The Art of Persuasion: A Worksheet for a Persuasive Essay

Base your responses here on your choice of one of the topic choices on the Topic Page document.

LaRue English

When reasonable, informed people disagree on a subject and one tries to convince others of the validity of his or her opinion, we say (s)he tries to persuade others. To write persuasively means to use
——reasoned argument (assertion and evidence)
——emotional appeals
——appeals to values held in common with the opponent
——concession to opposing views

To write a persuasion essay, choose a topic from the choices on the topics choice document; choose a topic and focus that you care about, and that is of real rather than academic concern to you. You want one program to be adopted, for instance, or one person to be elected, or one side to win or one type of product bought, and it matters to you. Now, choose a topic question from the choices provided on the topic page you were given. Write that subject here (also, specify the number of the topic question you have chosen):

Now consider your audience. Who will you try to persuade—for instance, your wife to agree with your choice of a car? Your parents to agree with your change of a major? Your next door neighbor to vote for your candidate for the school board? The college community to act on a problem you see with registration, parking, security, or extracurricular activities? The city to support a tax referendum or bond issue? Television producers to cut down on the violence in Saturday morning cartoons?
Consider your chosen topic question carefully and your focused response. You have chosen a topic question focus from the list of topics on another document you were given. Describe your audience here:

Respond directly to your chosen topic question. What is your specific message or thesis? Write it here:

Now for a very important decision. Given the subject, audience and thesis that you have selected, how can you best reach this audience? What tone will you use? Will your most effective strategy be to adopt a business tone as you address the college community on the need for more parking facilities? Will you use clear, cogent reasons supported by more reasons? Or would a better tone be anger? You wrote a business letter on the subject six months ago and no one even answered it, so now your forum is the college newspaper and you’re mad. You got a parking ticket, you missed an exam and you want someone to do something about it right now. Righteous anger is your tone, and you want to appeal to that sense of frustration that you know others in the college share. However, given the same situation and the same audience, you may want to consider using wit, thinking that if you can make people laugh, you can convince them to do whatever you want. Describe here at this early stage what you think the best tone for your audience and position:

Now list the reasons supporting or confirming your position (should be two to five—if you have no more than one, think of another subject!):

——

——

——

An important consideration in persuasion is to think ahead to the arguments your opponents can use against your position. Who would disagree with you? What is that person or group’s strongest argument against your thesis? One method of thinking ahead is called Rogerian argument, after the psychologist Carl Rogers. This method calls for you to put yourself in the place of your opponent and try to see and understand the issue exactly as (s)he does. Will the administrators reject your call for more parking because there is not enough money for other badly needed improvements? Second, what values and knowledge do you share with your opponent? Surely both you and the administrators want students and faculty to have sufficient parking.
What values do you share with your opponent? Write them here:

What knowledge do you have in common with your opponent? Write that here:

What arguments do you think your opponent will offer in opposition to your position?
Can you refute these arguments? List those arguments here that you will have to concede to your opponent, and list the rebuttals, or refutations, you can develop. (Again, if you will have to fully concede all of the opposing arguments, and you cannot counter any of them, your case will be very weak.)
List those opposing arguments here:

——

——

____

Now, given all the decisions you have made, what will be the best strategy for organizing your persuasive essay? The classical scheme calls for an introduction which supplies the necessary background and states your thesis, then the confirmation of your thesis, followed by the concession and refutation section and then the conclusion. If you follow this strategy, you have several choices in the way you organize your arguments. You can begin with your weakest argument and end with your strongest or reverse that order. Or you can begin with the simplest argument and work up to the most complex. If you wish to vary the classical scheme, you can begin with the opposing arguments and then destroy them one by one, or you can make the necessary concessions as you support your own arguments. A popular organizational strategy: One section of the body of your argument can be devoted to concession-refutation, and the other sections to your other strong support arguments. Decide how you want to vary the classical scheme to suit your purposes, and outline the strategy of your essay here; what will be your thesis and main ideas:

I. Introduction

II.

III.

IV.

V. Conclusion

FOR WRITERS: IF YOU HAVE A PETION THAT YOU WANT TO WRITE ABOUT LET ME KNOW IN MESSAGES. IT HAS TO BE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

Ex: Jamba Juice:
Please Replace your Plastic Straws with a Sustainable Alternative. https://www.change.org/p/jamba-juice-please-replace-your-plastic-straws-with-a-sustainable-alternative?source_location=topic_page

STOP the MEAN Tweets ! Demand of Pres. Donald Trump to stop attacking people on Twitter. https://www.change.org/p/make-america-kind-again-demand-pres-trump-stop-the-mean-tweets?pt=AVBldGl0aW9uAKuSxQAAAAAAW77Cuvg264VjMjQ0NTRlMQ%3D%3D&source_location=topic_page

• Go to the Website www.change.org
• Locate a petition you feel strongly about and that you feel something has to be done to address this issue.
• Research about the issue or use the information you already have attained via this course
and form an opinion and an argument.
• Answer the following questions in a short essay of two pages (double space).

1. How have your own attitudes and beliefs been influenced by participating in this service learning project? What did you learn about diversity from your research as well as from those you worked in the past on similar projects? Give specific examples.
2. How have you connected knowledge (facts, research, etc.) from your college coursework to this service learning project? Has your participation changed in any way the way you feel about certain issues? Give specific examples.
3. Describe what you learned about yourself in relation to a growing sense of civic identity and commitment. Give specific examples.
4. Do you think that somehow individuals of society benefited or will benefit from your effort?

Assignment: Executive Leadership Self-Assessment and Self-Development Plan

What are the 16 critical competencies for health care executives?
The 16 competencies for health care executives explain those areas that health care executives should excel in for competent health care administration practice. General guidelines such as clear communication, trust, ethical leadership, and mentorship, help health care executives acknowledge that they are the leader at the helm of mobilizing change and leading their health care organization toward success. Poor management, ineffective leadership, and unclear directions can have dire consequences for health care executives and their health care organizations.

For this Assignment, you will complete a self-assessment and self-development plan in relation to the 16 critical competencies for health care executives. You will identify your strengths and weaknesses among these 16 competencies and identify opportunities to engage in future professional development.

The Assignment
• Complete Appendix A and Appendix B in Dye & Garman (2015).
1. Complete Appendix A.
2. You do not submit any responses for appendix A.
3. Complete Appendix B.
4. Submit Appendix B as your Week 11 Assignment.

Resources:
Dye, C. F., & Garman, A. N. (2015). Exceptional leadership: 16 critical competencies for healthcare executives. (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
Chapter 6, “Competency 6: Listening Like You Mean It” (pp. 67–79)
Chapter 7, “Competency 7: Giving Great Feedback” (pp. 81–90)
Chapter 8, “Competency 8: Mentoring” (pp. 91–100)
Chapter 9, “Competency 9: Developing High-Performing Teams” (pp. 101–111)
Chapter 10, “Competency 10: Energizing Staff” (pp. 113–121)
Appendix A, “Self-Reflection Questions” (pp. 197–202)
Appendix B, “Sample Self-Development Plan” (pp. 203–206)

Write a paper (2,000-2,500 words) in which you apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease. Refer to “Communicable Disease Chain,” “Chain of Infection,” and the CDC website for assistance completing this assignment.
Communicable Disease Selection
Choose one communicable disease from the following list:
1. Chickenpox
2. Tuberculosis
3. Influenza
4. Mononucleosis
5. Hepatitis B
6. HIV
7. Ebola
8. Measles
9. Polio
10. Influenza
Epidemiology Paper Requirements
Address the following:
1. Describe the communicable disease (causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications, treatment) and the demographic of interest (mortality, morbidity, incidence, and prevalence). Is this a reportable disease? If so, provide details about reporting time, whom to report to, etc.
2. Describe the determinants of health and explain how those factors contribute to the development of this disease.
3. Discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease you have selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors. (The textbook describes each element of the epidemiologic triangle). Are there any special considerations or notifications for the community, schools, or general population?
4. Explain the role of the community health nurse (case finding, reporting, data collecting, data analysis, and follow-up).
5. Identify at least one national agency or organization that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the organization(s) contributes to resolving or reducing the impact of disease.
6. Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Is this disease endemic to a particular area? Provide an example.
A minimum of three peer-reviewed or professional references is required.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
NRS427V-RS-CommunicableDiseaseChain.doc

Discussion: Mini-Case on Earning Trust and Loyalty
How might health care leaders establish trust and loyalty in their health care organization? What strategies might health care leaders employ in order to assert themselves as responsible for and capable of leading change forward?

