proofreading errors.

Please remember the guidelines for written work: type using 1 to 1.25 inch margins,
use a 12 point font, and staple your pages. Include an interesting title.
Overall Evaluation
While the quality of writing will be evaluated using the above standards, most of the
grade will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Demonstrates cumulative rhetorical skills, including an awareness of rhetorical
situation, including the ability to identify the “stasis” or the place where an issue is
ready for persuasive argument.

Draws on appropriate outside sources and deploys rhetorical proofs when necessary
in support of a persuasive case.

Attends to matters of rhetorical style, arrangement (order of arguments), and tone in
order to connect appropriately and effectively with the audience.

Conveys a sense of commitment to the issue by offering inventive and compelling
arguments—e.g., not just going through argumentative motions.