Rebuttal Outline

REBUTTAL FORM OF PERSUASION The purpose of this paper is to argue against those perpetrators who are committing human rights violations against an oppressed group of people who are unable to defend themselves against the abuses. To defend the victims, you must know why and how the perpetrators are oppressing the group of victims and why these abuses are wrong. Your paper will be organized according to the rebuttal format for persuasion. This paper is organized the same way your persuasive paper last year was organized. Make sure you follow the form below for this paper. This format is required; it is not an option.

Even though there are many forms of persuasion, we are learning the rebuttal format. I. Introduction a. Tell why the issue is important. i. Harm—What or whom does it harm? Identify the victims. ii. Significance—To what extent are the victims being harmed? 1. Quantity—List statistics indicating the number of cases in which harm can be found and the duration of the harm. 2. Quality—Cite individual examples showing the intensity at which harm occurs. iii. Inherency—Show how the current system of laws or government involvement are promoting the problem or prohibiting its removal. b.

Background information—Give a short history of the issue. c. Defining value terms—Define controversial or vague terms. Include various possible definitions where necessary. (For example, you may want to distinguish between your definition of adult and that of those who use child soldiers to fight their wars. ) d. State your position on the issue. (thesis) II. Body a. Rebuttal i. Explain an important argument against your position. ii. Refute this argument against your position by offering evidence to support your rebuttal. 1. facts to show proof by induction 2. syllogisms for deduction 3. examples 4. easons 5. quotes iii. Explain a second argument against your position. iv. Refute it in the same way as above. v. Explain a third argument against your position. vi. Refute it in the same way as above. b. Defense—These are arguments that support the new way you want the oppressors to think. They support your position. This is where you make your strongest case. i. Present an argument in support of your position. Prove it by using 1. facts to show proof by induction 2. syllogisms for deduction 3. examples 4. reasons 5. quotes ii. Present an argument in support of your position. Prove it by using the above. ii. Present an argument in support of your position. Prove it by using the above. III. Conclusion a. Restate your position on the issue. b. Conclude with an emotional appeal for your position. What will happen if we don’t listen to your suggestions? Predict the future for your victims. c. AND/OR give your readers a call to action. What should they be doing to resolve this issue? IV. Works cited a. Evidence should be cited in your text. See the MLA Stylebook for help. b. Follow MLA style for creating your works cited page. c. Don’t forget to cite all Internet sources. V. Essay Parameters a.

Essay Length: 1200-1600 words (not including work cited) b. Number of arguments: At least three rebuttal arguments and one defense. c. Number of CITED sources: At least three different kinds of credible sources (Example: a website, a magazine, a newspaper) d. Due Dates: See Angel Reminders •Use the vocabulary of your topic. •Choose words that have emotional connotation to help your cause. •Create an interesting and original introduction and conclusion. •Try to use rhetorical devices of parallelism and repetition for dramatic effect, especially in your conclusion. •Cite sources accurately. •No first or second person.