So far this semester, we’ve learned about
Thinking critically
Finding the complexity of a topic and resisting binary frameworks
Researching sources on the open web and within the library databases
Evaluating texts using our rhetorical knowledge
Examining truth claims
Identifying appeals to emotion, logic, and credibility
Questioning sophistry and self-interest
Evaluating sources with an awareness of our own positionality, our privileges, and biases
Now your job is to put all of your learning together and write a persuasive, researched opinion essay about one of the following topics (or about a topic you choose–that you clear with me first):
The Pledge of Allegiance–It’s recited in all AZ schools by all kids. What is it? Why? Should it be? How should schools handle this issue? How should parents talk to their children about it?
Diamond Engagement Rings–Diamonds seem to be eternally linked to marriage and true love. Why? Should they be? How should couples navigate this issue? What other issues come up with gemstones like diamonds (artificial scarcity, worker’s rights, environmental harms, etc)
Public Health
Gender Roles and Patriarchy
Social Media and (Teenagers)
Influencers
Minimum Requirements
Your essay must correctly use MLA style to cite at least 3 sources:
to cite a source, you need to use a direct quotation/paraphrase from it within the body of your essay (with in-text citation) AND create a bibliographic cited entry on a page titled Works Cited.
Your essay must be at least 600 words, not including quoted material (no worries if you go over this).
Your essay must follow MLA formatting guidelines:
Double spaced, heading, header
