Critical Thinking #2

Guidelines for Paper #1 – Issue Exploration

The purpose of this assignment is to identify and explore an issue about which you would like to learn more. This assignment will require that you apply the critical thinking, critical reading and critical action skills that you have been investigating, as well as, determine the issue, conclusion and reasons regarding your topic.

First, go to www.ted.com/talks and select a video to watch. The selection process should include the following considerations:

Is the issue significantly important to society?

Does the issue affect different groups in society? (The groups can be based on ethnicity, culture, religion, economic status, sexuality, gender, etc.)

Is the issue actionable? (Is there some action that I can take to work toward a positive solution for the groups affected and society?)

Can I find a related article, by a different author, that supports the speaker’s position?

Next, you will need to find an article that is related to the issue. Do not use an article written by the speaker in the video that you have selected. Your article must provide additional information about the issue you have selected. You may want to be sure that you will be able to find an appropriate article before you make your final video selection.

You may have to watch a few videos to find one that meets the criteria and focuses on an issue about which you are really interested.

Once you have selected an issue, develop a paper in which you discuss the following:

Issue, conclusion and reasons discussed in your video and article as well as your position on the issue

The importance of the issue in society

The groups that are affected by this issue and

What action you can take to advocate for positive change in society.

Please include the link for the video and article that you have selected at the top of your paper.

Your paper should be approximately 3 pages long. It should be typed and double-spaced to receive full credit. The paper will be evaluated for its clarity and thoroughness. The paper is worth a maximum of 50 points. Rubric attached.

To be successful on this paper you should compose a well-worded and thoughtful first paragraph that includes the following:

Overview and discussion of your issue. You will need to identify the issue, conclusion and reasons provided by the speaker of the video and the author or your related article.

Your position on the issue. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker/author? Why or why not?

For the next part of this assignment, you will need to develop responses to the prompts below. Each of your paragraphs should be well developed and thoughtful.

Why is this topic important to society? (Be sure to include evidence from the video and article to support your position.)

How does this issue affect different groups in society? (Be sure to include specific groups that are affected.)

After reading about my topic, I want to… (What action will you take? ie: further research, join an organization, educate others, create a fundraiser, donate money) Be specific about how you will go about completing this action.

Your paper should consist of your video/article links, and four well-developed paragraphs (6-10 sentences) that follow this outline:

Link to TED video and article

Overview of the issue, key points and position (paragraph 1) Be sure to reference both the video and the article you have selected.

Response to prompt 1 - Importance of Issue (paragraph 2)

Response to prompt 2 - Groups Affected by Issue (paragraph 3)

Response to prompt 3 - Advocacy Action for Change (paragraph 4)

Sample Paper Format:

Please use this format for the heading of your paper.

Last Name, First Name

Robin Afrasiabi

READ 290 Sec ____

Date: _______

Title of Your Paper (Issue you will be discussing)

Video Link:

Article Link:

Begin Paragraph 1…

Submit your paper by 11:59pm on the due date. Be sure that you submit your paper as a Microsoft Word document . Your file name should include your last name, class, section and assignment (SmithRead290sec50paper1).

Issue Exploration Assignment Rubric

Category	Above Standard (5)	Meets Standard (4-3)	Below Standard (2-0)
Links to TED Video and Article	Student includes both (working) links to the video and the article used for the assignment. There is a clear connection between the video and article selected. The links are included in the proper format of the paper.	Student included both links to the video and the article used for the assignment. There is a vague connection between the video and article selected.	Student is missing one or both links. There is no connection between the video and article links selected.
Category	Above Standard (10-9)	Meets Standard (8-7)	Below Standard (6-0)
Issue Overview and Discussion	Student explicitly states the issue. Key points are identified and discussed using examples from the video and the article. There is a clear position taken on the issue.	Student states the issue. Some key points are identified and discussed. There is a position taken on the issue.	Student vaguely states the issue. Few key points are identified and discussed. There is a position inferred but not explicitly taken on the issue.
Statement Prompt 1 – Importance of Issue	The student responds to the prompt in a way that demonstrates high level thinking. There is sufficient detail and examples to support the student’s response. The paragraph is the appropriate length (6-10 sentences).	The student responds to the prompt appropriately. There is some detail and examples to support the student’s response. The paragraph is not the appropriate length (6-10 sentences).	Student does not completely respond to the prompt. There is little detail and examples to support the student’s response. The paragraph is not the appropriate length (6-10 sentences).
Statement Prompt 2 - Groups Affected	Same as Above	Same as Above	Same as Above
Statement Prompt 3 – Advocacy Action	Same as Above	Same as Above	Same as Above
Category	Above Standard (5)	Meets Standard (4-3)	Below Standard (2-0)
English Language Conventions	All sentences are well constructed and without errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation.	Most sentences are well constructed. Student makes 1-2 errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation.	Most sentences are not well constructed. Student makes numerous errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation.