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For this essay, you are going to be identifying a problem and proposing a doable, feasible, and worthwhile solution to that problem. Here are the parameters of the essay:
I have won the lottery! I’ve established the Lorelei Baughman Foundation with my millions. My goal is to distribute this money to those in need, in an effort to contribute to the common good. I’ve hired you as a fund manager and made you responsible for the distribution of $250,000 of that money. You need to write me a proposal (which will follow the standard essay requirements!) explaining how you think your $250,000 should be spent.
General Requirements
Identify a problem related to an imbalance of power. ‘Power’ can refer to strength, influence, dignity, fuel/energy, or any definition you like.
Propose an appropriate, actionable solution that will help a specific community of people address the problem. Your community should be no larger than a city, but it doesn’t have to be your city. The community can be (but doesn’t have to be) a formal group such as a soccer team or graduating class – but it can also be a representative group of people such as recently released juvenile offenders, lower-income Latino high school students that want to become doctors, etc.
Your proposal should include a clear description of the problem you are hoping to solve, in such a way that your reader understands why it is important. For example, your solution might serve as an incentive

for a larger effort.
In your well-argued proposal, persuade your reader of the viability of your solution. Consider what Michael Sandel’s You need to provide your reader with a clear outline of how your $250,000 will be spent. Your proposal needs to demonstrate why this solution will have the greatest possible impact on the ‘common good.’
A clear and logically organized proposal (Essay #4) will effectively anticipate readers’ responses to objections and alternative solutions.
The St. Martin’s Guide Chapter 7 explains four features demonstrated by a successful “Propose A Solution” essay. They are:
A focused, well-defined problem
A well-argued solution
An effective response to objections and alternative solutions
A clear, logical organization
Guidelines and Deadlines
MLA formatting is required – see Chapter 20 of the St Martin’s Guide.
In addition to the UWP General Rubric, I will be grading your essay using the requirements and Basic Features outlined in Chpt 7 in the St Martin’s Guide.
The essay should be at least 1500 words long, excluding the Works Cited page or headings.
Three or more outside sources. a) One must be our text Tyranny of Merit by Michael Sandel. b) The other two can be any credible source c) One of the three sources should show that your proposal can work. Have experts proposed similar solutions? Have other communities implemented the solution? (SMG 241)
Address at least one objection and/or alternative solution