Propose a solution to a problem that requires the cooperation of a group of people to solve. These people are your audience. Depending on the nature of the problem, your audience may need to be convinced that the problem even exists; before you can propose a solution, you need to build a case for the problem. You will need to support your reasons with evidence that is both sufficient (enough evidence to prove that the problem isn’t trivial – statistics are useful here) and convincing (case studies and personal examples put a human face on the problem and create a compelling sense of pathos.)
The solution to your problem is the thesis of your paper. Obviously, the solution must show that it actually solves the problem, but it must also be feasible – poverty could be ended by giving everyone a million dollars, but is that even possible? If the solution is clear, specific and easy, the audience is much more likely to comply. You should also anticipate any counterarguments against your proposal: arguments that the problem doesn’t exist/is trivial, and arguments that another solution is preferable.
As you write, think about the nature of your audience – are they likely to accept your message, resist it, or both? Consider the information presented about argumentation and scientific reasons why it is so hard to convince someone who is truly resistant to an argument. In order to be persuasive, we have to think carefully about what the audience likely to know, feel, or believe about the topic. How can you address their concerns – their hopes, fears and values? How can you establish common ground? What arguments are likely to convince them?
I do not intend for you to do a lot of research for this paper: I would prefer that you deal with solving a problem at work, school or home where your own experience is a factor and the information for the solution is close at hand. If you must do research, do NOT use a citation style such as MLA or APA format. Instead, use an informal citation style, mentioning the title, author, and possibly the date in the text of your essay. (“According to his 2019 article, “Penguins and You,” printed in Bogus magazine, John Q Smith said…”) If you consider most of the articles encountered through news sources, they use this citation format as the general readership finds formal citation styles boring and confusing. You will be working with academic citations like MLA and APA extensively when you take EN 101 or 102.
Please note that the point of the assignment is persuading an audience to take action on a group issue. It is not problem-solving – a paper which proposes a solution to a personal problem does not suit the assignment and will lose points. For example, a paper with the topic “We should require gym classes in high school” is appropriate, a paper with the topic “How to become physically fit” is not. It is also not just argumentation – a paper with the topic “It’s important for our kids to exercise” won’t get full credit unless it proposes a solution requiring action by a group of people.
The paper should be 4 pages (1000 words) in length. You can preview the rubric by going to the bottom of submission page and looking at the link under “Assessments.” I will also use the markup tools directly on the submitted paper. I will be correcting the first incidence of any error and highlighting the subsequent examples of repeated errors. The idea is that you should review the highlighted errors to see if you can spot the mistakes yourself, based on my earlier correction. Keeping track of the errors you have made, learning the rules about those specific errors and proofreading future work with them in mind is the best way to improve your grammar.
