Explain how the second solution you list in the thesis will resolve the problem. Explain how the third solution you list in the thesis will resolve the problem.

Proposal Essay:

Competencies Demonstrated

126.1.1 : Grammar, Sentence Structure, and Writing

The graduate applies appropriate grammatical rules, sentence structure, and writing conventions.

126.1.2 : Rhetoric and Analyzing Writing

The graduate selects appropriate rhetorical strategies that improve writing and argumentation.

126.1.3 : Writing Style, Citations, and Use of Sources

The graduate appropriately uses a given writing style.

126.1.4 : Writing and Revision Process

The graduate uses appropriate writing and revision strategies.

126.1.5 : Working with Sources

The graduate integrates credible and relevant sources into written arguments.

126.1.7 : Argumentative Writing

The graduate composes an appropriate argumentative essay for a given context.

 

Introduction

Proposal arguments are common forms of writing, especially in the professional world. The goal of a proposal argument is to propose a solution to solve a problem. This task requires you to propose a clear solution to a specific problem and then provide evidence to support your recommendation.

 

Scenario

•   How can the United States lessen its dependence on fossil fuels?

Requirements

1.  Write a proposal essay (suggested length of 4–7 pages). In your essay, do the following:
2.  Respond to one of the given topics.
3.  Provide an effective introduction.
4.  Provide an appropriate thesis statement that previews two to four main points.
5.  Explain the significance of the problem.
6.  Propose a clear recommendation, with support, to solve the problem.
7.  Provide an effective conclusion that includes an evaluation of the importance of the topic.
8.  Include at least  three academically credible sources in the body of your essay.
9.  For your sources, include all in-text citations and references in APA format.
10.  Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

Note: For definitions of terms commonly used in the rubric, see the Rubric Terms web link included in the Evaluation Procedures section.

Note: When using sources to support ideas and elements in an assessment, the submission MUST include APA formatted in-text citations with a corresponding reference list for any direct quotes or paraphrasing. It is not necessary to list sources that were consulted if they have not been quoted or paraphrased in the text of the assessment.

Note: No more than a combined total of 30% of a submission can be directly quoted or closely paraphrased from outside sources, even if cited correctly. For tips on using APA style, please refer to the APA Handout web link included in the APA Guidelines section.

How to write a proposal essay and topics

In the previous module, you wrote a causal analysis essay that examined the individual components of a causal chain. But in that essay, you only focused on explaining the causes of a problem, not the solution. For your proposal essay, you may decide to focus on that same topic that you explored in the causal analysis essay, but this time you will propose a solution to the problem. The goal of a proposal essay is to persuade readers that they should implement a specific plan of action in order to solve a particular problem. To construct a successful proposal essay, you will need to provide compelling evidence for your reader in the form of facts, statistics, and examples.

Proposals generally follow the organizational pattern described below:

• Thesis statement that asks the audience to take a course of action or adopt a particular position
• Explanation of the problem and what causes the problem
• Detailed description of the proposed solution
• Notes about the feasibility of the solution
• Explanation of the outcome or consequences of the proposed solution

The proposal essay and a note on style: When you write your essay, you will want to avoid the personal pronoun “I.” Learning to eliminate personal pronouns (I/me/my/you/we/our) from your writing now will prepare you for other Composition essays and forms of academic writing.

Introduction, topics, and thesis

Make sure you write on the topic below:

• How can the United States lessen its dependence on fossil fuels?

Be clear about the problem and provide background information that leads to the thesis. The thesis should convey the problem, solution, and feasibility of the solution or how it will work.

The two examples below are useful thesis templates for the proposal essay:

An effective way to address the problem of _______________ is to do __________, _______________, and __________________.

OR

The problem is ________________, and the best ways to solve this problem are _____________, ________________, and ____________________.

The sample proposal essay on the next page is a great example of how to effectively incorporate each of the elements listed above. You can see how the writer of the essay constructs a strong introduction, which provides background information on the issue, and ends the introduction with an effective thesis statement. For additional information on composing thesis statements, and for additional helpful information and videos on the introduction, thesis, and conclusion, review the “Optional reading” section at the bottom of this page.

Structuring the body paragraphs

The body paragraphs should state clearly the reasons for your proposal. You should offer evidence to support your recommendations and convince your reader that your proposed solution adequately addresses the problem.

Don’t forget to provide a discussion of the feasibility of your proposal: address issues of practicality, cost, or any other factor that may make your audience decide against your proposal.

Below is a useful outline for structuring the body of the proposal essay:

1. Explain the significance of the problem and detail the problem (this can be a paragraph right after your introduction).
2. Explain how the first solution you list in the thesis will resolve the problem.
3. Explain how the second solution you list in the thesis will resolve the problem.
4. Explain how the third solution you list in the thesis will resolve the problem.

Your body paragraphs should detail all the solutions proposed in your thesis points and explain to your reader why they will be effective. Introduce evidence to support the point, give the evidence, and explain how the evidence supports the main claim. For more information on constructing the body of the essay, review the “Optional reading” section at the bottom of this page. Remember, too, that this essay asks you to incorporate at least three sources in your body paragraph. Cite your sources using APA in-text citations. For help with APA, see Appendix B.

Conclusion

The essay should end with a conclusion that restates the thesis, summarizes the significance of the problem, and reiterates the main points of the argument. Do not introduce any new information in the conclusion. For helpful information and videos on the introduction, thesis, and conclusion, and for more information on organizing, outlining, and drafting an essay, review the “Optional reading” section at the bottom of this page.

Reference page

At least three sources should be cited on your reference page. It’s important that you have 1:1 correspondence in your paper. This means that every time you use an in-text citation to cite a source, that same source must appear on the reference page at the end of your paper. Similarly, if you include a source on your reference page, that same source must appear at least once as an in-text citation in your paper.