Summary

The supporting propositions are the general points that help prove the major proposition in a persuasive essay.

In order to be effective, a supporting proposition must in turn be supported by evidence.

Drafting

1). Read the major propositions you wrote for the previous lesson. Choose the two major propositions that interest you most, and put a check mark beside each of those propositions. If you prefer, you may compose two new major propositions for persuasive essays.

2). Think of possible supporting propositions for each of the major propositions you chose. Write phrases to identify at least seven pos­sible supporting propositions for each major proposition.

3). Read and evaluate the supporting propositions in your two lists. If necessary, review the handbook lessons on Evidence and Reasoning, pages 168-182. From each list, choose the three or four supporting propositions that most clearly help prove the major proposition. Underline the phrases that identify those supporting propositions.

4). Think about the supporting propositions that best prove each of your chosen major propositions. Consider the evidence you might use to develop the supporting propositions in each list. Circle the list of supporting propositions for which you have the better evidence.

Composing

Write a major proposition, which you will use in your persuasive essay. Then list the three or four supporting propositions you will use to develop that major proposition. Express each- supporting proposition in a clear, complete statement.

Revising

Read your major proposition and your supporting propositions. As you read, ask yourself the following questions:

• Which supporting proposition, if any, does not clearly help prove the major proposition?

• What other supporting propositions, if any, should be added to the list?

• Which supporting propositions, if any, are unclearly or unfairly worded?

• Which supporting propositions, if any, cannot be developed by facts and details?

Make any changes that are needed to improve your list of support­ing propositions.

Proofreading

Proofread your major proposition and supporting propositions. Fol­low the steps presented in the Proofreading Checklist on page 142. Correct any mistakes you have made in sentence structure, capitaliza­tion, punctuation, or spelling.

7. Organizing and Writing a Persuasive Essay

A successful persuasive essay often follows a specific pattern of organization. As in many other kinds of essays, the first paragraph is anintroduction. It identifies the topic of the essay. It may or may not also include a definition of the issue. The introductory paragraph should always include a clear statement of the major proposition of the essay.

The second paragraph in a persuasive essay organized according to this pattern may seem unusual. It does not present a main idea in sup­port of the major proposition. Instead, it briefly states the main argu­ment in opposition to the major proposition. Then it presents a refuta­tion of that argument, a sound reason for not accepting it. This section of the persuasive essay shows the reader that both sides of the issue have been considered and that the writer has good reason not only for supporting one point of view but for rejecting the other.

In the next paragraphs of a persuasive essay, the supporting prop­ositions are presented and developed with evidence. Usually, the most important or effective supporting proposition is presented last, so it can create the strongest impression in the reader's mind.

The concluding paragraph of a persuasive essay usually summarizes the supporting propositions and then presents a restatement of the major proposition.