Persuasion / 115-^ Do I maintain my credibility by avoiding hasty generalizations, faulty logic,
propaganda techniques, and heavy emotional appeals? Do I show a broad
understanding of both points of view?
- Does^ the^ conclusion^ specifically^ call^ for^ action?^ Is^ the^ reader^ apt^ to^ take^ that^
action based on the arguments included in the paper?
As you answer these questions you may find reason for revision.
STEP 9: Proofreading—Checking the Details
When you have revised the content, check for mechanics, usage, and grammar
details. [See Part IV for rules and examples.] Check spelling and precise word choice.
WritinG-across-tHe-curriculuM Models
Any piece of writing must be tailored to the audience who will read it. Thus, in addi-
tion to the sample persuasion essay below, you will find online four additional sam-
ples, tailored for other audiences, along with their respective analyses.
See online at [http://www.wiley.com/go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook.]
Sample for English
Sample for Science
Sample Workplace Writing
Sample Technical Writing
The five samples include formal and informal papers, paragraphs and longer papers,
all illustrating the characteristics of persuasive papers and each tailored to a specific
content-area audience. Although each focuses on an argument for leading a better life,
other subtle emotional appeals will be evident. Watch to see how the emotional and
logical appeals interact and appeal to the intended audience. Be sure to compare the
following model with others online at http://www.wiley.com/go/wnwstudentwritinghandbook.
SAMPLE foR SoCIAL SCIENCES
The following persuasive paper aims to convince voters to cast ballots for a specific
candidate. Compare this persuasive paper with the sample opinion paper [see Chapter
12, Opinion] and with the sample letter to the editor [see Chapter 26, Letters, Editorial
Letters], all with the same subject but developed to meet the unique characteristics of
the specific writing form. In addition, compare this more formal paper with the infor-
mal one in Chapter 12, noting the characteristics that suggest formality or a lack of it.