Apply some of the critical thinking principles we’ve covered in this course to a
“real world” argument. First, find an argument in print, perhaps a newspaper or magazine column, editorial, or
letter to the editor. The argument must have been published within the last year. Write a brief essay in which
you evaluate the argument as presented. Your essay will include a clear thesis which states whether the
argument is compelling or not and why. You will do some or all of the following:
-Determine what the issue is, and the position on the issue: what response does the writer want from the
audience?
-Examine the writer’s sense of audience. Whom is the writer addressing, and what does he or she assume
about this audience?
-Identify reasons presented in support of the writer’s position:How strong are the arguments?Are there any
unsupported claims? What assumptions does the writer make?Are there any explanations or claims about
causation?
-Identify uses of rhetorical devices Consider tone: watch for uses of humor, irony, etc.
-Is anything missing from the argument? Is the writer ignoring something important?
Clarity and brevity are virtues in this assignment. Your essay’s introduction should probably include a brief
summary of the argument. Do not argue for or against the position the writer takes; simply evaluate the
argument. Important caution: Make sure you choose an argument, not a news article.
To Find an Argument:
Go to the website of a news organization
Click on the link to the ‘Opinion’ section
Choose an argument
Suggestions:
Pick an issue you’re at least a little familiar with. You have to judge whether this argument is good or not, so it
helps if you’re not totally ignorant of the facts.
Pick something short enough to evaluate in a brief paper.
Make sure to note the basic background details—who wrote it, where and when it was published (remember: it
has to be published within the last twelve months!).
You can pick a good argument or a bad argument: that’s up to you.

Sample Solution

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Research Paper LCD 102 Spring 20
Research a language you don’t know. Find one that has something you can analyze but not so unusual that you can’t find articles on it. Avoid straight Spanish, French and Chinese unless you can present me a compelling reason or topic.

1. Briefly discuss the language’s history and culture and its current demographics (NO WIKIPEDIA and no cutting and pasting of charts – you will fail). No travel guides or favorite foods. Academic research only. 1 page
2. Describe the major features of the language (2), such as the way verbs are formed, “missing” parts of speech, word formation, word endings and what they represent, or look at a topic like African American English or Spanglish, or compare a creole to the “standard” language, like patois and English. What does your language group say and how do they say it compared to English is a good way to look at it. 3 pages
3. Write a reflection on the language you have chosen, your research experience,what you have learned about language that sticks in your mind, and your future plans with language. 1 page
   You will need 2 peer-reviewed or vetted journal articles to back up the information you present on your chosen language. Go on Academic Search Complete or JStor. If you are stuck, I’ll help you. We will review this process in class. But start early. The end comes quickly!
   You will each give a 5-minute presentation the last day of class on the language you have decided to write on. A PowerPoint or handout is required.
   The final paper is to be turned in the day of the final exam along with a copy of your PowerPoint presentation and/or handout.
   You will all need to make a video appointment with me during office hours to discuss the trajectory of your paper. Remember, this is worth 25 percent of your grade. If there is too much demand, I will have another office hour TBA.
   Possible Topics
   Piranha – a language of the Amazon, newly discovered
   Buhari – a language of Uzbekistan, endangered, big cultural center in Forest Hills
   Any relatively well-known endangered language, like Basque or Garifuna, for example (go to the ELA site for this)
   Languages that have died but been resurrected to varying degrees, like Hebrew and the Amerindian language, Cherokee.
   A pidgin language or a lesser-known creole.
   Class and other social factors at play in the use of French and Haitian Creole in Haiti
   The nature of Spanglish (continued)

Prejudice and language discrimination in Dominican Republic towards Haitians living there
Is your native language a stigmatized language? PROVE it though research!
Why is AAVE a language and not a dialect? Ditto Patois. Are they “broken English?”

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