Sample Assignment
For the second essay, you will research an argument and present a
solution to a problem or effectively argue one side of the debate. At this point, you will need to choose a
topic that is either within an academic discipline or part of a cultural
situation. The paper will work best if
you can present a full and fair picture of the “question” before you propose
your solution or argue your problem. In
other words, your position should take into account various other perspectives
and the lines of reasoning behind those perspectives to give your ethos as much
credibility as possible.
Your argument can take
many different forms. Some of you may write a letter to the editor for a
particular newspaper or magazine, some may write a letter to your senator,
others will write for a scholarly journal, and even others may direct their
work to school administrators or parents. Whichever context you chose, you will need
to be aware of your audience and produce a paper that speaks to that group of
people. Your tone, structure, and the
function of your own appeals will need to relate to the audience. You will
have to juggle elements such as opening, background, blueprints, thesis,
counter-arguments, support, appeals and tone.
Many of your rhetorical choices will depend upon your choice of
audience.
The opening, should catch
the readers attention and demonstrate the “so-what.” Your background should be
brief but provide necessary information that your audience will need to
understand the context and key terms related to your issue. State overtly,
somewhere, your thesis. Preview and delineate the points you will develop so
that the readers know what to expect. Since you will focus a lot on logos in
this essay, you thinking should be transparent (let your reader know all of
your thought processes), but don’t oversimplify. This is a fine and difficult
line to walk. Answer reader questions
by addressing points of counter-arguments.
If you can’t refute a point, concede to it or play it down, but don’t
omit or ignore it. It hurts your credibility. Organizing this essay will be
difficult. You will have to play with
different arrangements to see what works for your audience.
Specific goals for essay:
Complicated thinking and
complex content—don’t oversimplify your argument
Overt and well-developed thesis throughout your
paper.
Provide solution or argue side of debate
Organize essay in an appropriate way for your audience.
Use PIE as effectively as possible.
Incorporate sources effectively: meaning: tag and
interpret for audience, use as support for points or as good examples of the
other side, use to further your thesis (not arbitrary)
Effectively use appeal strategies for your
audience. For example, don’t use pathos is your audience isn’t persuaded by
emotion.
Specifics:
Must be 5-7 pages in
length
Use at least 5 sources
(more than web sources)
Use correct MLA citation
Sample Persuasive Essay
PAMELA GATTAMELATA PETERSǺN
Letter to Oregonians
Holly Mandes
Root Beer, Oregon 97229
“Gulls
and cranes stood on bloating 20-pound fish while eating the intestines spilling
from the next salmon. Their feast left the riverbank a patchwork of silver
scales, red blood, and bright orange flesh…what we have here is thousands of
dead fish…eyes popping out, guts coming out” (Dworkin & Cole A1, A15).
Pamela Gattamelata Petersån
Sasparilla, Oregon 97124
8 November 2002
My Dear Fellow Oregonians:
As
we all should know by now, Oregon is facing a real crisis with its low water
supply in the Klamath district of southern Oregon and northern California. The
situation: everyone has been losing; there are no winners. Salmon are losing
their lives, we’re losing our salmon, the state is losing tourists, and
consequently your families will be losing money as the state loses its income.
Oregon’s annual income is supplied largely by its biggest resource: salmon.
Oregon attracts tourists every year for fishing and camping, its fish are the biggest
moneymaker for fishermen, which reciprocates to restaurants that will lack
business from loss of salmon. The lack of tourists and campers takes a heavy
toll on small family businesses and larger ones too, which rely on salmon as
their principal goods. A crisis like this, where many people depend on a
specific resource for income, affects everyone. Once Oregon’s economy weakens,
jobs will decrease and the people will feel the negative repercussions. Friends of Fish needs your help pull
Oregon together to stabilize our economy and preserve our salmon’s habitat
through fund-raisers.
Background:
Last
year’s unfortunate drought brought angry protests by farmers complaining they
did not have enough water for irrigation purposes because they were denied Klamath
River water by the government. This year the Bureau of Reclamation changed the
program and gave the water to the farmers. The transfer of 75% of the Klamath
River’s water from our salmon’s homes to Klamath Basin farmers has created a
serious growing ecological problem that is plaguing our environment and
claiming Oregon’s salmon (“Vision” 1). Not only did the water level decrease,
its temperature increased due to drastic drops in the amount of water, leaving
an unhealthy environment for fish.
No longer can we rely on
the government as a source of money to attain enough water for the protection
of our salmon and the endangered fish. The fact is that scientists really can’t
say yet what is the principal cause of the die-off. Even though highly believed
by the majority to be the obvious lack of water, without an accurate reason and
clear scientific evidence what is causing this horrible tragedy for the fish,
the Bush Administration has been strict in sticking to the rule: no extra water
for the fish. This conclusion is unfortunate because scientists have ruled out
the possibility of contamination, pollution, and chemical spills which does not
leave many reasons as to what has been causing only fish, and thousands of them
to die. Some might say it is due to the extra hot temperatures this past
summer, but the Klamath Valley has, on several accounts, had droughts that have
not harmed fish. If the river hasn’t been polluted, and the weather hasn’t been
killing them, then the lack of water is the next, most logical factor. No more
water will be added to the river though until scientists, who strongly believe
the lack of water to be of blame, can find a way to prove to the Bush
Administration with scientific evidence that the lack of water is actually the
principal cause for the salmon die-off (Milstein & Barnett A16).
