I NEED HELP WITH AN ESSAY

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English 100—Fall 2015

Paper #4: Food Fights: Food-Related Controversies

In this assignment, we are focusing on what many consider to be the ultimate mode of prose writing: the argumentative mode. All of the previous genres of writing we have worked on in this course come to fruition here as we formulate a position on a controversial issue being discussed in the public media today related to food-- and then gather evidence to support it. The options here regarding subject matter are many, as the media have exploded with controversies about how our food is produced, stored, shipped, displayed, marketed, and consumed. Whether the focus is on the banning of junk food on school campuses, the marketing of sugary cereals to pre-schoolers, or the decision to “go vegan” to preserve our health and environment, this subject gives us all plenty to talk about.

The thesis (position or stance) you take must be defended by your use of arguments (“reasons why”) you can offer to convince readers of the validity of your perspective. But you can make your case even more compelling by using description, narration, comparisons, examples, and analyses to build it. In a way, then, an argumentative paper invites you to orchestrate all of the techniques you have developed as a writer to make the most powerful case you can to prove your point.

As with all effective pieces of writing, this one needs to begin with a flicker of an idea, a desire to speak out and be heard on some subject. That instinctive need to write, to express your thoughts, feelings, opinions on a subject of import to you is essential to writing a powerful essay, wherever you are, no matter the “writing situation.” If you are honestly invested in the subject and have something to say about it (especially if it is controversial), you will be in a great starting position to create a compelling piece of writing. Just keep in mind that it may take several hours of mulling over ideas, reading sources, and even discussing the issue with family and friends, before you find something compelling to write about. Once you make that connection, you will be able to construct a paper that is built on solid ideas and infused with passion—a great combination to shape a piece of prose.

Some Suggested Controversies/Controversial Statements (Assertions)

· More effort should be exerted—by parents, teachers, and others--to improve the food choices on elementary school campuses today.

· We should have stronger governmental regulations on policies related to food—such as clear labeling of products, including labels to show the inclusion of GMO’s.

· People who have adapted a vegan lifestyle have the right to make that choice, but they should leave the rest of us alone.

· College students should be given more support in making healthful food choices while on campus, especially by having better food options available on campus.

· We should follow New York City’s initiative in banning super-sized soft drinks; doing so would make a huge difference in addressing our nation’s obesity epidemic.

Some Brainstorming Suggestions

Start with the method(s) that work best for you when you are experimenting with ideas—freewriting, clustering, listing—or even cruising the Internet for ideas and inspiration. When you think/feel that you are ready, try filling out responses to the prompts shown below. See what new ideas or directions emerge from doing so. Begin to consider what your thesis would be—and what kinds of arguments and evidence you could use to support it.

· Here is my basic opinion or position:

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

· Here are some of the arguments (“reasons why”) I think this position is correct:

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

· Here are some of the arguments or objections that my opposition would raise:

· Here is the response I have to those objections:

Conclusion: So, what?

· Here is the point I have been trying to make throughout this discussion: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

· Here are the main positive consequences that will result if my ideas are enacted:

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________

· Here are the main negative results that will occur if my ideas are not enacted or are ignored:

1. ____________________________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________________

Requirements:

· Finished paper must conform to the rhetorical requirements outlined in this assignment sheet—must be an argumentative paper that includes recognition of the opposition.

· Minimum length: 8-9 typed pages, double spaced, 1” margins

· Format: 10-12 font, Arial, or Times New Roman

· Must include MLA parenthetical references to 6-8 sources: books, periodicals, web sites, media, as well as a Works Cited page in MLA form; copy of sources (1st page) must be submitted with final draft in order to receive full credit for this assignment. No general Google searches; no Askme, WebMD, or About.com sources. Use academically appropriate sources based on Cerritos College electronic data bases or other materials offered by Cerritos College Library.

· Collaborative option: You may choose to submit a co-written paper with a partner from class, in which case the final draft must be 9-10 pages, minimum, with citation of 7-9 sources. All other requirements described here will also apply. You will receive the same grade for this collaborative paper, so please choose partners wisely!

Deadlines:

· Nov. 16: 4 sources and notes, including citation data for MLA

· Nov. 18: outline and additional sources

· Nov. 23: 1st full draft (minimum, 6-7 pages, with separate Works Cited

· Nov. 25: revised/expanded draft—to be submitted to instructor and posted to Turnitin.com

· Dec. 2: final, revised draft due, with copies of all notes and sample of printed sources