Gang Violence

New Orleans, Louisiana will be the community that is being written about. Propose a feasible solution to this problem, and justify your solution with reasons and evidence. To brainstorm ideas, think about what is problematic in your community or what seems to be a pressing problem, what has been done so far to resolve it, what solutions have been suggested, what your solution is to this problem, and why your solution is the best one. Part 1: Specifics of the Proposal: 1. Your argument should have the following features: - Description of a problem (Persuade your audience that this is a genuine problem that needs solving; give it presence; explain why it is a serious problem that needs to be resolved.) - Description of a solution (a proposal for action) that will help alleviate the problem (Show your audience that your solution is logical, feasible, and practical; give details as to how it will be executed.) - Justification of the solution (Give 2-3 reasons why your audience should accept your proposal and act on it; what reasons would they be more likely to accept?) - Description of the alternative solutions that have been suggested by others previously, followed by an explanation of why yours is more effective than those in resolving the problem - Summarization of the concerns and objections that may be brought up by your audience, followed by your rebuttal (Address 2-3 counter-arguments.) 2. Since proposals aim to bring about change, your audience should be decision-makers, people in power who can implement your solution and make that change happen. Remember that your voice, justifying reasons, and evidence should be geared towards this specific audience. 3. You must use at least four academic and credible sources to support your opinions.

1. Does the essay have a clearly identified audience who are decision-makers and have the authority, resources to implement the solution? Who is that audience?  How do you know?  The author’s audience are the citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana.  The author identifies the community and government of New Orleans as the sole people relied upon to resolve the problem.      
2. Does the essay clearly identify the problem and demonstrate a need for change?  The author needs to better identify the problem which needs to be resolved.  It begins with mentioning gang violence, but later identifies drug cartels and police corruption as the major problems too.   
3. What is the problem (write it here)?  Do you believe it is truly a problem?  How could the author be more convincing?   The author identifies gang violence as running rampant in the city of New Orleans, and that poverty and desperation are major causes to it.  After reading about un-enforced gun laws and desperate people resorting to violence to survive, I do believe it truly is a problem.  I would like to know, besides murder, what kind of crimes constitute “gang violence,” and who their victims are.  I think showing the brutality of these gangs helps convince the reader how much impact it has on the community of New Orleans.    
4. Does the author suggest one solution, indicating it is the most feasible/reasonable/well-thought out?  How could the discussion of the most feasible solution be expanded upon?  The author states that education is the best solution to fighting violence.  The author’s solution could be better emphasized and expanded on if it is described how lack of education causes gang violence.
5. Does the essay demonstrate sound reasoning and logic with well-supported documentation for the solution?   Some logic in the paper needs better supported documentation.  Maybe include existing education programs and the impact they have made, and show the correlation between education and income with some other studies.  Evidence showing how education is the key would strongly support the arguments.   
6. Does the essay discuss some alternative solutions, indicating that the author's solution is the most effective one available?  The author mentioned the attempt by the federal government to intervene by making arrests.  It is also mentioned how and why it was ineffective.  It might strengthen your argument of education being the best solution by showing other lesser solutions. 
7. Does the essay summarize counter-arguments, challenging the problem, author's solution, and justifying reasons?  How well does he or she respond to them?  The author does not mention counter-arguments to the solution.  Showing why opponents who believe education is not the best solution, and then presenting counter arguments further strengthens your argument.  
8. Does the conclusion motivate the reader toward action? Provide a suggestion or an alternative suggestion for a call to action from the audience.   The author ends by mentioning education’s effectiveness on other problems and reiterates the importance of educating; however, I think the conclusion can end even stronger by calling upon every member of the audience to do their part.  Mention the importance of coming together as a community and showing pride in their city of New Orleans. 
9. (Answer either 9 or 10 depending on if the author created an ad/a flyer OR a video for the multimodal portion)  For the ad or flyer, has the author considered layout (organization of and balance between the written and visual text), spacing, font and image size, font type, color, and clarity of the argument?  Make suggestions for improvement.  The visual presentation was good.  It showed the balance between gangs and community.  Perhaps clarify what is “a good outreach” you are referring to in the short paragraph on the bottom right.
10. For the PSA, has the author considered technical quality (accessibility and viewability), engagement, timing, and completeness?  Make suggestions for improvement.