Topic #11: Topics

Wow, I'm late on the posting this week -- I actually slept in, for once. I never do that. I think I have something of a cold, though.


At any rate: I was most tempted to ask the same question of you all that Clarisse asked of Montag: are you happy? It seems to me an extremely important question to have the correct answer to, and the fact that Montag does not know his answer right away is indicative of his situation and personality; as he struggles with it, he begins to have an epiphany. I like that. On the other hand, I know from past blogs and discussions that many of you have already explored the thought for yourselves, and thus any insights have already been -- er -- inseen, which would make this topic dry and dull for you.

But wait! We have uncountable topics to discuss! Well, not really uncountable -- there are probably right around 36 topics. But that's a lot, and this is a good opportunity.

You are all thinking about possible controversial issues to use for your persuasive essay (Don't forget about the homework! Due tomorrow! Tell your friends!), which we will be writing this week and next. Perhaps the hardest part of writing persuasively is coming up with your arguments; so many of our opinions are simply that -- opinions, based on how we feel, rather than on sound reasons. So many of the opinionated people in the media function on that level, as well, which leaves us with a good sense of how we feel, but not much of why.

So I'd like to take the chance to debate it, just a little. Your assignment for this week is to post at least one controversial issue you are thinking of writing your essay about, and state your claim. I am hoping that your classmates will be able to respond with reasons and support for or against your claim, so we can all help each other brainstorm good arguments for the essays. And maybe have a little fun arguing. If you do not want to share your persuasive topic with the class, that's fine (though it makes this week's blog a little more pointless for you), simply choose some other controversial issue and make a claim. Then try to help your classmates out. If any of you are particularly knowledgeable about a topic, please be sure to share what you know, especially if you can point someone to a resource, a website or article or information source that would give good information on the topic.
Once again: post a controversial issue and a claim, either your essay topic or something different, and then try to respond to other people's posts and claims. DON'T be insulting.

EDIT TO ADD:

Right, so it seems there may be some reluctance to post argument topics; I suppose some of you don't want to get your opinions shot full of holes.  Understandable, but come on: that's how you learn to support your opinion and win arguments!  Sigh.  Well, let's have some alternatives for those who don't want to post arguments.

Alternative #1:  As some people already have, answer Clarisse's question.  Are you happy?

Alternative #2:  We are doing state testing this week.  Go ahead and air out your opinion of that.