Project III: Causal Argument

Assignment Description: Explain the causes of a situation (an accident, a phenomenon, or a past event) that concerns you. Narrow your topic enough to treat it in some detail, and provide more than a mere list of causes. When seeking causes, you will have to decide carefully how far back to go in your search for remote causes. Moreover, you must be sure to distinguish between the immediate causes and the remote causes of the event you are analyzing. For this assignment, you have complete control of the subject matter of your essay, but I must first approve your topic. Assignment Goals: carry on the persistent goals for this course – synthesizing and analyzing multiple viewpoints, use of varying argumentative strategies to write for various audiences, applications of key rhetorical features, but must also:

· Write empirical, and historical analyses of past events.

· Express a working knowledge of key rhetorical features, such as audience, purpose, and the use of appropriate argument strategies.

· Conduct inquiry-based research and writing which is driven by the desire to study a phenomenon and asks “what kind of research needs to be done in order to understand this event?”

Audience: An academic audience that is not knowledgeable about the event about which you are writing.

Sources: You must include at least four outside sources to document your essay. You can use those sources in a few ways. For example, you could use a quotation to begin your essay as a point of departure because you may disagree with the idea, or you want to clarify the statement. Another use of a quotation is to lend support to an idea you have. This use of a quotation lends credibility to your own writing.

Length: Minimum 5 pages, double spaced, 12 point font size, 1-inch margins.

Format: Proper MLA format, which includes citation and documentation with Works Cited page.

Grading Criteria:
· Effectiveness of causal argument strategies
· Demonstration of critical thought
· Fully supported analysis, including appropriate use of remote and immediate causes
· Integration of secondary sources with your central argument
· Proper and sufficient use of MLA guidelines for citations

Important Dates: Final draft due: 6/27 by 6 p.m .

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