Melanie Clark

Mr. Salow
English 11
16 December 2016
The BIG Research Project
School dress code is widely discussed and disputed, and each side holds their own
reasoning and research to support it. Someone supporting dress code may try to persuade
someone else, who doesnt have an opinion on the subject or has a differing opinion, to also
support it. This goes aswell with someone who is against school dress code. Each side is
constantly trying to persuade others to believe the same thing as them. To persuade, they may
use repetition, numerous reasons, social proof, or studies.
Using repetition is one of the simplest ways to trick someones mind into siding with a
certain opinion. Not every debate uses this type of persuasion, but the ones that do are oddly
convincing. Although using facts does help any argument, this method makes them less
necessary, in a way. When the author writes roughly the same statement repeatedly throughout
their debate, or continues to push one idea, the reader may be convinced to agree with the idea
being pushed. It is not just repeating the idea that will make them agree, but you are helping
them better understand your argument by stressing your opinion so much. Repeatedly tying
thoughts and arguments back to your main claim helps to assure the reader does not miss any of
the ideas you are trying to push.
Another popular and far-fetched way to win a debate is piling up as many reasons as
possible to convince the listener. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but when used logically, this method

of persuasion is very effective. Ive found myself torn between sides of this debate because a
number of the articles supporting dress code are able to build up so many more reasonable
arguments. Making a paper too long with so many reasons to take one side of a debate may be
exhausting to read, but its an effective technique thats sometimes hard for someone to disagree
with. By doing this, a writer piles up so many reasons to side with them, the reader has a harder
time continuing to debate each statement, until they eventually give in.
Social proof, such as court cases or other outside referrals, are yet another persuasive
method each side used. Because the courts have so much power and follow strict laws when
making decisions, using the outcome of a court case is a common approach made by someone
who wants to cajole another into the same mindset. Also, referring to a school principal or
student who has dealt with a dress code dilemma may be evidence used by somebody that wants
to express their point of view. People want to know that another person with more experience or
knowledge on a subject has a similar or same belief towards a certain set of ideas.
Although the previous techniques may all be in some way effective to persuade, using
facts and solid evidence is the strongest form of persuasion. Nobody wants to look foolish
debating by only playing off emotion or by following the opinion of someone simply because
they seem like a credible source. Those methods are effective and do work well, but they can
easily be disproven or become irrelevant when countered by data. Its still important to have
credible sources and a strong emotional appeal, but by using studies as Richard Wilson did in
The Impact of School Uniform Dress Code on Principle Perception of School Violence, quoting
Stanley, ;

Their findings suggested that LBUSD campuses are safer, although the study
findings did not offer clear evidence that uniform dress code policies decreased
violence (Stanley, 1996). Ironically, preliminary findings indicate a difference in
how adults and children perceive the safety of their school environment. More
adults than students including teachers and principals, perceived the school
environments to be safer (Stanley, 1996). (Wilson 9)

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(1992).
Johnston, Howard. "Student Dress Codes and Uniforms. Research Brief." Education
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(2002):
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Discipline
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