paper needs to be redone. Needs an hour or two worth your time.

Phase III: Researched Argument/Position Paper (This is when you’ll really use the text)

Due December 6th: Phase III paper (individual)

Assignment: Use the Chris Hedges Video http://www.reader.us/chris-hedges-best-speech-in-2017/ , as the platform for your paper. Watch and re-watch, until you have an understanding of his message, then choose one aspect of it (economical, environmental, environmental, etc.) and argue for or against it, using other sources.

Most of us have opinions about issues based on little to no research. We read a headline or two and think we’re informed about a subject. I hope you know by now that a person is only as credible as his sources, and even the most credentialed people usually have an agenda (bias). Some of you learned in Phase I that being too emotionally charged about an issue may distract you from focusing on either the research or an unbiased presentation of it.

ASSIGNMENT

Write a researched argument in which you take a position in the Introduction, then present the evidence to argue your side of the issue as the majority of your paper. You’ll still present the other side (in fairness), but you’ll use strategies presented in everything’s an argument to weaken their cause. This will be written in third person (no “you” or “I”), relying on the research to help you prove your point. If you take this kind of stance, your PURPOSE will be to persuade your audience. OR, now that you have looked at the issue from two perspectives, you may want to dispel the myths presented by each and strive to present good arguments from both sides, with the PURPOSE of educating your audience.

Use the Chris Hedges video from class (please view it many times) and pick an issue he raises from his overarching thesis that Casino capitalism/rule by the multinational corporations has killed democracy in the United States to elaborate—in support or opposition—to ONE aspect of it. He supplies much evidence to support his claims, but there are many credentialed people out there who vehemently disagree with him. My goals are to teach you to question everything and research till you find your truth, then live it.

Requirements:

5-7 pages (including Cover Page and References)

3-5 References (you’ll read more, but only use the 3-5 best ones in addition to the video itself)

APA documentation (unless you choose a claim that says we have a moral obligation to resist the corporate domination, in which case you’ll use APA, since your focus is philosophical/MLA).

References (entry for Hedges speech)

Hedges, C. (2017, May 26).[Speech]. Stop fascism event. KBOO Community Radio. Speech retrieved

from https://joannchateau.com/2017/10/29/chris-hedges-speaks-anti-fascism-event/

Sample Outline

I. Introduction

A. Researched statistic about my subject area (for profit prisons)

100% of all military helmets, ID tags, bullet-proof vests and canteens are created in federal prison systems through prison labor, where the average inmate earns ninety cents an hour. The three largest for-profit prison corporations have spent more than $45 million on campaign donations and lobbyists to keep politicians on the side of privatized incarceration (Matthews 2013).

B. Introduction of Chris Hedges, his credentials and his video

1. Summary of Hedges’ claim about for profit prisons

2. Example of Hedges’ claim on for-profit prison from the video

C. My claim about for-profit prisons

II. Body--Presentation of Research

A. Research supporting my claim (this will be multiple paragraphs) PLANNED

B. Research supporting my claim (this will be multiple paragraphs) THREE STRIKES

C. Research supporting my claim (this will be multiple paragraphs) PRIVATIZATION

D. Opposition Research to my claim (Heritage Foundation)

III. Conclusion

A. Back to Hedges and how this issue (for-profit prisons, in this example) does or does not support what Hedges said in his overarching claim about casino capitalism destroying democracy

B. What do concerned people (my audience) need to do about it (call to action)

1. Discuss various forms of resistance (passive and group)

2. Convince audience its “sacrifice” won’t seem like one.

C. Close with a quote about complacency (in case my audience is too scared or complacent)