Category: English

I would like for you to pick a topic to research. In order to get going on your project you need to have your topic approved by me first. Below is what you are asked to do. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns email me and come see me in office hours. All you need for this assignment is the topic you would like to research and use for your project.
You will be asked to research anything you would like as it relates to the course materials. There are many hot button topics surrounding technology, philosophy, and ethics as it relates to film, art, music, education, etc. You will pick a topic that interests you and explain the current concern. What are people saying about your topic and is it something we (as a society) should have pause for concern? You can write a traditional paper, make a PowerPoint presentation, record a podcast (alone or with your peers), record a voice note, record a video, etc. You do not need to stick to a rigid paper setting if you do not want to. I want you to think about the importance of the topics in class and connect them with other things in the world!

Requirements:
1000 word minimum (the word count does not include either the Works Cited page, or titling information).
A Works Cited page that follows proper MLA Guidelines. Papers that fail to include a Works Cited page will incur a 10-point penalty.
Direct textual evidence (utilized in the form of quotations with correct citations) must be used to support your position. Papers that do not use direct textual evidence will incur a 20-point penalty.
All papers must be submitted in a Word (.doc) file format and uploaded to SafeAssign. Google Docs submissions are not accepted. If I cannot open your file attachment, I cannot grade your paper which means it will earn a zero.
All of the sources you use should be scholarly. The following sources are not acceptable for use: Wikipedia, YouTube, Diffen.com, Quora, SparkNotes, Philosophy Now. If you have a question about whether or not to use a source, a good rule of thumb is to either ask or not use it.
Choose ONE of the Following:
1.) Are Marx and Engels Right?* : In the first section of The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels give a long series of indictments of bourgeois society, lists its abuses of power, and tells how it exploits the working class (the Proletariat). Argue one of the following positions:
A.) Marx and Engels are correct in their criticisms of capitalism/the bourgeoisie; offering reasons and evidence why, of course. Please note that supporting this argument by simply restating what they say is insufficient.
B.) Marx and Engels are incorrect because capitalism does have many redeemable qualities you will show evidence for in your paper.
*Note this paper topic is only referring to Marx and Engels’ criticisms of capitalism, and whether the criticisms are correct. The topic at hand is not what Marx and Engels proposed regarding a communist revolution, general strike, etc. In other words, a paper that asserts “Marx and Engels are wrong about their criticisms of capitalism because communism/socialism is bad” isn’t on topic and will be graded as such. To further clarify: let’s say Marx and Engels were doctors, it is possible that they’re correct about their “diagnosis,” but wrong about the “cure” or “treatment” they propose…which is why we should keep the discussions separate, for this paper topic, and only focus on the “diagnosis.” After all, if they’re wrong about their criticisms, there’s no point in a “revolution.”
2.) Rawls v. Nozick: John Rawls’s publication of A Theory of Justice revitalized Anglo-American political philosophy through a robust defense of something like a “welfare state” (used without a negative meaning). Robert Nozick, on the other hand, takes issues with the redistributive measures such a Rawlsian society would need to undertake. Given these things, which of the two views of “justice” is more defensible and why?
3.) A Re-evaluation? Nietzsche is often read as offering powerful criticisms of traditional or commonly held beliefs of morality. To what extent are his criticisms valid and, more importantly, what does this mean for us? Are ethics and morality a waste of time, or is there still hope in a “re-evaluation” of values?
4.) A Feminist Virtue Ethics? While certainly very important, Aristotle’s articulation of the virtues and their roles in our lives seem to be inherently lacking because they fail to provide a consideration for a multiplicity of viewpoints. In other words, discussions of “virtue” are typically done with masculine/patriarchal/exclusivist overtones. Annette Baier and other feminists offer a powerful and productive way of reformulating our “normal” views of what these things (virtues) actually are. Do you think, therefore, that Aristotelian virtue ethics is improved upon by care ethics/feminist virtue ethics, or was it doing alright on its own?
Miscellaneous Caveats:
Merely having an opinion does not make said opinion justifiable, defensible, or even good. As such, your paper would need to advance reasons you hold your position.
Do NOT give personal examples and other anecdotal evidence when writing argumentative papers. I do not mean to suggest your relationships or experiences are trivial, only that we’ll need to keep the papers focused on the prompts.
In academic writing it is generally advisable to write from a position of near-certainty regarding one’s own position, meaning you should avoid language that implies hesitancy on your part. In other words write, “I assert…” “It is my position…”; NOT “I hope in/feel/believe.” The latter implies you aren’t sure what you’re arguing, or that your position is too wishy-washy.
Finally, because this is a formal assignment, please use formal language throughout the course of your paper. Do not use contractions and Internet lingo.

