In this assignment, you will have the opportunity to objectively write a 4-6 page paper on another divisive topic. For each topic, you will locate a minimum of six sources from various news outlets. These readings should come from different viewpoints, as you will be examining how the topic is reported on and why each side holds the opinion that it holds. As we have practiced on the discussion board, you will read the various articles, and will explain why each side views the issue in the manner that they do. To do this, you will need to consider the following:
What (or who) informs each side’s opinion?
What is the influence of any of the U.S.’s founding documents in these opinions?
Are the articles offering equal coverage of all sides’ opinions of the topic, or are these opinion pieces?
Most importantly, you will address this question after addressing the above question:
Can a mediated position be reached on this issue? (The answer here is yes – you will need to offer a suggestion on how).
Students will remember that their own personal opinions should be withheld from their final papers. Both sides of the issue should be covered equally – I will be looking for objective coverage of both sides of the issue in your submitted paper. Ultimately, you will be presenting both sides’ viewpoints, and offering suggestions for mediation.
Step by step, you will…
1. Describe the debate and equally identify opposing viewpoints, being mindful to identify factors that influence each viewpoint in the debate.
2. Analyze the role of the United States’s founding documents in supporting and/or addressing the debated topic.
3. Explore opportunities for mediation between the two viewpoints in the debate.
Criteria for Success:
Papers should…
1.) Be four to six pages long (this is content – the four page minimum is NOT met with the cover and reference pages).
2.) Include at least six opinion pieces so as to examine the national debate on your chosen subject. These six sources can come from a variety of outlets, but you should be careful to find an equal number of opinion pieces for each side of the debate. Secondary, peer reviewed sources may be used to aid your analysis of the national debate.
3.) Be double-spaced and 12 pt Times New Roman font (for ease of review)
4.) Include appropriate citations whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing. Please use the writing style that is preferred within your major – I am familiar with all styles, which include APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian. The Purdue OWL can be a wonderful source to help you with any of these formats. Visit https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
5.) Avoid the first-person – treat the assignment as a formal essay.
