Arguing+for+Change

Chapter 14: Arguing for Change

“We can make many changes in our lives if we convince ourselves that the effort is worth it.” (Faigley 342).

People try to change things in their lives, and better their quality of life. This could consist of finding a new career or exercising more. What was the last thing you decided to change in your life? Was it hard to do? Did you succeed in changing?

“Convincing others to take action for change is always harder.” (342).

Why is it hard to convince people to change?




 * 1) They might not see the same problem that you see
 * 2) They might not think that the problem is important
 * 3) The may not want to commit the time and resources to do something about it

“Doing nothing is the easy choice.”

**Components of proposal arguments**
 * 1) Identify the problem
 * 2) State your proposed solution
 * 3) Convince your readers that your solution will work
 * 4) Show why your solution is better than other possible solutions
 * 5) Demonstrate that your solution is feasible
 * 6) Focus on the audience
 * 7) Convince readers that you can be trusted
 * 8) Convince your readers that you have their best interests in mind
 * 9) Convince your readers with evidence
 * 10) Emphasize what you have in common with your readers and be honest about differences
 * 11) Show exactly how your proposal will have good consequences and possibly reduce bad consequences
 * 12) End with strength
 * 13) Use visuals for supporting evidence

**How to read arguments for change**
 * 1) What is it?
 * 2) Where did it come from?
 * 3) What is the problem? Is it important? Evidence? What else has been written about the problem?
 * 4) What is the solution? Evidence for proposed solution? Is it convincing? What sources are cited?
 * 5) How feasible is the proposed solution? Is it practical? Will people support the solution? If the solution costs money, where does the money come from?
 * 6) How is it composed? Style? Organization?

“Coal in a Nice Shade of Green” by Thomas Homer-Dixon and S. Julio Friedman (352). __[]__ __[]__

Mountain Top Removal __[]__ __[]__

“A Trail of DNA and Data” by Paul Saffo (356).