Non-Fiction, Persuasion, Argument Notes

Forms of Nonfiction

A nonfiction writer may choose to

• share a personal story,

• write about someone else’s life, or

• reflect on an important topic.

Non Fiction - True life stories of people, events, things and places

Forms of Nonfiction: Personal EssayA personal essay can be about any topic,

such as

A personal essay often reveals a lot about the writer’s personality or tastes.

a family vacation

a challenging experience

an important person in the writer’s life

Forms of Nonfiction: Personal Essay

A personal essay is usually short and informal.

It can be . . .

funnyserious or

An expository essay explains something to the reader by

Forms of Nonfiction: Expository Essay

giving information or clarifying an idea.

how to check a car’s oil

ways to care for the environment

People debate whether elderly drivers should be required to pass a driving test to keep their licenses. Many believe that this would make the roads safer.

Dr. David Naimark and Justin Rinkert state that “age alone does not cause impairment behind the wheel.” They explain that “it is the mental and physical changes associated with aging that cause the problem.”

People debate whether elderly drivers should be required to pass a driving test to keep their licenses. Many believe that this would make the roads safer.

Dr. David Naimark and Justin Rinkert state that “age alone does not cause impairment behind the wheel.” They explain that “it is the mental and physical changes associated with aging that cause the problem.”

An expository essay is usually formal in tone and objective—based on facts rather than opinions.

Forms of Nonfiction: Expository Essay

Consider the following passage from an expository essay:

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The writer’s attitude, or tone, is formal.

People debate whether elderly drivers should be required to pass a driving test to keep their licenses. Many believe that this would make the roads safer.

Dr. David Naimark and Justin Rinkert state that “age alone does not cause impairment behind the wheel.” They explain that “it is the mental and physical changes associated with aging that cause the problem.”

The passage is objective. It is based on facts, not personal opinions.

An autobiography is a full-length work that gives an account of the writer’s own life.

Forms of Nonfiction: Autobiography

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Helen Keller’s autobiography, The Story of My Life, was published in 1903.

A memoir focuses on a particular time period in the writer’s life.

Forms of Nonfiction: Memoir

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Frank McCourt’s memoir, Angela’s Ashes, focuses on McCourt’s childhood in Limerick, Ireland.

A biography tells the story of a person’s life.

Forms of Nonfiction: Biography

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It is written by someone other than its subject.

The account of Mark Twain’s life, Mr. Clemens and Mark Twain, is a biography written by Justin Kaplan.

What type of nonfiction does this passage contain? How do you know?

Forms of Nonfiction

Quick Check

The summer after I graduated from high school, I made a lot of lists—what to pack for college, what to buy, who to call, who to write. Something about crossing things off the lists made me feel good.

But when my mother got sick again, I couldn’t find that on any list. I couldn’t cross that off. It wasn’t part of the plan.

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Writers use language in interesting ways to show their style. A writer’s style may be

A Writer’s Style

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formal

informal comical

serious

plain

ornate

A Writer’s Style: Diction

A writer shows his or her style through diction, or word choice.

Before she’d finished telling the joke, she began to . . .

laugh?

giggle?chuckle?

guffaw?

A Writer’s Style: Diction

A writer’s diction may be formal or informal. A writer may even use slang.

I accept your kind invitation.

I’ll be there!

formal language and style

informal language and style

A Writer’s Style: Diction

In the following passage, which word choices help to create an informal style?

Watermelon juice dribbled down Jimmy’s chin and onto his belly, sticking to his skin like paste. Beach sand fixed to him like glitter on a greeting card. A devilish grin spread across Jimmy’s face as he headed toward his parents, flapping his arms.

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Watermelon juice dribbled down Jimmy’s chin and onto his belly, sticking to his skin like paste. Beach sand fixed to him like glitter on a greeting card. A devilish grin spread across Jimmy’s face as he headed toward his parents, flapping his arms.

A Writer’s Style: Tone

Writers show tone, or attitude, through their word choices.

rolling around foolishly.

tumbling joyfully.

If your attitude toward the children is negative, you may say they are

If your attitude toward the children is positive, you may say they are

A Writer’s Style: Tone

Quick CheckMr. Griffiths jammed the letters through the mail slot, then shoved a magazine through, tearing the back cover—his best revenge. A thin smile of satisfaction spread across his lips.

His jaw stiffened and his gray eyes narrowed as he heard Mrs. Johnson’s minivan pull in the driveway. That annoying dog would no doubt be sitting on her lap. Mr. Griffiths thought he’d escaped today’s nipping and yipping.

What tone, or attitude, does this description suggest?

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What words describe Mr. Griffiths in this passage?

In writing, mood, or emotional atmosphere, is another important aspect of style.

A Writer’s Style: Mood

Writers create mood by choosing words carefully.

I understand now what my mother did for us by coming to this country. My soul sinks when I remember how angry I’d get when kids made fun of my hand-me-downs. She gave up her country, her family—and I couldn’t give up my pride.

