READ Addressing Opposition and Establishing Common Ground pages 235-236
textbook: Current Issues and Enduring Questions Create a well-thought-out argument concerning a problem our society faces and one potential solution that could correct or lessen the problem. Be sure to distinguish fact from opinion.
Choose one of the topics listed at the end of this instruction sheet.
Type up a 5-6 page MLA research paper using 4-5 sources. Insert your research wherever it makes sense. You can back up your ideas with research or discuss a quotation. You can agree or disagree with the authors.
Include a works cited page formatted properly in MLA style. That works cited page must be there and it will be page 5 or 6 of the paper.
Form an argument claim that indicates that the subject is a problem but that there are solutions that can solve it or at least mitigate the effects. This is your thesis and it goes at the end of the introduction.
Be sure that your introduction is a true Rogerian structure.
When choosing your sources, find a variety of different perspectives, experiences, and credentials and discuss their points-of-view. Review our lesson on
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Follow this outline
Section 1: Approx. 1 page (2-3 paragraphs)
Describe the issue and explore the subject from the point-of-view of someone who may not think it is a problem.
Your thesis needs to be clear that this is, indeed, a problem.
Review our lectures on ands
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Section 2: Approx. 112- pages (2 separate paragraphs)
Take two of the best reasons to support your thesis and place them in separate paragraphs. Be sure that these two reasons are substantially different from each other or you may end up repeating yourself.
Each paragraph will have a clear topic sentence reflecting the one reason you are focusing on. It will also have full development showcasing your critical thinking and examples. Provide statements of your point-of-view and the context in which it might be valid.
Good examples, either real-life or hypothetical, can help the reader understand your point-of-view. What are two bad effects of your subject?
This section is where you build your argument to support your point-of-view. Watch your tone. State your reasons and support them but dont attack your reader.
Develop each of these paragraphs in full Toulmin structure. Use what you learned throughout this semester to help develop these points and include research.
Insert research as appropriate and use signal phrases and parenthetical citations.
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Section 3: Approx. 1 page
State one possible solution that could help lessen the problem and then create a plan of action. Take your reader through how to accomplish it step-by-step. (Please dont say step one, step two) Try not to go over one page. Use examples or research as needed, but this needs to be YOUR plan, not one you found.
Review our lecture on .
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Section 4: Approx. 12 page
The following can be combined or split into micro-paragraphs, whichever works better.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan. How well is it likely to work?
- Acknowledge the potential limitations or problems that could arise with your plan
- Discuss how we could deal with those problems
- Are there other potential outcomes (positive or negative) that could come from this plan?
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Section 5: Approx. 14 page
Reconciliation or compromise
Provide a statement of how the readers position or our society would benefit if he or she were to accept elements of your position. If you can show that the two positions complement each other and each supplies what the other lacks, so much the better. This is reconciliation or compromise.
End the paper with a statement of why this subject is so important to our society and why we should try to compromise and understand each other. End with a reaffirmation that this is a problem and that it needs to be dealt with in one way or another. You can blend this with another selection from the conclusions lecture, if you want to, but be sure you are including the things listed above.
Review our lecture on
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TOPICS
Obviously, only choose something that you think is a serious problem
Follow the focus indicated on this list. This is the difficult audience you are trying to win over.
Cyber-bullying
Your target audience doesnt recognize this as a problem. Maybe they see it as a game or joke. Perhaps they think the victim should just stand up for themselves.
The coarsening of our society
Vulgar language, rude behavior, disrespect for others, lack of empathy or sympathy, etc. : Your target audience doesnt see this as a problem. He or she does not make the connection between these behaviors and violence.
Homelessness
Your target audience does not understand why he or she should give their hard earned tax dollars to helping build shelters for the homeless. They dont see how homelessness is a problem for society as a whole. They dont believe they should be supporting people who arent working.
Fake news or other misleading information
Your target audience is someone who believes in the unlimited use of free speech and doesnt believe that misinformation, disinformation or propaganda masquerading as news could be a problem.
Lack of affordable childcare
Your target audience does not see why he or she should fork over their hard earned tax dollars to support affordable childcare if he or she is not using it themselves. They do not believe that unaffordable childcare could be a problem for all of society.
Unhealthy energy drinks
Your target audience is someone who LOVES energy drinks and does not see a problem with them.
Dangerous internet influencers
These are popular people who convince their followers to do things that are not wise or potentially dangerous. It may be done deliberately or due to ignorance, but either way, the effects are the same: Your target audience does not see sketchy influencers as a potential problem. They believe that people should rely on their own judgment and that these influencers bear no responsibility for unfortunate consequences that occur due to people following whatever they are advocating for.
Lack of affordable middle-class housing
Your target audience is someone who already owns a home and doesnt see unaffordable housing as their problem. They do not see why this situation is something they should care about.