project overview

1. Unit 2: Defining and Arguing a
Rhetorical Problem
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Rhetorical Scenario
For the duration of this research project, you will be adopting the ethos of an advocate of a
social issue that affects a community or field of study that interests you. Your goal for this project
is to produce two deliverables: 1) an academic research essay intended for publication in a
research-based news source such as the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal and 2) a
multimodal research project designed to visually engage the public at a high-profile research
showcase. Your purpose for doing so is to generate public interest for your issue and persuade the
public to support your cause and work toward creating a solution.
Project Outline
STEP 1: Write a formal research proposal which provides a preliminary discussion of your
research topic. This proposal will operate as a guide for your work during the Library Instruction
Unit. Due date: Friday, September 23rd
STEP 2: Participate in Library Week and begin finding sources to inform your research project.
Library instruction assignments due: Friday, September 30th
STEP 3: Demonstrate your ability to perform a rhetorical reading of one of your sources and
produce an evaluative annotation of an academic text. Due date: Friday, October 6th
STEP 4: First check point and peer review. Draft a concept outline of your Macro-Micro-Response
Essay which maps out the “big moves” of your paper and provides structure for your extended
argument. Produce a concept draft of your Multimodal Research Remediation which details three
ideas you have conceptualized for your Unit 2 project. Due date: Friday, October 13th
STEP 5: Demonstrate your ability to synthesize multiple sources in order to present a rhetorical
argument while implementing the techniques of writing a perfect paragraph. Due date: Friday,
October 20th
STEP 6: Participate in extensive peer drafting exercises to offer and receive feedback on initial
drafts of both Unit 2 deliverables. Peer Review Worksheet due Tuesday, October 24th
STEP 7: Produce a polished draft of your Macro-Micro-Response Essay and a completed
Multimodal Research Remediation project. You will present these in class the week of November
7th and 9th. Final Unit 2 due date: Friday, November 10th
Evaluation
Please refer to individual assignment sheets for evaluation rubrics and/or individual point values.
Total value for Process Assignments: 160 points
Total value for Unit 2 Project and Presentation: 250 points