According to Merriam Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, a “manifesto” is “A public declaration of intentions, motives, or views.”  Manifestos are deeply felt, carefully thought-out assertions about changes which the authors feel are necessary to save or to better a society.  They are written by people who see something that is “just not right” and who feel a need to express their views clearly for the world to see.  Your job is to write a manifesto.

Prompt:

First, you need to think of something that you feel strongly about.  The power of manifestos derives from the passion behind them, the sense of “moral outrage,” if you will. Think of current social issues, something that you care about, or something you want to change in our society/culture.  However, please avoid the ones that are overwritten (abortion, gay rights, gun laws, pot legalization).

Passion must be your starting point.  However, passion alone is not enough.  That passion must be expressed through, and tamed by, solid reasoning and sufficient evidence. In your thesis, you will argue that something needs to change in our society and in the rest of the essay you will do the following: 

Appeal to audience. Who is your audience? Who are you talking to?  Address the opening of the essay to those people. (Most likely, you are talking to your fellow Americans) Be sure the essay speaks to that audience, whoever they are. What common ground can you emphasize with your audience?

Identify the problem. What is the problem?

Define justice/appropriateness and injustice/inappropriateness with regard to your chosen topic or situation. How do you determine if a law, rule, or action is “just”? “Unjust?” Why is this thing you are talking about unjust? (Provide solid reasoning) 

Prove a danger exists. What is the problem? How or why is this situation you have selected dangerous? To whom?  (Note, you are more convincing if you can somehow ultimately show that the issue you identify is dangerous to the entire society or to every individual) Provide proof.

Plan of Action. What needs to be done?

Identify the role of government/society. What do you see as the proper role and responsibilities of government or authority in this issue?

Identify role of the individual. What are the proper role and responsibilities of the individual in this issue?