Content
Select one of the social issues covered in 2-4. The possible issues are: language and power, freedom and security, and health and wealth. Consider which issue interests you the most or about which you have a clear, strong perspective; ideally you will continue to work with this issue throughout the remainder of the course assignments.
Now choose two of the readings selections related to that social issue. For each of those two readings,
- write a 1-2 paragraph summary of the reading selection.
- write a 1-2 paragraph response to the reading selection.
Organization
- First present the 1-2 paragraph summary and the 1-2 paragraph response for your first reading selection. Then, present the 1-2 paragraph summary and the 1-2 paragraph response for your second reading selection.
- Be sure that your paragraphs follow the guidelines for paragraph structure.
- Review the sub-module on Summarizing and Responding to Readings for a sample summary-response paper.
Language Choices
- As a writer, you are free to decide how you use language, keeping the following in mind:
- style: your language choices should result in a consistent writing style that is purposeful and aligned with your goals
- readability: your language choices should ensure that your ideas are clear and easy to follow
- When composing your paper, think about the conventions for academic writing, including:
- punctuation: this includes things such as recommended use of commas, colons, and apostrophes.
- word-level accuracy: this includes things such as capitalization, spelling, word-tense, and usage.
- sentence-level accuracy: this includes things such as sentence boundaries, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
- Take time to review your language choices after you’ve written your essay. Think about your goals for the style of this essay and your own writing habits (like using “text-speak,†omitting capitalization, or writing sentence fragments). Revise as necessary to accomplish your style and readability goals.
- Reading your paper aloud is helpful technique when reviewing your language choices for style and readability.
Sources and Documentation
- You are required to use two sources for this assignment. Your sources should be selected from the assigned course readings on your selected issue (language and power; freedom and security; health and wealth).
- Since your sources are from assigned course readings, you do not need to include formal citations. However, you should demonstrate basic attribution. This means you should reference the article titles and authors in your summary-response. For example:
In the reading selection, “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work,†Jean Anyon discusses how American schools are set up to fully educate students from upper-class backgrounds and to give a limited education to students from lower-class backgrounds.
Format and Length
- You should submit your summary-response for both readings in a single document/file.
- At the top of the page, include your name, the assignment name, and a title that reflects your specific essay focus. (See example below.)
- Your paper should be typed, double-spaced and in 11 or 12-point font.
- Your summary and response for each of the reading selections should be a minimum of two paragraphs (about 400-500 words) in length. This means that your total document will be 4-8 paragraphs (about 800-1000 words) in length.
- Review the sub-module on Summarizing and Responding to Readings for a sample summary-response paper.
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Sample Header and Title for Assignment Submissions Kim Lee (student’s name) Language and Power (title) |
Reflection Questions
The reflection questions are to be answered separately. (They are not part of the summary-response.) Post these in the “comments” box when submitting your assignment. You can number your answers or write the in paragraph form. Be sure to address all four questions.
- Aside from simply meeting the requirements, what were your personal goals for this assignment?
- When reviewing your language choices, what choices did you make to approach your goals for staying within or moving beyond conventions for academic writing?
- What parts of your work on this assignment are you most proud of?
- What challenged you in this assignment and/or where do you need additional support from your instructor?
READINGS:
Language and power
- McWhorter, J. (2012, August 13). Good applicants with bad grammar. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/good-applicants-with-bad-grammar
- Rushkoff, D. (2013, January 30). It’s not just grammar: It’s clear thinking. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/its-not-just-grammar-its-clear-thinking
- Haussamen, B. (2012, August 13). What good writing indicates, and doesn’t. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/what-good-writing-indicates-and-doesnt
- Truss, L. (2012, August 13). The harm when schools play down grammar. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/the-harm-when-schools-play-down-grammar
- Challenger, J. (2012, August 13). Consider the candidate and the position. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/08/13/is-our-children-learning-enough-grammar-to-get-hired/consider-the-candidate-and-the-position
Freedom and Security
- Kristof, N. D. (2002, September 10). Security and freedom. New York Times. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A91792952/AONE?u=umd_umuc&sid=AONE&xid=c33c27b9
- Haynes, D. D. (2015, May 14). Liberty vs. security: An old debate renewed in the age of terror. Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. http://archive.jsonline.com/news/opinion/liberty-vs-security-an-old-debate-renewed-in-the-age-of-terror-b99500066z1-303775951.html/
- Stanley, J. (2018, July 17). A pro-liberty case for gun restrictions. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/blog/privacy-technology/pro-liberty-case-gun-restrictions
- Funk, A. & Linzer, I. (2020, March 16). How the coronavirus could trigger a backslide on freedom around the world. Washington Post. https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/docview/2377836585?accountid=14580
