Writing Assignment Four

EN 101-0809
Erin Karper

Writing Assignment Four

Speculating about causes is about critical thinking. You're asking what seems to be a very simple question; "Why?" However, "why" is a question that can be asked in many different forms, and asking different questions leads to different answers. For this assignment, you are being asked to look at either a phenomenon or a trend, to ask it a specific critical question, and to present some possible answers to your question. This essay should not be a "cause and effect" paper: instead, it should be a work which presents probable explanations and attempts to convince the reader of their validity. It can be an essay that argues that there is no one cause, a collection of causes or even that there is no readily identifiable cause, as long as there are arguments and proof.

Option One:
Pick a trend in pop culture and write an essay where you speculate about reasons why itUs happening. For example, you could write about why people watch soap operas, why Jerry Springer is so popular, why there are so many "beauty" magazines for women, why people read romance/adventure/mystery/legal thriller novels, why people buy NordicTracks, or any other trend you see happening in popular culture and find interesting.

Your essay must:

describe the trend in specific detail

present possible explanations for this trend with specific reasons as to why these explanations are plausible.

argue with specific reasons and details that one of the possible explanations is the most plausible, or that some of the explanations are more plausible, or argue that none of them are acceptable.

It's not enough to say "People watch soap operas because they're bored housewives." You have to give some proof that this explanation is the best, such as "A survey of x soap opera viewers found that the main reason they gave for watching soaps was boredom due to their chosen career of housewife. Therefore, a main reason why people watch soaps is because they're bored housewives."

In order to get specific details and backing for your claims, research will most probably be required. The chapter in SMG on "Library and Internet Research" should prove helpful.

Option Two:

Pick a phenomenon or trend that you have noticed at Purdue and write an essay where you speculate about reasons why it's happening. For example, you could write about why so many students choose to live in the dorms, why there is a higher percentage of women or men in certain majors than in others, why people choose to join fraternities or sororities, why bikes are so popular on campus, etc.

Your essay must:

specify whether or not this is a phenomenon or a trend (if it's a trend, then you'll need to be able to point to change over time or consistency over time)
describe it in specific detail
present possible explanations for it with specific reasons as to why these explanations are plausible.
argue with specific reasons and details that one of the possible explanations is the most plausible, or that some of the explanations are more plausible, or argue that none of them are acceptable. See the comments under option one about proof and backing.

In order to get specific details and backing for your claims, research will most probably be required. Use SMG's chapter on "Library and Internet Research." A good source for statistics about this year and previous years would be the President's Annual Report; ask at the library about where you can find copies of this year's and for previous years.

References to the work of others should follow the MLA style for citing references and a works cited page should appear at the end of your paper. Documentation for MLA style can be found in Saint MartinUs Guide, by following links at OWL (owl.english.purdue.edu), by talking with the helpful and friendly people at the Writing Lab (HEAV 226) or by asking me.

Your final draft is due on Monday, November 23rd. A workshop schedule will be forthcoming.

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