History 621B Town
Hall Meeting
Agenda: Pesticide Use on Prince Edward
Island Date:
Pesticide
use on Prince Edward Island, more specifically, pesticide use by potato farmers
, has been a highly controversial topic in recent years. We will be conducting a "town hall"
meeting to discuss the issue of pesticide use on Prince Edward Island and its
impact on the economy, environment, and residents.
You
will be given a side to argue in favor of (regardless of your own personal
opinions). You must set aside your personal values, beliefs, and biases, and
try to present your argument effectively and persuasively.
Not
only should you develop a strong argument (that is backed by facts, statistics,
and research), but you must anticipate any possible counter-arguments that
might come your way and have a rebuttal prepared to defend your argument.
That
being said, some members of your group should be in charge of identifying
possible counter-arguments and coming up with solid rebuttals.
Remember,
good debaters often use persuasive techniques to bolster their argument
(emotional, logical and ethical appeals,
rhetorical questions, calls to action, etc.)
Roles:
Mayor, concerned citizens (elders, youth -- consider their different
perspectives on the issue at hand), MLA's from the area, concerned groups
(farmers, Mi'kmaq) etc.
Each
group member MUST pass in the research sheet (arguments/counter-arguments) and
each group member must participate (speak) during the town hall meeting. You
will be researching this on your own (I will be evaluating your research sheets
prior to the town hall meeting) and you will later share your findings with the
larger group. I will give you time to collaborate with your group members
before the debate.
You
will be evaluated on your research, the strength of your argument (how well it
is supported), your use of persuasive devices, and your handling of
counter-arguments. Please use these websites
as a starting point, but I encourage further research to enhance your position
in this debate.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/Opinion/Letter-to-editor/2014-06-12/article-3760132/Potato-growers-diligent-with-responsible-pesticide-use-on-P.E.I./1
http://www.peipotato.org/media-centre/responsible-pesticide-use-prince-edward-island-potato-farms
http://www.agrirecup.ca/sites/default/files/news/cm_PEI_obsolete_colleciton_totals_20120208.pdf
http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/ee_pesticides04.pdf
http://www.watershedsentinel.ca/content/potato-paradise-lost-harmful-pesticides-pei
Persuasive Writing
A persuasive essay always contains a thesis
statement, or statement of position.
This statement provides a clear, concise explanation of the topic/issue,
and the writer's thoughts/opinions. The
thesis is usually found at the beginning of an essay; however, it may also
appear at the end.
Emotional
appeals stir readers feelings with descriptive
details, connotative language, and anecdotes that evoke emotions. Analogies (comparisons between two things),
and rhetorical devices (such as repetition), can also be used to appeal to the
reader’s emotions.
Ethical
appeals establish that the writer is fair and
knowledgeable, or call upon the readers= sense of right and wrong. Ethical appeals include discussion of the
reader’s authority to speak on the subject, concessions to opposing points of
view(accommodations made in light of a special circumstance), reasonable
language, and statements about values.
Logical
appeals speak to the reader’s ability to think by
presenting reasons backed by facts, factual anecdotes (an entertaining account
of a real or fictitious event or occurrence), and expert testimony.
A good persuasive essay must have strong
supporting information and evidence. It
is important to look for the following information when analyzing a persuasive
essay:
ü Details are used to prove
a point, clarify or illustrate, create interest, or add humour. Details provide readers with extra
information on the topic/subject.
ü Facts are statements that can be proven through testing, personal
experience, or verification from reliable sources. (They include examples and
statistics).
ü Statistics are also used as supporting evidence. Statistics deal with numbers and provide
concrete evidence.
ü Direct quotations are statements by people who are known as an authority on the
subject/topic.
ü Case/incidents are examples of an event or an actual case or incidence.
ü Rhetorical questions are questions which do not need an answer. They are used to make the reader think or
ponder something. They are usually used
to assert of deny something.
ü Counter arguments are used to present a possible argument against the thesis of the
essay.
ü Rebuttals/Refutations are the author’s response to the counter argument.
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