Instructions
Write a 2,000 to 2,500-word persuasive essay based on your research from the Annotated Bibliography assignment.
Be sure to do the following in the body of your essay:
Establish that a single problem exists. Describe the problem. Examine the causes of the problem. Provide detailed support to prove that the problem is significant. Explain to readers how this problem affects them (just like Ezekiel Emanuel did in his essay Spending More Doesnt Make Us HealthierDownload Spending More Doesnt Make Us Healthier). Be sure to present only ONE problem, not three. More sophisticated essays should include a paragraph of refutation that refutes a counterargument suggesting the issue is not, in fact, a problem.
Present and evaluate one to two lesser solutions to the problem in order of effectiveness. Describe and explain each lesser solution, and then critique each solution to show that it is inadequate (just like Ezekiel Emanuel did with the liberal and conservative solutions in the second health care article Less than $26 Billion? Dont BotherDownload Less than $26 Billion? Dont Bother).
Describe and explain your best solution. Describe the solution, and explain the specific ways it will solve the problem. Explain who the solution will benefit and how, including detailed support to persuade readers that this solution is effective (just like Ezekiel Emanuel did in his essay Billions Wasted on BillingDownload Billions Wasted on Billing).
Use refutation to defend your best solution. In your refutation for your best solution, you will focus primarily on defending your solution against objectionsalthough it is perfectly acceptable to acknowledge that this solution is not perfect. Your essay should be 2,000-2,500+ words in length using MLA Format. You should not write an essay any shorter than 2,000 words (which does NOT include the Works Cited page). If necessary, you can go over the word count, but please do not submit an essay of more than 3,000 words (NOT including the Works Cited page). See the MLA Document Format page for help.
If you want to earn a C, your essay should include a minimum of eight outside sources. If you want to earn a B, you should use roughly 10-12 sources. If you want an A, you should use between 12-16+ sources. Use the MLA Format: How & Why We Cite Sources page to help you cite your sources properly.
Any exact language from outside sources must be placed in quotation marks. Otherwise you have committed plagiarism. Review A Pocket Style Manual (PSM) Section 30 Avoiding Plagiarism and Section 31 Integrating Sources for assistance. To help you introduce outside sources, I encourage you to use the chart on page 124 of PSM: Using Signal Phrases in MLA Papers.
Boldface your thesis statement (worth five points). Your thesis is the main point of your essay. It includes both the topic (specific subject you are addressing) and your position (your point of view regarding this issue.
Underline your topic sentences (worth five points). I want to see what you think are the main points of your paragraphs. Remember that your introduction and your conclusion will not have typical topic sentences. If you do not know what a topic sentence is, please read the UNC handout on paragraphs.