Research a recent civic issue (2024) published in the Editorial section of https://thedailyaztec.com/category/opinion/ The author(s) must make an argument which is of concern to a specific community of non-experts (students of a particular school, gender, occupation, fandom, etc.). Identify multiple perspectives from which this issue is viewed. Use this information to create a persuasive text that uses ethical persuasive strategies to advance social understanding, change, or action. This project should be presented in a genre that would be commonly used to communicate with members of this community.
Texts: Find a Daily AztecLinks to an external site. article AND additional sources which you will cite in support of your argument. See the details in the lecture slides and in the rubric below. Not all of these outside sources have to be scholarly articles (many can come from a general internet search).
Purpose: Respond to an author’s argument and try to persuade the audience of that article to agree with your point of view. Regardless of whether you agree with the Daily AztecLinks to an external site.’s editorial, you will create a rebuttal in which you play the opposite perspective (although you are encouraged to create some places of agreement). Use a variety of Rhetorical Strategies to appeal to Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Avoid fallacies, ad hominem attacks and maintain an argument which wouldn’t be offensive to the average person’s conscience. It must be an ethical argument.
Audience: Your audience consists of those who would have read the article you researched, plus a more general audience. Consider them to have limited knowledge of the topic you are debating (explanation of the context of this argument will be necessary).
Key RWS 305W Learning Objectives Met with This Assignment
Understand the concept of rhetorical situations: the relationship among writer-audience-subject-context
Apply critical reading strategies to a variety of publicly and individually produced texts
Understand the collaborative and social aspects of the writing process
Critique your own and others’ texts
Course Learning Objectives:
Apply rhetorical principles appropriate to different purposes and goals, within specific
disciplinary, professional and civic communities.
Research and contribute to specific areas of inquiry by evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating
strategies and sources appropriate to genre.
Compose a variety of texts, working individually and collaboratively, through processes of
drafting, critiquing, reflecting, and editing.
Project 4: Civic Project Proposal (24) Rubric
Project 4: Civic Project Proposal (24) Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormat Requirements:
Paper must be a minimum of 3 pages of writing (full pages/750 words total), typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, with one-inch margins in standard MLA format with a works cited page. Follow conventions of grammar, mechanics, and diction. See image notes below.
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Although this section is valued at 10 points, a significant part of your essay is tied to the amount of writing you produced (i.e. a two page paper will lack content related to other goals and drive the grade down further than the points in this section).
10 to >9.0 pts
Full Marks
9 to >4.0 pts
Partial Points
While some of these formatting requirements have been met, others remain unaddressed or only partially satisfactory.
4 to >0 pts
Low Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTopic/Article Selection:
Respond to an appropriate opinion article (see prompt) and persuade the audience of that publication.
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The Topic of debate must be debatable. (e.g. “Everyone should have enough to eat,” or “Poverty is bad,” or “It’s really hot” are not worthy topics of debate).
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The Topic must be the center of some recent debate. (e.g. “end daylight savings” or “lower the drinking age” would not apply)
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The Topic and YOUR stance on the topic must be in the realm of good taste, ethical, and reasonable to an audience of good conscience.
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The Article must be recent (published in the timeframe described in the Prompt).
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The Article must be an editorial argument, not an informative report, so it should be biased. Likewise, the language of your essay should be argumentative rather than informative in nature.
10 to >9.0 pts
Full Marks
9 to >4.0 pts
Partial Points
Either the article topic is not debatable, because no moral or reasonable person would make a counter argument, or the article itself isn’t trying to be persuasive.
4 to >0 pts
Low Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePeer Rebuttal/Outside Source(s)/Selection:
Respond to your peer’s counter argument within your Project 4: Do not respond to them by name (e.g. “Some may argue…” or “While there are those who claim…”)
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When you create the “Comments” for this project, post your peer response so that it’s easy for me to identify.
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If you didn’t receive a peer response, respond to the counter argument I provided.
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Please use at least two outside sources, besides your selected article and peer rebuttal, to build your argument.
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One of your sources must be related directly to what you are arguing (an additional voice in the conversation).
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A second outside source must be a peer reviewed article (available on our library website’s OneSearch feature) This source should build your credibility as an author, so choose your sources wisely.
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Introduce quotes from this source using your own words to seamlessly transition. Keep the quotes a reasonable length compared to your own ideas (They can’t outshine you).
10 to >9.0 pts
Full Marks
9 to >4.0 pts
Partial Points
An outside source(s) have been selected, but are not supportive of the argument or lack credibility.
4 to >0 pts
Low Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTopic Overview:
Near the beginning, give a brief overview of the topic/debate (including the Daily Aztec article and contents) considering who the audience is and carefully considering your rhetorical situation.
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Don’t assume that your audience knows/cares what happened or is happening, so update them on the context and why they should care.
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(Labeled in Comments)
5 to >4.0 pts
Full Marks
4 to >2.0 pts
Partial Points
The Rhetorical Situation is only partially addressed or the audience is not invested in the argument.
