Here are the requirements for Paper 1:
This paper is a 2-page paper written in the style of an op-ed. As such, you will need to write a focused argument that briefly provides an insightful perspectives on a particular issue. The issue that we will be looking at is Obama's controversial commencement speech at Notre Dame. I have chosen this particular controversy because it covers a range of issues, from abortion, to religion, to political ideology, to argument, to protest, and more. As I will discuss in class today, you are free to choose what particular issue you will take up, and I think there is plenty of room in this controversy for you to find something to say.
There is one important requirement for this assignment - in making your argument, I would like you to take on a particular text in this controversy, whether it be Obama's speech, an op-ed written on this controversy, or comments written in response to the controversy. In making your argument, you need to be concerned with the issue of what constitutes good argument.
I will provide you with two examples student op-eds, and below I have included links to 4 different media pieces on the controversy, but there are plenty of examples of op-ed style argument for you to get a sense of what is the style of the op-ed. What is important about an op-ed is that you need to have a clear argument, and you need to get to the point quickly, although you can deploy your thesis strategically, whether it be at the beginning or end of your argument. Importantly, because they are not formal arguments, op-ed's rely extensively on emotional or stylistic appeals, and the goal is to be as accessible as possible. You will also see that many op-ed writers use the personal pronoun "I." Although they are opinion pieces, they generally have one or two pieces of strong evidence to support their claim; however, they do not use citations, so those are not required for your paper, although you can include them if you would like.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/opinion/l19notre.html
http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2009/05/abortion-barack-obama-notre-dam.html
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/john_mark_reynolds/2009/05/president_obamas_notre_dame_speech_not_so_brave.html?hpid=talkbox1
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/05/17/amid_protests_obama_calls_for.html?wprss=44
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This may change later but here's a rough idea of what I thought of today:
ReplyDeletearticle:
"Notre Dame rightly honors the president"
by Kenneth L. Woodward
http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/other-views/story/976147.html
Thesis/summary of idea:
Although President Obama maked vaild points about tolerance and working together, the commencement speech at Notre Dame was the wrong forum for conveying this message. He should not have been invited to speak at the Notre Dame commencement ceremony.
So basically I think he did a really good job addressing the controversy in a thought provoking way, but I think a commencement should be about celebration and should not be overshadowed by such controversy.
Article: “Amid controversy, Obama wades into abortion debate at Notre Dame commencement” by Julie Pace
ReplyDeletehttp://www.startribune.com/45250867.html?elr=KArksDyycyUtyycyUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
Thesis/summary
In addition to Obama’s congratulating Notre Dame graduates, his points on tolerance and accepting other people was important to help students recognize that they still have to live with one another and be able to speak to each other despite opposing views. It was called to exigency from the recent protests at Notre Dame and instead of defending himself; he swayed people to try to accept people as human beings even with their conflicting beliefs along with raising questions about tolerance in society. It was brave of him to speak up on such a controversial issue and while 37 people were arrested for trespassing charges during Obama’s speech, I believe the issue needed to be addressed that Obama did so in an appropriate and skillful manner.
What were Notre Dame officials thinking?
ReplyDeleteBy: GREGORY KANE
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/gregory-kane/What-were-Notre-Dame-officials-thinking--45286807.html
Paper Idea:
Partially, I plan to refute this argument on personal counter opinions, but the main idea of this paper is moreso to address the failure in argumentation tactics used by the author. In particular, I would like to address bias, an attempt to distract from the real issues, and overly colloquial speech and unjustified claims which undermine his legitimacy. Finally I would like to comment on his cheap appeal to emotion and irrelevant association of pro-choice individuals with racists and eugenicists.
Notre Dame's Obama Flap Editorial
ReplyDeletehttp://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-notredame1-2009apr01,0,4893557.story
Thesis/Summary:
The Notre Dame University commencement was a day dedicated for celebration and even though it may not have been the right time to identify key issues, President Obama did it anyways and used the circumstances of his visit to help build a civilized debate on controversial issues.
Even though Obama's appearance was marred by a bunch of controversy, he was still able to build bridges between opposing ideologies. He worked to create a more civil mean of argumentation on controversial topics.
Notre Dame: Calls for respect inside, voices of protest outside
ReplyDeleteBy Catholic News Service
The issue that brings up so much controversy is not one of difference of opinion on abortion. If Obama thought that the "Harry Potter" books/movies were good and recommended them to others, the Catholic Church would likely not have noticed. The Catholic Church certainly doesn't approve of witchcraft - in fact, they used to burn, crucify, and drown people on the suspicion of witchcraft. So why was this issue presented in the way that it was? It seems to me that the argument that Notre Dam should not allow Obama to give the commencement speech is one of religious intolerance. If Obama were an atheist (or an Muslim), yet held pro-life policies, would the Catholic Church still protest this event? Perhaps - perhaps not, but the signs are not encouraging. John Jenkins, the president of Notre Dam said as much, yet he was shouted down by Catholic bishops for doing so.
This controversy is one steeped in religious intolerance, not a difference of opinion or values, and the call to prevent Obama from appearing or from receiving an honorary degree is absolutely reprehensible.
Obama courageously misses the point
ReplyDeleteNewsweek Washington Post.
Thesis: President Obama's speach was very tactful in pointing out the common ground among both sides of the abortion issue. However, he avoided talking about his own views on abortion and the differences of opinion that exist.
thesis idea:
ReplyDeleteLightly addressing the abortion issue, Obama was able to open up a broader, more serious discussion of the philosophical ground of civilized behavior and argumentation when confronting a controversial issue. The freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment emphasizes the value of public discussion and debate. It is because of these First Amendment freedoms that controversial issues create a public space for deliberation and a means of discovering knowledge and solving collective problems.
President Obama's commencement speach at the University of Notre Dame was a bold attempt at bringing both pro-life and pro-choice advocates together under a common ground banner on the issue, but his choice of venue for such a controversial issue was very poor.
ReplyDelete