please see attachment
ENG 106: Composition II Learning Unit 7: Instructions
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Persuasive Essay Assignment Instructions
Description: In this paper, you will take a position (even if it’s a middle ground stance) on the topic you
wrote about for the Research Essay and write an argument attempting to persuade the audience to
agree with your position. In doing so, you should provide a logical and fair treatment of the subject, not
only presenting your own arguments but also responding to opposing ideas and objections to your
position.
Purpose: Your purpose is to persuade the audience to agree with your position through the use of
logical reasoning and strong researched evidence.
Form and Structure: The essay should include the following components:
1. A cover page following APA formatting and content standards as described and modeled in the
Rules for Writers handbook,
2. A 100-to-150 word abstract overviewing what readers can expect to encounter when they read
your paper,
3. An introduction grabbing readers’ attention, easing them into the topic, and establishing the
existence of a significant controversy or problem,
4. A well-worded, persuasive thesis taking a clear, arguable stance on the issue and laying out the
claim the rest of the essay will seek to prove,
5. A brief overview of and thorough research-supported response to at least three
counterarguments that those against your position would use to oppose your argument,
6. At least three additional research-supported arguments or reasons to support your position,
7. A strong conclusion reiterating the thesis and leaving the audience with a sense of urgency
about the issue.
Sources: You must use a minimum of ten sources, including at least two new sources. You may reuse the
sources from your first essay; however, you must incorporate at least two sources not used in the
Research Essay.
Audience: You are writing for an academic audience made up of educated readers interested in your
topic. However, readers may not be familiar with all of the history and background of your topic or with
the issue-specific vocabulary used in your essay. They likely would not automatically agree with your
point of view but need convincing.
Style: Your essay should avoid uses of the first person (I and we) and the second person (you). You must
get your instructor’s permission to include personal examples, as personal examples generally are not
included in this kind of academic writing.
Format: Standard APA formatting, including a title page, abstract, the essay (including headings), and a
list of references.
ENG 106: Composition II Learning Unit 7: Instructions
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Length: Ten pages minimum, including the abstract (Note: The title page and references page do not
count toward the minimum ten pages.)
Due Dates: See the course schedule for outline, rough draft, and final draft due dates.
© Kara Beary and Indian Hills Community College
