Assignments - What Makes an (In)Effective Argument

What Makes an (In)Effective Argument

For this essay, you will be required to hand in a typed paper of three to four pages. In class, we have been (and will be) talking about both effective and ineffective arguments. We have also been reading essays that deal with the impact of visual images, be they logos, flags, escutcheons, or advertisements. Based on our discussions in class and our readings in the text, you will be asked to answer the following question for your essay.

Assignment:
Product designers seek to expand and enhance the marketing success of their products by designing product packaging that effectively sells the object inside the package. Sometimes these designs are successful; sometimes they are unsuccessful. For this paper, you will analyze the packaging of a product that you have chosen, arguing whether the product succeeds or fails at selling itself. Think about the product on a variety of levels. You can look at the (in)effectiveness of the text, the images on the product, or the shape of the product itself. You can combine these observations in your essay or choose the focus on only one of these aspects. You will need to cite the readings that we have done so far in this class to further support your argument. Failure to do so will result in an automatic rewrite of the essay and a failing grade on the paper. We have read a variety of essays which will not only help you to analyze your product effectively but will also provide you with much needed evidence for your argument. Consider citing “What’s In A Package?,” “Logos, Flags, and Escutcheons,” or “Advertising’s Fifteen Basic Appeals.”

Getting Started:
Consider the above questions carefully. In class today, we did a variety of freewriting activities that should help you get started in thinking about your product. Consider your own discoveries about your object as well as the discoveries that your classmates may have made.

Pitfalls:

• Beware of the no-thesis essay! You want to be sure that you pick an arguable, clear, narrow point. Avoid being wishy-washy about the subject (ABC’s product design is kind of effective). Also, remember to be specific. A thesis such as ABC’s product design is effective does not give your reader enough information. Instead, give reasons initially as to how the product design is effective (ABC’s product design is effective because it is easy to remember and visually appealing). Remember, the more specific you are in the thesis, the better prepared your reader will be for the rest of your essay.
• Make sure you follow the straight argument format. Our first essay deals with this type of argumentation, and I expect everyone to practice it. This means that your essay should have a concession paragraph in it.
• Even though this essay will be your take on the product design, you should avoid using the first person.

Additional Suggestions:
You are strongly encouraged to go to the Writing Center for this draft. Take in the paper at any part of the assignment – brainstorming, prewriting, first draft, second draft. Make sure that you bring in the assignment sheet. After your conference with one of the tutors, he/she will submit a paper indicating what you discussed and worked on in the session. This extra effort on your part will make me very happy. I will be looking for:

• A persuasive statement. Don’t tell me something I already know. Your thesis should be something that might not be obvious to me when I first think about the essays but rather something that you can convince me of with your well thought out and supported paper.
• Use details to back up what you are saying. Be specific.
• Use proper MLA citation. We will go over MLA citation as a class. I will expect everyone to cite properly after this lesson!
• Have good structure. Your paper should follow a logical order. This is a straight argument essay. Use the form we discussed in class to structure your paper. Do an after the fact outline to double check that structure.
• Don’t annoy your reader! L Clean up your paper. Don’t leave any annoying grammar mistakes. Spellcheck, peer edit.
• Don’t bore your reader! Make your paper informative and interesting!

Since writing is a process, in addition to your final draft, you will be required to hand in both your prewriting and your rough draft.

[Submitted by Caroline Smith]

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