ENGWR 300
Paper #4: Proposal Argument
First draft due: April 16. Bring 2 copies of a completed draft (at least 6 pages)
Second draft due: April 18. Bring 2 copies of finished draft (at least 8 pages)
For this, your final paper, you will propose a solution to a problem. The problem (some area that does not work well) will be pulled from your topic (community) for paper #3. By this time, you will be very well acquainted with the topic, so you should also be aware of some of the “issues” that arise. You need to identify the problem, define it, and then explain the seriousness of it.
Then you will propose a solution. It is possible to be quite creative in your proposed solution but be sure to keep it workable. Carefully describe your solution--the steps involved to realize it--and then argue for its efficacy. Your goal is to convince readers that your solution is the best way to solve the problem. Therefore, you must offer reasons for your solution and support them. Support could take the form of analogies with similar successful solutions, data and statistics, research or studies done by authorities, and personal experience.
As always with an argument, you must consider any objections or reservations that readers might have about the proposed solution. You will probably find that you can accommodate some questions readers might have, but obviously, you must refute most. You need also to convince readers that your solution is preferable to other possible alternatives. So do acknowledge at least one alternative solution and show how it would not work as well as yours.
Obviously, this paper requires research. It needs at least 5 outside sources and must therefore be accompanied by a Works Cited page. As for paper #3, sources relating to your topic must be found in the databases provide by SCC’s library. You might also find that one or more of the sources you used for paper #3 will be useful, and if so, make sure not to copy the same material from paper #3 but to find material in the source that pertains to paper #4 and that is relevant to a problem or solution.
Paper Length: 8-10 pages. Less than 8 full pages will earn you a D grade
Font type and size: Times New Roman; 12.
** Remember to consult your text book on tips to avoid plagiarism, to smoothly integrate sources in your paper, and to format correctly the Works Cited page.
NOTE: (1) Grade points will be docked for poor integration of sources and an incorrectly
formatted Works Cited page.
(2) If you plagiarize, even if only a few sentences or a paragraph, the paper earns
an F ( zero points).
(3) On April 2nd and April 4th, the week after spring break, you will do in-class
writing on all your sources. Check the syllabus. This means you must start
researching asap.
Important Parts of a Proposal
Intro paragraph:
the problem thoroughly described
the proposal (solution) offered-----this is the thesis, your argument
First Body Paragraph:
an explanation of the proposal-----help the reader to see it clearly even
if you describe a sequence of steps to achieve it.
Second and Subsequent Paragraphs:
Each of these body paragraphs will begin with a topic sentence (one
reason of support for your proposal).
This is the part where you argue for your proposal-----that is, you offer
several reasons why/how your proposal will work or is feasible.
Support for each reason should be in the form of analogies,
examples, statistics, authorities, experience, reasoning. Remember
logos, pathos, and ethos. Remember to cite correctly.
New Paragraph:
speculate about opposition to your proposal----describe it, concede to
parts, and then refute respectfully.
New Paragraph:
consider at least one alternate solution----describe it, concede to parts
and then refute respectfully, showing/finding/explaining how your
proposal will work better.
Conclusion:
conclude by reinforcing the feasibility or sense of your proposal
The above is also the organization of a proposal paper J.