Instruction
part B
04. Here is a sample RAP B essay from a series leading to a single solution. Don't worry too much about the exact style here, but make careful note of content order, as explained below and in the RAP Guidelines. What to pay attention to:
After a short intro, the essay follows this pattern, section by section:
A) Objectively describe a first potential solution, using outside sources when necessary,
B) then acknowledge this solution has one or more advantages -- and why, with evidence;
C) however, argue this solution has one or more serious disadvantages that prevent it from being the solution you favor -- and why, with evidence.
D) Then objectively describe a second potential solution, using outside sources when necessary,
E) acknowledge this solution also has one or more advantages -- and why, with evidence;
F) however, argue this solution also has one or more serious disadvantages that prevent it from being the solution you favor -- and why, with evidence.
...And from there, the essay briefly wraps up with a required segue to RAP Part C. Thus, the minimum content for RAP B is an intro of a sentence or two, a sub-optimal solution, its upsides, its downsides, then another sub-optimal solution, its upsides, its downsides, and a concluding segue of a sentence or two. Everything past that is extra content included at your discretion -- as long as it's relevant, it's worth including but not required for grading purposes.
The essay includes a bit of reasoning and evidence supporting each advantage and disadvantage claimed about each solution, which is critical for grading purposes.
As with the sample RAP A, the particulars of MLA formatting and source usage -- in-text (parenthetical) citations, the Works Cited page, and so on -- are properly handled and edited down to the annoying little punctuation details. Note that the Works Cited page includes only the sources cited in the actual essay itself -- it is separate and distinct from the Works Cited page of RAP A, although a few of the sources cited in RAP A may be also used and thus cited in RAP B (as happens in this sample series.)