Your assignment is to invent an activist campaign and argue in support of your cause in a 5-7 page essay. My hope is that your choice of activism will spring from your own interests, but social justice topics seem to work best and are best supported by our readings and examples. In any case, avoid the obvious (smoking, abortion, three strikes law, legalizing marijuana, steroids, stem cell research, and so on). You may be inspired by the texts we read, or you may already have some ideas about how you can contribute to a more just and equitable world. Thus, the following examples are intended only to demonstrate the range of what might be available, not to limit your choices in any way. You might think of organizing a letter-writing campaign to protest a social injustice either locally, nationally, or globally; you might become involved in an event to honor Women’s History Month in March; you might advocate support for a community-based organization which works on problems of literacy, homelessness, immigration issues, domestic violence, local or overseas working conditions; you might organize a public presentation to introduce others to some of the authors we are reading or the issues they raise; you might encourage participation in a public protest (war, government spending, animal rights)—and so on. You may choose to work individually or you may form a group with some of your classmates. Note that this is a three-part project, involving designing campaign materials, making a presentation and writing an argumentative essay; all parts are equally important.
Your argumentative essay should be done individually, written for and academic audience, well-researched with at least 6 outside sources (see “Key Features” below), and in MLA format, providing the specific documentation and supporting evidence that your campaign materials may have discussed only superficially. Your goal is to convince your readers that they need to take action and that apathy, ignorance, and other points of view are wrong.
An introduction that gives needed background information about the topic and appeals to your audience.
A thesis statement that takes a clear position on the issue that you’ve chosen: tell readers what you want them to do and why.
Clear reasons and sufficient evidence to support the claim in your thesis. This evidence can come from personal experience, fieldwork, articles from the textbook, or library/Internet research. It is best to have a mix of different types of evidence.
Quotes or paraphrases from at least four articles from a library source, such as Proquest or EBSCO. At least two should be from academic journal articles.
Quotes or paraphrases from at least two reliable Internet sources.
Appropriate organization and paragraphing, including use of clear topic sentences. The paragraphs should be in a logical order and use transitions to show links between ideas.
At least one example of counterargument – one or more objections to your own argument that are fairly represented and then refuted.
A conclusion that provides closure to the essay and considers the implications of the argument.
Consistent, correct use of MLA style.
Observance of the conventions of standard written English.
I. Introduction:
Begin with a creative hook to generate reader interest and concern; briefly provide any relevant background information (for instance: history, special concerns, specific problems that need to be addressed or which have plagued our community for a long time and which your proposal addresses); describe the current situation; provide overview of your argument; state thesis (What exactly do you want readers to do and why?).
II. Define the Problem
What is the problem? Use cause-effect reasoning to show the true causes and effects of the problem. (i.e. What are the issues associated with mass deportation, mass incarceration, the school-to-prison pipeline, or access to higher education, etc.?).
III. Establish the need for a solution:
Describe the community, focusing on the urgency of the ongoing problems that the community has, especially those that your proposal will seek to solve; identify your primary goals and outcomes for the community.
IV. Address the perspectives of people concerned:
Describe the needs that those concerned (such as citizens, government officials, police, homeless people, workers, bosses, users of a website, students, patients, prisoners) might have. Who is affected by the issue, how are they affected, and what might their concerns be?
V. Describe your plan (whether it is an action, “solution,” or strategy of resistance):
State in as much detail as necessary what you are proposing to address concerns.
VI. Explain the benefits of your solution:
Show how your solution will meet the needs and concerns identified in section IV (above) and address or solve the problem described in sections I and II. Argue convincingly in favor of your proposal. Use cause-effect reasoning to show that your proposed solution will address the causes of the problem.
VII. Acknowledge drawbacks, costs, or other objections to your solution and refute them:
Explain to those who might disagree with your proposal why your proposal will be effective and respond to potential objections.
VIII. Counterargue alternative solutions
Summarize any alternative solutions that you think could have been applied to this issue but which you have rejected in favor of your better proposal. Explain why your solution or action is the best choice of the alternative ways to move forward or progress toward change.
IX.. Conclusion:
Avoid summary. Consider, instead, one or more of these options: Describe an implementation plan, or issue a call to action urging your readers to support your solution. Re-emphasize the importance of the solution that you are proposing. Issue a heightened appeal for support. Look towards the future if action is taken. Consider including a conventional device (like your creative hook at the beginning) to frame your essay’s ending (i.e. if you began with an anecdote, end with another anecdote).
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