In an argumentative paper, you [...] do not simply quote, paraphrase, and summarize. You interpret, question, compare, and judge the statements you cite. You explain why one opinion is sound and another is not, why one fact is relevant and another is not, why one writer is correct and another is mistaken. Your purpose may vary with your topic; ... an argumentative research paper deals actively with the statements it cites. It makes them work together in an argument that you create -- an argument that leads to a conclusion of your own. (Hefferman 495-496)

Heffernan, James & Lincoln, John. Writing: A College Handbook 3rd edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1990.

Directions:  Please read the information on this sheet carefully.

This paper pulls together our conversations and work for this semester by asking you to write a peruasive and argumentative paper that addresses a urgent and non-trivial systemic problem. The paper will have three main sections:

Topic and Background information: 

Assignment: 

1) Describe with depth, specificity, and complexity the urgent and non-trivial nature of the problem you are looking at. What are the consequences of this problem? How is it harming individuals, society, the environment, the family, the economy etc ... ? Where is the problem the most severe? Who is being harmed and in what ways? What are the historical roots of the problem? To what else is the problem related? How is this problem a part of a system that needs changing?

2) Identify as richly as possible the multi-factoral causes that contribute to this problem. To what extent and to what degree do different factors contribute to the problem? Who and what is responsible for perpetuating this problem?

These two sections must be substantial. You should argue with specific and convincing evidence and with as much depth and complexity as possible. Throughout your paper you should draw upon our work on issues of sustainaiblity and social entrepreneurship. The final section however is the most important. Here you are to argue for your position concerning the most effective ways people are addressing this problem, it's harms and causes.

3) Identify severals persons and/or organizations that are addressing the problem, its consequences and causes in an innovative and sustainable way. Make a case for the strategies and approaches that appear to have the greatest promise in minimizing the harms, transforming the conditions that are causing the problem, particulalry at a systemtic level. Highlight how the work these organizations and leaders is and is not addressing the causes and harms you have identified. How do their strategies address the causes and contribute to solving the problem?