700- 1000 words essay writing an in-class response

English 151-044 In-Class Writing Diagnostic Max Olesen

To be written in class on Thursday, September 13th

Name: ____________________________

Instructions: • Whenever we begin the process of learning, it is important to gauge where we are

in order to better support, learn, and evolve our skills. • In this in-class writing diagnostic, you will be responding to the writing prompt or

your choice below. • This will give both of us an idea of where your strengths are as a writer and inform

how I can best support your learning within this course.

Select ONE of the writing prompts below that you will answer in written form and use the spaces provided below to write notes that you can use during Thursday’s class. • Ensure that you reference evidence and examples from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s

essay through the use of direct quotes, paraphrases, and/or summaries. • Your goal is to select a writing prompt and provide at least three points in support

of your argument. Consider what this would mean for your essay’s structure.

Writing prompts to choose from: 1. We discussed 4 patterns of development that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar used to

develop his argument: comparison-contrast, definition, description, and narration. Which of these patterns do you believe he used most effectively and why?

2. Which demonstration of patriotism do you personally most relate to: Colin Kaepernick’s protest or Sam Kendricks interrupting his pole vault to stand for his national anthem?

3. How would you personally define patriotism and how does this compare to Abdul-Jabbar’s definition?

4. What gives Abdul-Jabbar his credibility on the topic of the patriotism and protest? Does knowledge of his background affect your reading of his work positively or negatively?

5. Think beyond Abdul-Jabbar’s biography and focus on the text: how did his tone, word choice, style of writing and argumentation, and evidence enhance his ethos, or diminish it in any way.

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6. Do you think Abdul-Jabbar truly thinks both Kaepernick’s and Kendricks’ different displays of patriotism are equal, or is he arguing for the importance of one over the other?

7. The NFL and other North American leagues (NHL, MLB, MLS) are private, professional businesses with players from all over the world. Is it appropriate or necessary for national anthems of specific countries (USA and Canada) to be played before games? Explain why or why not.

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