problem solution argument essay

Essay Assignment: Problem Solution Argument Essay

Prompt: In a Persuasive Argument, you will build from the research and analytical skills you developed thus far to identify a problem and advocate for a way to address, solve, or resolve that problem. Identify an audience who can benefit from and participate in the solution your proposal addresses. In other words, think of a specific rhetorical situation and opportunity (i.e., draw from the knowledge you learned in Essay Assignment 1 and 2.). Your starting point, then, is to identify something you feel, with good reason, should be changed. Next, argue that a certain action should be taken to respond to or resolve that problem. Most of the paper should be devoted to advocating your plan for addressing/resolving the problem and argue for it using organizational strategies such as cost/benefit, steps, or comparison/contrast. Your essay should also address questions of feasibility.

To do this, first identify a problem with a clear solution. You can take your cues from the readings included in the book, class discussions, or discussions with your instructor. Consequently, your paper will:

articulates your position or definition of a problem;
argues for a specific solution to the problem;
Lays out a clear step-by-step implantation of the solution.

Process: Process: Before proceeding with your work on the assignment you must present your topic and text for your instructorâ€™s review and explain what makes this text an interesting subject (i.e., what is not rhetorically obvious) for rhetorical analysis through a 1-page Statement on Planned Research. This statement will layout the topic and three questions about the topic you want to study. It will also layout why you are interested in studying the topic and what you expect to learn through this analysis. The topic must be approved by your instructor.

Doing research is fundamental to putting together an effective paper. To this end you must conduct research on your topic and develop an Annotated Bibliography of at least six sources (see Annotated Bibliography Assignment Sheet).The bibliography can be changed in the final paper, but the annotated bibliography text you submitted will be a graded assignment separate from your Essay Assignment.

As you are drafting, consider how you are supporting your claims about the text. Refer to specific evidence from your research (using quotes and other concrete details) to define the problem. At the same time, consider the balance between problem and solution in your writing, specifically its practicality and feasibility. Remember that your job is not to summarize what has already been said about the issue to your reader. Your job is to articulate a clear solution in enough detail for it to be persuasive.

After drafting, revise and edit the Final Draft. Consider carefully the organization and coherence of your piece. Develop clear paragraphs that support your thesis. It is essential you incorporate feedback (from peers, from the SVWC, or Smartthinking) at this step off the process based on two completed Feedback Sheets. You must also reflect on this process and develop a Reflection Memo laying out your steps.

The Reflection Memo is meant to make you cognizant about the writing process. Based on the feedback you received, lay out your process of incorporating feedback and what you learned about the writing process as such in a 1-page memo. Your answers will not be graded for grammar, but you should try to answer as specifically and clearly as possible. The memo should explicitly answer these four questions:

What did you understand about the changes asked for in your essay by your reviewers? Be specific.
What changes did you make during the revision process and why?
What changes did you not make and why not?
What did you learn about the research process and how will you use it in the next assignment?

Format: Your final draft should be five to six pages (double-spaced, TNR font, 1â€ margins). When citing your outside source(s), follow MLA format (see IC Part 6 or Bowie State Course Library Guide for English 102.).

Deliverables: Deliverables: 1) Statement on Proposed Research, 2) Annotated Bibliography, 3) Rough Draft 4) 2-Completed Feedback Sheets, 4) Final Draft, and 6) Reflection Memo

Suggested Themes and Topics:

Social Media and Bullying
Systematic Racism and Police Shooting
Poverty in the city
Lack of family support in contemporary families
Poverty and inequality
Climate change
Industrial farming
NFL protests
Student debt
Objectification of women in advertising
Illegal and legal immigration
Child separations at the border
Environmental pollution
Internet addition
Student athletes and unpaid labor
Sports injuries â€“ NFL concussions
Texting and driving
Drunk driving
Public transportation use
DACA population
Marijuana legalization
School shootings.
Vaping and cigarettes.

