Essay Proposal
Chris Pool
English103IssueProposalInstructions.docx· Choose an issue from “The Reader” (chapters 15-21). You may chose an issue directly stated in “The Reader,” or you may choose an issue that falls under one of the topics in “The Reader.” If you’re not sure that your issue is appropriate, please email me BEFORE you write your proposal.
· Test your chosen issue with the twelve tests worksheet (page 34).
· Write a proposal that follows the principles below:
Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue by providing brief background information based on what you already know and indicate which section it connects to in “The Reader.” Present your chosen issue in question form at the end of the paragraph. (This question can be stated exactly as it appears in “The Reader,” or you can modify it.) Paragraph 2: Explain why this issue is compelling to you. Why did you choose it? Do you have personal experience with the issue or know someone who has? Paragraph 3: Describe what you already know about the issue. If you’ve experienced this issue or know someone who has, chances are you have information about the issue. The goal is to present what you already know. Do NOT do research to find information at this point. Paragraph 4: Explain what more you need to know about the issue by asking a series of thought-provoking and detailed questions. Be specific. This paragraph will include a list of questions to be researched furtherThere is a sample issue proposal written by a student on page 40 of our text. Consider the sample as model, but note that I would like to see more detailed information provided in paragraphs 3 and 4 of your papers. The more thoughtful questions you come up with at this point, the easier it will be for you later on. Your issue proposal should be double-spaced and follow MLA format. It should be a minimum of one full page, but should not be more than two pages long. All of your essays this semester will be submitted to the directly to the assignment in Canvas.
Review Instructions for the Issue Proposal--Essay 1
Your first essay for this class will be a 1-2 page “Issue Proposal," and it is due at the end of week 4. Click on the Issue Proposal link to view/save the instructions:
Criteria 1--Issue Proposal Topics:
For your issue proposal, you will select an issue that will be the subject of all three essays and your final research project. The issue that you select MUST be included in (or directly related to) one of the topic categories in "The Reader" portion of your textbook--chapters 15-21. Each chapter provides a series of articles and issues on a variety of broader topics.
Criteria 2--Issue Proposal Focus:
This week, you should read 2-3 of the articles presented in one of the reader sections (chapters 15-21). Each chapter presents a series of focused articles on a broad topic (technology, the environment, war and peace, etc.). You may create an issue question related to the readings assigned within chapters 15-21 or you may choose one of the issue questions presented within the chapter(s). Please note, however, that the broad questions presented at the beginning are not appropriate questions for this assignment. For example, chapter 16 on "modern technology," begins with the broad question, "how are digital technologies changing the way we live?" This question is too general for a focused issue question; you would need to select a more narrow issue question related to that broad question. One example presented in the readings is an article by Nicholas Carr about automation. A focused issue question might be "Is automation making us dumb?" Nicholas Carr is also known for another famous essay on the issue of technology: "Is Google Making Us stupid?" You can see that both questions are related to the broad issue of digital technologies, but they are more focused. In the first example, the question is related to "automation," more specifically; in the second question, Carr is exploring how the Internet has rewired our brains and changed the way we read and process information. Another potential issue question presented within that chapter is "Are video games making us smarter?" A discussion of one of these focused topics can be substantive and detailed; whereas, if you begin with a topic that is too broad, your discussion (in the final research project) may be diffuse and lack coherence. Feel free to contact me if you need help narrowing your focus or if you would like me to review your issue question.
Criteria 3--Issue Proposal Controversy:
Your issue question should also be controversial. For Essay 2 you will be asked to present at least three competing "answers" or perspectives with regard to your question. And for Essay 3, you will persuade your reader that your answer or perspective with regard to the issue is the most valid. If no one would disagree with your answer and/or if you do not have to present arguments/support and critical thinking to support your answer, then your issue question will require some adjustment or change. Contact me if you are concerned about the issue question you are considering.
If you have additional questions or concerns about structure/organization for essay 1, you may also view the models provided in the "Student Samples" area of the course site. All of the essays in the samples area were written by Cypress College students in previous semesters, and they all received grades in the proficient-excellent categories (A/B).
