Class 22 online
- 2. Preparing the final draft Work through the slides to prepare your essay for the in-class writing workshop. The essay you bring to class should be ready to submit for a grade.
- 3. The Beginning Have I begun my essay with hook? Did I begin with a scenario, statistics, a research study, or an analogy? Did I use a comparison to other places where the solution has been tried successfully, give a preview of the negative consequences if the problem goes unsolved, or lead with a criticism of an alternative solution? Or, did I use another appropriate beginning?
- 4. Clarifying Your Purpose and Audience Have I determined what my readers already know about this problem? If my readers are unfamiliar with it, have I clearly explained the problem? If my readers know about the problem but do not realize how serious it is, have I convinced them that it is serious? Have I gained readers’ enthusiastic support? Have I convince them that solving the problem is in everyone’s interest, as O’Malley and Kornbluh try to do? Have I presented myself so that I seem both reasonable and authoritative?
- 5. Defining the Problem Have I demonstrated that the problem really exists? Have I presented statistics, as Kornbluh does? Have I shown the seriousness and urgency of the problem? Have I stressed the negative consequences? Have I used quotations or cited research to stress the problem’s importance? Have I speculated about the problem’s causes or history to help readers understand why it needs attention? Can I use comparison and contrast, as Kornbluh does? Have I devoted enough space to defining the problem? Is my entire description of the problem before the thesis, as it should be?
- 6. Describing the Proposed Solution Have I described my solution so that it looks like the best way to proceed? Have I given examples to show how solutions like mine have worked? Or have I focused on my reasons to support my solution, as O’Malley does? Have I made the solution seem easy to implement, as O’Malley does, or have I acknowledged that the solution will require effort and compromise, as Kornbluh does?
- 7. Counterarguing Readers’ Objections Have I included the best objections? Do I need to accommodate or concede certain objections by modifying my proposal, as O’Malley does? Have I supported any refutations I have made? Have I cited statistics or research studies to do so? Should I get more evidence?
- 8. Alternative Solutions Have I mentioned the best alternative solutions? Have I supported my refutation of alternative solutions? Have I argued that they are too expensive and time-consuming, or that they will not really solve the problem? Have I rejected these other solutions without seeming to criticize their proponents? Have I provided reasons, as O’Malley does, or marshaled statistics, as Kornbluh does?
- 9. The Ending Have I included an appropriate ending? Have I ended by summarizing my solution and its advantages, Have I ended with a scenario suggesting the consequences of a failure to solve the problem? Have I ended with an inspiring call to action? Might a shift to humor or satire provide an effective ending? Have I reminded readers of something special about the problem, as Kornbluh does when she urges that an award be given to the companies that lead the way?
- 10. Homework Revise your draft. Bring one clean, hard copy to class. An Electronic Copy will not do for this exercise! Your essay should be in MLA format It should include a works cited page Self Assessment Due before our next face to face meeting