Arguing the future

Your mission for this project is to focus on a specific phenomenon (a professional, scholarly, or social trend) and predict its future*. In a formal essay, argue for and defend a version of the future, not one you hope for but one that seems most apparent. Consider the social, institutional, economic, cultural, even political forces likely to influence the phenomenon. Main Claim: Make certain to develop a narrow main claim about the future. Avoid sweeping generalizations about society, culture, human behavior and offer a specific assertion about the future. Support: Much of your argumentative support will involve examples and evidence from the past and present. But you should also work to create a line of reasoning that stretches through your argument. Opposing Visions of the Future: Because this is an argument, you will have to engage opposing or divergent claims about the future. Arrangement: Organizing a big project can be enervating. Inventing Scenarios: Give brief and illustrative scenarios to show your understanding of the future.