Purpose
This assignment will put your academic argument to real use as you create a persuasive text for a real-world audience outside of the university setting.
Your purpose statement will explain how you considered audience and purpose when decisions about your everyday argument.
Assignment
Part one:Everyday Argument
The text you create for your everyday argument can be any one of the following:
A visual argument
Create a one-page public advocacy ad that targets a specific audience with a message about your issue. The message will clearly give your audience a sense of what to do after viewing your poster. You will use a combination of words and images to persuade your audience to accept your message.
A presentation
Create a PowerPoint slideshow designed to be presented to a specific audience. Your presentation must contain a clear sense of what you would like the audience to be persuaded to do.
A petition statement and letter
Write a petition statement informing the public of your issue. Share a story or detailed example to illustrate why the public should care about the issue.
Write a brief letter that will be sent to a specific decision maker each time someone signs your petition. Your letter must identify a specific change you would like to see from your decision maker.
A business letter
Following the block format for business letters, write a detailed letter to a specific person who has some power related to your issue. Your letter must indicate that an action has been taken or request that an action be taken to inspire change.
Another type of everyday argument of your choice
Is another type of medium most effective at spreading your message to the person/people who can do something about your issue?
Consider alternative types of texts such as social media pages, a series of memes, a website, a YouTube video, a podcast, a song, etc.
Part Two:Purpose Statement
For your purpose statement, provide a written response to the following:
1) Who is your audience for the everyday argument?
2) Why is the type of argument you chose the most effective way to reach that audience?
3) What is your main claim? In other words, what do you want your audience to do?
4) How do you appeal to the audience's emotions?
5) How do you establish credibility with your audience?
Evaluation
Your everyday argument must meet the following criteria:
• The choice of audience is clear and the type of argument chosen for that audience is appropriate. There is evidence of the argument being created specifically for that audience
• There is a logical core to the argument (logos). Author credibility is established (ethos). An emotional appeal helps the audience relate to the argument (pathos)
• The text follows the conventions of other texts in that genre. Formatting, content, and tone are similar to other arguments of that type.