I understand now My soul sinks

She gave up her country, her family

I couldn’t give up my pride.

The passage creates a serious and thoughtful mood.

A Writer’s Style: Mood

Quick CheckNicholas patted the water, gasping and giggling.

“Again! Again!” he urged his father.

Paul gently tossed Nicholas into the air and caught his chubby waist, slick with sunscreen. Nicholas squealed in delight as his toes dipped into the pool water.

Just then, Emma jumped in, sending a giant splash toward her little brother.

What images does the author use in this passage? To what senses do they appeal?

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What mood does this imagery suggest?

Your TurnHow would you describe the diction in each passage? What tone does each passage suggest? What kind of mood does each create?

Terry puffed out his chest toward the tape and tossed his head back with one final burst of energy. Lunging forward, he broke the tape and crossed the finish line.

Terry’s muscles pulsed and his arms pumped, almost on their own, as he took those final steps.

As the rain pelted the roof, Francine picked at her fingernails and repeatedly tapped her foot. She had been sitting for three hours, waiting her turn.

Francine shivered violently as the nurse called yet another barely sick “patient” into the examination room.

Analyzing Style

Persuasion

Author’s Purpose

The author’s purpose is his or her reason for writing. Some purposes for writing might be to

persuade entertain inform pay tribute

Author’s Purpose

Authors whose purpose is to persuade use their writing to attempt to convince you to think or do something.

There is no better feeling than the satisfaction of helping someone in need. Consider volunteering your time; you’ll gain more than you’ll give.

There is no better feeling than the satisfaction of helping someone in need. Consider volunteering your time; you’ll gain more than you’ll give.

This author is trying to convince readers to volunteer their time to help others.

Quick Check

Author’s Purpose

The prince was so happy he thought he might never stop smiling. He had found the perfect princess, saved his kingdom from the dragon’s attack, and learned an important lesson.

Never again would he judge a person by appearance alone. Now he understood that what the eye cannot see is most important. If only everyone could learn this lesson.

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Read this ending to a short story. What purpose or purposes does the author seem to have?

Persuasion: Appeals to Logic and Emotion

When writers use an appeal to logic in their arguments, they attempt to convince you of their point with careful reasoning and strong support.

Building a new bike trail would benefit our town in several ways.

First, it would encourage fitness. A survey of residents showed that 90 percent said they would exercise more frequently if the town built the bike trail.

Building a new bike trail would benefit our town in several ways.

First, it would encourage fitness. A survey of residents showed that 90 percent said they would exercise more frequently if the town built the bike trail.

Building a new bike trail would benefit our town in several ways.

First, it would encourage fitness. A survey of residents showed that 90 percent said they would exercise more frequently if the town built the bike trail.

The writer provides a reason.

Then, the writer provides evidence to support the reason.

Persuasion: Appeals to Logic and Emotion

Sometimes writers use an appeal to emotion. They try to convince you of their argument by getting you to feel an emotion such as anger, pity, or sorrow.

Little Billy has a new bike and can’t wait to ride it. Unfortunately, he might have to wait a long time.

This town has no safe place for a child to learn to ride a two-wheeler. Until we finally decide to build a bike trail, Billy can’t ride his shiny new bike.

Little Billy has a new bike and can’t wait to ride it. Unfortunately, he might have to wait a long time.

This town has no safe place for a child to learn to ride a two-wheeler. Until we finally decide to build a bike trail, Billy can’t ride his shiny new bike.

The author attempts to use your sympathy for Billy to convince you to support the bike trail.

Persuasion: Appeals to Logic and Emotion

Quick Check

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A dress code for our school would be a bad choice for several reasons.

Dress codes limit creativity. Studies show that teens express themselves mainly through their clothing choices. The authors of these studies also point out that such self-expression is important to teenagers. A dress code would prevent us from being ourselves.

Does the writer attempt to appeal to logic or emotion?

Credibility and Evidence

Persuasive writers want you to agree with their arguments. However, you’re the judge of the credibility—believability—of their arguments.

People will be more kind and courteous if they learn to play the violin. After all, I can play the violin, and I’m definitely kind and courteous.

People will be more kind and courteous if they learn to play the violin. After all, I can play the violin, and I’m definitely kind and courteous.

Is the writer’s argument convincing? Would you call the evidence believable?

Why not?

Credibility and Evidence

To judge an argument’s credibility, evaluate the evidence the writer uses to support the argument.

Facts

Experiences

Logical Appeals

Emotional Appeals

Can I confirm the facts? Are the facts relevant to the point?

Are the experiences common enough to support the claim?

Is the reasoning sound? Is the logic valid?

Is your emotional response important to the claim? Why?

Credibility and Evidence

Quick Check

Evaluate the credibility of the writer’s argument.

The school’s department of journalism needs to provide digital cameras to its student reporters.

We’re no longer living in the Stone Age. In fact, we’re living in the 21st Century. It’s time we started using all of the tools of our era and stopped pretending that typewriters and pencils are useful. If they were, we certainly wouldn’t have computers.

