Genres of WritingOCSA

LC8

Genres of Writing: Three DomainsNarrative

Purpose: Relays a series of events in a story-telling manner

Elements: setting, protagonist, conflict, resolution, theme, figurative language and descriptive details, dialogue and other narrative techniques.

Point of view: all

Examples:

- Short story

- Allegory/fable

- Novella/novel

- Plays

- Autobiographies, memoirs, personal anecdotes

Explanatory

Purpose: to inform/explain

Elements: claim, evidence, commentary to elaborate to explain the, chronological or linear in the organization of main points

Point of view: all

Examples:

- INFORMATIONAL: Brochures/manuals/public service announcement; newspapers

- LITERARY: narrative non-fiction (memoirs, autobiographical)

- ESSAYS

Argumentative

Purpose: to prove a particular claim as valid

Elements: claim, evidence, logical reasons, counterargument, ethos/pathos/logos

**persuasive: call to action, emotional appeals

Point of view: third person objective/omniscient; first person only used in a powerful anecdote

Examples:

- Essays

- Editorials

- Speeches

Review: “Steal the Bacon Game”

Argument and Persuasion

In everyday life, we commonly have different opinions on various topics with different people. Regardless of who we argue with, the goal is to find common ground with our audience and perhaps to even change their views and/or compel them to action.

If our audience – a peer, a friend, a store manager, a teacher – is front of us, we can adjust how and what we say in response to their gestures and expressions. But if our audience is not, we then have to anticipate their response in the way we 1) consider and approach the subject, 2) the way we structure an argument, and 3) marshall evidence to support our argument.

Argument vs. Persuasion

Technically, argument and persuasion are two different processes

- Argument appeals mainly to the audience’s sense of reason in order to negotiate a common understanding or to win agreement with a claim. It is the method of a columnist who defends a president’s foreign policy on the grounds of economics and defense strategy.

- Persuasion appeals mainly to an audience’s feelings and values in order to compel some action, or at least win support for an action. It is the method of a mayoral candidate who urges voters to support her because she is sensitive to the poor.

- However, because argument and persuasive so often mingle that will use the on term argument to mean a deliberate appeal to an audience’s reasons and emotions in order to create compromise, win agreement, or compel action.

The Elements of Argument

1. Assertion – the core of any argument is the debatable claim about the subject. This is synonymous with thesis and thesis statement. It may defend or attack a position, propose a solution to a problem, recommend a change, challenge a value or belief. The city should give first priority for summer job to students whose

families need financial assistance.

School prayer has been rightly declared unconstitutional and should not be reinstituted in any form.

Smokers who wish to poison themselves should be allowed ot do so, but not in any place where their smoke will poison others.

2. The central assertion is broken down into reasons or subclaims, each one supported by evidence.

The Elements of Argument

3. Significant opposing arguments are organized into a clear, logical structure that pushes steadily toward the conclusion.

To develop that argument, a writer may draw upon various modes to rhetorical methods and strategies (you will learn more modes and rhetorical strategies in high school).

Article #1: Yes – Ban Text Messaging During Driving

THESIS? SOME MAIN POINTS/REASONS?

BEST PIECE OF EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THIS SUB-CLAIM/REASON?WHAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE OR STRATEGY DID THE

WRITER USE?EVALUATE EFFICACY?

Do you agree or disagree? Why or why not? What is your outstanding argument and evidence to support your view?