Task: For this assignment you will write a persuasive essay on a parenting topic; Why you shouldn’t 
vaccinate infants. You will then summarize the information into a short speech that you will present to the class. Either before or after your presentation, the opposing side will present. You will then have the opportunity to have a short debate on the topic. 
PS. I have attached a pdf, continue with what is given there and expand onto it. 

5 PAGES WRITING, 1 PAGE FOR TITLE, 1 PAGE FOR CITATION, SO TOTAL 7 PAGES
ATTACHED 3 ARTICLES, REQUIREMENTS, LECTURE SLIDE, 2 SAMPLES
PLEASE READ THROUGHTLY

Chip List for this Assignment
-Themes -Symbolism -Connectivity (Connections)
-Setting -Language -Family interaction
-Characters -Style -Tone (Attitude of the author)
-Plot -Impact on Audience (Mood)
Potential Thesis Statements: 
Despite the similarities in these stories, O’Brien’s story is more powerful than Hemingway’s because he more effectively uses the environment, symbolism, and the theme of disillusionment.
O’Brien’s story is easier to understand, but Hemingway’s story is more literary because of his style and themes.
Unlike O’Brien, Hemingway’s style of the iceberg theory more effectively engages the readers because they are free to develop a sense of character, setting and theme. 
Sample outline.  Your outline topics will change according to your categories of comparison. 
Introduction
“Speaking of Courage”-Tim O’Brien (3-4 sentences)
Brief Summary
Main Ideas
“Soldier’s Home”- Ernest Hemingway (3-4 sentences)
Brief summary
Main Ideas
State why you are making a comparison or start to transition from summary to thesis(3-4 sentences)
*Thesis: O’Brien’s story is more effective than Hemingway’s because he more successfully conveys the themes of isolation, desperation and disillusionment.
1st Blank: Isolation
Isolation
O’Brien displays isolation through ___a___ and  __b____.
Uses __a____to create this theme
Quote from O’Brien that shows __a____
Explain how the quote shows _____a___
Explain how _____a__ develops the theme
2. Uses ___b_____to build the theme of isolation
Example of this 
Quote that shows this
Explain the quote
3. Close off with a statement of O’Brien’s effectiveness in displaying the theme
B. Hemingway’s story displays the theme of isolation through_____ and _____
Like O’Brien, he uses ________ to create the theme.
Quote to show the first blank
Explain how that quote is an example of ______
Unlike O’Brien he uses ________to display theme
Quote 
Explain the quote 
*C. Which is better? Stronger, Clearer, and more effective
Explain why this is
Explain how this affects the reader
Use quotes from both stories 
Use strong language of comparison and contrast
Desperation
O’Brien displays desperation through ___a___ and  __b____.
Uses __a____to create this theme
Quote from O’Brien that shows __a____
Explain how the quote shows _____a___
Explain how _____a__ develops the theme
2. Uses ___b_____to build the theme of desperation
Example of this 
Quote that shows this
Explain the quote
3. Close off with a statement of O’Brien’s effectiveness in displaying the theme
B. Hemingway’s story displays the theme of desperation through_____ and _____
Like O’Brien, he uses ________ to create the theme.
Quote to show the first blank
Explain how that quote is an example of ______
Unlike O’Brien he uses ________to display theme
Quote 
Explain the quote 
*C. Which is better? Stronger, Clearer, and more effective
Explain why this is
Explain how this affects the reader
Use quotes from both stories 
Use strong language of comparison and contrast
Disillusionment
O’Brien displays disillusionment through ___a___ and  __b____.
Uses __a____to create this theme
Quote from O’Brien that shows __a____
Explain how the quote shows _____a___
Explain how _____a__ develops the theme
2. Uses ___b_____to build the theme of disillusionment
Example of this 
Quote that shows this
Explain the quote
3. Close off with a statement of O’Brien’s effectiveness in displaying the theme
B. Hemingway’s story displays the theme of disillusionment through_____ and _____
Like O’Brien, he uses ________ to create the theme.
Quote to show the first blank
Explain how that quote is an example of ______
Unlike O’Brien he uses ________to display theme
Quote 
Explain the quote 
*C. Which is better? Stronger, Clearer, and more effective
Explain why this is
Explain how this affects the reader
Use quotes from both stories 
Use strong language of comparison and contrast
Conclusion
State comparison again
Repeat idea from thesis
Close with one last explanation of the two
*indicates the money paragraph.  This is where you need to put the root of your thesis statement into action to feed the branches of your argument. 
This is just a sample outline 
The short  stories are ” A good man is hard to find” and “The life you save may be your own” both by Flannery O’Conor
Please make sure there is 11 paragraph like the outline
Follow the outline just with my stories.

