Class Discussion
of Draft 1
Explanatory
Task:
• Work in group 5 for 30 minutes.
• Read two “Anonymous” Drafts 1 of Explanatory Essay on Google
Classroom.
• In your group, using the Rubric for Evaluating Explanatory Essays to
evaluate and mark the two drafts.
• After the given time, discuss the mark with the lecture.
CHAPTER 6:
PROPOSING A SOLUTION
ENG120
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Identify a problem you care about and write a proposal to solve it.
• Analyze the reading selections that follow so that you will learn how to
make a convincing case for the solution you propose.
• Use the basic features of the genre to make your proposal intentive as
well as practical.
1. LEAD-IN
• Work in group of 4 for 10 minutes:
✓ Identify a problem you face as a student
(this course or a different one)
✓ Discuss the problem in your group and
choose a solution to it
✓ Argue that your solution is feasible
2. WHAT IS A
PROPOSAL ESSAY?
• In a proposal argument you
present a course of action in
response to a recognizable
problem.
• The proposal then says what can
be done to improve the situation
or change it altogether.
2. WHAT IS A
PROPOSAL ESSAY?
• This type of writing is common in
various fields, including academic
essays, business proposals, and
community projects.
• The goal is to persuade your
audience that the problem is
significant and that your proposed
solution is both practical and
effective.
2. WHAT IS A PROPOSAL ESSAY?
Argue for
solutions/
Propose a Respond to
Define the Explain why
solution or opposing
problem the solution
solutions views
will work and
is feasible
2. WHAT IS A • Proposal arguments can take the form
shown here:
PROPOSAL ESSAY?
3. DETERMINE THE WRITER’S PURPOSE AND AUDIENCE
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
• Use the following to help you analyze and
evaluate how proposal writers use the genre’s
basic features.
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
4.1. A focused, well-defined problem
• Framing the problem: The writer must define or frame the problem clearly
to prepare readers for the proposed solution. This involves highlighting
the aspect of the problem that the proposal aims to solve.
• Examples: • Credible Research
➢ Scenario Construction
➢ Anecdotes
➢ Negative Effects
➢ Ongoing Discussion
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
4.1. A focused, well-defined problem
• Read the introduction of the proposal on page 198.
• How does the writer begin his writing?
=> Constructing possible scenarios
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
4.2. A well-argued solution
• Thesis statement: Clearly states the proposed solution and briefly indicates
how it solves the problem.
• Writing strategies proposal writers often employ the present their argument:
✓ Cause/ effect
✓ Comparison
✓ Process analysis
✓ Statistics
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
4.3. An effective response to objections and alternative solutions
• Concessions: Accept valid objections and adjust the argument to
accommodate them.
• Refutations: Argue against objections by demonstrating their lack of merit
or the superiority of the proposed solution over alternatives.
Strong Counterargument and Refutation
Statements for Proposal Essays
• The most important technique is persuading readers that your viewpoint
is valid is to support it in every paragraph, but another strong technique
is to write a good counterargument that goes against your thesis
statement.
• After you provide a counterargument, you must give a refutation, or a
response to the counterargument, that either disproves it or shows it to
be weaker or less important than your point.
Look at the following excerpt from “The Best
Classroom”. The counterargument is in italics and the
refutation is underlined.
Writing Refutations for Counterarguments
• For each counterargument, think and write a one-sentence refutation. Remember to
use a contrasting connection (although, despite, while, but) to begin your refutation.
Topic: Mandatory retirement for pilots
Thesis statement: Pilots should be required to retire at age 60 to ensure the safety of
passengers.
Counterargument: Some people may believe that older pilots’ experience can
contribute to flight safety.
Refutation: While this may be true for a handful of pilots, the vast majority of people
report weaker eyesight, hearing, and motor skills as they age.
4. THE GENRE’S BASIC FEATURES
4.4. A clear, logical organization
• Signposts: topic sentences, transitions, headings, etc.
• Transitions: list, causes, effects, expections, concessions, refutations,
emphasis, conclusions, etc.
• Visuals: Flowcharts, graphs, tables, photographs, or cartoons
5. GUIDE TO WRITING
5.1. Choose a problem for which you can propose a solution
