Sunday, January 27, 2019

Basics for Proposal Arguments

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BASICS FOR PROPOSAL ARGUMENTS

proposal argument requires you to (1) research a social issue, (2) learn about current steps being taken to alleviate the issue, and then (3) form your own opinion on what needs to be done to eliminate the issue—since the current strategies are not showing signs of relief on the issue yet.

While some of the current strategies may seem plausible—if given enough time to work—you will only use existing strategies as part of your proposal if you are able to fully explain steps of the strategy that would make it fool-proof (I know…nothing is fool-proof, but be as fool-proof as you can).

Once you have decided on at least three strategies that you believe will alleviate the current issue (A, B, and C), you need to (4) think through who would be in charge of handling such reform.  (5) How much would it cost?  (6) How long would it take to implement the strategy and see positive effects?  (7) What community resources could you use—or reach out to—for assistance with your proposal to eliminate the social issue?
For example, are there current church, school, or community programs in place that you could use, ask for assistance inclusion of, or work into your proposal?  Are there funds for remedying such a social issue through the Department of Healthy Families?

After gathering your ideas, looking at current strategies, working on strategies you believe will benefit eliminating the issue, you need to think through what you want to argue as your proposal to the issue.  Let's say the issue is feral cats across America.  After researching what is currently being done to alleviate this issue, you might decide that your preliminary thesis is...

To eliminate the feral cat population growth in America, all cat food manufacturers must support the spaying/neutering of feral cats (by local animal control centers) through a 1% taxation program.

While I would have to conduct much research on the manufacturer and sales of cat food in the United States, the current cost and budget approved for spaying/neutering feral cats by animal control, and the cat-lovers of America's willingness to possibly incur this 1% tax in the hope of helping to keep feral cats healthy and pregnancy-free.  Which will--in turn--keep their own fur-babies safer from male-cat encounters and pregnant female cats showing up to share meals with their own pets.  The proposal argument requires much research, thought, and creativity.

You should assume that your topic will be much more controversial than my sample about feral cats across America; however, the point of a proposal argument is to:
1.  Assess the current situation, 
2.  Research the current strategies being used to curb the issue,
 3.  Figure out your own ideas for fixing the social issue, and 
4.  Consider the current social programs that might benefit your proposal for reform.  
5.  Craft a thesis that argues a proposal for the social issue.



Please keep in mind that you are not simply writing about an issue (such as the opioid crisis). 

This is not a research paper.




You are also not writing about how you ‘feel’ about an issue (such as the opioid crisis). 

This is not an opinion piece.




You need to argue a solution for the assigned issue topic (such as the opioid crisis in America) and defend your argument with reliable and credible source content.

This is a Proposal Argument.




The goal for this first essay is to familiarize you with arguments, making proposals, and source integration. Write in 3rd person voice. Interested in seeing some sample Proposal Argument Thesis Statements?  Click HERE.



Navigate the Proposal Argument Booklet

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Essay 3 Cause/Effect Argument

Design and Development Handouts

· Know the Guidelines: Cause/Effect Argument Essay Writing—view the planning, outlining, and development handouts for the cause/effect essay.

· Sample thesis for a causal argument: this handout shows a sample cause/effect THESIS, the break-down of that THESIS, and how the essay would be structured to develop and argue the THESIS.

· Flow, Length, and Content of a Typical Body-paragraph: a specific break-down of what is expected in a well-developed body-paragraph of an argument paper.

· Need Ideas for Cause/Effect Essay??: this handout provides 'spring-board' articles and images to help you think through how you feel about the topic and possible cause/effect relationships. These are not scholarly sources. They are simply readings to help you understand different ideas surrounding the issue.