Essay#3: Argument Paper & Collaborative Presentation
English 105
Objective: To enable students to learn how to work on a collaborative writing project. This project
represents a teamwork approach that is often used in the workplace. It is the responsibility of the
group to hand in the completed document with a cover memo, give a 15-20 minute class presentation
that includes a visual, written and oral component as well as organize and facilitate the work evenly.
Assignment: Students will research and make a judgment on a controversial Flagstaff/NAU issue. Then
students will research organizations that contribute to the resolution of the issue. They will then
choose either to
 Research the history and dynamics of the organization. Make a claim regarding either the
necessity of the organization or the dangers that the organization may pose in terms of the
issue you are addressing, or
 Volunteer with one of the organizations. Find out what the organization does in order to
resolve the conflict you are addressing, and then make a claim as to the effectiveness (or lack
thereof) of the organization.
Students will:
 Come to a consensus on a group topic
 Divide the work they will do (researching the topic, interviewing people, outlining the
project, organizing the presentation, finding visuals, etc. or documenting the time spent as
a volunteer)
 Outline and choose a specific structure (Problem/solution works best, but narrative
structure may also be effective.)
 Create a presentation on the topic
 Write individual papers based on the group topic
 Write a collaborative cover memo (1 page) that explains the content of the project, how
the work was divided, and how the collaborative effort may be improved.
Your final document (individual paper) may be written in the appropriate manner for your subject
material, but should include the following parts:
 Introduction: Include an interest catcher (statistic, quote), as well as brief background information of
the case/issue/mystery.
 Thesis: Make sure that your claim is very specific. Your thesis should include a brief outline of the
case/issue/mystery and should occur somewhere within the first couple paragraphs.
 Body:
o Each paragraph in the body of your paper needs to have a main point that you can support with
specific evidence. Make appeals to ethos, pathos, or logos.
o Support your main points through a close rhetorical analysis of somebody else’s claim.
o Choose sources that support your viewpoint. To support your analysis, you will need to quote
from the text(s) and cite your source(s).
o Include a graphic displaying your analysis of the information you are using, such as a table or
chart, or some other illustration/images that supports your point. Be sure that the graphics you
are using are pertinent for furthering your argument, and that you discuss your graphics in your
paper.
 Conclusion: this is where you draw your essay to a close. You can do this by briefly restating what your
essay was about, what you think the outcome of your essay will be, and future directions, etc.
© University Writing Program
Northern Arizona University
Length: three to four typed double-spaced pages.
Draft due: Thursday, 10/19
Group presentation: 10/25 and 10/26
Final draft due: Thursday, 10/26
Individual evaluation of the group project: When you submit your individual paper, include a typed page that
addresses the following: What did you learn about yourself from this group project? How do you see yourself as
a member of a team? What were your expectations of the other team members? Where your expectations
fulfilled? How so? Why not?
Hints for Successful Group Work
Groups work best when the members are able to disagree amiably. You will need to exchange work,
divide work, and meet at least a couple times in order to coordinate this project. Groups work best
with a facilitator, a recorder, and a typist, but it is important that these jobs are passed around during
the group project. This means that every one of you should have a chance to be a facilitator, a
recorder, and a typist.

The facilitator keeps the group on task, makes sure everyone participates, and deflects debate
when it gets prickly. At the end of the meeting, he/she has the group set an agenda for the
next meeting.

The recorder records what each person agrees to do for the next meeting if possible, reminds
everyone by e-mail.

The typist(s) gathers the written material from each member (via email or disk) and puts it
together into a paper form.
The most delicate task is keeping everyone working productively. There are some predictable problems
of group behavior:



One or two people tend to dominate the conversation or remain silent.
One or two people become the “experts” on whom the others rely.
One or two people are regularly discounted.
To guard against these problems give everyone a specific task and goal. If everyone has a task, the
group will not suffer from some members not pulling their weight.
To complete this project it will work best if, during your first meeting the group makes a list of tasks
and coordinates another meeting time. Following this, as a group, talk about each member’s
strengths/weaknesses with regards to the list of prospective tasks. Decide who should do what. Also
determine what each member will talk about during the final presentation. A constructive first
meeting and good group coordination can make this project simple and fun.
Source: Williams et. al. The Craft of Argument. 2003
© University Writing Program
Northern Arizona University