Annotations for Style: Argumentative

Now, some people argue that policies like rent control or affordable housing will scare away developers or hurt the economy. But clearly this is just not true. Cities like New York, San Francisco, and even Portland, have all found ways to balance growth and equity. And Austin? We’re one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Developers aren’t going to pack up just because they’re asked to build responsibly, making this outcome we are searching for very realistic. In fact, Austin has a real opportunity right now. Lawmakers have been discussing changes like reducing minimum lot sizes and expediting permits in order to build more homes faster. But volume alone obviously won’t fix affordability. If we just build more luxury condos, we’re still excluding the people who actually need housing. That’s why affordability must be baked into every part of every growth. - In this conclusion, I directly address counterarguments with evidence from other cities, using logic and a hopeful yet firm tone to argue that responsible development and equity can coexist, and that Austin has both the momentum and responsibility to lead the way.

The problem, communities like Third Wards population have dropped tremendously due to many factors, but mainly becasue of high prices that must be fought with the proposed plan.

Is it flawless? No. We still have cases of displacement. But it demonstrates what is possible when a city tries to develop without losing sight of who is already present.Sure, there will be some that don't agree. Some landlords will state rent control will affect their income or the housing market. Others will claim zoning restrictions are limiting their development opportunities. Yes, those are legitimate concerns. But what is most important—profits or people?Because when push comes to shove, we are talking about people being pushed away from their communities. Their schools. Their churches. Their memories. Their stories. That isn't "progress"; that is loss.So, imagine watching the neighbourhood you live in disappear in front of your eyes. Not overnight, but little by little—year after year—until it becomes unrecognizable

There's not enough new housing in upscale areas, and that has caused prices to go sky high. They can't afford the best, and there isn't enough of it anyway. This is too bad for them, but unfortunately, their solution is to move into our traditional neighborhoods, many of them low-income, and try to bring them up to their standards. ---- Logos is demonstrated in this passage, setting the causation for the problem presented.

Let's creatively use City of Austin zoning to address these issues. We will ask that the Planning Department and the Planning Commission consider these proposals and recommend that the City Council of Austin enact them into law. Our plan has two parts. Logos here introduces the argument.

Specifically, we'd forbid developers from making affordable housing into luxury. Let's talk about what zoning is and how the City can use it to implement these policies. According to Kenton, writing in Investopedia, zoning refers to municipal or local laws and regulations that govern how real property can and cannot be used in certain geographic areas. Ethos is used by referring to the published expert's definition. Logos is used in the further advancement of the proposal.

With more of this housing available, prices would be less likely to spiral out of control. The other part of my proposal is to make novel use of overlays to protect the low-income nature of certain existing traditional neighborhoods. This is turning traditional zoning on its head by using protections normally deployed in the service of the privileged to benefit the underprivileged. --- This section uses further logos to further describe the proposal. In addition, there is an element of ethos involved because the assertion of novelty implies that the speaker has expertise in the subject.

To support my point, Austin already has embraced this approach, in certain ways through the creation of a category called Homestead Preservation Districts, as described by the Mount Bonnell Project. But this has only happened in one place in East Austin, and was narrow in its goals, as described by the City on its website. My proposal aims for the broader use of Homestead Preservation Districts. --- This section entirely relies on logos in describing the context for the proposal.

In this part of my proposal, zoning would be deployed to significantly limit the expansion of housing stock in traditional neighborhoods. By restricting growth, there wouldn't be enough places for the wealthy newcomers to live, even if they wanted to. --- This passage continues to use the logos to describe the proposal and then use logos in another way to make a logical argument to support the proposal.

Gentrification is a long-standing topic of debate, and, as proven in Whitman's writing, one that exists to persist. How can we change something which has continued to persist throughout time, and which acts not only as an antagonist but a catalyst for modern change?

There are several downsides to organised virality- and many past examples of attempts at virality that didn't work out. Unorganised virality, however, can have it's own downsides. In this case, we aim to find the true benefit of virality.

Counterargument: Acknowledging the opposing views shows that concerns about economic growth and development are valid. I'm able to present a balanced argument that respects the perspectives of developers and residents while still reinforcing why local businesses must be included in Austin's growth and development. This counterargument appeals to a wide range of stakeholders from landlords to longtime community members.

Policy recommendations and required backed up by examples from other cities.

Example of a CLT already in Austin.

Hey everyone. Thanks for being here. Today, I want to discuss something that I find extremely important. We talk about it, it is an issue that has been overlooked, so I am here to change that. Today I will be talking about South Congress Avenue. If you live in Austin or have spent any time around here, you know the area, and you already know it's not just another street. It has always had its own culture. Live music, local artists, taco trucks, vintage stores, families walking around, small businesses that have been there forever.

It's always been one of those places that make a city feel unique, in this case Austin. But lately, it's started to change significantly. You walk down South Congress now and you still see some of the old spots, but they're surrounded by luxury apartments, high-end chain stores, and places clearly designed for tourists. I use a personal and honest tone to connect with people who know Austin, building trust while showing how South Congress has shifted from a unique, local space to something more commercial.