Project 3: Persuasive Essay & Documentary Film

Overview: ​A good researcher fluidly shifts between the questions that drive research and their
answers. Reflecting on those answers with skepticism can lead a researcher to revise her original
proposition(s), which in turn can lead to new questions and new directions to be explored. This can
give research the appearance that it is a never ending process. However, researchers must at times
move beyond mere discovery and exposition to take positions on their researched inquiry. Put
another way, sometimes researchers must make arguments about their research’s implications.

Thus, the assignment for Writing Project 3 asks you to take a position on an issue you have
researched. This assignment is two-part: the first part is written, the second is visual.

Part 1:
2-3 Page APA Formatted Essay
You will construct an argument, one that shows readers why they should accept (or at least
entertain) your position. To that end, your essay should:

● address an issue of social, cultural, or political import

● be claim driven
● support claims with sound reasoning and valid evidence
● account for counter arguments and divergent perspectives
● appeal to an informed audience in an accessible and rhetorically effective manner using
rhetorical structure

Research:​ In order to effectively persuade your audience that your position is worthy of
consideration, you will need to highlight the significant, compelling, and novel information you have
discovered and effectively deploy that information to support your claims. Thus, you will use your
research from WP2 to (1) teach your audience about something of which they have limited
awareness, and (2) convince them that your position is valid and worthy of consideration.

Requirements:​ Your essay should be approximately 800 words in length (app. 3 pages),
incorporate at least 4 credible sources, attend to the specific requirements of the assignment, and
adhere to APA formatting standards

Part 2: Documentary Film

For the second part of the assignment you will produce your own argument in a documentary film
intended for a specific audience. A documentary film is a visual expression that seeks to stay factual
and represent reality. It has some artistic point of view, a message of some sort, a moral or
ideological ambition--in short, a wish to make a difference, to change the world, or at least, the way
in which some relevant audience will look upon the world or themselves.
As college students you have both opportunity and responsibility to be heard, to educate your
community and produce a valuable piece of work that can be used. Producing a visual argument
advocating for specific issues facing your generation is a wonderful way for you and your peers to
positively contribute to your generation’s present and future condition.

Compose:​ Using your phone, you will plan, write, film, and edit (either Apple iMovie or Adobe
Premiere), a documentary film that creates awareness and advocates for a change in thinking or
behavior. Your film should attempt to persuade a specific audience and have a specific purpose. The
length of film should be approximately 3-4 minutes long. Ensure that the video and audio of the film
are of good quality, and that the files will upload/play correctly on YouTube. You are all welcomed
and encouraged to work together and help each other.

Design: Your film should follow a structure similar to this:

● Title page with names, class, and title of film.
● Introduction – state and/or show background, history, or general status of the issue.
● Claim – state and/or show your side of the issue, what you want to persuade your audience
to think or do.
● Support—state and/or show reasons to support your claim using appropriate evidence.
● Conclusion—bring the documentary to a close and give your viewers something more to
consider.

Fair Use Statement/Copyright/Credits.

Important Requirements:
1. You should NOT use more than 15 seconds of outside video at a time, whether from
YouTube or your own video. Be vigilant about editing to maintain focus, to keep yourself as
the primary voice, and keep interest in your film.
2. Need to support the documentary film with research to support any claims you make.
3. Be clear about your persuasive purpose—what the position/claim is and what you would
like the audience to do about it.

**Common-Sense Clause**
● Do not put yourself, or others, in any dangerous situations in the making of your film.
● Do not show any illegal activity or potentially incriminate others in the making of your film.
● Do not use video/images/language that is not suitable for an academic setting and
discourse community. Remember that you film will be shown in class and could be shown in
wider venues at the end of the semester.

Product Testing:​ We will have a workshop where we will discuss using the two edit suites and I
will make tutorials available to you via YouTube. We will also dedicate one class to workshop your
ideas, film, and do anything else you would like related to your film.
Project Submission:​ Much of your process work for this project will be posted to Canvas and/or
completed in class. Specific details about the process work of WP3 (e.g. readings, etc.) will be found
in Canvas. Your final project will be submitted in two ways: (1) your essay will be submitted as an
APA formatted document to the WP3 assignment on Canvas, and (2) your essay and documentary
will then be submitted as a webpage on Portfolio you create for our class.

Part 1 draft due: 4/15

Part 2 workshop: TBA
Part 2 draft due: 4/17
Polished draft submitted: 4/22