Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their analytical skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Heinrichs dissects the basic structure of an argument in Thank You for Arguing.

• What are the basic elements of an argument? (topic sentence)
• What are the “three megatools” (Chapter 4) of rhetoric that help form arguments? Citing from the text, please provide an example for each tool.
• In your conclusion, describe how Heinrichs’ description of the basic structure of an argument is expanded upon and enlarged in later chapters of the book, and also how Argument Is Part of Human Nature.

2. As Heinrichs says, “Persuasion doesn’t depend on being true to yourself. It depends on being true to your audience” (Chapter 5).

• When it comes to persuasion, why is it more important to be true to your audience than yourself? (topic sentence)
• What are the elements of rhetoric used by persuaders to shape the beliefs and expectations of their audience? Explore no fewer than 3 examples.
• In your conclusion, discuss why the persuader’s personal identity is the least important part of any argument and why, ultimately, Heinrichs posits that Persuasion Is Not About the Persuader.

3. Heinrichs considers both Barack Obama and Donald Trump to be master persuaders.

• Would classical orators, such as Cicero and Socrates, agree with Heinrichs’ assessment that Obama and Trump are excellent persuaders? (topic sentence)
• What were the values of ancient orators like Cicero and Socrates? How might they view politicians like Obama and Trump?
• In your conclusion, summarize how the theme Rhetoric Is Morally Ambiguous applies to the question and can be used by both modern American political parties to further their cause.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. In this thought experiment, imagine you are back in grade school and being bullied by other kids on the playground. Knowing what you know now (from Thank You for Arguing) about the key to persuasive arguments, what rhetorical strategies would you use to defend yourself? What strategies do bullied kids, in general, tend to use that are not effective? In your answer, be sure to describe your argument in Heinrichs’ terms, pointing out how logos, ethos, and/or pathos come into play.

2. Jay Heinrichs says, “Persuasion doesn’t depend on being true to yourself. It depends on being true to your audience” (Chapter 5). What does he mean by this, and how might persuaders go about shaping their arguments in light of this statement? Walk through each of the 3 “megatools” (Chapter 4) and describe how they are audience-facing. Which of the megatools are most geared toward being true to the listener?

3. Pick a divisive issue in modern society (e.g., climate change, gun control, legacy college admissions, etc.). How would you define the issue in your favor? How would you reframe the argument so that it relies on more agreeable terms? Describe no fewer than 3 ways you would redefine and reframe the issue so that it is more likely to result in your convincing your opponent.