Commentary Essay
saudks12
commentary_research_and_outline_asu_2.pptxCommentary Research & Prewriting
ENG 108
Professor Way
Off Limits Topics for your Paper
Abortion/Teen Pregnancy
Euthanasia/ PAS
Death penalty
Legalizing marijuana
Gay marriage
Gun control
Changing the Drinking Age
Sheriff Joe
Brief Commentary Outline
Intro-Introduce your topic/issue briefly + thesis statement; introduce target audience
Body paragraphs
Label or identify trend (provide at least three specific examples): 2-3 paragraphs
Explain trend; draw conclusions-talk about causes and effects : 1 paragraph
Make a judgment/Offer an opinion; Praise or Critique the Trend: 1-2 paragraphs
Conclusion
Works Cited Page
Creative Titles
Write a fun, interesting title for your paper.
Example:
Big Company Monopoly:
A Commentary on Net Neutrality in America
More Than PhotoShop:
A Commentary on Weight Privilege in Society
Commentary Thesis
Your thesis should include the big picture elements of your trend and your implied evaluation of it.
Examples:
Communications moguls want to end net neutrality so they can control everyday internet use and earn a profit.
Instead of interacting with the world around them, people have become far too attached to using their cell phones in almost every part of their daily routine.
The fashion industry both creates and benefits from the false illusion of beauty created by its perfectly airbrushed models.
Your Turn…
Briefly identify your trend and your evaluation
Draft a thesis statement that includes these two elements to form the big picture of your paper.
big picture elements of your trend + your implied evaluation=thesis statement
Run it by your elbow partner (one other person) and see if it makes sense
Audience
The audience for this assignment will be determined by your trend. Who will care about your topic? What will they need to know before they can understand your discussion of the trend? You need to establish and explain this in your introduction.
Research
Should support your points, not make them for you
Can support your claims on why
you are arguing something is a trend
causes and consequences of the trend
your evaluation of the trend
Remember that you need at least four outside sources; three must be from the ASU Library or its databases.
