Project 4: Issue Analysis & Argument

Having thoroughly researched your selected topic/issue through secondary sources and primary research, you have gained a better understanding of the various perspectives and opinions that different groups—or “stakeholders”—might have on the topic/issue.

In this project, you will discuss these various stakeholders and their perspectives on the issue. These stakeholders and perspectives might include different disciplinary perspectives (e.g. social scientists versus humanities scholars), scholarly versus popular perspectives, or other differences. These perspectives might also include different ideas about how to address or solve the issue.

Through your research, your own opinions on the issue have also likely changed. Although you will still acknowledge other perspectives and opinions, in your project you can argue for a particular perspective or solution that you consider most reasonable.

Project Rubric | Guide to Writing Issue Analyses 

Sample Project (Studying Abroad) | Sample Project (Cancer Treatments)

Audience

As you write this project, keep in mind as your audience general academic readers who may be less familiar with the topic.

Method of Delivery

  • APA-formatted title page
  • Introduction: Attract the reader’s attention (usually with a “hook”) and present yourself as a credible, non-biased writer on the subject. Give the reader a sense of “departure” by providing context for readers (“preview” the paper by presenting key terms, background information, and brief summary of general perspectives on the issue). Offer a sense of “direction” with a clear thesis (usually at then end of the introduction) to guide and structure the main argument of the paper.
  • Body paragraphs: Provide well-organized, well-supported paragraphs that help support the main thesis (follow the MEAL Plan for paragraphs). Use clear transitions to guide the reader. Make logical, reasonable assertions, qualify claims, and include meaningful evidence for your claims from sources, your primary research results (as applicable), relevant personal experiences, or other rhetorical appeals. Clearly and thoughtfully discuss the various perspectives, including counterarguments, that different stakeholders and groups have on the issue.
  • Conclusion: Give the reader a sense of having arrived at their “destination” by presenting final arguments and/or implications about the topic that follow logically from the thesis and main points. Guide the reader to understand the importance/relevance of the analysis, and/or the validity of the claims you make.
  • References: Include a properly formatted References page for all the sources you cite.

Additional Information

  • Cite at least FOUR peer-reviewed articles (ideally from your Annotated Bibliography). You can certainly include additional sources, as long as they are credible.
  • The paper should be approximately 1,500 – 1,800 words in length (NOT including the References).
  • Follow APA guidelines for all citation and formatting.
  • This project is worth 15% of the final course grade.
Targeted Course Objectives
  • develop an understanding of texts as arguments generated for particular purposes, audiences, and rhetorical contexts
  • learn to develop original arguments for a range of academic purposes
  • practice critically evaluating your own and others’ work and collaborating effectively with other writers throughout the writing process
  • practice and refine technical skills in areas such as grammar, mechanics, and source documentation