<p>Well, celloguy, I don’t like the way schools teach writing any more than Mr. Graham does, but in certain cases when you’re simply trying to state your position and “win the argument” I think the persuasive essay has value. Look at what we’re doing right now: I knew before I started typing that I think the way lawyers argue a point is valid in contexts outside of the courtroom, but I also think there is value to the exploration approach. My opinion isn’t changing as I’m not being exposed to any more information and I already thought about his position before typing this. I’m simply trying to disagree with you, in which case you may decide that I am, in fact, correct, or you may present further information supporting your stance. Either way, one of us is going to learn more and potentially change our position. Is this not a valuable skill to learn?</p>
<p>Concerning his definition of essay. I looked it up on dictionary.com:</p>
<ol>
<li>a short literary composition on a particular theme or subject, usually in prose and generally analytic, speculative, or interpretative.<br></li>
<li>anything resembling such a composition: a picture essay.<br></li>
<li>an effort to perform or accomplish something; attempt.<br></li>
<li>Philately. a design for a proposed stamp differing in any way from the design of the stamp as issued.<br></li>
<li>Obsolete. a tentative effort; trial; assay.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>If he’s merely intent on proving that the definition of an essay has changed over the years, then I would agree with him, but he didn’t have to go to such length to make a simple statement.</p>