- 17 Mar, 2021
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Should the United States be Color-Blind?
Your essays will be graded on how well you follow the instructions. For example, students who just give me their opinion only on an essay will get a zero for that assignment as the student has missed all my directions in that case. So read closely with this understanding in mind. If you have questions ask me about it.
The five paragraph essay will be made up of, 1. A broad introduction; 2. 3 paragraphs that provide the three major points related to your argument. and 3. a broad conclusion. The design is based on what is known as the “Key Hole Method” or the “Hour Glass” method of writing. Like a keyhole or an hour glass, in the introduction you start out broad, then in the body of three paragraphs, you narrow down and give the specifics of your argument. Lastly you go broad again in the conclusion paragraph. Here you answer the “so what?” question of your conclusion. It is a very simple method of writing.
Specifics about each area of the 5 paragraph, Pro/Con essay. (Note that paragraphs does not equal to just a few sentences. You can write a book with this method! I would expect almost a page for the Introduction, two pages for the three paragraphs in the body, and nearly a page for the conclusion. Thus Approx. four to five pages for each current debate.)
1. Writing a Pro/Con debate essay means that you have to know well both sides of the argument. You have to use evidence from the readings you will study on the current debates on our webpage. You can not just state your position. You also have to show why the other side of the debate might hold some merits or have some logical arguments to make. You then also show what you consider the negative aspects of the other side’s argument. You must show, for example, how the argument may have negative consequences for the people affected by the possible policy and how it would harm society in general. Your pro arguments will be the alternatives and possible solutions to such negative outcomes. So lets look at what you are to do for each section of the writing.
2. In the introduction you will introduce the debate. You will clearly state your hypothesis (I will show how affirmative action will help to reduce institutional discrimination against minorities and women.) Since you are pro affirmative action, you now need to introduce the anti-affirmative action side of the argument. One way you can do this is by providing three major areas of the con argument. Show how the con argument may be logical and how people on that side of the argument might feel the way they do. Then introduce three arguments from the pro side that will show how the pro argument will work better for people in society.
3. In the body (The narrow part of the keyhole) you will develop three paragraphs (half page each or more) in which you lay out each of the three areas in favor or against whatever the debate is about. So one paragraph for each area. As you finish one paragraph you end by leading the reader into the topic of the next paragraph. You do not need headings.
4. In the conclusion you then go broad again. Restate your thesis. Now answer the “So What?” question about the position you have taken. So what is important in the long run for society if it takes your position on the debate?
Why would it provide a better outcome for society than the opposite side of the argument?
Grading: I will base the grade on how well you articulate a thesis, how well you know and present the con side of the debate and how well you know and are able to present your pro arguments. Do you use evidence? And is it logical and convincing. I also look over all the essays and make a judgement on which ones are best developed.
You will work on these during the week that we are covering the chapter. You will use information that comes with the debates as well as material in the current chapter that will help you make your argument using concepts and ideas from the chapter, thus making it more sociological. We are not looking to make personal. moralistic arguments but arguments based in sociological reasoning and evidence!