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Argument

Classical ArgumentIntroduction

Gets reader’s attention & respectCan provide background information on topic or

problemThesis at end

Evidence and ReasonsGeneral statements backed up with specific detailsEach reason = topic sentenceLogical organization

CounterclaimPresents opposition’s position & argues against it

ConclusionSummarizes argument, elaborates on importance of

argument or call to action for audience

Literary Argument (cont.)Claim

Clear, signification assertion about your interpretation of theme

Same as thesisSupported with evidence and reason

EvidenceFrom good sourcesResearch

ReasonExplaining reason for your interpretation

Literary Argument (cont.)Counterclaim

OrganizationSeparate section (paragraphs)Right before conclusion, after all your

evidence is presentedPoint by point Comparison PurposeExplain why opposing view are faulty or

incomplete

Evidence and Reasons (any argument style)

Avoid logical fallacies – flaws in reasoning that lead to faulty, illogical statementsHasty generalization - Fred, the Australian, stole my

wallet. Thus, all Australians are thieves. (Of course, we shouldn't judge all Australians on the basis of one example.)

Either-or fallacy (false dilemma) – Either will build a new school or our children will never get into college.

False analogy - A citizen with all the answers argues: “Clogged arteries require surgery to clear them; our clogged highways require equally drastic measures.”

False cause - Every day, I eat cereal for breakfast. One time, I had a muffin instead, and there was a major earthquake in my city. I've eaten cereal ever since.

Evidence and Reasons (any argument style)

Avoid logical fallacies – flaws in reasoning that lead to faulty, illogical statementsFalse authority – We should be able to have cell phones

at school because I say so. Irrelevant argument (non sequitur) - Women, on

average, have smaller heads than men. Thus, men are more intelligent than women.

Begging the question - Bill: "God must exist." Jill: "How do you know." Bill: "Because the Bible says so." Jill: "Why should I believe the Bible?" Bill: "Because the Bible was written by God."

Slanted Language - In three of the last six years we have had record snowfalls in the Cascade Mountains. Global warming is not a problem here.

Bias prejudice in favor of or against one thing,

person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Returning wolves to their native habitats is critically important. Thewolf is an original top predator in the natural ecosystems of NorthAmerica. If these ecosystems are out of balance, they may collapse.If that happens, millions of organisms will go extinct. Even humansare in danger if we do not do something soon. We must make surethat there are wolves in all of North America’s remaining naturalareas.

Scientists use powerful computers to study the Earth’s atmosphere. These computers help scientists predict changes in world climate. For instance, scientists use computers to study what might happen if pollution increases or decreases. Computers can also help scientistsmake recommendations to businesses, individuals, and other polluters. Eventually, we will know enough about climate changes to be able to control them.

Propaganda Techniques PROPAGANDA – the use of a variety of communication techniques that create an emotional appeal to accept a particular belief or opinion, to adopt a certain behavior or to perform a particular action.

NAME CALLING – links a person, or idea, to a negative symbol. Examples: commie, fascist, yuppieGLITTERING GENERALITIES – use of virtue words; the opposite of name calling, i.e., links a person, or idea, to a positive symbol. Examples: democracy, patriotism, familyTRANSFER – a device by which the propagandist links the authority or prestige of something well respectedand revered, such as church or nation, to something he would have us accept. Example: a political activist closes her speech with a prayer

TESTIMONIAL – a public figure or a celebrity promotes or endorses a product, a policy, or a political candidate. Examples: an athlete appears on the Wheaties box; an actor speaks at a political rallyPLAIN FOLKS – attempt to convince the audience that a prominent person and his ideas are “ofthe people.” Examples: a prominent politician eats at McDonald’s; an actress is photographed shopping forgroceriesBANDWAGON – makes the appeal that “everyone else is doing it, and so should you.” Examples: an ad states that “everyone is rushing down to their Ford dealer”

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=l2jrbsQLuw0

RhetoricEthos (Credibility), or ethical appeal, means

convincing by the character of the author. We tend to believe people whom we respect. One of the central problems of argumentation is to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to, in other words making yourself as author into an authority on the subject of the paper, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect.

http://www.cleanvideosearch.com/media/action/yt/watch?videoId=LwOTGeRwQqY

RhetoricPathos (Emotional) means persuading by

appealing to the reader's emotions. We can look at texts ranging from classic essays to contemporary advertisements to see how pathos, emotional appeals, are used to persuade. Language choice affects the audience's emotional response, and emotional appeal can effectively be used to enhance an argument.

RhetoricLogos (Logical) means persuading by the

use of reasoning. This will be the most important technique we will study, and Aristotle's favorite. We'll look at deductive and inductive reasoning, and discuss what makes an effective, persuasive reason to back up your claims. Giving reasons is the heart of argumentation, and cannot be emphasized enough. We'll study the types of support you can use to substantiate your thesis, and look at some of the common logical fallacies, in order to avoid them in your writing.