4-6 pages typed, double-spaced, and in MLA format. Research and analyze one or more works from our readings. You should have at least 3 sources to support your analysis.  Sources may include historical documents, other critical analyses, etc.
We have covered a lot of material thus far this semester.  In this assignment, I’d like you to select one or two writers to analyze.  To help you with this analysis I have listed below a number of schools of literary criticism.  You may approach this analytical essay by focussing on themes and/or by using these “lenses” / schools of criticism.  Use the poems a white woman oof color and the short story drown by junot diaz. Also use two outside sources. 
Moral Criticism-(c .360 BCE–present)—What does the work say about life and how we should live? What is good and bad behavior that the text depicts and why?  Is there a specific moral lesson that can be drawn from the text?
Formalism, New Criticism, Neo-Aristotelian Criticism (1930s-present)-What does the structure of the story or poetry say about Literature? How does the form of the piece relate to other literary forms?  What functions and /or effects does the structure have on the audience?
Psychoanalytic Criticism (1930s-present)—What are the psychological contexts of the author and or character that motivates the action of the author and or characters?  
Marxist Criticism (1930s-present) How does the piece represent the difference between economic class and class struggles in the characters, plot, or scenes? How does the work reinforce or challenge the exploitation of the poor by the rich?  
Reader-Response Criticism (1960s-present)—How should the reader be affected by the work? What do you specifically (individually) learn from the text with or without influence from the contexts? 
New Historicism/Cultural Studies (1980s-present)—How does the history around the text  (historical context) help us understand the text? 
Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)—What does the work convey about the power relations between men and women; how does it reinforce or challenge male domination? 
Critical Race Theory (1970s-present)—How does the text convey issues of Race and Racism? What assumptions about race and power struggles does the work present?   How are the characters developed within the context of our history of racism and what norms are reinforced or challenged?
CAN you please not make it sound so smarttttt.

Please read the essay The Different Ways of Being Smart by Sara Gilbert that is found in the required text (The Prose Reader Essays for Thinking, Reading and Writing 11th edition).  The essay is in chapter 8 from pages 254 to 258.  After reading the essay, please complete questions 1 to 6 on pages 258 to 259.  
The Prose Reader Essays for Thinking, Reading and Writing 11th edition

https://dcccd-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/akc8470_dcccd_edu/ESS0f2_wi6ZMoMJ4Uq878jMBu-hC1Yve16wjaAArnoWkLw?rtime=CJo9kppq3Eg

10 slide PowerPoint on my term paper
argumentative essay
check sample PowerPoint (not the best example but make it in a similar format)
make it fun and engaging
check rubric

The topic: The negative and positive affects of anxiety caused by social media in todays generation 
1) Identify the Problem
What is the problem, issue, or question you are addressing?
Who or what is involved in the issue?
What are the causes?
What are the various sides of the issue?
2) Analyze the Effects
Who or what is affected?
What is the extent of the effects?
3) Propose a Solution
Show how to improve the problem
Or
Show how the problem needs to be viewed, appreciated and understood
Toulmin Method: This is an approach to crafting an argument without falling into bias or false reasoning. It serves as a check system so mistakes are avoided while building the argument.
Claim: the central idea of the argument (thesis)
Grounds: verified facts and reasoning that prove the claim(thesis) to be correct
Warrant: the assumption (said or unsaid/explicit or implicit) that connects the grounds to the claim
Backing: a detail or secondary fact that supports the warrant
Qualifier: a word or phrase that supports the claim by showing your argument (claim) is not the absolute truth 
Rebuttal: the counterargument shows another side(s) to your thesis, proving you are a fair and open researcher
TOULMIN EXAMPLE 
Claim: The campus is safe to walk around at night
Grounds: Police and campus safety regularly patrol the campus physically and digitally
Warrant: police and campus safety have a duty to protect students
Backing: the other night campus safety promptly responded to and foiled an attempted break in
Qualifier: Campus is “ordinarily” safe to walk around at night
Rebuttal: police and campus safety cannot be everywhere, 1 week ago a student’s car was stolen
A working thesis for the above Toulmin Method might look like this:
Despite occasional issues, campus is ordinarily safe to walk around at night thanks to law enforcement’s vigilance.
Annotated Bibliography
5 Sources minimum (about 50% need to be scholarly)
In place of a works cited or reference page we will use an annotated bibliography
Each source in an annotated bibliography provides a works cited along with 2 short paragraphs. 
First paragraph summarizing the source. 
Second paragraph evaluating the source. 
Each paragraph ranges from 2-4 sentences, so they are meant to be concise and well worded rather than detail oriented.
Scholarly Sources
1) Written or spoken by an expert
2) Reviewed by experts
To find scholarly sources:
Google Scholar