On-Demand Writing Assignment
You will have 45 minutes to plan and
write an essay on the topic assigned below. Before you begin writing, read the
passage carefully and plan what you will say. Your essay should be as well
organized and carefully written as you can make it.
Create your essay response in a Word Doc then cut/paste it when you are ready to Post it.
Create your essay response in a Word Doc then cut/paste it when you are ready to Post it.
PROMPT:
Most of us are so busy that we seldom spend time learning to cook a healthy meal. Instead, we spend extra money eating out or having food delivered, or we pop frozen food into the microwave, or we open a soft drink and a bag of chips. We have no idea what is in most of the processed food that we eat, nor do we want to know. Often parents work, so they are no longer the ones responsible for making sure that their children have healthy food in the home or that they eat well. Since parents are too busy to teach their children how to shop for food or how to cook, perhaps it’s time that middle and high schools have required courses for students so that they learn the essential skills for maintaining health: how to shop and how to cook.
—Tom SmallMost of us are so busy that we seldom spend time learning to cook a healthy meal. Instead, we spend extra money eating out or having food delivered, or we pop frozen food into the microwave, or we open a soft drink and a bag of chips. We have no idea what is in most of the processed food that we eat, nor do we want to know. Often parents work, so they are no longer the ones responsible for making sure that their children have healthy food in the home or that they eat well. Since parents are too busy to teach their children how to shop for food or how to cook, perhaps it’s time that middle and high schools have required courses for students so that they learn the essential skills for maintaining health: how to shop and how to cook.
Explain Small’s argument and discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with his analysis. Support your position, providing reasons and examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Don't forget the basics of argumentation: Ethos, Pathos, Logos.
In this response you are analyzing Small's argument; yet you are also creating your own argument. So be persuasive! And remember: you are not looking at how he created his argument or what rhetorical features he uses. You are merely explaining his argument and then agreeing, disagreeing, or qualifying to what extent you agree with him.
Once you make your claim on how you feel about the topic (his argument), then use examples to support your claim. Show me logic and emotion with well-written sentences that are punctuated correctly in order to prove your credibility.
You can also include the counter argument--something we have not discussed yet. Here you would acknowledge the opposing viewpoint by either giving that viewpoint some concessions, (meaning to point out that parts of it may have merit) or you can discuss the opposing viewpoint by taking it apart and proving why it is wrong.
Good Luck and Begin--
Due at End of Class= 50 POINTS
Response to a Peer:
Due by Monday Night (NO EXCEPTIONS) = 20 POINTS
Respond to one peer by discussing how they incorporated elements of argumentation and evidence into their response and how it affected you as a reader.
