Sunday, May 18, 2008

The Original Assignment

Standard 2.4: Write persuasive compositions
a. Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion.
b. Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through reasoning; appeal to emotion or ethical
belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).
c. Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert opinions, quotations, and
expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning.
d. Address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

Directions
Some people feel that racism no longer exists in American schools. These people feel that legislation like Brown vs. Board of Education, which enabled African American students to attend “white” schools, made important gains. Furthermore, they feel that this generation is much more tolerant than older generations, when Jim Crow laws still existed to keep blacks and whites from using the same public facilities. Other people argue, however, that racism persists in the everyday experience of minority students, be they white, African American, Latino, Asian American, gay or lesbian, or from any other minority group.

Write a persuasive essay where you take a stand on this issue. Do you agree or disagree that racism is a problem in American schools that demands our attention and action? Support your opinion with specific details from the research above and/or your own knowledge and observations. Make sure you address any possible counterarguments your reader may have.

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