As a current or future health care executive, your ability to articulate motivation, moving a path forward, and leading change will be necessary to ensure the success of your health care organization. A successful health care executive must be mindful of the perceptions of his or her staff and how to best address trust and loyalty when organizing new changes in health care delivery.

For this Discussion, review the mini-case as presented in Chapter 5 of Dye & Garman (2015). Reflect on the case and consider how you, as a current or future health care executive might support or oppose strategic change.

By Day 3
Post a 1 page position on whether you support or oppose strategic change based on the mini-case, and explain why. Be sure to justify your position with support from the Learning Resources and outside research. Then, explain how you might implement health care executive leadership strategies for your health care organization or one with which you are familiar. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 5
Continue the Discussion 1 page and respond to a colleague who took a different position than the one in your initial post. Suggest how your colleague might implement the strategies described for effective health care administration practice.

Resources:
Dye, C. F., & Garman, A. N. (2015). Exceptional leadership: 16 critical competencies for healthcare executives. (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.
• Chapter 1, “Competency 1: Leading With Conviction” (pp. 3–13)
• Chapter 2, “Competency 2: Using Emotional Intelligence” (pp. 15–26)
• Chapter 3, “Competency 3: Developing Vision” (pp. 29–41)
• Chapter 4, “Competency 4: Communicating Vision” (pp. 43–52)
• Chapter 5, “Competency 5: Earning Trust and Loyalty” (pp. 53–64)

This is for University of Georgia supplement essay
This essay might be an especially good choice if you already know what you want to study. The “problem” does not have to be a particularly large problem like “all of climate change” or “world poverty.” Anyone can talk about those general problems. You will probably be better served by focusing on a specific problem that you have some kind of personal connection to.

For example, maybe you live in a region where increased rainfall in recent years has caused unexpected flooding that was not accounted for in old flood-insurance maps. Maybe you lost a family photo album, or maybe your neighbors had difficulty getting insurance companies to cover the damages. After telling the admissions committee about this problem and your personal connection to it, you can say that you plan to study economics and atmospheric science in order to learn how our society can respond to changing weather patterns.

Though the essay prompt asks what actions you would take to “solve” the problem, you should be aware that complex problems do not have solutions that can be explained in 300 words. You would do better to talk about how you will use your studies at UGA to start tackling the issue from multiple angles.

In our flood insurance example, you might mention that you are especially excited to check out the university’s new major in Atmospheric Sciences in order to better understand how climate change is affecting local weather patterns. You might also mention that you are interested in attending talks at UGA’s institute for Climate and Society that gathers thinkers from a wide variety of disciplines to discuss complex issues. Referring to specific programs at the school can let the University of Georgia know that you really are interested in attending.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the immediate cause of World War I. But the events that led to the Great War go further back into the nineteenth century. As with the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, nationalism, imperialism, and militarism all played a part.

Analyze how the forces of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism irrevocably led to World War I. Pay particular attention to the rise of Pan-Slavism in Eastern Europe and the corresponding rise of nationalism in German-speaking states. Analyze how the alliance system contributed to the ultimate outbreak of war.

Then analyze the events that drew the United States into World War I. Clearly discuss why America first remained neutral between1914-1917. What role did ethnicity play in America’s neutrality? Then identify and analyze the specific events that led to America’s entrance into the war. Evaluate America’s contribution to the war effort and to what extent America’s entry contributed to the end of the war. Finally, analyze the events that led to the defeat of the Treaty of Versailles. What effect did this have on America’s role in the world during the 1920s and 1930s? Pay particular attention to the role of President Woodrow Wilson both during and after the war, in particular, his efforts to establish the League of Nations.

This paper must be four to five double-spaced pages in length (not including the References page) and utilize no less than four academic quality sources. Margins should be no more than one inch (right and left) and the essay should be composed in an appropriate font and size. Sources must be documented and cited using APA format.

The final paper will demonstrate the students’ ability to assimilate, synthesize, and apply the concepts of management information systems; specifically systems analysis, system design, system development, and systems maintenance. The video case is a factual presentation of McGraw-Hill/Irwin’s PRIMIS Information System.

