So far, we’ve done some generative writing to assess our own experiences and positions. As we think about ourselves in the world, we are narrowing our focus to communities we belong to and issues of concern, intimately knowing the places we belong. This project asks you explore an issue of concern to you, affecting a community that you are a part of. So, our next step is to pose a research question, using our Personal Narrative as a springboard.
Starting with a research question, you will perform research, using that to stake an informed, well-supported claim. You’ll map the controversy (the issue), illustrating what others have to say about the issue. Then, you’ll wade into the conversation yourself. In other words, you’ll first gather perspectives, information, and ideas about the research question, next you’ll use that information to consider your question carefully for an academic audience. Ultimately, after much research and thought, you will stake a claim about this issue (the “I Say”). For the essay, you are delving into the issue of importance, illustrating why it matters through summary of relevant voices, analysis of compelling evidence, and strong personal narrative (here, you will adapt the personal narrative you’ve already crafted). Your claim should establish this sense of urgency for an audience. Part of that urgency might include advocacting for solutions.
Here, you are crafting and supporting a well-researched claim about your issue of concern, using effective rhetorical techniques to achieve your purpose. Most of all, through your research and writing, consider what would make your community better.
Purpose: So far, we’ve been working on analyzing a variety of sources and synthesizing what others are saying in a larger conversation. Next, we’ll shift from the “they say” toward the “I say” supported by thoughtful and critical research. To answer your research question, you should carefully seek credible sources and balanced perspectives to wade into a larger conversation yourself. Here, we’ll be acquiring useful research skills and practicing rhetorical strategies.
Formalities: Your final draft will be a 5-6 page argumentative essay that is deeply informed by your 4-5 popular sources (you may not exceed five) and experience in the community. The summary portions of the paper should be no more than 1/4 of the total discussion, depending on what you can expect your readers to know about the texts you are using and issue at hand. This means most of your discussion (about 75%) will be analyzing details, questioning language and assumptions, considering themes and issues, and posing answers to your research question(s). In other words, the majority will be you developing and supporting your claim. The purpose of this culminating paper is to offer a focused interrogation of a rhetorical or civic issue that you are concerned about, written for a general academic audience.
