Debate/Essay #1

Hi all,

I don't know how many of you will check the blog since you're busily writing your essays for Wednesday, but in case you do, I did want to mention a couple of things. First, I thought you all did a really good job on your debates. Overally, they demonstrated much thought and effort, and they made me eager to read your essays, where you'll really have the opportunity to fully develop your ideas on the issue.

I had hoped to hand you back your debate comment sheets before you left, but I just couldn't get them done in class. I will, however, have them done by the time I get to work tomorrow, so if any of you would like to pick them up early, you are welcome to; just stop by my office hours between 3 - 5 p.m. You are also welcome to e-mail me if you have any questions or would like any quick feedback on the reasons/evidence you presented in class.

Remember your first draft essays (Essay #1) are due Wednesday. I will comment on them over the weekend, and you will get the chance to revise and get peer feedback before getting a grade. (Final draft is due 2/12/07.) If, for some reason, you are not in class or don't get your essay to me Weds. (1/31/07), I'd strongly recommend that you get feedback from the Writing Center. I won't have time to read, comment on, and return your essay to you before it's due again if I don't receive it on Weds.

Also, I mentioned this in class, but I'll remind you again here. Your Works Cited page for your essay is simply a Works Cited page (of all sources actually used in your essay); you do not need to annotate sources for your essay. I encourage you to try to include your in-text cites and Works Cited page on the draft you turn in on Weds., so I can comment on/correct your cites for you. But this first draft is just a "feedback" draft, so you will not be penalized if you do not bring your Works Cited page.

As always, please call or e-mail if you have questions. See you Weds.!

Debate Topics

Obesity: Should advertising be regulated to reduce obesity?

Immigration: Should amnesty be granted to those illegal immigrants that are already in the United States?

Cosmetic Surgery: Should there be limitations on teens getting cosmetic surgery?

Marriage: Is marriage a better option than living together or alternatives (i.e. common law marriage)?

Music Downloads: Should it be legal/free to download music?

Education Testing: Should the WASL be used to assess student learning?

By Monday (1/22), each group member should research one article on each side of the argument and develop an annotated Works Cited entry (MLA cite + summary/commentary) for each article. (Bring the article to class, too.) I have handouts with directions available for MLA documentation and for annotated Works Cited pages. Ch. 7, "Documenting Your Sources," will also be useful in discussing MLA documentation. (NOTE: I handed out Essay #1 and Debate directions today, too.)

Reminder: Late work is not accepted, but p. 3 of the syllabus lists "Make up" options you may complete if you didn't submit your cluster summaries.

Debate Teams

The debate teams/general topics are as follows:

Education: Testing (Ch. 11, Cluster 3)
Sofia
Kristina
Jessica
Victor

Marriage (Ch. 10, Cluster 2)
Adrian
Stephanie
Amber
Leticia
Erica

Body Image/Cosmetic Surgery (Ch. 9, Cluster 1)
Brenda
Ariel
Cassandra
Kandy

Obesity (Ch. 9, Cluster 1)
Emma
Veronica
Vanessa
Josefina

Immigration (Ch. 12, Cluster 1)
Ivet
Carol
Victoria
Jorge

Music Downloads (Ch. 8, Cluster 2)
Dawn
David
Lester
Mathew

Each group member is reponsible for reading and summarizing each of the four articles in your assigned cluster by Weds., 1/17 (include author, title, and main point in opening of each summary). Each group member should also brainstorm a list of debate topic idea. Right now, your group has a "general topic" assigned, but you will need to find a more specific issue within that topic to debate. You may choose something from one of the articles (i.e. the "marriage" articles include such issues as gay marriage, fidelity, and the value of marriage itself) or you may choose something "related" to your topic (i.e. the educational testing group may choose to focus specifically on the WASL in Washington State or NCLB, "No Child Left Behind"). During our next class, you will be meeting with your debate groups to discuss what specific topic you want to debate and who will be one which side for the debate. (Remember, your debate topic will ultimately become your Essay #1 topic.)