Sources: Four sources required, minimum
Check your class syllabus for due dates. Remember, a prewriting and rough draft assignment are part of all essay assignments. Check your syllabus for more information and due dates.
A proposal essay proposes a solution to a problem or issue; it answers the question “What should be done?” In exploring possible solutions to your problem or issue, the essay should utilize comparison and contrast in explaining the values of your proposed solution over alternative solutions to the issue.
The goal of proposal essay is two-fold: (1) To establish that the problem or issue exists and it is worth the audience’s attention, and (2) that a specific solution is the most desirable in solving the problem or issue. You must persuade your audience of the more desirable solution/viewpoint for the issue using basic elements of argumentation:
• Claim/Thesis of main proposal
• Support of main claim through reasons (sub-claims) and evidence
• Refutations/Rebuttals of anticipated opposing viewpoints to your main proposal
• Clarifications/Concessions that acknowledge weaknesses of the proposed solution or
strengths of alternative solutions
A proposal of a physical or actionable solution is not mandatory, and may not be feasible for your specific problem or issue. You may also propose a reconsideration or new way of thinking about the problem or issue: a proposed viewpoint that may address the issue. However, if you are simply proposing a viewpoint, you must still compare or contrast that viewpoint to other alternative views.
Audience analysis is important to your essay. Be sure to be aware of your audiences’ needs and values.
You must utilize a point by point or subject by subject organizational pattern when covering alternative solutions with three to six points of comparison between solutions or viewpoints.
The essay should: (1) establish the problem and relate that problem to the audience to persuade them of its importance to give it attention; (2) also include some explanation of its causes, as all solutions address causes of a problem or issue; (3) have a clear thesis that states a specific claim (proposal); (4) include an explanation of how the solution will address, confront, or stop the causes of the issue or problem; (5) address concerns or opposing views to the proposal and refute, accommodate, or acknowledge them; (6) include viable alternative solutions or views, and (7) explain why alternatives are less desirable than your proposal
