Laura Reynolds

College Composition II, Spring 2012

Proposal Argument with Visual Component Purpose: Write a proposal argument of at least 100o words (about four typed, double-spaced pages) with a visual accompaniment. The purpose of a proposal argument is to convince people that a problem exists and that your solution is both practical and worthwhile. Focus: Your choiceto an extent. I would like your focus to be Rowan-specific. In other words, you will choose a problem that you feel exists on your campus and convince people that it is a worthwhile problem in need of a solution that you will also present/suggest. Style: A proposal argument suggests a solution to a problem. Process: Locate the problem and research it. Determine your solution, also considering counter-arguments. Conduct research to support your solution. Write a paper using the structure presented in Chapter 15 of your textbook (pp. 426427). Create an original visual argument to accompany your paper. Product: This assignment will be broken down accordingly: Proposal for problem and proposed solution. Your problem must be presented to the class for discussion and get approval from your instructor before you can proceed. Draft (possibly multiple drafts) of your paper which you will receive feedback on from your peers. Final draft with y our visual argument, which can be created either online and posted to your website or made by hand and turned in physically. 4-5 minute presentation of your proposal argument in class with your visual argument.

Audience: Please construct a proposal argument that appeals to the following audience: Primary: Our class Secondary: The Rowan Community Tertiary: Those who may view your paper and/or visual argument on your web site

Specifics for Proposal Paper: Sources: This is important. Failure to follow these guidelines will reduce your grade. o o o o o You must have at least 4-6 sources (no more, no less) for your proposal paper. You may have no more than one personal interviews from experts in the field. An interview is not required. You may use no more than one web site, and it must not be a biased secondary source with listed facts/stats about your topic. Your sources must have an identifiable author or sponsoring organization. Avoid clearly biased websites. Television interviews and digital clips are approved source materials; again, beware of bias.

Specifics for Visual Argument: At this point you have already created a tentative claim concerning your issue. You may have done research and even written several pages trying to flesh out your personal stance on your argument. In order to better understand what you are claiming (by narrowing, broadening, dealing with counter arguments, etc.), you will now create a visual representation of your claim to present to the class. If the image is fast becoming our "primary language," then why not tap into this visual language in order to construct, test, and further our written claims? You might create a poster, visual collage, public monument (sketch), interactive visual, a dramatic reading, YouTube clip (created and filmed by you), song (written and performed by you), etc. You are only limited here by your own creativity, but remember it must be original. Here are some steps to guide this process: 1. In general choose a visual medium you feel comfortable with 2. Keep in mind that the construction process and rhetorical thinking are as important, if not more, as the actual product. 3. The purpose of this exercise is to wrestle with your claim in the visual world in order to grapple with the difficulties of rhetorically shaping your claim and presenting your claim to an audience. Suggestions for visual component (all original and created by YOU): YouTube video (created and filmed by you) Song (written and performed by you)see Reformed Whores video from class Poster Commercial Parody Flyer Advertisement (see sample on p. 424) Magazine cover Cartoon Photo essay