In ENGL 106, Introductory Composition, students developed a proposal argument that suggested a solution to a problem or disagreement that occurred online or in the local community. They choose topics that meant something to a specific group of people – one that people either disagreed about or one that people agreed was a problem. The research proposal was a written argument drew on outside sources to prove that there was a problem and prove that students’ solutions were viable and useful. Most proposal arguments:
- provided context and defined/described the topic
- defined a problem or disagreement within that context and explained why there was a need for a solution
- explained how some people view the problem or disagreement
- argued for a position on the problem or disagreement
- suggested a detailed solution to part or all of the problem/disagreement
Students assumed that their audience for this research proposal was receptive, but skeptical. Likewise, students strove to come across as knowledgeable and back up their claims with evidence when appropriate.
Additionally, students also created a short video that explained their proposal to a specific audience – the online community itself. We be using Windows Moviemaker and iMovie in class to design our videos and focused on developing still shots, slides with information, music soundtracks, voice-overs, live video, and animation.
Unfortunately, because so many student projects are directed toward specific communities, they cannot be detached from students’ identities themselves, and therefore, it would be inappropriate to post these videos here.