Working with the model

Read the following statements of major propositions.

Hence, when the British Medical Journal spotted the Third World cigarette blitz, it warned: “There is a real danger of this deadly habit being exported to the younger countries of Africa and Asia. The Western World has a responsibility to see that this is not done”.

Walter S. Ross

“Let's Stop Exporting the Smoking Epidemic”

In an age of wonder drugs when research laboratories are turning out a chemical cornucopia of relief for every ailment of the human body (including those created by previous chemical treatments), the newest miracle drug offered by science may be the oldest - that standby of the family medicine cabinet, aspirin.

Dr. Elbert Glover

“Aspirin: Is It the Next Wonder Drug for Everyone?”

6. Choosing Supporting Propositions

The major proposition functions as the thesis statement of a persuasive essay. It presents the point of view that will be developed in the other paragraphs of the essay. Usually, a major proposition is supported by three or more general points. The statements of these points are the supporting propositions of the essay. In turn, each supporting opposition must be developed by specific facts and details, called evide­nce. It is essential that all the supporting propositions relate directly to the major proposition of a persuasive essay. They should all clearly help prove the major proposition. In addition, each supporting proposition must be clearly supportable by evidence. Unless sufficient facts d details can be cited to help prove a supporting proposition, it can­'t effectively develop and help prove the major proposition of the say.

Like the major proposition, each supporting proposition must be rationally arguable and must be expressed in clear language, free from loaded words.

Working with model

Read the following major proposition and three supporting propositions.

Major Proposition

Centerville should adopt a city-manager form of government in place of its current mayoral form.

Supporting Propositions

Centerville could be more efficiently run under a city-manager form of government than it can be under the current mayoral form.

A city-manager form of government would be more responsive to the needs of Centerville residents than the current form of government can be.

Under a city manager, Centerville could be administered less expensively than it can be under a mayor.

1. Think about the relationship between the major proposition & each of the supporting propositions.

• How does each supporting proposition help prove the proposition?

• What kind of evidence would you expect to be used in the development of each supporting proposition?

2. Read the following major proposition & list of possible supporting propositions.

• Which supporting propositions directly help prove the major proposition?

• Explain why the other supporting propositions should not be included in a persuasive essay on the adoption of nationwide primaries.

Major Proposition

A single, nationwide primary should be adopted in place of the various state primaries that now lead to presidential nominations.

Possible Supporting Propositions

State primaries have become an important tradition for both major political parties.

A nationwide primary would save parties and candidates money.

A single, nationwide primary would better reflect the will of the voting public than can the series of state primaries.

Party bosses oppose a nationwide primary only because such a primary would decrease their power.

A nationwide primary would eliminate many of the less popular or less well-financed candidates, who only waste the voters' time.

C. Read the following major propositions, and think about how they might be proved.

- Choose one of the major propositions, and suggest at least three supporting propositions that would help prove it.

- Explain why each of your supporting propositions offers direct and valid support of the major proposition you have chosen.

- Describe the kind of evidence that would be needed to develop each of your supporting propositions.

• Every citizen should be required to give a year of social or military service to the United States.

• Drafting citizens for social or military service must not be allowed.

• The United States should adopt nuclear power as its major source of energy.

• Nuclear power plants should be outlawed in the United States.

D. Imagine that you have to write a persuasive essay convincing the administration of your school that you should be allowed to graduate.

• What would the major proposition of your essay be?

• What supporting propositions would you use to develop that major proposition?