Writing a Position Paper: A Guide to Effective Argumentation and Persuasion, Exercises of English Literature

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WRITING A POSITION PAPER

Honors English 12

ORGANIZATION

Include a thesis that clearly states your position on the topic. Below are examples. Hamilton encourages viewers to see beyond skin color in our perception of the past and the present. Hamilton reiterates traditional depictions of women’s roles and characters.

ORGANIZATION

Think about the order of your paragraphs. Here are some ideas for organizing your paragraphs. Begin with your most general point, then become more specific/narrow. Begin with your weakest point and end with your most compelling point. Begin with your most concrete point and end with your most abstract. You can consider other organizational patterns as well.

ORGANIZATION

Consider where it makes the most sense to address you opposition. Will it help you end with a powerful counterargument? Will it help you start your paper? Is there a place where you must address the opposition or lose your credibility?

BALANCING APPEALS

A strong position paper/argument incorporate all 3 persuasive appeals. The following slides will explain how you will incorporate each appeal in the process of writing your paper.

BALANCING APPEALS

LOGOS:

• Facts, details, quotations that help to show the big picture and the details
• Examples and parallel situations
• Analogies create logical comparisons to enhance understanding
• Clear, step-by-step thought process LOGOS IS THE FOUNDATION FOR A STRONG ARGUMENT.

BALANCING APPEALS

PATHOS:

• A hook that draws the reader in and establishes the importance of the topic
• Use of rhetorical and figurative devices that draw attention to key ideas and help create meaning. - Rhetorical questions, parallel structure, repetition, word choice, metaphors, etc. - See the next slide for more ideas
• A persuasive conclusion that helps us to see the value of the position PATHOS IS LIKE CINNAMON, OREGANO, AND OTHERS SPICES. USE PATHOS IN MODERATION TO ADD DEPTH OF FLAVOR BUT NOT TO OVERWHELM OR REPLACE LOGIC.

BALANCING APPEALS

RHETORICAL & FIGURATIVE DEVICES Rhetorical devices are stylistic devices the writer uses to draw attention to or clarify ideas. Hear the words: repetition, alliteration, parallelism Get the idea: word choice, analogy, imagery Audience ownership: rhetorical question Your writing style helps get the job done. Playing the piano v. playing music: technical writing v. persuasive writing Style should never overwhelm or replace logical, factual content.

ADDRESSING THE OPPOSITION

• Addressing your opposition is necessary to create a sound argument and to show your thorough understanding of the topic.
• It is not your goal to ridicule or demean the opposition. Your opposition is a part of your audience, too, and the part that needs the most persuasion.
• Use respectful wording that doesn’t show bias and doesn’t attack the opposition.
• Address the opposition in both the problem and solution, whenever the argument’s logical development requires it.
• Steps to address the opposition:
  • Acknowledge the validity of the opposition.
  • Counter the opposition using facts, logical reasoning, etc.
  • Sum up to show the superiority of your position. This doesn’t mean you are “right” and the opposition is “wrong.”

LOGICAL FALLACIES

Logical fallacies are statements that at first may appear logical, but, upon careful consideration, we can see that the logic behind them is flawed and the statement is invalid. Logical fallacies occur when we do the following: generalize and make assumptions misuse the cause and effect relationship inflate (exaggerate) ideas or events conflate (suggest they are the same) ideas or events replace logic with emotion Logical fallacies draw the thought process behind your writing into doubt. AVOID LOGICAL FALLACIES!

BIASED, UNETHICAL CLAIMS AND LANGUAGE

Which is the legitimate claim? Which is the unethical generalization? Responsible parents protect their children from CTE, a serious brain condition, by refusing to enroll them in contact sports. Children fourteen and younger should not play contact sports because of the risk of developing CTE.

BIASED, UNETHICAL CLAIMS AND LANGUAGE

Which is the legitimate claim? Which is the unethical generalization? Most objections to the medical use of marijuana stem from misinformation and misrepresentation of the drug’s influence. Conservatives and older people tend to see marijuana as a dangerous recreational drug instead of tool for managing the pain and symptoms of serious illnesses. .

BIASED, UNETHICAL CLAIMS AND LANGUAGE

Which is the legitimate claim? Which is the unethical generalization? To maintain Johstown’s rural, small village atmosphere, its citizens must combat the changes that high-density housing will bring to the community. Johnstown’s citizens value its rural, small-town feel, and they live in Johnstown to avoid the crowded, busy lifestyle of Columbus’s suburban communities. .

BIASED, UNETHICAL CLAIMS AND LANGUAGE

Which is the legitimate claim? Which is the unethical generalization? Despite strict gun laws, European nations continue to experience violence, acted against both individuals and large groups. Despite strict gun laws throughout Europe, it seems that every day brings another instance of horrific violence, like car bombings and subway attacks, which remind the world that guns are not the only tools for human destruction..