Taking a Stand
For this essay, you're going to take a stand on something. You will argue your position, as you see it. Pick something you're interested in or care a lot about.
First choose someone you know who needs to be convinced about your topic. This person will be your audience for Draft 1. For example, your dad may need to come to understand your ideas on what America should do in response to the attack on September 11th, or your roommate might need to come to understand why you think allowing stem cell research from aborted fetuses would benefit lots of people.
For y our next draft you will pick a new audience and modify your essay for that audience. Taking the examples above, the stance on responding to terrorism could be revised for President Bush, and the stance on stem cell research could be
revised for a pro-life organization or the Catholic Church. This draft should also be revised into a letter to that particular audience: Dear President Bush, for example.
You don't have to choose some pressing global issue, like terrorism. Maybe the one thing that really makes your blood boil is when your brother leaves the toilet seat up. What's important to remember is that you're going to be
revising the essay for an audience you don't know (someone bigger and with more influence than your brother might have). Keep that in mind as you're choosing your topic.
Brainstorming Topics:
In thinking about what you might want to take a stand about, here are some prompts to help you decide. Use 5-7 of the prompts (you can use a prompt more than once), writing 5-7 paragraphs. Finish the statement and then explain why you answered it the way you did.
- One philosophy I live my life by is...
- One thing that really makes me angry is...
- I don't understand how anyone can think...
- One thing I'll never change my mind about is...
- The biggest disagreement I have with ...(parents/roommate/significant other/etc.)... is about...
- I'm really passionate about...
- I firmly believe that...
- The most important thing I can pass on to others is...
Peer Response:
Read the essay once through without making any marks or comments on it. Then, read through it again and make comments as necessary. Be sure to ask questions at places where you are unsure about something or feel like you need more information.
Try to not mark grammar. Once you are done, type a memo to the author that addresses these questions. Be sure to sign your name on the draft you commented on and on the memo.
- What is the essay about? What is the author's opinion? Is the opinion clearly presented?
- Who would be a good audience for Draft 3?
- What was the strongest portion of the essay? Why?
- What is the weakest portion of the essay (the portion that is least developed, least clear, etc.)? Why?
- Think of 3 suggestions you would offer or questions you would ask the author. Make sure you explain them.
- What was your favorite portion of the essay? Why?
- Is there anything else you want to tell the author?
- Don't forget to respond to the author's questions!