Write a proposal for a future paper assignment in this class.  In other words, compose a proposal for a paper assignment that you would like to do this semester in Rhetoric II.  Your paper assignment should not be an assignment that you have in another course this semester (unless you get the other instructor's permission in writing to "double up" the paper).  I plan to take all your future paper assignments in this class from among your proposals.

I recommend that you research what kinds of papers you will be writing most frequently in future courses in your major and propose such a paper for this class.  In that way, you can use this class to help you prepare for the kinds of writing you will have to do in your major field (and beyond).

You may propose an assignment for ESSAY 2 (that is, for a short argumentative essay) or for the research paper (that is, for a 10-page persuasive paper with a substantial number of sources).

When you submit your proposal, you should include the text of the paper assignment you are proposing, as well as your essay (with a persuasive argument in justification of your proposed assignment).  You should also include relevant supplementary materials (such as samples of real paper assignments from courses in your major or a copy of a survey of students and professors in your major).

As you work on the proposal, you should consider the following questions:

1. What is the purpose of your proposed paper assignment?  How will it benefit you and your fellow classmates in the context of the goals and interests of Rhetoric II?  How will it benefit you and your classmates in the context of your future college classes?  What problem will it solve with respect to your education and that of your classmates?
2. How will your proposed paper assignment accomplish your purpose?  Specifically, what details of your paper assignment will accomplish the desirable educational goals that you claim?  Would another kind of paper assignment accomplish the same goals more easily or more simply?
3. Is your proposed paper assignment really practical?  Does it require more specialized knowledge than you or your classmates currently have?  Is it clear and understandable?  Will it yield positive results?  What problems might develop from your assignment? What problems might develop for your fellow classmates as they try to fulfill the assignment? What about for me as the professor assigning it?
4. Is your proposed paper assignment appropriate for Rhetoric II?  Is it an assignment for ESSAY 2 or for the research paper?  How will it use and develop the argumentation skills that you have been learning in Rhetoric I and II?  (I recommend that you take a look at the web page of the Rhetoric program to get a sense of what the nature and purpose of assignments in Rhetoric II are supposed to be.)