English essay

Causal Argument Prompt

This is it! The final paper! It’s long, and stressful, and really important. But you already know what to do. Just look in your heart, you’ll know it to be true.

In this assignment, you will write 8-12 pages on your chosen topic (more on that below). In this paper, you will construct an argument. You will argue that something is wrong (broadly defined), and how to fix it. This issue should be, in some way, local. That can be defined in a lot of ways. For example, I could write about issues in the MLA (the Modern Language Association, of which I’m I member), even though it’s an international group. Or I could write about issues in the town I live in, even if I’m not a specialist in that area. If in doubt, email me or pitch an idea in the first board!

What’s your topic? You’ve spent time in the discussion boards talking about your topics, figuring out what might work and what probably won’t. You have a bunch of great ideas – but you should choose the one that’s not only great, but also a good fit for this specific assignment. If you can’t talk about the legal ramifications of a legal opinion, for instance, do something about business instead. Or any topic – just make sure you can deal with counter-arguments, ramifications, side effects, and all that good stuff.

Remember to read the feedback you receive on your proposal boards. I’ve had students turn in papers on topics I’ve told them would not work for the assignment, and then get really bad grades, because they didn’t read the feedback.

Speaking of feedback. The Causal Argument is the only assignment you won’t get feedback on. That’s because it’s due so near the end of the semester there’s no time for it. If you want some feedback on your paper, email me after the semester ends and I’ll be happy to send you some – you know, when I don’t have to wrestle with Blackboard and Excel to get your grades in on time.

Causal problem. Your topics can and do range widely across the spectrum. Some are things we often think of when someone says the “ills of society,” like poverty, crime, and discrimination. Others are legal or medical, such as concerns over the death penalty or abortion. What must be true is that it’s capable of being argued – it’s not an argument if no one can disagree with you. Remember to make clear what is the cause of the issue you’re describing. It’s in the name: “causal argument.” You’ve got to argue what the cause of the problem is. You can’t just assume everyone knows, and you can’t just assume everyone agrees where the problem starts. You have to show your readers where it comes from.

What should we do about it? Then you have to show them what to do about it. You must provide a solution to the problem you describe. Be practical. Be pragmatic. How much will your change cost? Or who will actually do what you want? Is it possible? Is it too late? (if so, why are you writing about it?) But in some way you must offer a way to fix the problem you’ve pointed out. It’s not very helpful to simply point out a problem and shrug your shoulders, saying (we would assume), “someone else can fix it.” Why not you? At least point the way. What should be done? And who should do it?

Remember that you have to use quality sources and arguments. For example, religious documents aren’t considered quality sources unless you’re making an argument inside that religious organization. You can’t guarantee your readers will be members of precisely the right religion, unless you’re writing inside that organization. Then you totally can assume that.

Consider your audience carefully. If you’re arguing a business should change its practices, your audience isn’t its customers – it’s the business itself. But if you’re arguing people should boycott a business, then the customers are your audience. It can be tricky to define an audience, but you’ll want to do so before you begin writing.

You must cite at least 8 sources in your paper, with a title page, an abstract, and an APA reference page attached (that do not count toward the length minimum requirement).