English 101

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Now that you have written a personal narrative about your issue and analyzed the rhetorical strategies used in arguments taking place concerning that issue, it is time for you to "do" something about the issue yourself. You need to put your two cents into the conversation, and write something persuasive. The focus of this unit is "persuasion." You have been learning about analyzing audiences, appealing to audience values in order to move them, and making effective arguments. At the same time, you have been reflecting on your issue and thinking about what you might write which would have an impact on the issue.

Your assignment for "Essay #3" is to come up with a project idea, write the persuasive piece, and write a rhetorical analysis explaining the persuasive piece. I am not requiring you to write an essay with me as an audience for your persuasive argument. You need to decide on a purpose, an audience, and the appropriate type of writing to persuade your audience of your purpose. You must write an effective persuasive piece to that audience, and you must write an effective analysis of what you wrote to persuade me that you chose wisely and appealed to your audience in order to achieve your goals.

We will be working together in class and on Caucus to find appropriate persuasive writing projects for your issue, but some examples you might consider include:

• A letter to a government official proposing some action on your issue. This project would require you to research what is currently being done about your issue, as well as what government official might be in a position to attend to your request. Your letter cannot just be a half-cocked idea to anybody in office. You must identify the appropriate person and a realistic request for action.
• A letter to the editor of a publication suggesting action or consideration of an issue. Again, your letter must demonstrate a purpose and be persuasive. It cannot just be a statement of how you feel about the issue, but must persuade others to do something in terms of the issue.
• A public service announcement which persuades an audience to do something about the issue. This cannot be an informative piece--it must be persuasive. You aren't simply providing information about a controversial subject; you are providing impetus to do something about the information.
• An essay written to a particular audience (could be an academic piece or popular press op/ed) with the goal of moving an audience to consider the issue and to perhaps act in a certain fashion.
• A proposal to a school board or some other agency to present an educational program. In this case, you would be presenting your idea and persuading the audience to allow you to implement the program. For example, you might want to present a "speakers series" about the topic. You would convince the audience that the speakers series would be beneficial. You would have to explain what the series would do for whom and why the audience should let you do the project.

These are just ideas. You are free to pursue any course of action you see most appropriate. You will want to conference with me and make sure that you are working on a persuasive project (for example, you will not want to do a "newsletter" since most newsletters are informational, not persuasive). Remember the persuasive assignment is the persuasive project and the rhetorical analysis of the project.

You are required to meet with me for a conference during this unit (November 12 - December 3).

Rough Drafts Due: November 24 (persuasive piece and rhetorical analysis of project)

Final Drafts Due: December 5 (Final drafts include the persuasive piece, rhetorical analysis of project, rough drafts, peer comments, and journals).