ENGL-147 Advanced English Composition

State your stance within the debate you chose, without using “I.”(1 sentence)

The standards for drinking water in the U.S. are already very high, so instead of raising the standards, we should enforce the existing ones better.

Why is your stance a good one for an argument research essay? (at least 3 sentences)

This is a good stance for an argument essay because there are two possible basic stances, that standards need to be raised or that they don’t. Then, in addition to noting my stance, I am also proposing what the real issue is, which is not standards but enforcing them. Finally, this stance lends itself well to research and argument because there is information to be discovered and because I can support my stance while also addressing viewpoints that oppose mine.

Who might disagree with your stance and why? (at least 3 sentences)

For the most part, I will need to discover opposing viewpoints through research, but I can already brainstorm for some reasons why others might disagree. For example, people who have suffered from bad drinking water may feel that the issue is the standards, not the enforcement. I would need to address this head-on and explain the difference between standards and enforcement. Also, if standards are different across the U.S., I will need to find a way to address the reasons for the different standards and why they make sense.

Who do you imagine your audience will be? (at least 2 sentences)

I imagine that my audience will be the general public and certain water standards enforcement agencies. Most citizens have concerns about water; many people will not drink water unless it is bottled, regardless of where they live in the U.S.

 In a full paragraph of 7-9 sentences, and without performing any research, please note what you already understand about the debate and what you do not already understand about the debate:

My understanding of drinking water standards comes from two places. The first is the well-known Flint, Michigan water crisis and how it escalated and became so dangerous. I know that many people got sick, but I don’t know the full extent of the types of illnesses or the number of people. I also don’t know how far-reaching geographically the water crisis was and if it happened just in one area of Flint or in larger areas. Also, I’m a bit unsure of where this bad water came from and how it was allowed to happen. I know people are being held accountable, but I am not sure who or in what ways. I also have the experience of coming from a farming community where many people have their own wells for their drinking water. One cannot purchase a home without the well being tested by professionals and a full report being generated. The report is very detailed, but I don’t know what the numbers mean. I know that some people will not drink their well water, regardless of the findings, but some feel that it is better than town water. I’d like to discover what the numbers mean, if the standards are the same as town water and if town water standards are the same across the U.S. This will help me grasp the full context and be as informed as possible before I begin attempting an argument.

Next week, in Week 2, you will begin scholarly research in the library. This research will help you find opposing viewpoints (sources that disagree with you) and supporting viewpoints (sources that agree with you), as well as information to fill in missing gaps in knowledge you may have. With all three of these goals in mind, please list five possible search phrases you might use when you begin searching in the library.

Instructions

The goal of an argument research proposal is to create a working argument stance and a basic plan that considers context, audience, and purpose and that presents potential approaches to research.

Keep in mind that rather than being an outline or structural plan for your essay, this proposal should ground you in the conversation, should offer direction for research needs, and should give your professor ample focused material viable for providing effective feedback before you begin researching and writing.

Access the Proposal Template and complete the three required sections.

For an example proposal and development techniques, refer to your textbook reading for the week.