Writing a persuasive essay
Dr Dai Fei Yang Student Learning Unit University of Western 2008
This presentation is adapted from various SLU resources
Analysing an essay question and assessment criteria
Essay topic Who is responsible for the maintenance and development of vocational skills - employees, employers or both? Why is such training important? Support your answer with reference to the literature.
Topic: Vocational skills Focus: Training Discussion: Whose responsibility? Why is it important?
Note: You need to refer to your assignment for the assessment criteria.
A possible essay topic related to a course (Experimental scientific research ethics) Who is responsible for the implementation of experimental scientific research ethics - the government, the institution or the individual researcher, or all of the above? Why is ethics important? Support your argument with evidence and reference to the literature. Topic: Experimental scientific research Focus: Ethics Discussion: Whose responsibility? Why is it important?
Concept of a persuasive essay genre Purpose - to persuade a reader that the writer’s argument is credible Research of the literature and evidence to support the thesis Analytical versus descriptive writing Essay structure: Introduction, body and conclusion
An essay structure
Structure Introduction Body Paragraphs – each paragraph is a mini essay. Conclusion References Function Set the scene, including thesis (your position) and overview of the essay To elaborate or give example and evidence to support your thesis in the introduction. Reiterate thesis To provide readers a list of the sources you have used in your essay.
Introduction
Topic sentence
Thesis statement (your position) which forms the basis of your answer to the essay question Outline of the focus and main point of the essay Scope (select a specific area of experimental research, e.g., organ transplantation)
Example of an introduction Analysis Introduction To decide what the most important factors in teaching adults are, one must have an understanding of adults and learners and the goals of education. The work of two prominent adult educators, Malcolm Knowles and Paulo Freire, will be explored to develop this understanding. From this research three factors emerge that are fundamental to teaching adults effectively: understanding their motivation, creating an environment that is conducive to their learning, and encouraging critical reflection.
Topic
Theoretical framework Thesis and outline
The body of an essay
The body of an essay should flow from the introduction and be divided into paragraphs that gradually develop the ideas leading to the conclusion. Purpose The purpose of the body of an essay is to support the claim made or position taken in the thesis statement. The body should not contain anything that is extraneous to the scope of the thesis statement.
The body consists of a logically sequenced series of paragraphs that develop the thesis. A paragraph has at least two but sometimes three parts to its structure
A topic sentence that presents the main idea of the paragraph Supporting sentences that explain and elaborate on the main idea. A concluding sentence that signals the end of the paragraph.
A good body paragraph has three major characteristics
Unity: A paragraph develops one main idea at a time and the sentences in the paragraph support or develop that idea. Coherence: Logical relationships between and among sentences within a paragraph. Adequate development: There must be sufficient evidence to prove or substantiate the main idea in the topic sentence.
Example of a well written paragraph
Training provides employees with the basic skills to work with new technology. It helps employees understand how to work effectively in teams to contribute to product and service quality. Consequently, training has the potential to improve labour productivity, improve the quality of output and improve the ability of the organization to manage change.
Development of argument
It is useful to begin by making notes. Ask questions like: What does this mean? What is an example? What is the history? What are the effects/implications? What are the causes? What is the similarity? What is the difference? These kinds of questions should help you to define your ideas, extend them, and make them more explicit.
Example
There are two types of skills that individuals should have in order to succeed in the new business environment. First, the hard skills reflect competencies and job knowledge. Second, the soft skills involve the ability of an employee to interact with and influence other people (Carnevale 1990).
Comments Notice how the first sentence indicates what we expect to be the topic of the paragraph (skills that people need).
Example of a problematic text
Changes in the economy and technology demand employees have new skills. De Cieri et al. (2003) point out that Australia is experiencing skill shortages in three occupational areas. These areas include computing, health and teaching profession and trade skills including chefs and hairdressers.
Comments Notice that the writer did not really fulfil the promise of the first sentence, but instead went on to another idea – skill shortages.
Support argument with evidence
Effective use of sources Paraphrasing Summarising Quoting These methods provide support for your arguments. An essay that merely consists of a list of what others have said is not adequate.
Example Changes in the economy and technology demand employees have new skills. According to De Cieri et al. (2003), more employers are now looking for university graduates who have strong IT skills. These include knowledge of various types of computer software and equipment. They also need to have problem solving skills in the use of technology for different purposes.
Summary of paragraphs
You need to plan and structure your body paragraphs You need to ensure that your ideas are logical and well sequenced The content should be reliable and the argument is well supported with evidence
Conclusion
A conclusion is to draw together the main arguments and concepts of your essay to reach a logical end. Do not introduce new ideas or offer any apologies.
Example of a conclusion
In conclusion, it has been argued in this essay that recent developments in IT, and particularly the growth of the Internet, have introduced significant changes to Australian society. These changes were seen to Be affecting Australian society in several areas including equity of access, education, employment, privacy and security, and healthcare. In Most cases the impacts considered in these areas were found to have both positive and negative implications. In a broader view, the internet has established its value in certain sectors and proven to be useful in many applications. It is argued that in the Future the disadvantages relating to ICT will be reduced and the full value of the Internet is realised throughout society.
Language features, writing styles and grammar
Use simple present tense
Third person perspective, e.g., Brown suggests Formal language Concepts should be defined
Example of giving a definition Scientific methods are techniques for investigating phenomena to acquiring new knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. A scientific method consists of the collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses (Brown, 2006)
Referencing
Referencing system required (follow your lecturer’s instructions) In-text citation Preparing a reference list UWS policy in plagiarism
In summary, the essay should be presented
using a persuasive genre with a logical progression of ideas using cohesive markers to signal connections in clear, precise, concise sentences with correct referencing Editing and proofreading
Class activities
Apply what you have learned from this lecture and write an essay. Topic: Population growth is a major factor contributing to environmental degradation. Discuss (1500 words) Your essay should have the following: An introduction Body paragraphs (supported evidence) Conclusion. Reference list