Write a 4-page (around 1000 words) essay in the form of a letter that offers a solution to a particular, local problem; the essay must be stylistically tailored for your audience and include a variety of evidence/support.  For example, you might write a letter to your supervisor about a way for your company to save money, so people won't have to be laid-off, or a letter to the chair of the math department proposing a system for testing the language skills of international teachers.  Make sure you have a well-defined problem; a clearly proposed solution; a reasonable tone; and a convincing argument in which you explain how the solution will solve the problem, demonstrate that the solution is feasible, anticipate reader's objection and questions, and evaluate  alternative solutions. 

       This essay should be a practical proposal in the form of a letter targeted to a specific audience, preferably related to a group to which you belong (work, service, club, church, community, etc.) 

       Make sure you spend most of your essay explaining how and why your solution will solve the problem--use very specific examples and details to show how your solution would solve the problem.  THIS IS THE MOST CRUCIAL PART OF THE ASSIGNMENT.

       Anticipate problems/counterarguments that your audience will have with the solution and defend yourself against them.  Pay special attention to the feasibility of your solution.

       Also, consider counterproposals or alternative solutions that your audience may offer and defend yourself against them as well. (Know the difference between counterarguments and counterproposals.)

       Your essay should be an action proposal that clearly specifies the steps your audience should take to solve the problem.

Topics:  Good topics are essential to this assignment.  Try to use the most unique, specific one that you can. Try to choose a problem that affects you directly.  Don't choose a problem that can't be solved. Don't choose a topic whose solution is too easy/obvious.  Don’t choOse problems for which the solution involves a lot of money (i.e., raising taxes or charging fees).  Avoid these problems:  parking, time management, noise in the dorm, cafeteria problems, global problems (abortion, capital punishment, etc.)  The best topics in the past have been ones that have concerned a person’s job or a group the person was associated with (i.e., school clubs, church groups, organizations).

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