Journal 10: A Modest Proposal

After reading Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, please write a reflection on the piece in 500 words or less. As you reflect on the piece, discuss how this piece is effective as a proposal in terms of the reading you've been doing. How does Swift structure his piece? What supporting evidence does he provide to make his points? What are these supporting points? How is this piece effective? What is the satirical tone meant to mock?

Journal Nine: Finding a Controversial Topic

For this journal entry, I want you to find three different links to newspaper articles, each one focused on a different current issue that truly sparks your interest. For each link: I want you to give me a brief summary of the issue and then tell me what your stance on that issue is. This is meant to get you thinking about a topic for your fourth paper: The Proposal. It will be important that you pick a controversial, relevant, and timely topic for your paper. I do not want you arguing for the merits of using sunscreen -- that is obvious and not controversial at all. Controversy will be the heart of why your paper topic merit's a discussion. So think about this when finding possible topics for your paper.

Assignment #4: Proposal

Purpose

A proposal paper aims to establish a specific plan of action or solution to a problem. Identify an interesting problem or issue that merits your taking a stand; translate your stand (or position) into a thesis statement that proposes a solution; support your proposal with specific details and examples; and marshal your reasoning and appeals to persuade others to accept your proposal by modifying their thinking, behavior, or influence.

Invention

Keep in mind as you brainstorm/draft:

Ø  You might begin by thinking about what your proposal paper might accomplish: Solve a problem. Change a behavior. Introduce new policy or procedure.

Ø  Given these typical aims, your audience could range from one that is completely unsympathetic to your proposal to one that is understanding and ready to be persuaded to action.

Ø  Make sure that your proposed topic is a problem with a debatable but realistic solution.

Ø  Drawing from Chapters 10-13 of the HGW, consider which available means are going to be most effective for making your major claim or for supporting points. A paper could deploy definition, comparison, cause-and-effect analysis, process analysis, or narration (or a combination of these available means) in order to argue for your proposal. (For example: perhaps you want to propose a plan for healthier dining options in the residence hall. A paper might deploy cause and effect related to the so-called “Freshmen 15” and incorporate a short narrative involving an acquaintance of yours who is struggling to find healthy dining choices before proposing a specific course of action).

Expectations

A successful proposal paper will:

1.      Define the situation or problem that calls for your attention (exigence);

2.      Establish an audience who is (or should be) invested in this situation or problem;

3.      Communicate your purpose (to offer a specific solution to the previously identified problem);

4.      Marshal emotional appeals, logical reasoning, details and examples to enhance your points;

5.      Employ a tone that expresses your opinion and advances your proposal without being confrontational;

6.      Acknowledge and respond to opposing viewpoints/proposals; and

7.      Supply a clear, identifiable course of action.

Length: 4-5 pages (double-spaced)

Rough Draft Due: April 1, 2011

Final Assignment Portfolio Due: April 8, 2011

Resources: “Checking Over a Position Argument” on page 237 of The Harbrace Guide to Writing.