Understanding Argument
Freshman Composition teaches students the Elements of Argument. Argument is present in our lives every day, and even though the topics change over time, the structure, style, and organization of academic argument writing does not. See the information about proposal argument construction as well as the embedded links for help. The source items you find online are not necessarily reliable or credible; however, they are intended to stimulate conversation, argument ideas, and provide a springboard to stimulate your argument on the topic. You should use sources found through the library for the most reliable support. As you review ideas from the Internet, keep in mind the aspects for evaluating a verbal or written argument to be able to rate how logical the arguments being presented are in the source. Look forlogical support, reliable sources to defend the argument, and possible manipulation through fallacies or inductive reasoning to gather ideas for your argument, your rebuttal of counter-arguments, and your evaluation of the overall topic.
Elements of a Proposal Argument
Choose a problem that is important or interesting to you and propose a solution to it. If you are assigned a problem to propose a solution to in your paper, be sure that you fully understand what your instructor is expecting you to focus on in the essay.
Your proposal should include the following elements:
1. A claim that
· proposes specific action, whether a change of practice or policy, to resolve a problem or need, and
· is suitable for your audience.
2. Evidence and reasons that
· show clearly the problem and its significance,
· clearly relate the proposal claim to the problem or need, and
· show that the proposal will work and resolve the problem or need.
3. A consideration of
· other proposals, and
· possible rebuttals to your proposal.
Audience
Proposals are generally addressed to someone who can do something with them, and they are accompanied by a cover letter that introduces the proposal to that specific person or persons. For example, if you were writing a policy proposal based on a social issue, you might name your senator or representative as the individual capable of taking action, but it must be the correct senator or representative for your voting district. If you feel that the senator or representative might not listen, then you might address your proposal to a specific group or organization that the senator or representative might listen to. When learning the art of writing a proposal essay in a writing course, you simply need to begin with a title page, abstract, and then launch into your essay—beginning with your INTRODUCTION paragraph.
Some tips to help you
Propose changes on the issue that will be manageable. For instance, proposing changes to the whole medical system requires an enormous amount of research and expertise. Instead, propose specific, small changes to the approach to opioid prescription, manufacture, or addiction treatment. You will not simply propose something another author has published. You want to consider others’ views but be unique and creative in your approach to the problem as well. In some situations, you can talk to the people involved in opioid manufacture, distribution, or use. Find out why something has or has not been tried, and adapt your proposal to what you find out. If you have the opportunity to talk with your audience, you have a better chance of understanding what the problem is from their perspective and be able to make a better proposal that they will at least listen to.
Brainstorm to find out how much you already know about a narrow, local issue which is a problem. Brainstorm and research who the right audience would be for your proposal. Use your own research (interviews, surveys, graphs, polls) and library research to understand the issues surrounding the crisis. Document your sources accurately both in your text and in your bibliography. Your research should show that other problems like yours exist in the world, that people are concerned about them, that they are serious, that there are counterarguments and criticisms to your solution, and that there are solutions that can solve these problems.
General Comments
· Consider the values of your audience.
· Use details and vivid examples (if possible, of real incidents and statistics).
· Create credibility by looking at the problem objectively, not as a complainer.
Writing the proposal
The following sections explain the shape of this proposal paper and give the section content that you should use in your own paper. All academic writing must be in 3rd person voice, and so please remember to NOT use “I” (1st person voice) or “US” (2nd person voice) type pronouns in the writing.
Title Page
ALL writings require a Title page. This one-page cover introduces your audience to the problem, its significance, and your proposal to solve the problem based on your unique title. It should be double-spaced, include your name, instructor name, course, date of creation (in military layout—day month year) your declared degree at your institution, and the documentation formatting style that will be used: APA, MLA, or Turabian. Depending on your formatting style, you may also have a Running Header embedded beyond the page margins of the paper.
ALL writings require a Title page. This one-page cover introduces your audience to the problem, its significance, and your proposal to solve the problem based on your unique title. It should be double-spaced, include your name, instructor name, course, date of creation (in military layout—day month year) your declared degree at your institution, and the documentation formatting style that will be used: APA, MLA, or Turabian. Depending on your formatting style, you may also have a Running Header embedded beyond the page margins of the paper.
Abstract Page
If you are required to use APA formatting for your degree, then you will create an Abstract page. This section summarizes the problem, its background, the proposal, and justification in one paragraph. It will not present your actual thesis statement, nor will it have any source information or questions. This is simply an overview for the reader to understand the focus of the paper.
