English Homework

500-750 words, typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 font, including an original title, proper MLA heading.

Whether we learned it from the academic writing of this unit or not, the idea that sports in the United States and the rest or the world is an elevated part of society is fairly obvious. It may be a metaphor to prepare us for life, a coping mechanism that brings people together in love, a source of undue pressure for the athletes, or an unchangeable bastion of performance enhancement, but regardless of how it is classified; the world of sports is different from the normal parts of life.

For your third essay we will be exploring why it is that sports have become the way they are and what the possible effects of this are. In short, you should answer the question posed in the title of this unit: “Why do sports matter?” Keep in mind the kind of topics undertaken by Moller and Posnanski when looking at cheating in baseball, they asked questions beyond the obvious answer and looked at the topic from a different angle instead of head on. Therefore, consider aspects of the question such as how sports got to the level they have, what effects they have on society, or how life would be different without them. Even if you care nothing for sports you can still examine its status in the world; perhaps it’s not as important as everyone thinks.

Regardless of which avenue you choose, you will include AT LEAST one reference to one or more essays we have read, making sure to not simply drop the quote in but to comment on it an allow it to work for your argument. As always, pick a subject you care about and try to convince your audience of some central idea even if it is one that they may not be quick to agree with.