ICC
English – Informative Essay
According to Allyn and Bacon’s Guide to Writing, an
effective informative essay should not only provide a “clear presentation of
research findings”, but should also “push further by analyzing or interpreting
information” in order to engage readers with an insightful, provocative
presentation of its topic.
For this
assignment, I would like you to choose a significant contemporary political
issue from the attached list, and, in an essay, present a thesis-driven examination of the issue. You will be expected to
consult a diverse collection of sources when gathering information on your
topic and then synthesize the information you uncover into an enlightening
essay examining the nuances of the issue you’ve chosen. You will use your
thesis to “frame” your discussion of the issue. As Palmquist
notes in Joining the Conversation,
“Your decisions about what to focus on, which points to make, and which
examples to use will influence what your readers will learn about the subject
and how they are likely to understand it” (188). Consequently, it is important
that you thoughtfully curate the information you collect into an essay that
transcends a merely superficial examination of the issue.
Additionally, when
gathering information, you must rely heavily on “reputable” sources such as
newspapers and national news organizations (Time,
New York Times, NPR),
while avoiding the dubious information disseminated by many websites. As the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing points out,
“Information gathered from Internet websites can vary wildly in reliability and
degree of bias.” You will be required to document your research using the MLA
style highlighted in your Penguin text.
Tentative Schedule
10-5 Introduce Informative Essay / Discuss Ch. 6 in Palmquist
/ Assign
10-7 Identify Topic / Begin Research / Assign Ch. 13 (p. 512-520) in Palmquist (2 comments)
10-12 Continue
Research / Assign Ch. 14 (p. 521-532)
in Palmquist (2
comments)
10-14 Finish Research / Introduce Outline / Assign 52-62 / 86-91 in Penguin Handbook (2 comments)
10-18 Thesis
& Annotated Research due
/ Work on Outline
10-20 Outline
due (hand in at end
of class) / Construct Works Cited
10-25 Works
Cited due
/ Write essay in class
10-27 Finish writing essay / Proofread & Peer
Edit
10-31 Essay due
Possible Topics
Immigration reform
- DREAM Act / New Alabama crackdown
Civil
Fight over the
Health Care Law
The rise of the Tea
Party and its impact on American Politics
The current debate
over the death penalty reflected in the recent executions in
The debate over the
role of Government in
Quest for
Palestinian Statehood (and recognition by the UN)
Race and the
"war on drugs" in the
Impact of the
recession on young college graduates
Civil liberties and
the War on Terror
Changes to No Child
Left Behind
Gambling expansion
in
Arguments
over raising taxes on wealthy Americans (“Class warfare”?)
The impact of the
Debt crisis on the American poor
The impact of
Youth protests in
Protests and
crackdowns in
The aftermath of
the "Arab Spring" in
The role of social
media in uprisings in Arab countries
"Reforms"
in
Green Energy in the
Gender in politics
- are female candidates presented differently?
Disappearing
American middle class
Military use of
drones to fight terror
The impact of
social media on American politics
Repeal of Don't Ask
- Don't Tell