CLASSICAL ARGUMENT PERSUASIVE ESSAY ROUGH DRAFT OUTLINE

Audience: Peers with an opposite or indifferent viewpoint than yours

Purpose: To convince and persuade with ethical/logical means

Subject: Issue that is debatable and arguable

Introduction: What is the issue/problem? Open with a quote, stat, or an interesting fact to catch reader’s attention and establish context of persuasion.

Why is this important? Why is this position important?

Why should the audience care? How does this issue impact this audience?

What is the claim on this issue, and what is the position? (Be sure to use the words should or should not for the side of the issue you are arguing.

· Name it (issue you are arguing) + Verb it (should or should not be -what side of the argument are you supporting) + Finish it (why should the world care (briefly name the 3 arguments for this side of the issue).

· Example: (claim statement) The medical use of marijuana (position) should be supported because of the many health, emotional, and economical benefits.

Body Sections 1 (1 paragraph):

Narration or Background: What is the history of the topic/issue/claim? Give the audience some background information. Provide research sources. Begin maybe 5-10 years ago with the topic. What are some key events, topics, ideas (or people) that have happened to make this issue debatable and something to argue?

1.

2.

3.

Narration or Background also includes the Definition of Position: How can you define the claim so the audience will understand? What is . . . ? This is a type of . . .? Define key words in the position statement that will help convince the audience to believe the importance of this claim. Think about defining at least two words in the claim/position statement.

1. What does a dictionary source state?

2. How can you redefine using your terms?

Body Section II: Evidence or Confirmation of Argument (3 paragraphs): The discussion of warrants (principles/laws of society), assumptions (shared values/beliefs), should be in this portion.

What are the assumptions associated with this claim? Explain these because the audience needs to understand the kinds of values that make this claim creditable. This is where sources are needed to build authority (ethos). Create a story or testimony about the creditability of this claim.

Assumptions: What is the “goodness” of the position or the positives? What kinds of belief statements are associated with the claim? Are there some moral lessons? Include sources.

1. First Reason for this claim…

· Research support

· Research support

· Research support

2. Another reason for this claim…

· Research support

· Research support

· Research support

3. Another reason for this claim is…

· Research support

· Research support

· Research support

Body Section III: Refutation or Counterevidence (1 paragraph): What are some major objections to this claim? What questions need to be address for the audience to understand? Explain why the audience could be wrong, and how this claim is right?

1. Objection 1:

Explain why this is wrong

2. Objection 2:

Explain why this is wrong

3. Objection 3:

Explain why this is wrong

Conclusion: What are your reasons for wanting this claim or reasons for this position (logos)? Are there some benefits or improvements to society if this claim is accepted? Solution: What are some possible ways to solve the problem or what would work for this claim to exist? For a global perspective, where does this claim work? Make comparisons to build the authority of this claim. Possible call to action?

1. Benefit/advantage/solution?

2. Benefit/advantage/solution?

3. Benefit/advantage/solution?

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