Purpose: to write an essay that develops logical and effective organization of ideas and a conclusion that opens up the argument to wider application; develop well-qualified claims with reasons and with evidence that are appropriate to the audience.
Assignment: Write a multi-paragraph proposal essay on a topic from your causal analysis essay. Your proposal essay should provide a detailed description of your proposal and clear reasons why your proposal should be adopted (look to your causal analysis). You will also include a counterargument paragraph where you consider the opposition to one aspect of your proposal.
Basic Outline:
I. The introduction should identify that this is a genuine problem that needs solving, with your thesis at the end of the introduction.
II. The second paragraph will give the reader any background information they may need to fully understand the problem.
III. The body paragraphs will support your thesis: Why should your proposal be adopted?
IV. The counterargument paragraph.
V. The conclusion will look towards the future; what are the next steps that should be taken to make your proposal happen?
VI. Works Cited Page
Sources: You will include at least 3 sources in this paper. You can use the same sources from your causal analysis or you can choose other sources from our course reader and/or the data bases, Opposing Viewpoints or The Houston Chronicle.
Audience: People who live and/or work in Houston who are interested in your topic.
Constraints: The essay should not be less than 4 pages (about 1000 words), word processed. The works cited page should be included on a separate page at the end of the essay, and does not count toward the four-page requirement.
Grading Criteria:
a clear thesis
an engaging introduction
a logical and effective organization of ideas in the form of a proposal
multiple, focused supporting paragraphs
paragraphs that represent alternative positions
effective use of sources
a conclusion that opens up the argument to wider application
sentences that are relatively free from error so that the meaning is understandable
a works cited page