If you are required to use APA formatting for your degree, then you will create an Abstract page. This section summarizes the problem, its background, the proposal, and justification in one paragraph. It will not present your actual thesis statement, nor will it have any source information or questions. This is simply an overview for the reader to understand the focus of the paper.
Essay Structure
Problem
This is a one-sentence description of the problem. This can be anywhere in your introduction paragraph; however, using the first sentence ‘hook’ to assert the problem is often powerful to readers.
This is a one-sentence description of the problem. This can be anywhere in your introduction paragraph; however, using the first sentence ‘hook’ to assert the problem is often powerful to readers.
Background to the problem
· This section is an introduction to the problem.
· Describe the problem, its background/history, and its significance BRIEFLY.
· Convince your audience that it's a real problem and something needs to be done about it. Sometimes, a reader might initially respond by saying, "Oh, that stuff again." So you need somehow to make it personal or show how it affects the reader.
If some people may be skeptical about your topic as an issue or your proposal as not being needed, this is a good place to first insert opposing viewpoints, before continuing on with your own proposal.
For example: Even though prohibition of alcohol in the United States caused a rise in illegal activities across the nation, a well-crafted law to limit the manufacture, distribution, and consumption of opioids could benefit the American people by ending the opioid crisis.
Proposal
After showing a problem really exists in the introduction,you need to show your solution, one which is solvable, doable, and practical. You will need to carefully outline your proposal prior to beginning the writing of the paragraphs. When you construct your outline and essay, be sure to follow proper content flow and presentation: The Hamburger Method and Source Sandwich structure.
After showing a problem really exists in the introduction,you need to show your solution, one which is solvable, doable, and practical. You will need to carefully outline your proposal prior to beginning the writing of the paragraphs. When you construct your outline and essay, be sure to follow proper content flow and presentation: The Hamburger Method and Source Sandwich structure.
· how much money it will cost,
· who will be responsible for implementing it,
· how easily it can be implemented,
· how much time it will take to set it up and make it work,
· what kinds of materials and labor are needed to make it work,
· how it addresses the problem,
· etc.
Use causal arguments: Show how one consequence will lead to another until the problem is solved. However, be careful to not slip into fallacious use of argument in your writing.
Use analogy: Perhaps your solution or a similar one elsewhere is successful.
Use precedent: Perhaps your solution or a similar has been successful in the past. If a similar solution was not successful, show how your situation is different so that the solution will now work in your situation.
Use analogy: Perhaps your solution or a similar one elsewhere is successful.
Use precedent: Perhaps your solution or a similar has been successful in the past. If a similar solution was not successful, show how your situation is different so that the solution will now work in your situation.
Justification
Give reasons for your audience to implement your proposal (other than those which relate to its being able to solve the problem by giving arguments from the heart and from values).
Give reasons for your audience to implement your proposal (other than those which relate to its being able to solve the problem by giving arguments from the heart and from values).
Show how the benefits of your solution outweigh the costs. If the costs are high, appeal to the values of the audience by showing that your proposal will lead to actions that lead to consequences that your audience values. Use logical reasoning for the best support.
Counter-arguments: Rebuttal of opposing views
(This section is best presented as one of the final body-paragraphs of the essay, after the proposal and justification sections.)
(This section is best presented as one of the final body-paragraphs of the essay, after the proposal and justification sections.)
Conclusion
Sum up the main points and state your case clearly and directly, so that your audience feels convinced to do something about the problem: preferably to adopt your proposal.
Sum up the main points and state your case clearly and directly, so that your audience feels convinced to do something about the problem: preferably to adopt your proposal.
Create the title of your essay from the last sentence of your conclusion paragraph. This last sentence should be strong and meaningful to both the proposal topic and persuading the reader.
Create an Original Title
SOURCES USED PAGE
Bibliography
Use the appropriate Turabian, APA, or MLA style for your full source listing as a separate page after the end of the essay. Do not use weak, unsubstantiated sources—such as Wikipedia and personal blog sites. You must use academic sources that are reliable and credible.
Use the appropriate Turabian, APA, or MLA style for your full source listing as a separate page after the end of the essay. Do not use weak, unsubstantiated sources—such as Wikipedia and personal blog sites. You must use academic sources that are reliable and credible.
Since I am an English instructor, my primary documentation style is MLA format. However, given your declared major, you may be required to format your sources and paper in Turabian or APA. See the links below for additional help in formatting, and below that you will find MLA specific help.
FORMAT
Proper formatting is very important to both your internal writing and source citing. In this section, you will learn about formatting your internal content (the essay) in proper page format and visual structure. You will also see visual samples of how to format sources within the essay as well as in the Works Cited page.
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