Writing can become a process you enjoy. Most writing has a common thread. Paragraphs, essays, notes, graduate theses, and love letters may appear to be unrelated pieces of writing, but they share one goal. Each attempts to communicate a main idea. This process is not a mystery. It is a practical art called rhetoric.
Here is a basic framework for this Art of Argument or Persuasion...
1. Introduction: In this first sentence of a paragraph or first paragraph of an essay,
you get your readers’ attention, and provide introduction to your main idea or thesis.
2. History and/or Evidence: After you get their attention and announce the main idea,
you must provide any history they may need, details that will help them understand,
or evidence to support your main idea.
3. Argumentation or Persuasion: When you have provided the necessary facts,
history, and/or evidence you must do two things:
a. Use this history and/or evidence to support your main idea.
b. Use this history and/or evidence to defeat opposing ideas.
4. Summary: At this point, you have told your reader what you intend to say, you have
then said it, and you now summarize exactly what it is you wanted them to hear.
5. Conclusion: This summary process will lead directly into your conclusion, or the ending to your paragraph, essay, or note. The most important part of this conclusion is to restate your main idea or thesis, but in different words and in such a way as to take your reader beyond the paper.
Rhetoric provides the framework for all western writing. We can thank Plato and Aristotle.
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