Write a Persuasive Essay on Should it be okay to keep wild animals as Pets?Organizing You Expository/Persuasive EssayHow can I effectively present my argument?Use an organizational structure that arranges the argument in a way that will make sense to the reader. The Toulmin Method of logic is a common and easy to use formula for organizing an argument.The basic format for the Toulmin Method is as follows:Claim: The overall thesis the writer will argue for.Data: Evidence gathered to support the claim.Warrant (also referred to as a bridge): Explanation of why or how the data supports the claim, the underlying assumption that connects your data to your claim.Backing (also referred to as the foundation): Additional logic or reasoning that may be necessary to support the warrant.Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim.Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.Including a well thought out warrant or bridge is essential to writing a good argumentative essay or paper. If you present data to your audience without explaining how it supports your thesis they may not make a connection between the two or they may draw different conclusions.Don’t avoid the opposing side of an argument. Instead, include the opposing side as a counterclaim. Find out what the other side is saying and respond to it within your own argument. This is important so that the audience is not swayed by weak, but unrefuted, arguments. Including counterclaims allows you to find common ground with more of your readers. It also makes you look more credible because you appear to be knowledgeable about the entirety of the debate rather than just being biased or uniformed. You may want to include several counterclaims to show that you have thoroughly researched the topic.Example:Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.Data1: Driving a private car is a typical citizen’s most air polluting activity.Warrant 1: Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced, air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.Data 2: Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to 15 years.Warrant 2: Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to switch to a hybrid car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.Data 3: Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor.Warrant 3: This combination of technologies means that less pollution is produced. According to ineedtoknow.org “the hybrid engine of the Prius, made by Toyota, produces 90 percent fewer harmful emissions than a comparable gasoline engine.”Counterclaim: Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass transit systems.Rebuttal: While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work; thus hybrid carsAdditional Information on Organization and Content of the Expository/Persuasive Essay from Other Areas of Purdue OWLThe structure of the argumentative/expository/persuasive essay is held together by the following:A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the author should explain why the topic is important (exigence) or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay, it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.Body paragraphs that include evidential support.Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the thesis (warrant).However, argumentative/expository/persuasive essays should also consider and explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs of the essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.It is at this point of the essay that students may begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main points, and review your thesis.A Complete ArgumentPerhaps it is helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a classmate. If I were to discuss the cause of World War II and its current effect on those who lived through the tumultuous time, there would be a beginning, middle, and end to the conversation. In fact, if I were to end the argument in the middle of my second point, questions would arise concerning the current effects on those who lived through the conflict. Therefore, the argumentative essay must be complete, and logically so, leaving no doubt as to its intent or argument.Copyright ©1995-2011 by The Writing Lab (Links to an external site.) & The OWL at Purdue (Links to an external site.) and Purdue University (Links to an external site.).As usual, 3 pages double spaced APA format.Comments from CustomerYou can just make it one page, I can’t afford 2 more pages right now. I can just see the main ideas and add to it on my own if that’s okay.
