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
materials that not acceptable for this exercise. Prepare and submit a minimum (7) page paper including the
body (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?
Students will remember that their own personal opinions should be withheld from their final papers. Both sides
of the issue should be covered equally – I will be looking for objective coverage of both sides of the issue in
your submitted paper. Ultimately, you will be presenting both sides’ viewpoints, and offering suggestions for
mediation
Sample Solution
