The Power of Persuasion
Assignment 2: Creating the Bones of Your Argument
Due: Week 6
Points: 160
Skill(s) Being Assessed: Communication (Persuasion)
Criteria for Success: In this assignment, you will:
- Create an introduction to include a clear thesis statement (two sentences), a hook (1–2 sentences) that supports the thesis statement, and concise background context on the topic (two sentences).
- Develop an outline that clearly describes the main points (causes of the problem, effects, and potential solution) along with the supporting points (benefits), as well as how the evidence identified supports the main and supporting points. Annotate evidence with information regarding how it supports the points being made or appeals to the audience.
- Create a five-sentence conclusion paragraph that fully restates the thesis in new words and includes a specific, practical call to action
- Explain how one or more audience appeals were used to guide the creation of one specific supporting point and one specific piece of evidence.
- Reflect on how feedback was incorporated into your outline by concisely summarizing relevant feedback in your own words, describing specific changes made based on this feedback, and explaining how these changes improved the quality of work.
- Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate SWS style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.
What to Submit / Deliverables: A completed Assignment 2 Template (downloaded from the webtext), completed as a Microsoft Word document
What is the value of doing this assignment? Our communications are more effective when we take the time to consider the audience we are appealing to, and then outline and organize our ideas. In the real world, when our communication is more effective, it improves the chances of being able to accomplish the purpose behind our communication.
In this assignment, you will practice your communication skill by developing an outline for a persuasive proposal that incorporates the sources you have identified and analyzed in Assignment 1. You will have the opportunity to continue practicing prewriting strategies like creating a solid thesis, identifying main and supporting points, and developing an effective conclusion. By using these strategies, you will also be able to consider your audience more closely, which will help you to consider how to better tailor your message to this audience so that you can set yourself up for successful persuasion. Understanding what is important to an audience and how that audience likes to receive information can help us refine appeals to create a more persuasive communication.
You will practice your innovation skill by continuing to ask questions, considering different perspectives of your audience, and using an outline to organize and reflect on your ideas. Innovation in communication helps you to refine your message and approach to help you fulfill your purpose. This same process can be used in your daily life to come up with the best approach for a task to make improvements.
The skills used in this assignment can be applied across both daily life and careers, regardless of the type of communication modality. Whether it is a formal proposal or a subtweet, thinking about your audience and using prewriting strategies makes for a more effective message, and makes you a more effective communicator. Using these skills can help you become an agent of positive change in your own life!
Your goal for this assignment is to: Build your communication skill by further developing your topic and persuasive appeals for your proposal. You will do this by creating an outline that lays out the thesis for your argument as well as its main points, your specific persuasive approaches, and the evidence you are using to support your arguments. This will help prepare you to more effectively and efficiently complete your third and final assignment for the course.
Steps to complete: In Week 6, submit your assignment in Blackboard by following these steps:
STEP 1: Make sure you have completed the following prewriting activities in your Webtext:
- Week 4: Building Your Persuasive Position.
- Week 5: Drafting Your Outline.
- Week 6: Appealing to Your Audience.
- Week 6: Reflecting on Feedback.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NsZSsFu-1yb9zRKuxNqWnoCYcVRktZpsiYrAtNAC60A/edit?usp=sharing
