English 102

Prof. Ahrenhoerster

Summer 2008

Response Paper 3

            In the last three chapters of Perspectives on Contemporary Issues that we are reading, we are covering three ongoing issues that are often debated and argued about in our society:

1) What is appropriate punishment for serious crimes?

2) How should biotechnology (cloning, stem-cell research, genetic engineering, etc.) be used and regulated?

3) What is the best way for the United States to protect itself against terrorist attacks?

            Write an essay in which you take a stand on one of these issues. Imagine a reader who disagrees with your stance and try to think of reasons and evidence that will convince this skeptical reader. Anticipate and try to answer the likely objections to your thesis.

            Remember that your thesis statement should express a specific claim of opinion about the issue.  Each body paragraph should contain a claim (topic sentence) that explains a reason why your opinion is true, specific evidence (from the readings and from popular culture) that supports the topic sentence, and some “so what?” explanation. Work on incorporating the evidence smoothly.

            We have been and will be talking through these issues in class, so continue to pay attention during these discussions so that you understand all sides of the issue(s).

Requirements:

• The paper should follow MLA formatting guidelines as explained in chapter 29 of A Writer’s Resource (for an example, see the sample paper in chapter 30)
• Follow MLA rules for documentation as covered in chapters 26 and 27 of A Writer’s Resource.
• Bring in ideas and evidence from chapters 14, 17, and/or 20 of Perspectives on Contemporary Issues in a significant way.

Bring a draft of paper 3 to class on Wednesday, July 2 (not June 30, which is what it says on your syllabus).

The paper is due on Monday, July 7.