Focus of the Final Paper

You will need to review the case questions prior to watching McGraw-Hill MIS Video Case: Primis.

You must use critical thinking skills to assimilate and synthesize course concepts that apply to the case questions below. Specific concepts and vocabulary from the course must be integrated into your responses, demonstrating a clear understanding of management information systems vernacular as it applies to each case question.

Final Paper Structure

Analysis

Describe the kinds of questions McGraw-Hill might have asked as part of determining the feasibility of the Primis idea. Be sure to address the needs of the organization, end users (sales representatives, faculty, and students), IT specialists, and the groups involved in producing the finished custom books.
Assess the likelihood of implementing the system given the information the team had at the time. Justify why, or why not.
Design

Process engineering is the design of business processes to achieve competitive advantage in cost, quality, speed, and service.
Evaluate which advantages were driving the development of the Primis system for McGraw-Hill.
Business customers must perceive that products/services are solutions to their problems. Describe how the Primis system design kept this objective in mind.
System Development

Assess whether the prototyping would have helped the Primis team. Justify why or why not.
Conclude why it was important to consider the relationship of Primis to back-end systems at McGraw-Hill.
If you were the project manager for Primis, explain and defend what would you have done differently.
Maintenance

Part of system maintenance is managing the growing volume of content in the Primis database. Explain the criteria you might use for determining content to add to the database. Since many print textbooks are revised every few years, describe how this process would affect contents in the Primis database.
Writing the Final Paper

The Final Paper:
Must be 10- to- 12 double-spaced pages in length (not including the title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
Must use at least three scholarly sources, including a minimum of one from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the text.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center

Unless otherwise stated, answer in complete sentences, and be sure to use correct English, spelling, and grammar. Sources must be cited in APA format. Your response should be four (4) double‐spaced pages; refer to the “Format Requirementsʺ page located at the beginning of this learning guide for specific format requirements.

Suppose you are part of a political organization that has taken the position that one of the ways to “fix Congress” is to impose term limits on members of the Senate and House of Representatives. Your initial research reflects that it will be necessary to amend the U.S. Constitution to accomplish this. Prepare a plan detailing how your organization will accomplish its goal. Include the following.

Provide two (2) reasons why amending the U.S. Constitution would be necessary versus passing a law. Include Marbury v. Madison and U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton.

In view of the canons of construction and interpretation, name and explain three (3) necessary elements that you must consider before drafting language to amend the U.S. Constitution.

List the two (2) primary paths you would pursue to amend the U.S. Constitution. Cite the applicable section(s) of the Constitution.

Explain the three branches of government including each branch’s authority and responsibility. How would your plan impact each branch?

Opinion Essay Assignment Guidelines
Objective:
Select one of the three available articles in the module Unit 2: Opinion Essay on Blackboard in the folder titled Readings for Opinion Essay. Read, summarize, and respond to one of the three articles. For this essay, your overarching goal is to enter into a conversation. In order to achieve this, you have to have an audience in mind. Picture the author of the article is sitting in front of you. What questions would you ask him or her? \\Now if you were talking to a student in your class about your conversation with the author, what would you say to the student? Once you have written your essay, develop a compelling and persuasive thesis to put at the end of the essay’s introduction. Use the source to prove your thesis. The direction the essay will take will be entirely up to you, but you must work to select a thesis that is the right size and scope for the project guidelines.
Your essay should start from a place of questioning rather than a desire to prove something you already know. You must select a question that you are sincerely curious about and use that curiosity to motivate your writing.
Your essay should demonstrate thorough understanding of the article and its significance. You will need to select an audience that is appropriate for your subject and thesis, and use language and sources to persuade that specific audience to accept your thesis.
Content/Organization Requirements:
Your First Complete Draft needs to be between 3-5 pages, with a Works Cited page, to receive credit.
Your paper must be no more than 25% source material; that means that 75% of the essay must be your own words and ideas. If you treat the article with one paragraph of summary and the rest of the essay as response, you should easily meet this expectation. The remainder of the essay should be about the topic the article addresses. You do not have to agree with the article, but if you do not, be prepared to defend your ideas.
This paper will be written following MLA style guidelines. Review the rubric before submitting the essay and give yourself a grade in each category.