English 104.069
Collins-Frohlich
The Rhetoric of Conflict
Overview: As we all know, belonging to a particular community can often be challenging,
especially when issues arise in the community. Sometimes these issues can divide a community
into factions or they can strengthen the sense of shared identity. Regardless of the outcome, no
community is immune to the impact of conflict. In the previous two essays we have examined
individual and community identity in order to understand how it is formed and the tensions that
frequently arise between those on the on the inside and outside of a particular group. With essay
three, we will further explore the concept of identity by examining the rhetoric communities use
talk about and approach issues that arise. This also provides the opportunity to hone our research
skills as well as expand our understanding of voice, organization, effective use of resources,
rhetorical analysis and argument as we write about an issue of public concern.
Prompt: In 8 pages present a multi-faceted discussion of a community issue that seeks to
explain what is at stake for all involved, how this impacts community identity, and how
communities go about presenting the issue to others within and outside of the community.
Ultimately, you will not provide a solution to the issue, but will instead offer suggestions for how
the community might approach the issue in the future. To achieve this, you will examine
multiple perspectives (insider, outsider, indifferent) through primary and secondary research and
analyze the rhetoric these different groups use to present their perspective on the issue. As with
essay two, you will need to plan and complete primary research as well as conduct secondary
research.
Some Questions to Consider:
What would a reader need to know about the community issue you’ve chosen?
How long has this been an issue?
What is at stake for the community?
What is your role in this community issue?
What is the insider perspective? Outsider?
How has the issue impacted the community?
How has this issue affected perception of the community?
How do insiders define or describe the issue? Outsiders?
Do all members of the group feel this is an issue?
What is the range of perspectives?
How has the group approached the issue to date?
How do the different sides of the issue present their perspective?
How have others written about this issue? Have others written about this?
Resource Requirements: For this essay you will be expected to conduct and incorporate
primary research. You will also need to include one shared text, one periodical, two scholarly
articles, and one other resource of your choosing. These resources will need to be incorporated
into your essay using a combination of summary, paraphrase and direct quotation. Also, make
sure that you follow correct MLA format for in-text citations and include a works cited page.
Length: Minimum length is eight full, double spaced pages of text in 12- point Times New
Roman font with 1 inch margins. You must include a works cited page, but this does count
towards the eight page requirement. Essays containing fewer than 8 full pages of text will not
receive a passing grade.
Grade Weight and Criteria: This essay will account for 250 points or 25% toward your final
grade. See pages UK18 to UK22 in The St. Martin’s Handbook for more information on grading.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when you use someone else’s words, ideas, or sentence structure
without using documentation to acknowledge the original author. Plagiarism will result in a
failing grade for the essay, and in major cases, the course.
Project Three Schedule: This schedule outlines the readings and major project due dates for
essay one. All readings listed are required and should be read carefully for class on the day they
are listed. Although this schedule includes readings and due dates, it does not include everything
we will be doing in class, so attending every day is vital to being prepared for completing project
one to the best of your ability. Unless indicated, all readings can be found in The Engaged
Citizen.
10.15 Expanded Introduction to Project Three/ Film: Stranger With A Camera/ Invention
exercises
10.20 Second Annotated Bib Entry Due/ Reece’s Moving Mountains/ Effectively Using
Rhetorical Devices
10.22 Solnit’s Detroit Arcadia/ Images as Argument/ Structure
10.27 Third Annotated Bib Entry Due/ Kingsolver’s Lily’s Chickens/ Synthesizing Research
10.29 Krugman’s Confronting Inequality/Presenting Multiple Perspectives
11.3 Rough Drafts Due to Peer Groups/Tremblay’s Seeing Red (AWE)
11.5 Peer Review
11.10 Marin’s Helping and Hating the Homeless/ Sentence Length and Variety
11.12 Final Draft Due