Your research project:
Identify a contemporary and researchable problem faced by people in your community, investigate the background and causes of the problem, and learn about potential solutions in order to advocate for the best solution. For the purpose of this project, you are free to interpret “your community” however you’d like. For example, you might choose to research a problem faced by students in the academic community (e.g. community college students), your geographic community (our city or state), or your cultural community (e.g. Southeast Asian American, Chicanx, LGBTQ+, etc.).
****Note: A few extra credit points (toward homework) will be awarded to research papers that focus on an AI-related issue****
Possible topics include:
environmental impacts of AI as discussed hereand here
human labor costs–not only in terms of “robots taking jobs” but also harsh labor conditions that often go into AI development as discussed here and here
AI large language models interfering with students’ learning development
AI algorithms perpetuating systemic biases and harming Black and Latinx communities as discussed here and here
This project encompasses the final THREE key writing assignments this semester*:
an annotated bibliography*
Essay 3: Persuasive Research Paper (breaking down the problem)
Final Paper: Persuasive Letter (focusing on the solutions to the problem you researched)
*Note: In order to get an A grade on Essay 3 and the final persuasive paper, students must complete the annotated bibliography and participate in peer review.
Three Required Components
Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of sources you have found through your research, along with a brief summary and evaluation of each. An annotated bibliography helps you keep your research organized and also allows you to get feedback on the quality of the sources you’ve found before you start writing your paper. An annotated bibliography containing at least 8 entries is next week
Essay 3: Persuasive Research Paper (4-5 pages)
In this writing assignment, you will demonstrate that the problem exists by defining and analyzing the problem. You should provide enough contextual information to show your readers the scope of the problem and explain who/what is affected, how, and why. Most important, you will cite evidence from quality sources that will convince your readers that the problem is serious and worthy of their attention. This paper should be approximately five pages in length and include the following key components:
o An introduction that introduces your topic and leads up to your thesis
o A thesis which clearly identifies the problem and makes a claim about why it is a problem
o Explanation of, and evidence for, the nature and scope of the problem (who/what/where/when/how)
o Evidence from at least five quality sources, cited in MLA style
A rough draft of Essay 3 is due on _____ for peer review.
A final draft of Essay 3 is due to Canvas on ______
Final Paper: Persuasive, Evidence-based Letter (solution-focused, 2-3 pages)
In this writing assignment, you will write a letter in which you propose a solution to the problem you discussed in Essay 3. It must be the same problem you researched for Essay 3.
You will address your letter to a person or organization who is in a position to implement your proposed solution and urge them to take action. In your letter, you must first demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the topic. Then, you might discuss what is already being done (if anything) and why it hasn’t solved the problem. You might evaluate solutions that have been proposed but not enacted.
Most important, you will propose a remedy or plan that will eliminate or reduce the problem – this can be one you found in your research or developed yourself. Using logical reasoning and credible evidence, your goal is to persuade your reader that your proposal is feasible, and that it is better than alternative solutions. A strong proposal will anticipate and respond to objections the addressee might have and specifically explain how the solution should be implemented.
This letter should be approximately 2-3 pages (500-800 words), double-spaced, and include most or all of the following key components:
Brief identification of the problem
Analysis of previously enacted/proposed “solutions” to the problem (if any)
explain why these are not good enough, essentially why the problem still exists
Your solution (the “best” solution, in your opinion)
explain in detail how or why it should be implemented
evidence from 2-3 quality sources to support your claims as necessary
cite your sources per MLA guidelines
Counterarguments
anticipate and respond to objections the addressee might have to your proposed solution
refute specific counterarguments; essentially you want your readers to see that YOUR solution is best
Features of a letter:
include a greeting/salutation and date of letter
use paragraph breaks
include a closing word/phrase and your name (e.g. Sincerely, Respectfully yours, Your truly)
skip a line between the greeting and the body. Skip a line between the body and the closing
pay attention to punctuation
Rhetorical strategies:
Ethos: Include details that will build your credibility and enable readers to trust and listen to you
include background info and evidence that you did your due diligence in conducting research
include details/words that show that you care about finding the “best” solution
Logos: Provide logical explanations and substantial evidence to support your ideas
choose examples and ideas that will make sense to your target audience
cite multiple credible sources that back your argument/solution proposal(s)
Pathos: Include details that will appeal to readers’ emotions, perhaps things to make them more sympathetic/empathetic and ultimately be convinced by your argument on how to best solve the problem
Kairos: Include timely examples (e.g. current events/trends) that could make your argument even more convincing