Additional Topics

Proposal/Solution Argument â€“ 100 points

	A	B	C	D	F
Introduction	10-9	8	7	6	0
Introduction	It does a great job of connecting to the prompt, setting the context, and stating the audience.	It does a good job of connecting to the prompt and stating the audience.	It does not do an adequate job of connecting to the prompt and stating the audience.	It does not connect to the prompt, the subject or state the audience.	It does not fulfill either function regarding the prompt or audience. Or no assignment submitted.
Thesis	5	4	3	2	0
Thesis	A very specific closed 3-point thesis that provides a clear position and outlines the structure of the paper.	A closed 3-point thesis that presents an position being talked about in the paper.	It does not present an position or the outline of the paper.	No thesis.	No thesis.
Articulation of Problem	10-9	8	7	6	0
Articulation of Problem	The paper lays out a problem clearly and posits its significance well. It uses research to back up its overall articulation.	This paper lays out a problem and posits is significance competently. It also uses research to generally support its overall articulation.	This paper lays out a problem and posits its significance adequately. It also uses research to make its point. However, research is uneven.	This paper does not lay out its problem or posits its significance adequately. It does not use research in any real way.	This paper does not lay out its problem or posit its significance adequately. Or no assignment submitted.
Articulation of Solution	10-9	8	7	6	0
Articulation of Solution	This paper lays out a clear and significant solution to a stated problem. It makes use of organizational strategies (e.g., cost/benefit; compare/contrast; process, etc.) well. The solution is strongly backed up by research.	This paper lays out a solution competently. It makes use of organizational strategies (e.g., cost/benefit; compare/contrast; process, etc.).The solution is backed up by research.	This paper lays out a solution adequately. The use of organizational strategies has to be improved. The use of research is uneven.	This paper does not lay out a solution adequately. There is no use of any organizational strategy. It does not use research in any real way.	This paper does not layout its solution. Or no assignment submitted.
Organization	10-9	8	7	6	0
Organization	Presents ideas in a logical and cohesive sequence, with paragraphs using topic sentences and transition words or phrases well and reflecting the assigned argument.	Presents ideas in a cohesive sequence, with paragraphs using topic sentences and transition words or phrases that need to be strengthened; logic of sequence is not explicit but argument type is clear.	Presents ideas in a sequence of pars with vague transitions. Topic sentences are present but need to be revised for clarity.	Ideas are not presented in a sequence; transitions and topic sentences are not effectively used.	The essay does not represent the required argument in either sequence or ideas. Transitions and topic sentences are missing. Or no assignment submitted.
	20-18	17-15	14-13	12-11	0
Mechanics and Style	The essay demonstrates mastery in grammar and mechanics of SAE conventions. Essay has only 1-2 major errors and only 1-2 minor errors in its use of SAE	The essay demonstrates proficiency over grammar and mechanics of SAE conventions. Essay has 3-4 major errors and 3-4 minor errors in its use of SAE.	The essay demonstrates some competence over grammar and mechanics of SAE conventions. Essay has 5 major errors and 5 minor errors in its use of SAE.	The essay displays a lack of competence over grammar and mechanics of SAE conventions. Essay has 6 or more major errors and 6 or more minor errors in its use of SAE.	The essay displays no competence over grammar and mechanics of SAE conventions. Essay demonstrates a lack of control over SAE in both major and minor errors. Or no assignment submitted.
Conclusion	10-9	8	7	6	0
Conclusion	It does a great job summing up the points of the arguments, restating the position, and articulates what it means for future work.	It does a good job summing up the points of the arguments, restates the position, and articulates what it means for future work.	It does a adequate job summing up the points of the arguments and position. But it does not talk about significance to future work.	It does not sum up the points of the arguments, restates the position, and articulates what it means for future work.	It does not fulfill any of the functions of the conclusion or is missing one completely. Or no assignment submitted.
MLA citations & formatting	5	4	3	2	0
MLA citations & formatting	All sources are introduced and cited. Essay is formatted in Times New Roman, 12 pt. type. Includes a properly formatted Work Cited Page.	Most sources are introduced but all of them are cited. Essay is formatted in Times New Roman, 12 pt. type. Includes a properly formatted Work Cited Page	Only a couple of sources are introduced but all are cited. Essay is formatted in Times New Roman, 12 pt. type. Work cited page is not satisfactory.	Sources are introduced and most of them are cited. Margins are not consistent and pars are not clearly delineated. Essay may be in a type face other than Times New Roman, 12 pt. No work cited page.	Sources are neither introduced nor cited. Portions of the paper are plagiarized. Or no assignment submitted.
Review Memo	20-18	17-15	14-13	12-11	0
Review Memo	The memo clearly lists the changes made on the basis of reviewerâ€™s feedback. It lists why the changes were made and reflects on the process. It also articulates how future work will build-off what was learned.	The memo lists the changes made. It lists why the changes were made and reflects on the process.	The memo lists the chances made.	Does not list any changes or reflections.	Memo is too brief or no memo.

Annotated Bibliography

Due:

Genre/Medium:Annotated Bibliography

Prompt:The writer of an annotated bibliography complies a list of sources to build research. The form includes a brief summary of the source and your own critical assessment of its relevance, objectivity, appropriateness, and usefulness. This write-up will be similar to the writing activities you had to do in English 101. To do this assignment use the currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose (CRAAP) framework in evaluating your resources. It is a tool that helps you keep an organized and thoughtful record of the research process and relevant information about the topic.

To this end, you will put together an annotated bibliography of four sources in preparation for Assignment 1. The bibliography will include three types of textual information:

1) Two mainstream and accredited news/ magazine article,

2) Two scholarly/academic â€œpeer reviewedâ€ article,

3) Two legitimate web-based multimedia or blog-style article.

Format:Your annotated bibliographies must paragraphs must contain a topic sentence, clear evidence from the reading, and coherent sentences on a topic. It will use transitions affectively to cohere the overall piece together. It must answer: 1) What is the information in the article you are summarizing?, 2) What is your critical assessment of the article?, and 3) How you will use it in your assignment?

Instructions:

Cite in MLA-citation format the name of the article.
Draft one or two paragraphs for each of the sources you list in your annotated bibliography.
Review the information in the bibliographies with your classmates to improve the grammar of the text and consider points that might help you build your argument in Assignment 3.

Grading Rubric (100 Points):

	50-41	40-36	35-31	30-26	25-0
Content & evidence	Excellent annotated bibliographies. It lays out the aspects of the topic well, evaluates the sources effectively, and/or lays out how it will be used in the argument.	Good annotated bibliographies. It lays out the aspects of the topic well, evaluates the sources, and/or lays out its use in the argument.	It is an adequate annotated bibliographies. It lays out the aspects of the topic, but does not evaluates the sources or lay out its use in the argument.	Does not fulfill the requirements of an annotated bibliographies.	Paragraphs are too poorly written to be useful or no paragraphs presented.
Information Literacy	50-41	40-36	35-31	30-26	25-0
Information Literacy	Citation is correct. It also provides specific evaluations about the appropriateness of the medium and the information for academic research.	Citation is correct. It provides specific evaluations about the appropriateness of the medium.	Citation is correct. Citation is accurate. It needs to speak to the appropriateness of the medium and the information for academic research.	Citation is not correct. Does not include any information about the medium and appropriateness for academic research.	Citation and assessment are not adequate or no citations provided.

problem solution argument essay

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