The Problem:
As
Michael Milstein explains in his article entitled, “Dead Fish Tied to Policy
Flaws,” the problem is grill rot that develops on those fish that swim in
waters at the lethal temperature of 70 º F and higher. The temperature, 72 º F
has been reached at certain points in the shallow Klamath due to decreased
water levels and increased temperature (A14). Grill rot, similar to Columnaris
and Ceratomyxa in the way acquired, has no harmful effect on other wildlife but
causes the gills of fish to fill with white pus fungus and inflame to the point
that the fish suffocate (Cole A7). The viruses became evident once the space in
the river became restricted, diminishing the clean, cool habitat that the
salmon require to survive.
By
the Yurok and Hoopa tribes’ biologists, locals, and fishery groups it is
estimated that somewhere between 20,000 and 30,000 salmon have died already.
This is the biggest die-off of salmon ever seen on the West Coast; it’s also
the first time so much water has been extracted at once (Milstein & Barnett
A1). Though this is a great problem a larger one exists concerning the decaying
corpses, that harbor other unwanted guests like parasites and bacteria that
only add to the disaster which will persist, for years to come, at spreading
diseases on the still arriving salmon (Brinkman A7). Milstein asserts that the
salmon die-off is predicted to continue for years until there has been enough
water flowing in the river for enough time so that the epidemic can disappear.
Unfortunately this will not be the last year of diseased salmon. Oregon’s
salmon bring in a lot of the state’s income, are a primary source of food for
southern Oregon tribes, and annually encourage tourists to visit and camp
(“Salmon” A14). Very important it is to protect our salmon and help
rehabilitate the Klamath River as soon as possible. Otherwise Oregon will lose
much needed money.
There’s Good News:
Klamath
tribes’ biologists declared that adding water back into the river can help cool
temperatures and relieve some of the stress caused by tightly shared spaces, in
turn protecting and healing our state’s precious salmon (Spain 1). Even though
a test or experiment has not been carried out, scientists are for certain that
water would do our fish well. It’s the government that wants an answer that
must be proven through evidence. Glen Spain, the director of the Pacific Coast
Fishermen’s Association explained that more water, for certain, hot or cold,
would aid fish tremendously. The river’s inlets and shady corners would fill
with water allowing salmon more areas to hide and retreat for a rest from the
upriver swim (Milstein A4). But without scientifically proven evidence, we can
not rely on the Bureau of Reclamation for water deliveries because of their
strict rule.
More
water in the river would create a deeper, wider, and cooler environment
allowing fish a cleaner and more spacious habitat. The Klamath River needs more
water than what the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is willing to give. Since the
government often does not clean up and resolve issues after creating a mess, it
is Oregon’s responsibility to raise the money to save the salmon who are still
arriving with hopes of spawning.
This Affects You:
1.) Prices on the Rise
as Jobs Decrease:
A
large fish die-off should not be taken lightly. It hits home to everyone in
this state. It may seem to be a distant concern but for all you fish eaters,
the soon-to-be high prices will cut out this food from people’s diets. Not many
salmon will be sold in the stores; the ones that will remain with the increased
cost will probably be shipped from the East Coast. Quality will have faded away
along with the usually cheap price. Fishermen’s businesses will fail, and all
the seafood restaurants and supermarkets will lose money for not having the
local favorite and for purchasing out-of-state fish. As salmon continue to die,
fishing jobs will run few and other jobs tied to this department will diminish
in number. The loss of Oregon’s salmon can effect you directly.
2.)Oregon &
Residents Will Lose Money:
Since
visitors or residents can’t fish, Oregon’s once popular tourist attraction in
that area (camping), will come to a halt. Parks and campgrounds’ incomes will
go down and have less for maintenance or for our state and all the smaller
businesses in the area will have to close down cause of low business or no
business at all. When the state’s income falls, and those of the people who
make up part of the state do too, so will yours. Joining Friends of Fish at any or all activities will protect your family
from all the income problems that can arise.
3.) Tribal Traditions
Not To Be Forgotten:
The
traditions of northwestern tribes are important to preserve. The Yurok and
Hoopa tribes down in the valley traditionally depend on the salmon. Sue Masten,
chairwoman of the Yurok Tribe states, “We’re not like other people. We eat fish
daily. We’re canning fish, and we’re smoking fish” (“Deep Ties” A17). Fish is
also their resource for money. Instead of hosting casinos, they sell salmon.
