Proposal Argument Essay
My Topic: How to Improve Classroom Participation.
Problem: Students don’t participate in class discussions because they are already getting participation points for just showing up to class.
Solution: Give the students extra participation points if they participate in class discussions or ask questions in class.
Write a 1,500-1,750-word proposal using five to seven academic resources. Follow your instructor’s guidance as to whether it should be a policy or a practical proposal and as to the range of topics allowed. The voice and style of your argument should be aimed at your target audience. Remember to not use first person pronouns (I, me, us, we, our, my, mine) or second person pronouns (you, your, yours), unless given permission by your instructor. Your proposal should have the following features:
Identify the problem of why students don’t participate in class.
Persuade the audience that you have selected that this is a problem that needs solving; give it presence.
Propose action offering specific details to show how the actions will help alleviate the problem.
Justify your solution(giving the students extra credit for participating in class) by providing the reasons why your audience should accept your proposal and act on it.
This essay is NOT simply a persuasive essay. It is an argumentative proposal that offers a practical and justifiable solution to a problem.
Practical Proposal Argument
This essay presents a solution to local or immediate problems. Make sure you are not addressing a global problem, as that is too broad and you will not be able to discuss effectively in 1500 words. (All topics should be approved by 3/31)
7th edition APA format must be followed. 5-7 resources are required, and 3 of these resources MUST be peer reviewed journal articles. If you do not meet this requirement, you will lose format points.
Outline for this proposal argument:
Introduction
1. Hook
2. Background – this time it actually will be about your topic!
3. Thesis statement – this MUST be the last sentence of introduction and should follow the model of Who should do what (Who refers to members of the audience who can implement a solution and what is your actual proposed solution. This has to be specific!
Define Problem 1
1. Topic Sentence
2. What is the problem
3. For whom is it a problem? You will want to make sure you explain how this affects your audience. If it is more of an individual problem or does not affect more than a handful of people, it will not be defined effectively as a problem
Define Problem 2
1. Topic Sentence
2. Why should audience care about the problem
3. Why has the problem not been solved.
Propose Solution 1
1. Topic sentence (Simply state what your solution is)
2. Explain ALL the steps necessary to make the solution work
Propose Solution 2
1. Topic sentence
2. Costs associated with the problem. Do not limit this to merely the financial costs associated with making solution work. What other types of costs will be part of the solution?
Justification Positive
1. Topic Sentence
2. Benefits of implementing the solution. Make sure to explain how and why they are beneficial.
Justification Negative
1. Topic Sentence
2. Negative consequences associated with implementing the solution. I would caution stating that there are not any negative consequences. Your audience will be skeptical of this.
Conclusion
1. Re-emphasize main points. No more than 2-3 sentences
2. Call to action. Why should your audience care about this solution?
3. Concluding sentence: reference back to hook.
