- What^ objections^ does^ the^ reader^ have^ toward^ your^ position?
- How^ will^ the^ issue^ affect^ the^ reader^ personally?^ In^ the^ pocketbook?^ At^ the^
dinner table? On the job? In his or her children’s future?
Jot down the answers to these questions before you go on. If you must do research in
order to answer these questions, continue to Step 4.
STEP 3: Prewriting—Thinking through the Arguments
With the reader’s position defined, begin planning your arguments. Answer the fol-
lowing questions concerning your point of view:
-^ What information can I give the reader to make his or her current position
uncomfortable? Will something happen to the reader—to his or her job, home,
or children as a result of this current position?
-^ What facts, statistics, examples, or illustrations will help the reader see the
importance of changing his or her position?
- What^ information^ can^ I^ include^ that^ will^ negate^ the^ reader’s^ counterarguments?
- What^ personal^ appeal^ will^ most^ likely^ cause^ the^ reader^ to^ take^ action?
Answers to these questions will help you select appropriate details. Yes, the persua-
sive paper relies on reason and logic to make a point; but never underestimate the
need for clever psychology to get the reader’s attention and to deal with his or her
emotions.
Note that you may need to do research to answer some of the questions. If so, com-
bine your efforts in seeking answers with Step 4 immediately following. As you seek
answers, you can also seek supporting details.
Based on your work in steps 2 and 3, write the three or four main points for your
persuasive paper.
STEP 4: Prewriting—Doing the Research
If your topic so requires, do the necessary research. Get the facts and illustrations to
support your argument. Find authorities that support your point of view. Make note
not only of their identity but also of their reasoned arguments. Read opposing argu-
ments as well; understand the opposition’s point of view, the better to refute it. Take
notes on ideas that support your cause. Also, note specific arguments your paper
must refute.
Persuasion / 111