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ORIGIN OF ESSAY

The word essay derives from the French infinitive essayer, "to try" or "to attempt". In English essay first meant "a
trial" or "an attempt", and this is still an alternative meaning. The Frenchman Michel de Montaigne (15331592)
was the first author to describe his work as essays; he used the term to characterize these as "attempts" to put his
thoughts into writing, and his essays grew out of his commonplacing.[4]Inspired in particular by the works of Plutarch,
a translation of whose uvres Morales (Moral works) into French had just been published by Jacques Amyot,
Montaigne began to compose his essays in 1572; the first edition, entitled Essais, was published in two volumes in
1580. For the rest of his life, he continued revising previously published essays and composing new ones. Francis
Bacon's essays, published in book form in 1597, 1612, and 1625, were the first works in English that described
themselves as essays. Ben Jonson first used the word essayist in English in 1609, according to the Oxford English
Dictionary.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essay

The word "essay" is derived from the French word essayer which, in turn, is culled from exagium or, more
accurately, exagere -- a Latin word which means "to weigh" or "to sift". It is often held that Michel de Montaigne is
the father of the essay as it was he who arguably introduced the style of using a very personal voice in writing. That
was in 16th century -- about 400 years back from today. Before and during Montaigne's lifetime, literary works and
almost every published writing are governed by very formal approaches. The conversational approach was an alien
concept to writing during those days. It is in Essais, a two-volume book published in 1580-1588, where Montaigne
first used the word and applied that approach in a published work. It was, in the context of the history of the essay,
a pioneering feat.

While the history of the essay as a literary form may be conceived as starting off with Bacon, it did not take long
enough for it to grow. In Essaying the Essay (1970), Burges Johnson maintains that the distinguished Sir Francis
Bacon "borrowed this word essay from Montaigne, turn[ed] it into English and use[d] it as a title for some short
prose experiments of his own" (p. 52), such as his Essays: Or Counsels, Civil and Moral (1597). It only took two
decades at most for Montaigne's Essais to be followed by another seminal work. More importantly, it was Bacon
who made the essay "a definite form" which was soon seized by many other writers who saw it as a "release from
a traditional formality" (p. 52). From then on, the essay has become one of the -- if not the -- widely used literary
form.

It can be maintained that the history of the essay has been significantly shaped by the social circumstances
prevailing at the time. Alan Sinfield and Lindsay Smith are apt to point out in Textual Practice (1998) that the history
of the essay "has its origins in the cultural revolution of the Renaissance" (p. 49). The Renaissance was a pivotal
moment in human history because it was the time when the arts were driven by the desire to focus more on the
human self and less on religious matters, the latter being the long-standing influence of the dark or medieval ages.
Not surprisingly, literature also became a part of the Renaissance movement. Thus, the history of the essay finds
its origins in the core Renaissance ideal of "rebirth" -- the rebirth of the human self.

Source: http://tipsforresearchpapersandessays.blogspot.com/2008/12/history-of-essay.html
ARGUMENTATION vs. DEBATE

An argument can be defined as an opinion that is supported with evidence. Debates are based upon arguments.
A formal debate usually takes place in a formal setting with a team representing each side of the argument. Specific
guidelines are followed, and the debate is usually judged. In order to debate an argument, you need to know both
the pros and cons of the issue. In a debate, each team presents a different side of the argument. You must be able
to defend your side and support your reasoning with evidence. In other words, saying that you don't like broccoli
because it doesn't taste good would not provide any substance for a debate. However, providing reasons for why
it's better for a parent to stay at home with a child as opposed to both parents working outside the home is a debate
that has been occurring for years.

Source: http://www.compuhigh.com/demo/eng12les09.htm

Both argument and debate are related terms that can be used by English speakers to describe speaking about a
topic and providing support to their opinions on it. For example, She presented an argument about her opinion on
the topic, and that lead to a debate among her coworkers.

