3.6 Assignment: Writing Plan
Student Name
Southern New Hampshire University











This persuasive essay will argue for plant intelligence. The argument directly derives from the Environmental Science major, as it is within the discipline to study the natural world and the ways in which humans relate to it. Further, as my ultimate goal is to become a botanist, any plant-related topic is especially appropriate. The essay will argue for two aspects of plant intelligence and how research into that intelligence may be applied to improve society. It will be crucial to show that the plant “brain” is not strictly related to pseudoscience; based on studies that have followed the scientific method, plants have been proven to carry an element of definable intelligence. The essay will explain how plants exhibit mammal-like behavior as well as a unique ability to “think” via internal/external networks, ending with potential applications of plant neurobiology.

The first key point to support the main argument is that plants behave and process information similarly to mammals. The essay will begin with an explanation concerning how plants are able to play, hunt, sleep, communicate, discern differences/similarities, solve problems, and move intricately. This will allow the audience to compare the plant brain to their own and recognize similarities, thus supporting the validity of intelligent behavior in plants. A second key point will be that each root apex of a plant works with its peers in a network, comparable to the Internet. Root apex capabilities will explain the plant’s lack of a brain organ and will show how plant intelligence manifests itself uniquely; this will further support the existence of plant intelligence. Finally, the piece will elaborate on what plant neurobiology can do for society, including how it might lead to plants being awarded legal rights and how the plant “mind” might inspire advanced technology. Such will support the main argument by explaining what an understanding of the intelligent plant might contribute to society and the audience.

The audience for this essay will consist of scientists, potential scientists, and those who support science financially. One potential challenge in supporting the argument with this demographic will be in the strong bias felt against plant intelligence by much of the science world. Many scientists believe that the term “intelligence” should (and can) only apply to mammals, as the ability to think (and be intelligent) manifests itself in the brain organ that plants lack. However, comparing the sensory and processing capabilities of plants to that of mammals will show that plants clearly exhibit complex behavior that must logically be regulated by intelligence. I will then explain the networking operations of the plant body, thus showing the unique manifestation of brain organ functioning. This will support the argument against the audience’s lack of belief in the subject. Another potential challenge will be to overcome the audience’s disinterest in the topic, especially due to a lack of vision concerning future prospects of plant neurobiology. It will be necessary to prove the value of plant neurobiology to a highly disinterested audience. Potential applications of the plant “mind” must be stated clearly and as feasible possibilities.

The result of this essay should be that the audience either will support the existence and potential of plant intelligence or will at least consider it to have potential in modern science. This will lead to action in the audience and thus the advancement of plant neurobiology. To be successful, this essay will need to appeal to the scientific community with facts, logic, and respect for counterarguments. Also, great persuasive technique must be utilized as the argument is largely unorthodox. All in all, the best and most definite result of my writing this essay will be that I will have explored and expanded my own beliefs, even while building written argumentative skills that I may utilize in a future career. To achieve this, I need only give great effort in writing an exceptional argumentative essay and practice finding excellent resources (which I have struggled with in the past).
One resource that will be used to support the argument is a peer-reviewed article titled “The Intelligent Behavior of Plants” by Leendert C. Van Loon. The source argues that if humans are considered intelligent based on biological capabilities, then plants, exhibiting like capabilities, must be as well; the complex behavior of plants is explained as evidence, which may be used to directly enforce the argument. Many paragraphs are based on the scientific work of other professionals in the field of plant neurobiology. A second source is "Aspects to Plant Intelligence: An Answer to Firn,” a scholarly article by Dr. Anthony Trewavas (a lead scientist in the field). This source is counter-argumentative against Dr. Richard Firn, who wrote a piece against the validity of plant neurobiology; it provides the counterargument to make my position balanced, while expressing original opinions on how plants work like the Internet. Finally, the essay will cite an article by Professor Michael Pollan titled, “The Intelligent Plant,” which appeared in The New Yorker magazine. This article will be helpful in supporting the argument because it suggests possible ways that plant intelligence may improve modern society, based on interviews with scientists working in the field.

 	Each resource aligns with and supports key points in the essay. “The Intelligent Behavior of Plants” by Leendert C. Van Loon aligns with the first key point concerning how plants behave and process information similarly to mammals. It covers the varied behavior of plants and compares it that of animals. The second key point concerns how the plant’s mind works in a network like the Internet and corresponds to “Aspects to Plant Intelligence: An Answer to Firn" by Anthony Trewavas. The Trewavas article works to prove various aspects of plant intelligence, but gives special attention to the networking capabilities of the plant body. Finally, Pollan’s "The Intelligence Plant" provides potential applications of plant neurobiology: it serves to support the third key point—that plant neurobiology can better society. Each resource aligns with and supports specific key points of the essay and will thus create organization within the essay structure.

 	Integrating evidence provided by the sources will be important throughout the essay. As the entire argument must rely on scientific evidence in order to be credible to the audience, there will be few places in the essay where evidence will not be effective. Evidence should be incorporated throughout the body of the essay, along with personal commentary, explanations, and even theories based on accumulated evidence. However, it will be especially important to provide specific support when discussing counterarguments, as negative stereotypes against plant “brain” research are long-held and based on incorrect interpretations. As this is a persuasive piece, my own commentary will be expressed to accompany facts in order to variate content and capture audience attention; this can be integrated in the introduction, conclusion, and throughout the body.

After each source is integrated and the first draft is complete, I will put the paper away for an entire day. A pause in the process will be an incredibly informative first step in the revision process, as it will force the paper to be exposed anew, making me better aware of its general quality. Then, the paper will be read aloud so that I may listen to the flow of ideas within the essay and determine if it is organized coherently.  Further, I must determine if the content lacks in any way by asking whether the audience may be left with unanswered questions. Assessing the quality of content can inform me as to whether the paper presents an overall effective argument. Also, an evaluation of the length of the paper’s sentences/paragraphs/sections can determine whether the work can be further simplified to create a more cogent piece. Finally, a request for feedback will provide diverse information (based on the unique critic) concerning what alternations need be made.

Feedback is incredibly important to writers; it is so precious to the process, that without feedback it is difficult to feel satisfied in that the work is complete. Every piece of feedback can be integrated into the essay and lead to improvement. Indeed, even if specific suggestions are not applied to the work, feedback will at least draw attention to problematic areas. For instance, a friend once mentioned that a work of mine lacked organization; I felt that the piece was well-organized, but upon closer inspection found that the paper was far too verbose and lacked clarity, which made the paper appear unorganized. Feedback offered me a chance for deep learning, as not only was the work in question improved, but so too my ability/knowledge in general.