.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping* is a useful visual technique for brainstorming keywords. The brain is constantly making connections between different aspects of a problem. By capturing these connections and exploring them systematically, we are less likely to miss possible solutions. Mind mapping is also a highly visual and efficient way of organizing ideas.
The main subject/research topic is written in the center of a sheet in a circle to begin the mind-mapping process. Next, new ideas are drawn in the form of spokes branching from this central idea. These ideas are likely to lead to further ideas which form new spokes and so on. It can be helpful to use different colors for different branches of the map. By the end of the mind-mapping process, you will have an entire page full of keywords related to your research topic.
The first step in creating your mind map is to grab a blank piece of paper and a pen or pencil (several different colored pens would be ideal) Write down the main subject that you plan to research for the persuasive essay project. My topic is Safety
We can take the mind map as far as it needs to go to cover all our main ideas, sub-topics, and relevant evidence.
After your mind map is complete, look over the results and pick out the most interesting terms that you have generated on the page—these terms are your keywords*.
After you have drawn out your mind map, make a list of your main topic, sub-topics, and supporting evidence in the text box below
- Main topic:
- Sub-topics:
- Supporting Evidence:
Constructing Your Writing Notes
The questions below will ask you to consider how the following critical elements relate to your issue
Overview
Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or whom we interact with, we inevitably encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Media outlets sometimes want to convince us of how we should feel about events. We are put into positions where we must defend our thoughts and beliefs to others, and the process we apply is typically some form of persuasion.
Persuasive writing is a powerful form of writing—it can influence one’s thoughts and has the ability to change minds about an issue. A persuasive essay is an ideal tool for supporting an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you, as the writer, the chance to recognize an opposing viewpoint and refute it, noting that those people who hold the opposing viewpoint are the intended audience of the piece.
Prompt
For this assignment, you will use a guided prompt to write notes that will help you better understand how to approach the persuasive essay. As you complete this assignment, remember to apply what you have learned in Modules One and Two in the course when discussing your issue. Then in Module Three, you will build upon these writing notes to prepare a more refined writing plan, which will help prepare you to draft your persuasive essay.
Use these writing notes as a way to gather your thoughts and determine your strategy for writing your persuasive essay. This process will allow you to develop a potential structure for effectively persuading readers to agree with your argument. Additionally, these notes will help keep your thought processes on track when you begin writing and revising your essay.
Specifically, you must address the following rubric criteria:
- Describe the argument to be addressed in your persuasive essay. Explain how the argument relates to your major, the major you are considering pursuing, or your field of work.
- Make certain your topic is debatable. Are you able to see at least two perspectives to this argument?
- Identify the potential challenges you may encounter in supporting your argument with a specific audience.
- First, state the audience you will be writing to.
- Then address the challenges of supporting your argument with this audience.
- Establish a goal that you hope to accomplish with this essay. What will this essay need to successfully meet your goal?
- Determine three key points that will help support your argument.
- Provide a brief description of at least two resources that support the key points of your argument.
- First, list the authors and titles of each resource. These resources may be books or articles you identified in a previous assignment.
- Then provide a brief description of how each resource may reinforce your argument.
- Explain how you plan to effectively integrate evidence in the essay.
Guidelines for Submission
Your assignment must be written in MLA or APA format. Use double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.