They are neither hunters nor gathers but strictly rely on fish. It would be
unfair to let their traditions, food, and lifestyles be taken away.
4.) Dirty Rivers Host
Diseases:
As
to the cleanliness too, we shouldn’t live in a state that hosts a polluted and
diseased river. Contaminated rivers lead to other diseases that can spread.
It’s important for you, your family, and neighbors to participate, come out and
show you care about Oregon.
Proposal:
Friends of Fish, a non-profit organization, has set up several local activities to
raise funds to buy more water to add into the Klamath River. These include a
gala theater night, several bake sales, a walk-a-thon, donation breakfasts and
various other activities for the promotion and public awareness of how
important salmon are to our state, economy, wildlife and even your families.
There has been overlapping demands from farmers, fishermen, tribes, and locals
for the water and it’s resources, let’s give back some of what has been taken
away.
Coming
to benefit activities will demonstrate your greatly needed support for a better
Oregon. Show up to any of our events and gain respectability for caring about
the state you live in and a good heart for knowing you have made a difference.
Let us know you care, get exercise at the walk-a-thon, or have a Sunday
breakfast with your neighbors, a movie, or even treat yourself to goodies that
have been home-baked. Not only will you be showing support for the efforts to
stop the dying salmon but you will also be supporting two indigenous nations,
the Yurok and Hoopa tribes, who depend on these salmon and the river as we
depend on supermarkets. The two endangered species, the Coho Salmon and Mullet
fish will also gain a better environment that was dirtied as the government
neglected the Endangered Species Act by not protecting them (“Drought” 1).
Regional
tribes, endangered species, the Coho salmon and Mullet fish, and the economy
and ecology of Oregon are not prominent in the Bush Administrators’ minds or
those of the Bureau of Reclamation. A crisis, as the one we are facing now
needs to be dealt with quickly. As Oregonians proud of our salmon, the
responsibility is ours to regain water back for the Klamath River Basin. It is
up to us, and as president and founder of Friends
of Fish, I would like to cordially invite all of you to our fund raising
activities. I encourage you to consider the negative effects discussed in this
letter and to take a day to dedicate your willingness to help out not just the
salmon but the economy that will weaken as salmon continue to die.
Enclosed
is a calendar of the dates and times for each activity. Events will also be
posted every Monday and Wednesday in the Living section of The Oregonian. KBOO
will also be announcing dates, location, times and possible changes for all
activities. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you updated.
Please
take this crisis to heart. Our state is being harmed and reconstruction is our
next step. We can’t let our state’s pride go to waste. Come enjoy yourself at
our events and show support for the fish rehabilitation efforts. I look forward
to meeting you all in these upcoming months!
Sincerely,
Pamela Gattamelata Petersån
Works Cited
Cole, Michelle. “Spirit
for Fishing Dies with Salmon.” The Oregonian 28 Sept. 2002: A1.
Cole, Michelle. “With Deep
Ties to Fish, Tribes Mourn Die-Off.” The Oregonian 6 Oct. 2002: A17.
Dworkin, Andy and Michelle
Cole. “The Scene: Residents and anglers are aghast and saddened by losses.” The
Oregonian. 27 Sept. 2002: A1.
Earth Observatory. Drought
in Klamath River Basin. 2002. NASA. 22 Oct. 2002.
<http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewsImages/images.php3?img_idQ50>.
Milstein, Michael. “Dead
Fish Tied to Policy Flaws.” The Oregonian 24 Sept. 2002: A1.
Milstein, Michael and Jim
Barnett. “Salmon Die-Off Fears Become Harsh Reality.” The Oregonian. 29
Sept. 2002: A1.
Milstein, Michael. “The
Salmon: Activists sue, saying the federal water strategy has failed.” The
Oregonian. 27 Sept. 2002: A1.
Pacific Coast Federation
of Fishermen’s Association, Glen Spain. Fisheries Issues for Pacific Northwest: The oceans begin in the
watersheds. 2002. Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association. 22
Oct. 2002. http://www.pcffa.org/664pr.pdf>.
The Wilderness Society. A
conservation Vision for the Klamath Basin. 2002. The Wilderness Society. 22
Oct. 2002. http://www.wilderness.org/standbylands/refuges/klamath_vision2.pdf>.
Everyone is invited! Bring
you family, friends and neighbors! Enjoy yourself and know you are helping our
Oregon!
Monday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday
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Saturday |
Sunday
|
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4.) |
5.) Kids Day at the Waterfront. Meet the Power Puff
Girls and Snoopy. Begins at 1. $6 per child. |
6.) |
7.) |
8.) |
9.)Walk-a-thon. Sponsered in part by KWJJ. Meet your
favorite DJ.s. From 7 to 10. Receive donations from your sponsors. |
10.) The first of a series of morning breakfasts. Loc.
Nordic Town Hall, second floor. From 8-11. $3 for children(16 and under) and
seniors, $4 for adults |
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11.) |
12.) |
13.) Bake sale. Goods home-baked by The Le |