Explain who is suffering or not satisfied

Proposition Paper Directions

Objective: Students will be able to write an advocacy paper.
Step 1: Watch this video

Step 2: Decide on your topic
Since advocacy papers are trying to make a change to the status quo, the topic needs to be phrased as a claim of policy. It should be phrased as one sentence and follow the format, “My audience should ____________________.”

Remember that you are advocating for your actual audience to take some sort of action. This isn’t some imaginary audience or group, but instead it’s the people who will be listening to this paper once it has been turned into a speech. So think about what your audience can actually do, what they are willing to do (but not already doing), and what is something that is worth discussing.

Avoid topics where the audience is already very familiar with everything you are trying to get them to do, but they currently aren’t taking any action.

Take for example, “My audience should exercise.” If you were to do this topic, your audience would probably fall into two groups. Group 1 already exercises, so this topic is irrelevant. Group 2 knows exercise is good for them, but they aren’t exercising. If you tell Group 2 that exercise will make them feel better and look better, they still probably won’t exercise, because they already knew that information.

Instead of starting with the topic, start with the pain point. Ask yourself the question: What currently exists in the lives of my audience that they don’t like or that they think could be better? Or, approach it from a pain point you could get them to care about that maybe they aren’t familiar with. For example: My audience should volunteer for Seniors With Skills.
Step 3: Write The Paper
Requirements:
At least 4 sources
Long enough to support an 8-10 minute speech (usually about 5-6 pages, double spaced)
Follow the format provided in the video
Include an APA format cover page
Include an APA format reference page
Use these links for APA guidelines: https://library.miracosta.edu/ld.php?content_id=56973865
https://library.miracosta.edu/ld.php?content_id=43362494
You do not need an abstract
We don’t spend too much time discussing the details of APA, so as long as you make an attempt you won’t lose points.

Use the outline below to guide your writing. Be sure that you have watched the video and read the text that explains each section.

1. Introduction
1. Gain attention
2. Reveal topic
3. Establish author credibility
4. Preview
2. Does a problem exist?
1. Explain the problem
2. Support it with research
3. Explain this to us so we understand it better in our own terms and lives
3. Is the problem significant?
1. Explain who is suffering or not satisfied
2. Narratives, statistics, other research
4. Is the problem structural or attitudinal?
1. Explain
2. Provide research
3. Explain
5. Can the problem be fixed within the system?
1. Explain
2. Research
3. Explain
6. Is there a workable solution to the problem?
1. Explain
2. Research
3. Explain
7. Will the plan solve the problem?
1. Explain
2. Research
3. Explain
8. Will ramifications outweigh the positive effects?
1. Explain
2. Research
3. Explain
9. Conclusion
1. Review the main ideas
2. Tie back to attention gainer

Step 4: Turn the paper in on Canvas
Turn it in either as a .pdf or .doc file

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