Final Project -- Writing Fundamentals

Writing Fundamentals – Final Project

Due October 10^th, 2013 at 4:00 PM

In order to demonstrate your progress in writing, you will write a persuasive writing piece on an issue of your choice related to your academic community. This writing assignment will showcase your competence with persuasive style and ability to use writing for constructive communication.

Assignment: Your task in this composition is to address an arguable issue, take a stance, present your ideas, and refute contradictory ideas.

First, identify a change you would like to see at Boulder Preparatory High School. Consider the way the school works, the services it offers, its culture, and its policies. Whatever change you propose should be debatable and reasonable. State your position as a statement, e.g., “Boulder Prep should invest in a new van.”

Next, you should create a pro and con T-chart outlining both sides of the issue. Use your friends, your teachers, and any other BPHS experts to help fill out the arguments, details, and evidence. Be sure to consider ethos, logos, and pathos, and provide as much information on both sides as possible.

Finally, compose an essay which a) presents the issue, b) presents the arguments on both sides of the issue, and c) arrives at an ultimate conclusion based on evidence/arguments in the writing. See the back side of this sheet for the suggested organization of this essay.

Your composition should be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. It should be no fewer than two pages.

Tips for success on this project:

·      Start early. The more time you allow yourself, the better your argument will be.

·      Ask questions. I’m here to support you throughout this project—you are absolutely welcome to ask for help, to bounce ideas off me, or to just chat.

·      Choose an issue that really matters to you; not only will it be easier for you to write about it, but the writing will have much more life.

·      Be sure to consider all sides and counterarguments; be open-minded enough to understand the opposition’s viewpoint.

Suggested Organization for a Persuasive Essay

I. Introduction             A. What is the topic?             B. Thesis statement: What is your stance? II. Argument In Favor             A. Argument                         i. Evidence/details             B. Tie back to thesis III. Argument Against             A. Argument                         i. Evidence/details             B. Counterargument                         i. Evidence/details             C. Tie back to thesis IV. Conclusion A.   Restate thesis

I. Introduction             A. What is the topic?             B. Thesis statement: What is your stance? II. Point #1             A. Argument in favor                         i. Evidence/details             B. Argument against                         i. Evidence/details             C. Argument in favor                         i. Why it wins III. Point #2             A. Argument in favor                         i. Evidence/details             B. Argument against                         i. Evidence/details             C. Argument in favor                         i. Why it wins IV. Point #3             A. Argument in favor                         i. Evidence/details             B. Argument against                         i. Evidence/details             C. Argument in favor                         i. Why it wins V. Conclusion             A. Restate thesis