Overview: Persuasion is a constant in each of our lives. No matter where we look, what we read, what we see, or who we interact with, we are inevitably going to encounter some form of persuasion. Advertisements want us to buy things. Newspapers and television 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 one of the most powerful forms of writing—it has the ability to influence one’s thoughts, and also the ability to change one’s mind about a particular issue. The persuasive essay is an ideal opportunity to support an opinion on an issue using researched facts and information. It also gives you the chance to recognize opposing viewpoints and refute it, noting that those who hold the opposing viewpoints are the intended audience of the piece.

 Prompt: For this essay, you will identify an issue in your current major, a major you are interested in pursuing, or your field of work. You will then establish an argument and support that argument with research and relevant evidence. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in one fully developed paragraph each:

 I. Writing Plan: Use this writing plan as a way to gather your thoughts and determine your strategy for writing your critical analysis essay. This process will allow you to develop a potential structure for effectively communicating and supporting your claim. This plan will be helpful in keeping your thought process on track when you begin writing and revising your essay.

 A. 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. 

B. Determine three key points that will be helpful in supporting your argument.

 C. Identify the audience who will be reading your essay. What potential challenges will you encounter in supporting your argument with this demographic?

 D. Establish a goal that you hope to accomplish with this essay. What will this essay need to be successful?

 E. List potential resources that could be used as supporting evidence for your argument, and provide a brief description of each and how they will reinforce your argument.

 F. Align key points of your argument with supporting resources for establishing an effective essay structure.

 G. Based on your argument, determine at what points in the essay integrating evidence would be most effective, and explain why. 

H. Describe a revision strategy that would be most effective while writing this essay. Why would this strategy be effective? 

I. Review the feedback provided by your instructor on assignments submitted thus far. How does this feedback influence your progress moving forward? What changes did you make to your writing plan after receiving this outside feedback?