All human societies are confronted with chronic problems for which there are no clear solutions--or for which there are several competing solutions. Weighing responses to any problem involves careful analysis of a multitude of issues as well as the hard work of evaluating potential costs and benefits. In fact, this process is so difficult that some politicians prefer to find a convenient scapegoat—immigrants, video games, rap music—and simply pass the problem on to the next generation.

For this unit, you will not be so lucky. We're asking you to identify and research a problem facing Arkansans—at the state, city, or community level—and then evaluate 3 possible solutions, ultimately arguing for the one you believe best in a well-supported paper.

In writing this 5-page paper, you will have three basic objectives:

1. Convince readers the problem is complex enough to merit study.
2. Explain and evaluate 3 feasible solutions.
3. Persuade readers that one solution is better than the others.

Ideally, you will address a problem that affects your hometown. You can start by examining issues in your local newspaper, by asking relatives, or by interviewing officials (when else are you going to get to talk to the mayor?). Choosing a personal topic will make working on this paper more relevant and enjoyable for you.

Course: Composition II (ENGL 1213)
Instructor: Mr. Brian Isbell

For this assignment one of the following will be chosen on the date of the timed in-class essay to be the subject of a well-organized essay of around 500-750 words with a clearly identifiable thesis. Pay close attention to details and avoid plot summary unless it supports your thesis.

A. Discuss how the setting of the novella influences a specific theme in the text. How does the setting influence characters's attitudes, behaviors, etc. And what is the large thematic importance?

B. Describe the ways Amelia challenges traditional gender roles, and what does this challenge imply about McCullers's overall "message" or specific theme?

C. Analyze who the lovers and the beloveds are based on your understanding of McCullers's theory of love. What does that analysis reveal about a larger theme in the text?

Notes
- No need for a works cited page
  - This is a “closed” assignment
  - Mention the author in the introduction paragraph
  - In-text citations by just page number, no need for author name (32).

Course: Composition II (ENGL 1213)
Instructor: Mr. Brian Isbell

For this your essay at the end of the unit, you will summarize author Bryan Caplan's argument about education and then provide your own response, either supporting, challenging, or qualifying his thesis. When summarizing sources, you strive to understand the author’s ideas and transmit those ideas concisely and in your own words. In responding, you should evaluate the author’s ideas and arguments by examining their validity and soundness, then provide your own evidence and/or reasoning to support your position.

NOTE: This is not an opinion essay, so using first person (and second person) would be inappropriate and overly informal. Instead, you are academically evaluating the argument; your audience is an average educated reader.

The essay should probably be around 2-3 pages, excluding the works cited page.

You may want to follow this recipe for writing your summary-critique: 

Create an introductory statement by gracefully integrating a paraphrase of the source’s thesis with the title and name of the author of the article: 
Example: Janice Tall, former diplomat to Greece, argues in her essay, “The Quiet Waters,” that the U.S. must become more sensitive to how people around the world perceive our policies (11).

Add a sentence that foreshadows the source’s sections or stages:

Example: In her analysis, the author covers both the causes and effects of this problem, arguing finally that we must “double our efforts” to find a solution (18).

Inform the reader of your position with a brief thesis stating your position and a hint about why:

Example: Tall’s argument, while compelling, ignores fundamental realities about the ways that geopolitics are implemented.

Create the summary portion of the paper to familiarize your reader with the points made in the source you will critique. As with all summaries, paraphrase the main ideas of the article in a concise manner (leaving out examples and other support). In addition, arrange the source’s main points in a logical order, using transitions to connect ideas and sentences. Use quotes very sparingly. 
For easier reading, insert a transitional paragraph between the summary and response sections of your paper

Add to this summary a critique of two or three of the author’s main points. Remind readers of the point you will critique by briefly restating it. Next, analyze the author’s reasoning and evidence, arriving at a stance that challenges, supports, or qualifies the author’s original point, using your own skills at reasoning. If you wish, you may cite other research to support your position.
Wrap up your paper with a conclusion. A good strategy for this (or any) conclusion is to consider the significance of the subject; in other words, why is this subject worth thinking about?
Finish your paper with a Work Cited page that refers to your parenthetical citations.


You may also find this graphic organizer useful in discussing structure:

Summary-Critique Paper Structure.pdf

Course: Composition (ENGL 1203)
Instructor: Dr. Dan Kostopulos

For your fourth paper we're asking you to write an evaluative synthesis. Like the last paper, this assignment will require pulling together multiple sources into a coherent and cogent argument by addressing common subtopics within the debate. Unlike the last paper, however, this time you will choose and defend a position, persuading your reader with compelling evidence and sophisticated prose.

Note: This unit serves as the culmination of your work in Composition I and will therefore test your aptitude in the key skills we've practiced this semester, including: summary & paraphrase, integration of quotes, evaluation of arguments, transitions, sentence variety, and credible support of your own claims.

Course: Composition (ENGL 1203)
Instructor: Dr. Dan Kostopulos