at least 4 pages, double space, 12 font, times new roman

the assigned readings can be chosen, i will post the first and third one. you can choose.

MLA style

English 1B

Essay One

Taking a Position

Our first essay asks you to take a position on an issue and support that position convincingly.

Choose an issue that allows you to make thoughtful use of one of our assigned readings from The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing.  Here are the readings:

• “Children Need to Play, Not Compete” by Jessica Statsky
• “Sticks and Stones and Sports Team Names” by Richard Estrada
• “Working at McDonald’s” by Amitai Etzioni
• “Why Privacy Matters Even if You have ‘Nothing to Hide’” by Daniel J. Solove

You have several options as to how you make use of these readings. 

One option is that you can take an alternative position on the issue presented by the given reading.  For example, you could argue that competition is necessary (or healthy) in children’s sports (contra Statsky) or that jobs like McDonald’s are beneficial to teenagers (contra Etzioni).  

You could also quality, limit or modify the position taken in one of the readings rather than completely opposing it.  What exceptions to his or her position does the writer overlook? 

Or you can take a position on a related issue and use the reading to aid you in supporting it.  For example, you can address the mining of personal information by private corporations and make use of Solove’s arguments, or you can look at the issue of renaming buildings on college campuses and use Estrada’s arguments.  You can either take a position parallel to that taken by the essay you use, or a position that conflicts with the essay you use. 

Plan on making use of one additional source to help you to support your position.  Make sure that it is a reliable source and that you have read it carefully. 

Summarize, paraphrase and quote from your reading as you judge to be appropriate.

All your sources need to be cited and documented according to the MLA style. Consult pages 709 to 730 of The St. Martin’s Guide for directives as to how to cite and document your sources.  See pages 731 to 738 for a model of a paper in the MLA style. 

  It should be at least four pages in length.