(To save time for computing quarter grades, I do not comment on final papers. However, if you would like comments on your paper, please email me after the end of the quarter and I’ll be happy to respond.)
Your topic for this assignment is a language controversy of your choice. Look for some language issue that people disagree about. Examples include the best translation of the Bible, profanity in popular music, legislation to restrict the language (e.g., racist language, sexist language, hate speech, profanity) that is used in public forums, the methods of teaching English to children of recent immigrants — but there are many more. In fact, you will find that almost any controversy you can think of involves language in some important way.,
Put the controversy into the form of a question: e.g., What is the best translation of the Bible into English? What profanity is acceptable in the popular songs? Why do some people oppose / support making English the official language of the United States? How do conservatives and liberals differ in the way they interpret the language of the US Constitution?
After you have done some research, develop at least three sub-questions: These are questions that contribute to your answer to your research question. For example, for the question about Bible translation, your sub-questions might look like this: 1) What is the history of Bible translation into English? 2) What is the Bible used for in various contexts? 3) Who has the authority or expertise to judge the quality and usefulness of Bible translations?
Your thesis is the answer to your main research question.
The organization of the paper is as follows. Please note that the organization is based on sections, not paragraphs Any given section may have as many paragraphs as are necessary to present the information. Use these headings:
