Writing Task: Write an essay informing your reader of a specific community or local issue you are part of and then persuade them to align with your opinion. The issue you write about is up to you, and the community/issue you look at is up to you as well. However, the community/issue you explore must be something you are involved in/relates to you (think about school, home, neighborhood, work, etc.). You will explore the issue by looking at the cause(s) of the issue, the problem(s) associated with it and perhaps the benefits to it as well. You should also consider the possible solution(s) to the issue as it connects to you and your local community/issue.
Note: This assignment asks you to look locally at just about any issue you may be interested in. Even large, national issues have their place and impact within our personal communities, so don’t feel constrained by the need to choose something that is only happening here, but be sure you focus it on a local level.
Your essay needs to include at least six (6) outside sources, with an emphasis on local sources if possible (newspaper, magazine, interview, news broadcast, podcast, etc.). One source should be a form of Primary Research (a survey, interview, or literature review you do yourself). It will be very important to carefully analyze the situation and present it in an organized, well-documented essay that informs your reader of the issue and works towards persuading them that your solution is viable. Be sure to be specific and detailed in your writing as it will help clarify the issue and make your position more poignant and powerful.
Final Draft: Due on Canvas, Friday, 3/29. Your draft should now have clear details, strong writing and sincere, deep, insightful analysis. Your sources should be connected, relevant and smart. Your paper should be written with the best language and grammar as possible and organized logically to appeal to the audience.
REMEMBER: We are moving beyond the Five Paragraph Essay because this is college level writing. The Five Paragraph Essay is too limiting in structure and in ability to develop content (analysis, synthesis, significance) and rhetoric (purpose, audience, tone & voice). You should be developing, thinking, analyzing and thus, writing more than you ever could/would for a Five Paragraph Essay. Also:
All drafts should be typed, double-spaced with 12-point font and 1 inch margins
see formatting guidelines in the Resources module on Canvas
I may not grade any essay less than 1100 words of writing for WP#2
Works Cited page does not count as one of the pages
Realize 1100 words is an absolute minimum, which is the minimum level of work required for me to take the time to grade it, not necessarily the minimum level of work needed to earn a passing grade
Don’t let a number be your purpose
Point Value:
20 points for prewriting activities
40 points for Peer Review
20 points for Reflective Writing
100 points for the Final Draft
Important things to consider:
Your audience is comprised of fellow community members that are interested/concerned with this issue as well. However, you should keep in mind that these people may have opposing views that will make them resist your claims about causes and suggestions for solutions. You will need to convince them of your ideas through your presentation of research information from your sources.
You need to convince your reader that you are an expert on this issue through the credible research you include and to present the information in a manner that is clear, concise and that follows the rules of APA documentation. Your problem portion should relate this issue to the general reader and your solution portion should give the reader specific action(s) he/she can take in order to be part of the solution.
A clear purpose that addresses the issue, its major cause, and a solution that addresses the issue.
An appeal to the reader. This is where you prove that the issue affects them personally (usually either financially or by way of a shared environment).
A specific action for the reader to take that will get him/her directly involved in the solution. Remember to be clear in your instructions, providing relevant contact information, times/dates, language, etc.
Other information to consider:
Background history of the issue
Those affected by the issue
Those involved with problem/solution
Analysis of results if problem is/is not solved
Definition of terms used
Case studies
Causes/Effects
Prior solutions tried and why they failed
Researched information NOT PERSONAL OPINION ONLY!!
A context for the issue (compare to other issues, times, cities, etc.)
!! this is an argumentative essay i think !!
(also please do not use very scolarly words or ver smart words if possible)