The noun argument means in technical terms statements, reasoning or evidence presented by someone in written
or spoken form that support something, such as a particular opinion. For example, He provided a valid argument
for having a four day work week. It can also have the meaning of a discussion in which people express their differing
opinions with one another on a topic. For example, The company allowed the argument of the issue of a four day
work week to be discussed openly by all at the meeting. Arguments in this sense are generally persuasive in their
nature about a subject, but dont often end in a decision or a formal ruling. Argument also has a less formal and
more commonly used meaning of an angry or passionate disagreement about something. For example, Bob got
into a heated argument with his boss about whether or not he should have Fridays off each week.

A debate, as a noun, is understood as a formal discussion between people or groups of people that is regulated.
Interestingly, debates are considered based on arguments, which are lines of reasoning, support or evidence about
a subject. However, a debate has the feeling of a larger, longer or more formal discussion. A formal debate may
even be judged by a person or a panel of people, with one side winning the debate by providing the best lines of
reasoning or support for the issue. For example, She argued that people should have the right to decide about
their own medical care at the debate.

A debate has also come to have a meaning similar to an argument in the negative sense in colloquial English in
modern usage. For example you may hear someone say, The child had an all-out debate with his mother about
not eating his peas. In this less formal usage, the word debate is used to show the discussion or disagreement
was more involved or longer than a normal argument, or perhaps less emotional or passionately angry. Debate
carries the idea of more intellectual discussion about disagreement when used this way, as opposed to argument,
which implies a more emotion driven quarrel.

In general, Argument means a line of reasoning or evidence in support of an issue or opinion. It has a more informal
usage, as well as it can imply a personal dispute that has a more negative meaning to it. Debate is more often
used as a formal word that implies a larger or public-style discussion with people supporting both sides of the issue
and rules or specific guidelines governing the proceedings.

Source: http://www.differencebetween.net/language/difference-between-argument-and-debate/
CONVICTION vs. PERSUASION

A conviction is a belief while persuasion is to get someone to believe.

As nouns the difference between CONVICTION and PERSUASION is that conviction is a firmly held belief while
persuasion is the act of persuading, or trying to do so; the addressing of arguments to someone with the intention
of changing their mind or convincing them of a certain point of view, course of action, etc.

Arguing to Convince: Gaining assent from others through case-making.

While some inquiry may be never ending, the goal of most inquiry is to reach a conclusion, a conviction. We seek
an earned opinion, achieved through careful thought, research, and discussion. And then we usually want others
to share this conviction, to secure the assent of an audience by means of reason rather than by force.

Arguing to inquire centers on asking questions: we want to expose and examine what we think. Arguing to convince
requires us to make a case, to get others to agree with what we think. While inquiry is a cooperative use of argument,
convincing is competitive. We put our case against the case of others in an effort to win the assent of readers.

Examples: a lawyers brief; newspaper editorials; case studies; most academic writing

Arguing to Persuade: Moving others to action through rational, emotional, personal, and stylistic appeals.

While arguing to convince seeks to earn the assent of readers or listeners, arguing to persuade attempts to influence
their behavior, to move them to act upon the conviction. Persuasion aims to close the gap between assent and
action. To convince focuses on the logic of an argument; to persuade will often rely on the personal appeal of the
writer (what Aristotle called ethos) and involve an appeal to an audiences emotions (pathos). In addition to these
personal and emotional appeals, persuasion exploits the resources of language more fully than convincing does.

In general, the more academic the audience or the more purely intellectual the issue, the more likely that the writing
task involves an argument to convince rather than to persuade. In most philosophy or science assignments, for
example, the writer would usually focus on conviction rather than persuasion, confining the argument primarily to
thesis, reasons, and evidence. But when you are working with public issues, with matters of policy or questions of
right and wrong, persuasions fuller range of appeal is usually appropriate.

Persuasion begins with difference and, when it works, ends with identity. We expect that before reading our
argument, readers will differ from us in beliefs, attitudes, and/or desires. A successful persuasive argument brings
readers and writer together, creating a sense of connection between parties.

Examples: Political speeches, sermons, advertising

A very descriptive examples, thanks a lot! Drawing a line, persuade is a bit more emotional/aggressive,
meanwhile convince is nothing but pure logic.
What is the Difference Between Convince and Persuade?

While many writers use convince and persuade interchangeably, there are distinctions in meaning that careful
writers and speakers try to preserve.

