Inspiration Article

Prompt B

If a less-open ended prompt appeals to you, consider using the problem-solution model for your project. A problem-solution paper asserts that X is a problem and that Y is the best solution to that problem, offering evidence to show that X is a problem and to prove that Y is the best solution to it. In this assignment, your purpose is to persuade your reader that a specific and significant problem (of your choosing) exists. Then, you should identify at least three potential solutions to the problem, evaluate and/or defend these solutions (using refutation), and persuade your reader to accept your evaluation of which solution (or solutions) is/are most useful.

In response to Prompt B, be sure to do the following in the body of your essay:

1. Establish that a specific problem exists. Examine the causes of the problem. Provide detailed support to prove that the problem is significant. Explain to readers how this problem affects them. Be sure to present only ONE problem.

2. Present three solutions to the problem. Describe and explain the solutions. Provide detailed support to persuade readers that your solutions are effective. Begin with the least effective approach (the first solution could even be a solution that you think is ineffective) and end with the most effective solution.

3. Use refutation to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions. You might concede when evaluating the first solution that it is ineffective. This is a good way of criticizing a contemporary popular solution that you find ineffective. Then, in the refutation of your second solution, you might concede and refute the critics. Presumably, in your refutation for your final and best solution, you will focus on defending your solution against objections. The general movement of refutation should be as follows: 1) identify and summarize objections to your solutions; 2) then, concede (partially); and/or 3) refute the objections.

For Both Prompts

What I’ll Be Thinking When Evaluating Your Researched Argument:

· Is your thesis clear, complex, but unified, and strong?

· Does your thesis statement offer an insightful, dynamic point of view (one that does not merely echo one of your sources)?

· Does the rest of your essay follow the “map” outlined in your thesis paragraph?

· Is your research relevant and strong? Are you using it accurately to support your argument?

· How well do you use quotations?

· Are your introduction and conclusion effective? Memorable? Distinctive?

· Do you stay on topic? Is the writing organized and not repetitive?

· Are you using the elements of counter-argument or refutation to deepen the thinking about the topic?

· Are there too many grammar/usage/structure errors that distort or confuse meaning?

· Do you properly cite and document your sources using MLA in-text citations and a works cited page?

· Have you used at least three scholarly sources and three popular sources?

Crucial information:

· The research process is unpredictable and ideas often evolve over time. Don’t be surprised if your original ideas change and get more detailed and specific . The direction of your own arguments and opinions may surprise you! For example, someone may intend to write about driverless cars and how they will improve city traffic, but after the research process, she may come to the conclusion that driverless cars can only safely reduce traffic if they are used widespread for fleet usage going at low mph.

· It is imperative that your argument be specific: a claim about “reality TV shows” would be better than one looking at “television programming,” but an analysis of “The Voice and one of its imitators” would be the best of the three.

· Topic selection is crucial to the eventual paper’s quality. Some topics will require you to think, to stretch, to make a difficult case; those are the good ones. Others, sometimes very tempting, will seem obvious, free of challenge; those you should avoid, as they’ll very likely produce bland papers. Students often choose absurdly straightforward thesis statements (such as that smoking is unhealthy and should be discouraged); and, because such claims don’t need to be proven, the research paper flops.

· Don’t expect the rough draft to be perfect. You should be prepared to make major changes

between the rough and revised drafts.

Sources

This assignment requires that you incorporate a total of six sources, minimum, into your paper, including one scholarly source. Of course, you are welcome to have more than six sources!

But what is a scholarly source? A scholarly or academic source could be an article from a scholarly journal, a chapter from an academic book (i.e., a book published by an academic press), or statistical data from a government database. A non-academic source would be an article from a magazine, newspaper, or website; an editorial from a newspaper, a film, a popular book, a music album, etc.

The annotated bibliography assignment will help you engage your sources early enough to get something meaningful out of them, or, in some cases, to decide that the source is not worth using in your paper. As you already know from previous assignments, the annotated bibliography is a scholarly tool that will help your project stay on track and help me to see your progress toward a viable project.

Due dates for drafts and scaffold assignments

Inspiration article:

Proposal:

Annotated Bibliography (2 sources):

Annotated Bibliography (6 sources):

Outline:

Rough Draft:

Final Draft: