Prof Dan

Purpose

In Project Two, you will learn how to present an unbiased analysis of two arguments created by stakeholders with seemingly incompatible goals about an issue or topic and create a feasible, objective compromise that would benefit both stakeholders.

Project Description:

You will write a 1,200 - 1,500 word essay based on the following requirements:

• analyze two stakeholders with seemingly incompatible goals regarding the same issue or topic
• provide background on the stakeholders (context)
• include a thesis that presents the point of contention between the stakeholders and explains a proposed compromise
• identify why these two stakeholders have not yet come to a resolution
• find common ground between these two stakeholders by considering what both have in common
• suggest one particular, concrete compromise and defend this compromise by considering
• the stated goals and concerns of both stakeholders,
• current or past solutions, and
• the feasibility of your solution's implementation
• defend this solution as a workable compromise
• use at least five sources according to the following guidelines:
• At least one primary source material from each two stakeholders being discussed (i.e., information from the stakeholder websites, etc.)
• At least one credible, scholarly source for each stakeholder that supports the validity of the stakeholder's position
• At least one credible, scholarly source that supports the viability of the student's proposed compromise

Assessment:

This project will be evaluated using the Project 2: Finding Common Ground Rubric.

Role of Peer Review

Using MyReviewers, you will provide feedback via peer review. The peer review process allows you to respond to your peers' drafts as fellow writers working toward the common goal of producing properly formatted, useful and insightful essays based on the FYC Rubric. Both you and your peers will be using each other's comments and recommendations to improve your work. Thus, your individual commitment to peer review has a real impact on the success of the entire class.

Assignment:

In a 1,200-1,500 word essay, students will explain the perspectives of two different stakeholders on a given issue or topic, identifies common ground the two stakeholders share, and proposes and argues for a compromise that benefits both stakeholders. Students should clearly identify both stakeholders, fairly represent their perspectives using evidence, and posit a way for these two groups to reach common ground. Building on this common ground, students should also clearly argue for a solution that would allow both groups to reach a compromise on the issue or topic, provide contexts in which the compromise will work, and demonstrate that the compromise appeases both stakeholders.

Role of Research:

Research for this project will involve moving beyond the stakeholders themselves to a consideration of the issue or topic and a potential solution. Students may need to consider the following: basic historical information about the issue or topic; the factual accuracy of the stakeholders claims; research that supports the student's proposed solution; research that challenges or complicates the issue or topic or proposed solution; research about previously attempted solutions; other research surrounding the chosen issue or topic.

For this paper, the sources that must be quoted/cited include the following:

Primary source material from each of the two stakeholders being discussed (i.e., information from the stakeholder websites, etc.)
At least one credible, scholarly source for each stakeholder that supports the validity of the stakeholder's position
At least one credible, scholarly source that supports the viability of the student's proposed compromise.
In total, the minimum number of sources (and Works Cited citations) should be five: two primary sources from the stakeholders, one source per stakeholder supporting the stakeholder's position, and one source supporting the student's compromise.

Role of Peer Review:

In this project, peer review will be particularly valuable for writers because it will provide an outside perspective regarding students' biases. Moreover, students will engage with peers' writing to evaluate their empathy and assess their compromises, therefore reinforcing the empathy that this project fosters.

Writing Process:

Early Draft: Students will discuss their answers to the Project 2 Guiding Questions Worksheet in workshop, which includes a space for brainstorming possible solutions (e.g. media-based; legal-based; mindset-based). Students may use this space to outline, free-write, mind map, or otherwise thoughtfully express insightful ideas.

Intermediate Draft: The Intermediate Draft should be a working draft (1,200 - 1,500 words) that explains the perspectives of two different stakeholders on a given issue or topic, identifies common ground the two stakeholders share, and proposes and argues for a compromise that benefits both stakeholders. This draft should include a thesis, all major points, evidence to support these points (including in-text citations from appropriate sources), and a Works Cited page.

Final Draft: The Final Draft will be a polished essay (1,200 - 1,500 words) that explains the perspectives of two different stakeholders on a given issue or topic, identifies common ground the two stakeholders share, and proposes and argues for a compromise that benefits both stakeholders. This draft should include a thesis, all major points, evidence to support these points (including in-text citations from appropriate sources), and a Works Cited page. The document should be free of organizational, grammar, and style errors and should follow proper MLA structure both in formatting the paper and citing sources.

*Final drafts that have not been significantly revised will be lowered one letter grade.

*It is your responsibility to upload your project drafts to both Canvas and My Reviewers. Assignments will be counted as late until they have been turned into both sites.

Future Considerations

Project 2 fosters an understanding of viable compromises tailored specifically to the goals of two stakeholders with disparate objectives. With this developing ability to focus on the specific needs and abilities of an audience, in Project 3 students will make a call to action through which they will attempt to persuade an unengaged audience to become involved with the issue at hand. In doing so, students will consider what they learned in Project 1 about visual rhetoric and multimedia-based arguments, as well as how to make a call that their target audience not only can, but will do to become engaged with the topic. Students should consider: What might the chosen organization need from you? What kind of composition might help the organization achieve its purpose?