2 to >0 pts
Low Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOrganization:
Create an argument which flows from point to point, with each paragraph transitioning into the next paragraph.
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Remember, you are joining a public conversation. This should feel like an editorial written in response other authors (i.e. rebutting their argument points).
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Keep your paragraphs short, 4-6 sentences, to allow faster reading.
5 to >4.0 pts
Full Marks
4 to >2.0 pts
Partial Points
The structure has some confusing choices regarding structure, there’s a lack of transition between major points, or the argument lacks editorial characteristics.
2 to >0 pts
Low Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeEthos Strategies:
Ethos describes the ways that authors attempt to build credibility, trust or rapport with an audience. This might mean establishing good – Character – Sense – Will – towards the audience.
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Numerous Rhetorical Strategies build ethos: personal experience, citing authorities or “big names,” identification, etc.
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Use at least two of these strategies in your argument (Labeled in Comments).
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While your entire project is a rebuttal, we will not count “rebuttals” as a strategy to meet this requirement. While a rebuttal (concessions, refutation, demonstration of irrelevance and reframing) is considered a rhetorical strategy, I want you to use other Ethos strategies to make your rebuttals. (e.g. Personal Experience: “it’s true that my opponent saw this happen, as I was also there to see it myself, but here’s my account.”)
15 to >14.0 pts
Full Marks
14 to >5.0 pts
Partial Points
Some attempt has been made to fulfill this appeal; however, the strategies are either ineffective, underdeveloped, or missing.
5 to >0 pts
Low Marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePathos Strategies:
Pathos describes the ways that authors attempt to build an emotional response in their audience. That means appealing to a specific feeling: happiness, sadness, anger, envy, frustration, etc.
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Some Rhetorical Strategies which can make a pathos appeal include: description, anecdotes, stories, narration, jokes, figurative language, etc.
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Use at least two of these strategies in your argument (Labeled in Comments).
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While your entire project is a rebuttal, we will not count “rebuttals” as a strategy to meet this requirement. While a rebuttal (concessions, refutation, demonstration of irrelevance and reframing) is considered a rhetorical strategy, I want you to use other Pathos strategies to make your rebuttals (e.g. Joke: to demonstrate your opponents point is silly and thus not relevant).
15 to >14.0 pts
Full Marks
14 to >5.0 pts
Partial Points
Some attempt has been made to fulfill this appeal; however, the strategies are either ineffective, underdeveloped, or missing.
5 to >0 pts
Low Marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLogos Strategies:
Logos describes the ways that authors attempt to build a well reasoned argument. Rhetorical Strategies which make this appeal are noted for being precise, quantified, repeatable, clear, and acknowledging of limitations.
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These strategies might include citing data/statistics, research results, textual evidence, extensive surveys, accepted definitions, comparing/contrasting relatable issues, etc.
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Use at least two of these strategies in your argument (Labeled in Comments).
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While your entire project is a rebuttal, we will not count “rebuttals” as a strategy to meet this requirement. While a rebuttal (concessions, refutation, demonstration of irrelevance and reframing) is considered a rhetorical strategy, I want you to use other Logos strategies to make your rebuttals (e.g. Compare and Contrast: to refute the claim that one thing is like another by describing similarities and/or differences).
15 to >14.0 pts
Full Marks
14 to >5.0 pts
Partial Points
Some attempt has been made to fulfill this appeal; however, the strategies are either ineffective, underdeveloped, or missing.
5 to >0 pts
Low Marks
15 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeVisual Media:
Class members are tasked with producing visual graphics to accompany your argument. They will address the topic and may use various rhetorical strategies in order to assist your persuasive argument. These graphics will be attached to you Project 4 (think of it like a graphic/image in a newspaper).
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Format/Length— You can manually draw this graphic and take a picture to attach a photo. Or digitally create the image. Use an AI. Or find and cite a relevant graphic from online (Labeled in Comments).
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Your “document design” must demonstrate a format that meets the audience’s expectation of an editorial response in a publication like the Daily Aztec.
5 to >3.0 pts
Full Marks
3 to >0.0 pts
Partial Points
The visual media lacks a clear driving purpose, seems unrelated to the issue, or is underdeveloped (doesn’t have to be a Monet, but it should be original.
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeGoogle Doc Editor Access + Comments:
Your Comments are visible and I am granted Google Doc access.
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Your Google doc should reflect all stages of the writing process (i.e. do your work on the document that you send to me). I do check version histories.
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Comments: Label the Topic Overview, Peer Rebuttal, Your Visual Media, and at least 6 Rhetorical Strategies in your argument (2 for each Ethos, Pathos, and Logos).
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Your comments suggest a thoughtful reflection of the strategy choice and indicate how each strategy is based on reasonable assumptions about the audience.
10 to >5.0 pts
Full Marks
5 pts
No Marks
5 to >0 pts
Partial Points
One or the other, not both, or a lack of detailed/complete comments
10 pts
Total Points: 100
