The objective of this module is: to understand the features of the Proposal Argument assignment, and then to write a successful Proposal Argument of about 1,200 words.
After you read this description of the assignment, make sure to read chapter 12 in the textbook. It covers A LOT of great information – information that is more specific than just what’s listed here.
This is not primarily an informative essay, though of course you will be informing your reader. This is a proposal argument, wherein you are addressing a problem by proposing and justifying a feasible solution. You’ll want to convince readers that YOUR solution is best, or right, or most easy to implement – hence argument!
In proposal arguments you are trying to persuade your reader. Arguing to persuade means advocating for a specific action to be taken to solve a local or state problem.
- For example, you might propose that CSM change its coffee-buying process, arguing that the school should only do business with companies that insist on fair-trade policies.
You’ll want to show that the proposal for action addresses the need or problem and show that the proposal is workable or feasible. This is a critical aspect of proposal writing. It must be possible, and not just wishful thinking. Make sure to include evidence to show that your solution will work. As always, you’ll need to document your research properly, using in-text citations and a Works Cited area, according to MLA guidelines (You must correctly quote from at least three sources).
Your textbook does an excellent job of describing this assignment, but there are some issues with the samples. Please read carefully below:
Note that you are writing a PRACTICAL PROPOSAL or a POLICY PROPOSAL. These are topics that call for a specific solution to a local problem or issue (campus-wide, county-wide, or state-wide). You should avoid any problem on the national scale – they simply are “too big” for our 1200 words. Additionally, it’s easier to write about what you know.
This is still a persuasive essay; you are motivating someone to take action. Be sure that this is an action which has a real chance of actually being accepted and implemented. Prove that it has at least some chance of becoming reality (FEASIBILITY). For example, you may have solid reasons for having the government lower the drinking age to 18, but it is so unlikely that would happen, that such an essay would lack exigence.
You need to consider who might also benefit from reading your essay (other than me). Is your audience a school superintendent, a board member for a homeowner’s association, the county commissioners? Consider that your reader may be inclined to agree with you, so you are writing to motivate a reader to take action.
To make sure that you are getting off on the right foot, I highly recommend that you email your proposal idea to me, no later than December 2nd. While this is not required, see additional information below.
Your email message to me should include:
1.) The problem/issue you are addressing
2.) Your proposed solution (just a couple sentences)
3.) Your audience
Finally, remember that many of these proposals must be paid for. If you are not willing to pay more of your tax dollars for a proposal, you should probably not argue in favor of it.
Keep the thesis practical, the scope narrow, and the entity known. The “entity” is the person or organization responsible for making a proposal actually happen. For example, your textbook lists samples on page 304 (chapter 12, “Guide to Writing a Proposal”).
Those samples are NOT finished because they do not specify the entity that should take (or avoid) the proposed action.
Non-example: “Bottled water should carry a warning label describing the environmental impact of plastic.” This is not finished. Narrow the scope and assign an entity that could make this happen.
Better Example: The FDA (entity) should require bottled water sold in the United States (narrowed scope) to carry a warning label describing the environmental impact of plastic.” )
Another non-example in your textbook says this: “Urban planners need to examine the long-term impact digital technologies may have on transportation.” This does NOT work because it does not say which body can make this happen. Who could force urban planners to do this? Who could judge whether or not all urban planners have “examined the long term-impact” etc.? A final non-example in the book that makes the same errors is this one: “Every home should be equipped with a well-stocked emergency kit.” Sure, this is good advice, but it is not a practical policy argument. No one can really argue against it. similarly, no agency can enforce that each home is thus equipped, etc.
Here are some topics students in this class have successfully written about. These topics address an issue with a clear side for and a clear side against. You may use one of these topics, but I encourage you to create your own. Your essay will turn out better if you genuinely care about the topic.
*** The College of Southern Maryland should (or should not) limit Early College to high school seniors because…
*** The College of Southern Maryland should revise its calendar so that most courses in the fall and spring semesters are 15 weeks, not 7 and 1⁄2 because…
*** The College of Southern Maryland should (should not) limit the number of online classes a freshman can take to one at a time because…
*** Calvert County should build additional and improved assisted living facilities for aging citizens of southern Maryland because…
***Charles County Public Schools should recruit and hire twice as many mental health professionals for its school system because…
*** In order to increase engagement and learning about drug abuse, local high schools should eliminate the D.A.R.E. program and implement live speakers who share their stores and experience with teens because…
*** St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office (Charles County Sheriff’s Office) (Calvert County Sheriff’s Office) should (should not) post video images of overdosed citizens passed out in public because…
NOTICE HOW ALL OF THESE INCLUDE THE WORD SHOULD!
Many students in the past have found it helpful to structure their essay within these headings/components:
- Description of the Problem
- Solution (first sentence should include your thesis)
- Justification (bulk of your writing)