Introduction to Proposal Arguments

1. Introduction to Proposal Arguments Scott Hale English 1213

2. Return to the Beginning… • How it all starts with Language… • Definitions are the first step in Knowledge • Definitions give way to Evaluations • Evaluations give way to Ethical determinations • Ethics give way to Proposals...

3. Do the Right Thing… • Proposals reflect our Ethics • Suggest what we should or shouldn’t do • Call for the audience to do something--to take action • Always couched in proposal terms...

4. Kinds of Proposal Arguments • Practical • Policy

5. Practical Proposals • Limited in scope/breadth • Local as opposed to global • Scott’s English 1213 class should be more difficult…

6. Policy Proposals • Greater scope/breadth • Global as opposed to local • All English 1213 classes at OU should be more difficult

7. Principles of Proposal Arguments • All Proposal Arguments should do 3 things • Identify a Problem • Propose a Solution • Justify that Proposed Solution

8. Identifying the Problem • Convince the audience the problem exists • Place problem in larger social context to show how everyone is affected • Presence=Pathos

9. Proposing your Solution • How, What, Where, When, Why, and Who… • Going to NY… • Go East • Take I-35 to I-40… • Details, Details, Details…

10. Justifying Your Solution • Compare/Contrast with Other Solutions • Other Solutions that Address the Same Problem… • My solution to solve hunger is better than your solution to curb military spending

11. Toulmin Schema • C: Corporal Punishment should be used in public schools • R: b/c it will improve student discipline • G: Corporal Punishment will improve student discipline • EV: Step by Step Plan and Evidence • W: Anything that will improve student discipline is something that should be used in public schools • B: Evidence that student discipline is a problem

12. Three Kinds of Evidence • Evidence that the problem exists • Evidence that your solution will fix it • Evidence that other solutions won’t fix it as well