Today, I am going to outline the traditional differences between these two words and give you a few tips to remember
the difference between them. I will go over their definitions and use example sentences along the way.
After reading this post, you should be able to easily answer the question to anyone who may ask, Should I use
convince or persuade?

When to Use Convince

Convince functions verb and is defined as cause (someone) to believe firmly in the truth of something.
But it would take her three and a half months, five court hearings, three letters from her landlord and a copy
of her lease to convince the judge. The New York Times
A 40-year-old St. Louis woman isnt dead, but she said she spent months trying to convince credit reporting
agencies that shes alive. Washington Post
If youre not convinced that the other side is trustworthy, youre going to try to limit their scope of action as
much as possible. The New Yorker

Convince comes from a Latin word meaning, conquer, overcome. To convince someone of something is to
present facts, logic, arguments, etc., that cause said person to believe the truth of something. In other words, when
you are convinced of something, you conquer or overcome you previous beliefs.

For example, you might be convinced that fishing is fun. Or convinced that the sun is the center of our solar system.

The key takeaway is that convincing is limited to the mind. I am convinced of the truth of something, but I am not
convinced to do something. This is the traditional distinction between convince and persuade.

This also means that you shouldnt use an infinitive to follow convince. For example,
He convinced me to take the leap.

In traditional usage, convince should not be used with and infinitive. That is where persuade comes into play.

When to Use Persuade

Persuade also functions as a verb and is defined as cause (someone) to do something through reasoning or
argument.
It wasnt easy, but I persuaded him to do the right thing.
I persuaded him to apply to both colleges.
The Senator persuaded members or either party to side with him on the upcoming vote.

As you can see, one persuades someone to do something, but one convinces someone of something. I might
persuade you to go skiing with me, but I convince you that it is a good idea.

Persuasion leads to action, while convincement stays in the mind of those convinced.

Which Word Deals With Emotion: Persuade or Convince?

It is sometimes said that a person is convinced by an appeal to reason or logic and a person is persuadedby an
appeal to feelings or emotions.

This is not necessarily true. Both convincing and persuading can be done through arguments and reason. As I said
above, the key difference is between action and nonaction, not what is being appealed to.
Are These Words Interchangeable?

Above, I have outlined the traditional distinction between these two words. The question then is, Is this distinction
still observed?

It is by a few, but the numbers are growing less and less with each passing year. In his language change index,
Bryan Garner labels persuade vs. convince as stage 4, which means the mixing of the two words is ubiquitous but
its still preferred to make the distinction.

I, personally, prefer the distinction, so I choose to keep at it, but I know most people dont notice, so, if I were you,
I would not be overly worried if I used persuade when I meant to use convince.

Remember the Difference

The difference between these wordsrememberhas to do with action vs. nonaction.


You persuade someone to do something.
You convince someone of something.
You can remember this because persuade has to do with action, and both of those words have an A in them.
Convincing has to do with the mind, and both of those words have an I in them.

Summary
Do I use convince or persuade? Of course, that depends on the context of your sentence and your audience, but
these words are becoming more and more interchangeable every day.
Burden of Proof vs. Burden of Rebuttal

Burden of proof- the obligation of he or she who asserts to prove their points. The burden of the Aff. team to
overcome the presumption for the status quo and so establish a prima facie case. Both sides have the burden of
rejoinder meaning they must answer the relevant arguments of their opponents to keep the debate progressing.

Burden of Proof: A primary rule of debate which requires that the affirmative side bear the burden of securing
acceptance of the Proposition; it also requires that every speaker must support his assertions.

Burden of Rebuttal: A primary rule of debate which requires that a team must reply to an assertion that is supported
by sufficient proofs and relevant to a significant issue.

The Opponent Presumption

The opponents are responsible for opposing the proposition. You hold the presumption in the debate.

The presumption is the opposite of the burden of proof. Your responsibility is to defeat the proposition. It is
generally agreed that the best manner in which to proceed is to present a logical negative case which refutes the
affirmative and supports the status quo.

The Burden of Rebuttal

Both teams have a burden of rebuttal which shifts from side to side as the debate progresses.

There are two elements involved in the burden of rebuttal:

a) Each team is obligated to refute their opponent's arguments.

b) Each team is obligated to rebuild and defend their own case.

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