The Toulmin-style essay is comprised of six major parts: claim, qualifiers, reasons/evidence, warrants, and backing.
Claim: the argument the writer endeavors to prove.
Qualifiers: any limits the writer wishes to place on their claim.
Reasons/evidence: evidence-based support for the writer's claim
Warrants: general assumptions which support the writer's claim
Backing: evidence for warrant assumptions.
The assignment for this essay was to select a controversial topic and write a Toulmin-style essay on it. The title of my essay was Electric Vehicles: The Future of Transportation? It was my goal to provide a science-based evaluation of the issue and come to a conclusion based on the evidence.
This project was a problem-solution multimedia presentation. The assignment was to select a problem, which could be related to the topic of Project 1 or an independent topic. I chose to use an independent topic. The title of this project was Universal Healthcare: Solutions for a Capitalist Economy. My goal was to present a strong argument in favor of my position while considering alternative viewpoints and providing arguments that would solve the issues presented by those viewpoints.
The focus of this assignment was the creation of a persuasive infographic based on a topic of our choosing. I chose to complete my infographic on the failings of the EPA superfund program.. It was especially difficult for me to condense the topic into the space of an infographic. My goal with this infographic was not only to inform the reader of the inadequacies of the EPA's current superfund site cleanup methods but also to encourage them to take action.
Final Reflection Essay: Composition II
The UALR Department of Rhetoric and Writing has set clear learning objectives for this course, as follows:
· Demonstrate basic rhetorical ability by completing texts for at least three different rhetorical situations, with each one written appropriately for that context. (E.g., personal essay, literacy narrative, exploratory source-based paper.)
· Demonstrate awareness of basic proofreading and editing skills by completing finished drafts that follow appropriate conventions of grammar punctuation, usage, and spelling.
· Revise and reflect on all major projects [at least three] effectively, based on instructor feedback, peer review, and self-assessment. (E.g., evidence of improvement on global & local issues plus a substantial reflection essay.) Produce at least one final draft that effectively integrates electronic and print sources into the writer’s own text and documents them effectively. (E.g., an exploratory paper that uses primary and secondary sources located through library databases to pose and answer a question.)
· Effectively use different software programs and applications to compose and revise documents in different modes and mediums. (E.g., an e-portfolio site or blog with working links that is eye-friendly, readable, and navigable.)
· Demonstrate awareness of multiple genres by producing at least one effective text in a professional, public, and non-essay genre. (E.g., the portfolio contains a press release, an opinion-editorial essay, and a design for a billboard ad or PSA.)
By completing each major project within the course and the completion of this portfolio, I have met each of the learning objectives for the course. Project 1 required the demonstration of basic proofreading and editing skills. Project 2 and Project 3 both required the usage of multiple types of software programs. Project 3 required the usage of a non-essay genre, which satisfies the final requirement. The final portfolio project has integrated the use of multiple software programs and applications, as well. Through the completion of each of these projects, I have also met the requirement of “revising and reflecting on at least three major projects.”
I have worked hard on this course and have seen my writing skills increase significantly, especially in non-essay genres. I had never worked with graphics-based media like infographics or websites. The use of these mediums has forced me to learn new techniques and software applications to succeed in this course. I have earned a very high grade in this course, which I believe reflects the amount of work I have put in and the amount of growth I have demonstrated.
I find it important to add that a course is only as good as its professor. I would like to extend my gratitude to Professor Crain for her thorough instruction, willingness to answer any questions, and flexibility in working with me on timelines when I was in the hospital.