Assignment 1
Overview
Have you ever listened to an argument and wondered why the people in the debate were so passionate about their positions? Or have you ever wondered why more people don't try to better understand their opponents in a debate?
In Module 2 you began to explore the idea that there are many sides, or perspectives, in a debate. In creating your literature review, you looked closely at the perspectives you found on your chosen topic. In Discussion 1 you looked carefully at the main issues involved with your topic. Now it is time to synthesize all the information you have found so you can construct an objective analysis of this topic. This is your opportunity to show your audience the complexity and depth of your topic, to encourage them to look beyond the simple "pro-con" positions.
In this assignment, you will conduct a stakeholder analysis on your topic. What is a stakeholder? Anyone with a real interest in your issue, anyone with something of value to gain or lose, is considered a stakeholder. These are the people who have material, social, cultural, or emotional interests at stake within your topic. These are likely to be the voices or perspectives you have been researching in the past few discussions and assignments. You will analyze the topic and the various stakeholders, or perspectives, from an objective viewpoint.
You should spend approximately 10 hours on this assignment.
Instructions
1. Research: You have done much of the research for this assignment already! Consult the sources you compiled during your literature review and the information you reported in your PowerPoint presentation. Look over your notes from your expert interview. Decide whether you have enough information (and the best information) to create a comprehensive analysis of this topic. Decide if you have found information to answer all of your questions. If not, remember that research is recursive, and continue searching for, evaluating, and annotating sources until you feel you have a thorough understanding of the topic and can provide well-documented information about each of your stakeholders. OMIT your own personal opinions, as they are inappropriate in this formal research report about source ideas. You may use sources other than CCCOnline Library database sources.
2. Pre-Write: Who are your stakeholders? Identify at least four specific stakeholders or stakeholder groups. What are their values? Why do they think this issue is important? What do they have to gain or lose? What is their goal regarding your topic? How are their positions similar or different from one another? Look at this topic from their various perspectives and examine what these voices have to say.
3. Write: Write an essay where you carefully and thoughtfully analyze this topic through the viewpoints of the stakeholders involved.
• Introduction: In your introduction you should give a thorough overview of the topic. Give background information, history, and context to the issue. Identify the main points of conflict or debate. Finally, identify the stakeholders you will discuss in the Body paragraphs. Include your thesis sentence.
• Body: Explain with only cited source information the stakeholders and their positions. Devote at least one paragraph to each stakeholder's position. Explain who they are, what they have at stake, and why the topic is significant to them.
• Body: Analyze the stakeholders. How are the stakeholders' positions similar and different? What are the connections between the stakeholders? Why are they similar and different? What makes this topic so complex?
• Conclusion: Add your voice to the conversation. Synthesize the information you present in your body paragraphs. In your assessment, what is the future of this topic?
Assignment 2
Overview
As a writer, it is important for you to consider how your writing is received by your readers. You must consider if your ideas are well focused, organized, and clear. Peer review allows you to get feedback from your intended audience and allows you to practice critical thought in giving feedback to others.
In this discussion you will post your stakeholder analysis essay draft for peer review. You will also give thoughtful peer reviews to two of your peers.
You should spend approximately 3 hours on this assignment.
Instructions
1. Post your completed 1,000-1100-word draft of the Module 3 Assignment: Stakeholder Analysis Essay by the date listed on the schedule. Include in-text citations and a Works Cited page.
2. Save your document in a .doc or .pdf file, and attach it to your posting. Do *NOT* copy and paste your draft into your Discussion message textbox. Instead, post as an attachment per instructions. Post your draft early; if you post your draft late, you may not receive timely feedback. Include a short version of your title in the subject line of your post.
3. Think: Respond to each of these issues when creating your peer reviews:
• Identify three specific areas that you believe need improvement.
• Does the Introduction paragraph identify the specific stakeholders and include a clear, specific thesis sentence regarding what the essay is about?
• Does the essay remain objective and neutral?
• Does the essay explain stakeholders with only cited information? Does the essay avoid all personal opinions when explaining stakeholders?
• Are all sources both credible and current, published in the last five (5) years?
• Does the essay include a conclusion paragraph that synthesizes the main points and offers closure? Does the writer insert his or her voice and ideas into the conclusion, as instructed?
4. Write: Complete a thorough peer review for at least two of your classmates. And remember that you will not receive credit for posting a peer review unless you have posted your own draft in this interactive peer-review workshop. Do not post your peer reviews at attachments. Type peer reviews directly into each Discussion message box. Post each review by replying to the writer's post in the forum. Choose an essay that has either not yet been reviewed or that has only one review so far. Offer as much feedback as possible:
• Address each of the six "Think" questions above
• Tell the author specifically what he/she is doing right and what problem areas exist.
• If something is not working for you, explain that for the author and state why.
• Give clear advice on how to make the changes you suggest. Be specific!
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.