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Persuasion Worksheet #1


In this lesson you are meeting Kansas State Indicator 1.4.11 Identifies the topic, main ideas, supporting details, and themes in text across the content areas and from a variety of sources in appropriate-level text.

Debatable and non-debatable statements


An argumentative essay is built around a specific statement (or main premise) that is debatable within the field in which you are studying. In other words, at the centre of an argumentative essay is a statement with which your readers may disagree. Your essay will need to support that statement in a manner that convinces your readers of its truth.

To begin this work on argumentative essays, we will learn the difference between debatable and non-debatable statements

Debatable statements = Statements with which other people might or might not agree . These are sometimes called "arguments", "assertions", "propositions" or "premises".
eg. Solar energy is the best way of meeting Australia's energy needs in the 21st century

Non-debatable statements = Statements with which no-one would normally disagree or argue. These are sometimes called "facts".
eg. Coal and oil are the main sources of energy in Australia in the 20th century

Task 1
Which of the following statements are debatable and which are non-debatable? If the statement is debatable, fill in the circle next to the word "debatable". If the statement is non-debatable, fill in the circle next to the word "non-debatable".

1.Computers and automation increase unemployment.
O debatable
O non-debatable

2.Smoking is harmful to people's health.
O debatable
O non-debatable

3.Plants produce oxygen that the world needs to sustain life.
O debatable
O non-debatable

4. Australia has some of the most venomous snakes in the world.
O debatable
O non-debatable

5. A good education is necessary for a successful and happy life.
O debatable
O non-debatable

Task 2
Now write a debatable and a non-debatable statement about each of the following topics:

1. Alcohol

2. Television



3. Slavery in the U.S. in the 1800's



4. The education system in America


5. The President


Providing support for debatable statements (or premises)

You now know that debatable statements are not statements of fact but are statements or premises with which other people may or may not agree. When you are writing an argumentative essay your aim is to make your readers agree with your debatable statements or premises. You need to convince your readers of the value or truth of your premises. But by themselves, they are not convincing - they need support.

In this section, you will learn how to provide supporting statements for your premises. (We will use the term "premise" from now on for any debatable statement or assertion in your argumentative essay). You will also learn how to use connectives to link these statements to each other and to the premise.

Example 1
Premise: Marijuana should be legalized
Supporting statement 1: It is less harmful to people's health than alcohol.
Supporting statement 2: A very large percentage of the population uses it.

Both supporting statements provide information that helps prove or support the premise. We can use connectives to link these statements together:

Example 2

Premise: Marijuana should be legalized
Supporting statement 1: Firstly, it is less harmful to people's health than alcohol.
Supporting statement 2: In addition, a very large percentage of the population uses it.

"Firstly" tells the reader that this is the first supporting statement. (There are no ther formal connectives that can be used in this place. It is, however, accceptable to have no connective here)

"In addition" tells the reader that this is an extra supporting statement. Other connectives that you could use here are Furthermore, Moreover and Secondly.

The following premises (P) have one supporting statement (SS1). Rewrite them adding a second supporting statement (SS2). Also use connectives for the first and second supporting statements.

Immigration
(P) A stronger immigration program/policy is necessary in America.
(SS1) The population is too large for sustained economic growth
(SS2)


Smoking
(P) Smoking should be banned in restaurants and pubs.
(SS1) It will help people to give up this unhealthy habit.
(SS2)


Freeways
(P) The government should build more freeways instead of public transport.
(SS1) It keeps traffic off residential streets.
(SS2)


Public Transportation
(P) The government should build more public transport instead of freeways.
(SS1) It provides cheap transport to people who can't afford cars.
(SS2)


Atomic Bomb
(P) The US govnernment had to use the bomb to end WWII.
(SS1) The Japanese would never have surrendered without its use.
(SS2)


Multiculturalism
(P) America should not be a "melting pot"; it should be more like a "salad bowl"
(SS1) People need to express their individuality.
(SS2)

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Last update: Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at 1:16:45 PM.

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