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OVERVIEW: Depending on your purpose, a written argument can involve different kinds of claims. Factual claims are concerned with whether something is true or false. Value claims are concerned with whether something is good or bad. And policy claims, which encompass the previous two, are concerned with whether something should or should not be done.
In academic and professional settings, writers are often asked to comment on policy—that is, to propose a solution to a particular problem. Complicating this effort is the fact that many readers may not share our knowledge and beliefs. We therefore need to think carefully about who our audience is. What information will they need? What questions, doubts, and/or objections might they raise? What are the merits of their perspective(s) compared to our own? What style and tone should we use? If we consider such questions carefully when outlining, drafting, and revising our writing, we’re more likely to persuade readers to adopt our point of view.
ASSIGNMENT: For this essay, you’ll identify a problem that impedes college students’ academic performance. This should be a problem that you've witnessed or experienced personally during your first semester(s) here at NOVA. It can relate to teaching and study, academic resources, financial or logistical matters, health or social issues, or anything else that might affect student success. Your job is to document the extent of that problem and describe a policy that colleges might adopt to address it.
More specifically, you'll need to persuade your reader(s) that. . .
To do all this requires extensive research, not just to identify and document the problem, but to formulate your solution and illustrate its viability. Your essay must therefore incorporate a minimum of five (5) outside sources. Keep in mind, however, that different topics/arguments call for different types and amounts of information.
For more detailed information, please review the guidelines below and/or contact your professor. If you need research assistance or library help, please use the 24/7 Chat Service or make an appointment with a Loudoun Campus Librarian.