Q This week’s assignment is a proposal. You’ll use the same general topic you did last week, but your goal this week is to identify a problem that needs to be addressed and write a brief proposal to correct the issue. Before completing this activity, be sure to review your readings and videos for this module. You can find the readings and module notes by clicking the links below: • Module 7 Learning Materials • Module Notes: Writing a Persuasive Argument • Module Notes: Proposals and Other Persuasive Documents Let's Talk The goal of this group discussion is to identify a problem, write a problem statement, draft a call to action, and get feedback from your peers on your overall approach. You will then use this problem statement as the basis for your proposal this week. When you read an article, you should be able to identify the problem statement (or the main thesis) very quickly and easily. The problem statement gives you a description of • the status quo, or what should happen under normal conditions; • the destabilizing moment, or what caused the problem; • the consequences, or what would happen if the problem is left as-is; and • the response(s), or how will the writer solve the problem. Step 1: Review the Topic Last week, your group chose a topic from among the following: • Alternative energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, nuclear) • Space exploration • Genetically modified/engineered foods • Educational technology • High-tech advances in medicine/healthcare • Robotics in manufacturing • Alternative work schedules/locations (four 10s, remote, etc.) Part 2: Identify the Problem and the Target Reader Examine the topic you chose and identify a problem within that field or context. What is the problem? Can it be solved? If so, how? Think about your audience. To whom should your proposal be directed? Does this person have the authority to take action on what you are proposing? If not, is this person the right reader? Part 3: Write a Problem Statement and a Call to Action When you are ready to make your initial posting, click the “Reply” button. Begin by stating your topic and your target reader. You may find it helpful to identify a specific company as well as the name of the person who will receive and read your proposal. Then, using the framework outlined above (status quo, destabilizing moment, consequences, and response), draft a preliminary problem statement. You should be able to draw quite a bit on the data presented in the informational report from Module 6 to write your problem statement; however, you may need to do some additional research if your group only focused on main ideas that weren’t problem-oriented. Next, write your call to action. A call to action is an opportunity for the writer to invite the reader to take action on what’s being proposed. In many cases, a call to action is a single sentence, but it may be as long as a complete paragraph. Write a preliminary call to action that makes sense for your target reader. This week’s response must be in written format. In total, your initial response this week should not exceed 150 words. Step 4: Connect with Your Classmates and Instructors Respond to the initial posts of at least three classmates. For each classmate, please respond to all of the following questions in two to three sentences each: • What is your initial impression of your classmate’s problem statement? Is it truly a problem that needs to be solved? And, is it solvable? How do you know? • What is your initial impression of the target reader your classmate identified? Is this person the right reader? How do you know? • What is your initial impression of your classmate’s call to action? Is it appropriate for the problem and the intended reader? How do you know? • What is one additional item of feedback that you can provide your classmate this week? NOTE: You may find it helpful to respond to classmates who were in your group during Module 6. Your peer and/or instructor responses should be posted in written format. Evaluation The TECH200 Discussion Rubric explains how you will be graded. The discussions combined are worth 20% of your final grade. Outcomes This activity assesses the following module outcomes: • M7-03: Employ appropriate rhetorical appeals to write persuasively for a specific audience. (CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO7) • M7-04: Plan and prepare a short technical proposal for a specific audience. (CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7) • M7-05: Effectively integrate evidence in a technical proposal to support assertions and recommendations. (CO9, CO10)