This is the assignment sheet for the Rhetorical Problem Statement assignment.

1. Rhetorical Problem Statement
Purpose
The purpose of a Rhetorical Problem Statement is to clarify a specific problem by defining
it, identifying the stakeholders, and justifying its significance. It serves as important tool to
recognize a variety of aspects of the problem as you develop your annotated bibliography
and critical conversation essay.
Description
The Rhetorical Problem Statement identifies and starts to explore a problem that you have
chosen to research and write about for the rest of the semester. A complete statement
should be around 250 – 300 words and use evidence to accomplish the following purposes:
• Define the problem clearly and explicitly and give it presence.
• Identify all of the stakeholders and how they are affected by the problem.
• Explain why this problem is significant or important.
You may want to explore the questions in “Give a Problem Presence” (pg. 134-35) to
generate material for your Problem Statement.
Due Dates
Draft due Monday, 10/2 – bring a hard copy to class
Revised final due Friday, 10/6