Writing Project(Limits length to 700-800 words) and Self Evaluation

WP#2

Writing Project #2: Toulmin Argument 

“The more opinion is grounded on rich experience and deep study, the better the quality of our public discourse about the issues that matter to us.” –Mike Rose

For WP #2, you will select a topic of importance to your community, research that topic, select an appropriate local or regional newspaper, and write a 700-800 word op-ed that argues for a change in action, one that is addressed to a non-expert public audience. In order to provide relevant data to support your claims, you will be expected to research your topic, including library and internet research, and possibly primary research such as conducting interviews or surveys germane to your topic. You will also incorporate at least two visuals (a table, figure, graphic, photo, etc.) to support your argument, which will implement the Toulmin model outlined in The Well-Crafted Argument.

The op-ed argument will be similar to what’s found in the Sunday opinion section of the Denver Post; Rose’s “Writing for the Public” provides great insight into this genre.

Please don’t write your op-ed about these topics: the death penalty, gun control, legalizing weed (or other drugs), lowering the drinking age in the US, or abortion.

Timeline: See Schedule

Scoring Guide for WP #2: Toulmin Argument (75 points)

(10%) Writing Process: Peer review deadline and participation

(5%) Reflection: thoughtful self evaluation

(30%) Argument

• Claim
  • Open to challenge
  • Sophisticated and carefully worded
• Warrant(s)
  • Implicit or explicit
  • Ethically grounded
  • Backing
• Audience awareness
  • Audience identified
  • Appropriate tone, diction, style
  • Qualifiers with audience in mind

(30%) Evidence

• Research: Data and Grounds
  • Research introduced, explained, unpacked when needed
• Use of visual(s)
  • Labeled and titled
  • Analyzed and explained

(25%) Organizations and Conventions

• Edited and well-polished
• Limits length to 700-800 words.
• Identifies sources when needed in body of op-ed. No formal MLA/APA citations.
• Varies paragraph length and sentence length for rhetorical impact
• Uses hook, push, turn

WP #2: Self Evaluation

Complete the following questions on this word document. Save as lastnameWP2.doc.

To submit, upload to the WP #2 Assignment drop box, and attach this document into your post. Be sure to include the blank WP #2 Scoring Guide

1. What is your exact word count (copy and paste into a MS word doc)?
2. What specific newspaper (and in which part of the country – the state or city) would be the best venue for publishing your Op-Ed and why?
3. What did you like about writing in the condensed op-ed style (hook, push, turn)?
4. What warrant(s) or unstated assumptions, lay the foundation of your argument, connecting your claim to your evidence?
5. What evidence best supports your position and is most persuasive to your audience?
6. How specifically did you tailor your argument to your public, non-expert audience  by using snap and sizzle in your language and op-ed structure, breaking free from academese? Provide two examples.
7. How do the visuals improve your argument and why?
8. I received my best feedback from __(colleague’s name)___.

As a result, when I revised, I changed _________ and ______________ because __________ and _________.

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