Proposal Argument Essay Prompt
Introduction
Proposals are everywhere, from an offer to go see a particular film with a friend, to a marriage proposal, to healthcare reform. Daily we identify issues or problems in the world around us and we, like many other people, have ideas of how to best solve that issue or problem. Proposals usually come with reasons why that solution or action should happen, evidence for why the solution would work, and sometimes evidence for why something shouldn’t happen. Proposal arguments are usually either proposals about a specific practice or proposals about a broader matter of policy.
Your Tasks
Choose a research question from the bulleted list below—choosing a question that you care about and utilizing the full writing process can make writing the essay easier. If you have a different question you want to answer, talk with me about it.
Conduct extensive research to understand the current conversation about the issue. Part of your research should include more than one viewpoint in opposition to each other. Once you have completed extensive research, determine your position on the issue—you should be adding something new to the conversation. Use rhetorical strategies, logic, and evidence to show your audience why you hold that position and how it adds to the current conversation; consider using questions about your audience to help you determine the best approach to your argument.
Possible research questions are
Who should be paying for students’ tuition?
How should disciplinary hearings happen for students accused of violating the school’s code of conduct?
How should a budget, grant, or other form of money be allocated?
How should individuals, corporations, states, countries, etc. be reducing their impact on climate change?
How should social media sites be protecting user data?
How should technology be used in the classroom? Home? Society as a whole?
What holidays should or should not be observed by the federal government?
How should a terminally ill patient influence their end-of-life care?
How should future deficits in the Social Security program be addressed?
How should inflation be curbed?
How should the U.S. address rising obesity (or other health risk) rates?
What policies should colleges institute to bring about greater justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the school?
What should we do to lower assault (or other criminal act) rates?
Other topics as approved by the instructor (check with me—I will likely tell you “yes”)
Note: Do not choose abortion or any current US politician or issue not listed.
Specifications
The following list gives you specific details about the essay. Use this to check your work before submitting it.
Length is 10 pages (no more, no less) or 5,000-6,000 words, not including header/title page or Works Cited/References/Bibliography pages
Follow style and formatting guidelines for either APA, Chicago, or MLA styles
Save as a .doc or .docx file so I can make comments in the document
Begin with a major claim that clearly states your position on the topic and that guides the essay
Begin each paragraph with a strong topic sentence that captures the point of the paragraph and ends with a conclusion sentence that ties it all back to the major claim
Focus on the rhetorical situation, audience, and purpose
Apply genre conventions, including structure, paragraphing, tone, mechanics, syntax, and style
Use appropriate voice, tone, format, and structure for the purpose and audience
Use specialized vocabulary, format, and documentation appropriately
Synthesize other points of view within your own position
Select evidence from at least 10 sources, four of which are peer-reviewed
Reflect on the implications and consequences of the stated conclusion
