Argumentative Essay 3: Proposal Argument
Due:
Length:
First draft:
April 21st (two copies)
Second Rough: April 26thth
Final Draft:
April 28thth
7-8 pages, plus Works Cited Page
200 points
Sources: 3 scholarly publications
3 trade sources
2 of your choice
Assignment: In the form of a classical argument, propose a unique solution to the problem you analyzed
Essay 2. Additionally, this essay needs to incorporate at least two opposing views into its argument.
What to do: This is the big one! In several ways, this essay is the capstone of our course. This is the most
involved essay that we’ll write, and this essay also will ask you to draw upon all of the rhetorical skills that
we’ve developed in each of the other assignments.
Essay Structure: Proposal arguments, as WA shows, generally have three parts: 1) a description of the
problem, 2) an explanation of the proposed solution, and 3) a justification of the proposed solution (WA
312). Use this schema to structure your own essay. Here is a more detailed breakdown:
1. Description of the problem: Assume that your reader has minimal knowledge of the problem that
you are addressing. Your task, then, is to convince your reader that the situation is a genuine
problem – that it is causing real, tangible harm – and that something should be done about it. Use
this section to give your essay presence (see p. 312 and 314).
Tip: Draw on your causal argument to draft this section, which should comprise a 1-2 paragraph
introduction to the essay.
2. Explanation of the proposed solution: The proposal itself is the thesis of this essay. If your
proposal involves several steps, consider writing a short (3-4 sentence) thesis paragraph that gives
your reader an overview of your proposal.
In the body paragraphs following the thesis, explain how the proposal will work. In developing your
argument for this section, you will find it useful to employ either a causal argument (showing what
effects are likely to result from your proposal) or a resemblance argument (showing how similar
proposals have/have not worked in other places and times).
An additional task of this section is to argue for the feasibility of your proposal. If there are costs
associated with the changes, be sure to address those and show where the funding will come from.
If, for example, your proposal includes volunteer work, you need to explain how volunteers will be
recruited. If it includes an educational/awareness raising campaign, what specific materials will be
used? What exactly will the educational project focus on?
3. Justification of the proposed solution: The goal of this section is to offer additional (and
persuasive) reasons for enacting your proposal. Assume that your audience contains several readers
who will be skeptical of your proposal and provide reasons that even a skeptical reader would find
persuasive. To do this, provide a fair representation of at least two opposing views and either
refute or concede them. These opposing views may – and should, if applicable – include alternative
solutions to the problem.
Claim Types: In addition to the three sections of a proposal argument outlined above, you also have the
choice of three types of claims: that is, claims based on 1) principle or category, 2) consequences, or 3)
resemblance. (See pages 318-320 in WA).
1. Principles or category: If you chose to use this type of claim, analyze your audience and select a
principle that the audience is likely to hold and base your claim on that.
2. Consequences: To base your claim on consequences, conduct a causal argument that shows that the
benefits of the changes you propose will outweigh any potential drawbacks and will improve the
situation.
3. Resemblance: Resemblance claims in a proposal show how a given solution has worked elsewhere
and is therefore likely to improve your issue. If you use this method, be attentive to important
differences between the two areas, as those differences are something that a skeptical audience is
likely to use to attack your argument.
What counts as a “unique” solution:
By “unique” I simply mean a solution that has not yet been tried or proposed. This does not mean, however,
that you have to reinvent the wheel: it is perfectly fair, for example, to adapt or modify an existing solution.
If you choose to do this, though, make sure that your essay a) is very clear about the original source of the
solution and b) includes an argument about why the changes you propose will be beneficial.
Also, the solution does not necessarily have to be one that will solve 100% of the problem. If the problem or
controversy is very large and complicated, focus on improving one or two specific aspects of it. It’d be
impossible, for example, to create a believable solution to obesity in the United States in the space of 7-8
pages. What would be possible, though, is a proposal that identifies one specific cause of obesity (fast food,
say) and makes an argument for improving or mitigating the effects of that one cause.
And finally…
As with AE2, remember to use all of the tools in your rhetorical toolbox. We’ve spent time discussing and
analyzing how various authors have created a sense of ethos, have moved their audiences through appeals
to pathos, and have constructed logical claims through their logos, and so I encourage you to put them all
to work in crafting the best possible argument for your proposal!
Criteria for Evaluation:
Argument: The essay’s argument proposes a unique solution that is likely to improve the problem or
controversy. The argument is likely to persuade both a neutral and a marginally skeptical audience.
Thesis and major claims: Are specific and qualified. Claims in topic sentences advance the argument.
Evidence and Sources: All required sources are present. Appropriate evidence is cited to support all claims,
and all evidence is explained in terms of the essay’s thesis.
Causes and consequences: Are reasonably selected and seem probable.
Opposing views: Are fairly summarized (following the principle of charity), and are either thoroughly refuted
or thoughtfully conceded without damaging your own argument.
Tone, Style, Readability, and Mechanics: Tone is professional and engaging. Essay is free from distracting
grammatical and mechanical errors. Quotes are incorporated into the writer’s own prose. MLA citation (intext and bibliography) is correct and consistent.
Course Rationale: This essay is the capstone of this course. It combines many of the argumentative
modes that we’ve discussed this semester, and it asks you to develop the critical thinking you’ve put into
your essay topic this semester. This is a challenging assignment, but you’ve all grown by leaps and bounds
as writers and arguers this semester, and I know you’re up for the task!