For this paper choose any controversial issue that has been discussed in media or Congress for the last year and express your opinion on it by supporting it with quotations from at least SEVEN sources. Use library databases and only ONE ONLINE source (out of seven) is allowed. Online source means finding support for your claim by using the internet (Google, yahoo, etc.). You can’t just present two sides – take a stand and persuade the reader you’re right in your claim. Your audience is New York Times readers who disagree with your opinion. Present two sides of the argument in the introduction. Support claims of opponents and proponents from solid sources (use library databases). Write at least 5 full pages where you’ll demonstrate your ability to synthesize skills when you sum up the major arguments of proponents and opponents
Choose the strongest claims of the opposition and refute them by supporting your claim with quotations from the texts. You may choose any topic, except abortion and gun control.
You may choose any claim: definition, evaluation, comparison/contrast, cause/effect or combine them to be persuasive.

I restrict your choice by using only CURRENT issues. Start reading major papers, such as New York Times or Los Angeles Times and watching news to find a topic of your choice. Though you may choose any area of your interest, such as education, constitution, technology/science, politics, government, oil industry, health care, immigration, US military policy, US foreign policy, latest social issues, events on University and college campuses, I will not allow you to write on trite topics that were appropriate for Eng 50 class, such as legal drinking age, drugs, euthanasia, capital punishment, abortions, gun control, etc. Your topic should be approved by me.