The purpose of an argument essay is to begin to develop ideas and support specific, tentative opinions on
a given topic with convincing evidence, close reading, and thoughtful interpretation. The topic of
“academic success” has been selected for the Persuasive Argument Essay because it is a topic that all
involved in this English 101 course – students and professor alike – can generally relate to (regardless of
whether it has been ample or scarce in one’s life), aspire to achieve (otherwise we would not be here), and
perhaps ultimately measure or understand in different ways. To focus the essay we will consider the
circumstances of one author’s education and debate significant influences leading to his eventual
“academic success.” Using Richard Rodriguez’s controversial autobiography Hunger of Memory: The
Education of Richard Rodriguez, research, as well as our own personal observation, would you say that
Rodriguez’s “academic success” is more the result of advantage or adversity experienced during his
education? To prepare your argument you will need to define a few key terms: “academic success;”
“advantage;” “adversity.” To support your argument you will want to pay close attention to not only what
Rodriguez says about his “academic success” (content), but also how he chooses to portray the influences
leading to this “academic success” (form). Throughout, we will want to be mindful that how the
autobiography is written serves as a testament to Rodriguez’s “academic success.” For instance, and
among other rhetorical maneuverings, we can track Rodriguez’s strategic use of personal observation
when discussing gain and advantage versus his use of more intimate, personal experience when
discussing loss and adversity. In the Persuasive Argument Essay you can feel free to draw upon your own
personal observation. However, keep in mind that others may have different observations than you do on
the many issues covered by Rodriguez (i.e. bilingual education; religion), and that argument is often most
persuasive when different, and even competing, opinions are acknowledged, respected, and explore
