Competencies
In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:
Conduct research for specific writing situations
Integrate qualified evidence from research into one’s own writing
Articulate an evidence-based position in a written communication
Overview
Persuasive essays are a staple of writing. A persuasive essay has multiple goals. One is to demonstrate certain skills like research, proper citation, and critical thinking. These skills benefit us any time we need to take a position on a topic. This could be to present information for a suggested change at work or to help change someone’s mind about a global issue affecting our society. The skills that you will develop in writing your persuasive essay with research are transferable to all aspects of life and career.
When writing a persuasive essay, a writer must consider multiple communication elements and persuasive writing techniques such as strategically using introductions and conclusions, using a combination of ethos, pathos, and logos to persuade an audience, refuting an opposing viewpoint, among others. These elements of writing matter in everything we write, not just in essays. Persuasive essays organize your ideas by stating a thesis, followed by key points backed up by citations from credible sources, and examine diverse perspectives. All the skills that you will develop while working on your persuasive essay with research will help you when trying to persuade someone to consider your perspective.
Directions
There are two parts to this assignment: creating a collection of sources and writing a persuasive essay supported by research. For Part One, you will list the sources you will use in your persuasive essay. You will also include a description of each source and other information about your research process. For Part Two, you will write an essay that states your position on a topic, integrates evidence from the sources you listed in Part One to support your key points, and uses different writing techniques to engage and persuade your audience. You will use at least one source from the Project Resources document and two sources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library to support your project.
Part One: Collection of Sources
In Part One, you will organize your research in preparation to write a persuasive essay in Part Two. To prepare your collection of sources, revise the assignment you submitted in Module Three using the instructor feedback you received. This part of your project should be about 1 to 2 pages long.
Specifically, you must address the following:
State the purpose of your research.
Consider the purpose of your research in relation to your topic.
State your research question.
Describe the impact of using biased sources to support your topic.
Describe how diverse perspectives from sources support your position. Consider the following:
Are there multiple voices?
How do these diverse perspectives from your research support your topic?
List relevant sources to support your persuasive essay.
Include at least one source from the Project Resources document and at least two sources that you find through your own research using the Shapiro Library.
Include an APA or MLA citation for each source.
Describe how each source supports your topic.
Briefly summarize each source.
State why the source is credible.
State how the source is relevant to your research question.
Part Two: Persuasive Essay with Research
In Part Two, you will write a persuasive essay supported by the sources you listed in Part One. To write your essay, revise the draft you wrote in Module Five using the instructor and peer feedback you received in Modules Five and Six. This part of your project should be about 2 to 3 pages long.
Specifically, you must address the following:
Compose a thesis statement that addresses your position.
Support key points in your persuasive essay with evidence from your research.
These are the key points presented in your thesis statement.
Use quotes or paraphrases to integrate evidence from research into your persuasive essay.
Include at least one quote and/or paraphrase for each body paragraph.
Include strategies to meet the needs of an audience. In your response, include:
An introduction with relevant background information that appeals to your chosen audience.
A conclusion that summarizes your key points and includes a call to action for your chosen audience.
Use persuasive writing techniques in the body of your persuasive essay.
Address and refute an opposing viewpoint to your position.
Use ethos, pathos, or logos to persuade the audience when refuting the opposing viewpoint.
Use attribution conventions throughout your persuasive essay.
Use APA or MLA attribution conventions for all in-text citations and/or paraphrases. Remember, you will need to use the format you chose in Module One for this project.
Include a References or Works Cited page at the end of your persuasive essay.
