ProposalArgumentAssignment12 x
Should everyone do a technology detox?
Proposal Argument Assignment
Short Description:
Length: 4-5 pages, typed, double-spaced
Format: Follow current MLA guidelines
Source Requirement: Three secondary sources, documented according to MLA guidelines
Evaluation: The Rhetorical Analysis is worth 200 points. Grades will be assigned based on standard percentages:
A 180-200 points
B 160-179 points
C 140-159 points
D 120-139 points
F under 120 points
Goals:
The purpose of proposal arguments is to call for a change in policy or practice. Proposals typically identify a problem that the writer wants to address and propose an action to address that problem. Therefore, proposals are complex arguments requiring that you prove the following:
1) A problem exists
2) Your proposed solution will solve this problem
3) Your proposed solution is feasible (in other words, it can be implemented)
Each of the questions listed below invites you to propose an action. You will choose one of these questions and develop a claim that answers this question by stating the action you are proposing. Through evidence gathered from research, you will support your claim.
Topic:
You are required to choose one of the following questions as the subject of your proposal argument:
1) Should high school graduates take a gap year before enrolling in a college or university?
2) Should college athletes be paid?
3) Should everyone (or a particular group, such as teenagers) commit to a regular “technology detox”?
Note: Each of these question prompts you to propose an action, but you will have to identify a problem that would prompt this action. For example, in order to propose that high school graduates take a gap year, you will have to identify a problem that would be resolved by taking a gap year. In order to make a proposal, you must have a reason for doing so, and that reason will be a current problem that you identify.
Process:
You are required to include evidence from three secondary sources in your proposal argument. See pp. 300-303 for guidance in the process of developing your argument, particularly the sections “Researching Your Topic,” “Formulating a Claim,” “Examples of Proposal Claims,” and “Thinking About Organization.”
Organization:
The basic structure for a proposal argument is to prove that a problem exists, state a claim proposing an action to address the problem, prove that your proposal will successfully address the problem, and show that your proposal is feasible and capable of implementation. For your proposal argument, use the following framework for organization:
Introduction: Introduce the problem you intend to address in an appealing and interesting way. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the use of a narrative, a powerful description, or the presentation of startling facts from your research. End your introduction by stating your claim, which is your proposal to take a specific action to solve the problem you have identified.
Body:
Section 1: Present evidence to clarify the nature of the problem your proposal will address.
Section 2: Present evidence to show how your proposal will address the problem you have identified. Demonstrate that your proposal will address the need and achieve the desired outcome. You will also want to consider alternative solutions and demonstrate why your proposal is better suited to achieving the desired results.
Section 3: Demonstrate that the proposal is feasible. Explain, in concrete detail, how your proposal may be implemented. Address potential objections, such as financial obstacles, manpower limitations, logistical issues, etc.
Conclusion: Restate your claim. Offer your audience a powerful and persuasive reason to take action on your proposal.
Development/Evidence:
Remember that proposal arguments rely on a variety of evidence including hard evidence (inartistic proofs) and constructed arguments (artistic proofs). You will want to be aware of the difference as you gather research to support your claim. Credibility and variety of evidence are also essential, so you will want to carefully evaluate the sources of your information. Finally, remember that your voice should be the dominant and controlling voice in your argument. Synthesize your sources in order to incorporate them into an argument that you design and develop.
See pp. 307-317 in your text for two examples of proposal arguments.
Essay Format:
The final version of the essay should be formatted according to MLA style as follows:
· Set all margins to 1 inch.
· Double-space throughout the paper.
· In the upper left corner, type your full name, the course number and section, my name (preferably spelled correctly), and the date. (Each of these items should be on a separate line.)
· Then, double-space and type the title (centered, but not underlined, or in boldface or quotation marks).
· Double-space and type the essay itself.
· Number your pages using a running header in the upper right corner. This should include your last name, followed by a space and the page number.
· Use a standard, 12 point font.
Your paper should also be free of grammatical and spelling errors.
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