Syllabus for the Proposal Argument Essay*
March 6  Introduction to the Proposal Argument
Assignment: Select a problem you are interested in writing about for this essay ( see p. 321 in your text for more ideas).  Read p. 307-313 on Proposal Arguments. Read p. 88-106 very carefully. Be sure you understand the terms: enthymeme, claim, reason, assumption or warrant, grounds, backing, qualifier, and conditions of rebuttal.  Come to class with your questions about this chapter.  Eventually there will be a quiz on this chapter.

March 8  Toulmin Tools
Assignment: Write a complete description of your problem. Use p. 319 number 3. a-k in your text as a source of ideas for this description.  Write a Journal page. Read the sample proposal essays in your packet on p. 18-23 and 24-28.  Write a letter to the author of the sample essay you are assigned.  Use the Guidelines for Sample Essay Letters that is online.

March 13  Sample Essays
Assignment: Read Chapter 7, Moving Your Audience p. 132-151. Write an audience analysis using the 5 questions on p. 136-137. Write a real or imaginary scene or brief story that would create a pathetic appeal favorable to your argument.  Write your claim and reasons on the Toulmin outline form. Read p. 313-316.

March 15 Claim-Type Strategy, Share the Toulmin Outlines Part 1, Collect Conditions of Rebuttal ideas
Assignment: Complete the Conditions of Rebuttal portion of your Toulmin outline (Part 2). Submit your complete Toulmin outline (parts 1 and 2) on March 27. Write the first draft of your proposal essay. Bring two copies of your essay to class on March 27. Consider the organization ideas on p. 322-323 in your text. NO JOURNAL FOR THIS WEEK

March 27  Essay Exchange/Return essays
Assignment: Use the Toulmin system to outline the essays you read.  Challenge yourself to fill in parts of this outline with ideas that the author may have missed .   Bring two copies of each Toulmin outline that you write.  Be sure your name is on each outline you complete.

March 29 Revision Discussions
Assignment: Prepare your final draft of the proposal essay. This essay is due in class on Tuesday, April 3.  On April 3 bring:
two typewritten copies of the final draft of the proposal essay
one copy of your first draft of this essay
one copy of the audience analysis
one copy of your complete Toulmin outline (Parts 1 and 2) for this essay
one copy of each Toulmin outline you received from your classmates
the Revision Guide for Argument Essays that you filled out in discussion with your classmates.
NO JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT THIS WEEK

April 3 The Proposal Argument Essay is due in class today.
 

* This syllabus is subject to change!

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