Issue Report Prompt
As we’ve learned this semester, the first step to being a persuasive writer is to genuinely listen to what people are saying about the issue so that you know how to proceed. As a result, this background assignment is essential to your success as a thoughtful, ethical, and empathetic rhetor.
For your chosen issue, please provide the following:
Topic. What is the issue you’ll be researching? Why are you interested in it? (1 paragraph)
Context. What is the history of the topic? Pivotal events/moments? How did we get to where we are? (1 page, single-spaced)
Viewpoint Summaries. Detail the prevailing, opposing viewpoints on the topic. These summaries should include the key players, claims, and demands. (1 page, single-spaced)
Viewpoint Analysis. Provide a brief analysis of the viewpoints. What are the motivations, assumptions, maneuvers behind each viewpoint? What are the viewpoint’s strengths and weaknesses and why? (1 page or more, single-spaced)
Annotated Bibliography. Provide annotations for at least twelve (12) sources on the issue. These sources can be a mixture of scholarly and popular sources (mainstream newpapers, magazines, etc.) Just make sure your source distribution is balanced between the viewpoints.
Before you submit your report, be sure to do the following:
1. Cite your sources in MLA.
2. Provide headings for your paper.
3. Proofread.
50 points
