Assignment: Proposal Essay

Topic: Instructor-approved topic

Purpose: To write a proposal that demonstrates the elements of an effective argument

Description of Assignment:

? A proposal argument

o Identifies and defines the problem
o Proposes and demonstrates a feasible solution
o Convinces readers that the proposed solution is fair and will work

? Makes an arguable claim

? Considers multiple perspectives - anticipates and responds to likely objections

? Adequately supports claims with relevant evidence and reasoning (Sufficient, Typical, Adequate, Relevant). Questions and challenges a source's credibility by examining the author's credentials, assumptions, affiliations, and implications, all of which could be used in the paper's discussion.

Source(s) Required:

? At least six (academic, credible, reliable) varied sources must be used with not more than two deriving from the Internet.

? Source information gained from the library databases is not considered Internet sources.

- Information gained from reference sources such as an encyclopedia (e. g. Wikepedia.org) or a dictionary will not count as acceptable source material.

? The more authoritative sources used, the more convincing the research looks; the fewer authoritative sources used, the less credible the research looks.

? Sources can be in the form of journals, magazine articles, books, newspapers, government documents, etc.

Audience: You are writing to a target audience with comparable knowledge regarding the topic. You should identify and demonstrate an awareness of the target audience based upon the topic selection. If you are struggling with identifying a target audience, you can consult Chapter 16 in Baker College Composition.

Format: 8-10 double-spaced pages, not including title page and reference page using APA format

Textbook Support: You will find chapter 22 in Baker College Composition useful for this assignment. Also, section "Writing Genres" in the Baker College Writing Guidecontains examples and specific suggestions for this type of essay (see subsections: "Argumentative Essays," & "Paragraph Organization of Argumentative Papers."). You can also consult the Library Research Guide for Composition II.