Essay #2: Analysis & Discussion of a Problem
Length:
3-4 pages
Grade:
100 points
(10% of course grade)
Due Dates
:
1
st
draft due—
Week 8
Final draft due—Week 9
Assignment
:
Choose a problem that you are interested in or want to learn more about, and then
analyze
and
discuss
the background and some of the causes, effects, and other factors that you think people should be aware of to understand this problem. This can be a social, environmental, political, economic, relational, medical, or any other kind of problem that would be appropriate for academic research.
Your thesis should address
how
(effects) and/or
why
(causes) this issue is a problem for
whom
. Give specific facts and examples as evidence to support your points and discussion. You will not be able to discuss all aspects of this problem in this short essay, so you will need to focus more in depth on some aspects more than others.
You will be building on this essay and topic for your next essay in which you will argue for the most effective solutions to this problem. For this essay, your primary purpose should be to discuss the background, causes, and effects of this problem and to argue why this problem needs to be addressed. While you can
briefly
mention possible solutions near the end of your essay, keep your focus here on discussing the problem itself, and save an in-depth discussion of solutions for Essay #3.
Evidence & Sources
:
If you know some information about this issue, you can use your own knowledge and experience, along with common knowledge and hypothetical examples as evidence and support, but you will also need to do some basic research to learn more about the problem and find some credible sources containing facts and examples to help you support your points. You can also include interviews with individuals, professors, or professionals who have knowledge or experience about this problem. You must clearly cite all sources used in a works cited list, including personal interviews (note the date of interviews and names of interviewees).
You should include
at least two credible sources
, but you can include additional sources if necessary. You may also use up to two sources from this essay in your next assignment, the Annotated Bibliography, so be sure to keep track of all source information, including author, title, publication information, and page numbers for sources that include pages. All sources must be considered credible for an academic audience. See more information about citing sources in the “Research Tips” page in the “Resources” module in Canvas.
Topic Ideas
:
You should choose a topic you are genuinely interested in—perhaps a societal or local problem that has recently affected you or someone you know personally. You could choose a topic related to the Covid pandemic, racial justice, the environment, or another topic about a current problem that you are interested in. You should focus your topic narrowly enough that you develop and support your thesis sufficiently in the required length. You can start with a more general problem or issue and then work to narrow it down.
Once you have a topic idea, think of asking
what
the causes are and
how
and
why
this problem affects
whom
. Some examples:
Discuss
how
and
why
opiate addiction has become a problem for so many people recently (especially in Virginia or Richmond) and how it has affected the community.
Discuss
how
and
why
a specific aspect of the criminal justice system (locally or at the state level) causes problems for many people (i.e., racial profiling, eviction laws, drug laws, other Virginia laws, etc.).
Discuss
how
and
why
the state or federal government’s response (or individuals’ responses) to COVID-19 has led to unnecessary deaths, etc.
*See me with for additional help developing your topic and focus, and see the additional resources in Canvas.
Writing the Essay
:
Regarding the structure or
organization
, this essay should have an introduction, body, and conclusion and should be at least 5 paragraphs long. Your first paragraph should
introduce
the topic and problem and include some background information, with your
thesis
statement or claim about
how and why this issue is a problem for whom
at the end of the paragraph. Your middle body paragraphs should focus on providing specific explanations and examples to develop and support your main points and thesis. Your last paragraph should be a conclusion that sums up your thesis and main points and addresses the larger implications of this issue (the “so what?”). You will be writing and revising your essay over multiple drafts with input from me and from your peers. If you have any questions or concerns about your essay, see me well before the final draft is due.
Grading
:
See the grading criteria for this essay on the “Essay Assignments” page in the “Major Assignments” module in Canvas (and also in the weekly module for when it is due). Like the other formal essays in this class, your essay will be graded according to how well you introduce your topic; stay focused on a clear and specific thesis; develop and support your thesis and main points with appropriate evidence from credible sources; organize your essay effectively; provide a clear and effective conclusion; and proofread and edit for clear and specific language, style, and correct grammar and mechanics.