materials that not acceptable for this exercise. Prepare and submit a minimum (7) page paper including the dy (5 pages), coversheet (1 page), and reference page (1 page). The paper is to be your original work
and written solely for this course. Students should not include an abstract and the paper is to be the
student’s original work and written solely for this course. Direct/block quotes are not allowed. The student
must paraphrase and cite sources. The use of personal pronouns is not allowed. The writing assignment is
due on December 6 @ 11:59pm. A rubric that will be used for grading is located within the “Welcome and
Orientation” section of the learning units as well as examples of quality papers.
Writing Assignment
The writing assignment for the class serves as the final for the class. The student will select a divisive topic
that has not yet been covered in our class discussions, and then conduct research about how this topic is
covered in the media. The student will analyze both sides of the debate, and will then offer a determination
of whether or not mediation is possible. The writing assignment must be submitted using APA style to
Blackboard.
We began this class with a foundation of the U.S.’s founding documents. From there, we have discussed
how Americans get their news and form their opinions, and we have dug into various issues that divide the
American public. Those topics have included thoughts on the Second Amendment, the recent Burwell v.
Hobby Lobby ruling, and the role of the federal government in higher education (among others).
In this assignment, the student will have the opportunity to objectively write a paper on another divisive
topic. Prepare and submit a minimum (7) page paper including the body (5 pages), coversheet (1 page),
and reference page (1 page).
For each topic, you will locate a minimum of six sources from various news outlets. These readings should
come from different viewpoints, as you will be examining how the topic is reported on and why each side
holds the opinion that it holds. As we have practiced on the discussion board, you will read the various
articles, and will explain why each side views the issue in the manner that they do. To do this, you will need
to consider the following:
What (or who) informs each side’s opinion?
Do you detect the influence of any of the U.S.’s founding documents (or the words of the Founding Fathers)
in these opinions?
Are the articles offering equal coverage of all sides’ opinions of the topic, or are these opinion pieces?
Most importantly, you will address this question:
Can a mediated position be reached on this issue?Writing Assignment
The PURPOSE of writing assignment is to allow you, the student, the opportunity to reflect and synthesize
information that they are learning about within the readings for a given week. In order to be able to do so,
you will need to think critically as you explore unfamiliar (or familiar) ideas, opinions, and situations. You will
need demonstrate the ability to communicate in an effective manner via written forms.
TASKS: You will be presented with articles, data, facts, and research findings through this class and will be
asked to utilize your critical thinking skills regarding the readings, and prompts. The writing assignment for
the class serves as the final for the class. You will select a divisive topic that has not yet been covered in
our class discussions, and then conduct research about how this topic is covered in the media. You will
analyze both sides of the debate, and will then offer a determination of whether or not mediation is
possible. The writing assignment must be submitted using APA style to Blackboard. Additional information
can be found under learning unit 15.
CRITERIA: The paper must include an APA cover page and at least (7) references. Note: Blogs, education
sites, commercial sites, Wikipedia, About.com, editorials, and book reviews are just a few of the types of