Assignment

Guidelines for Paper- Issue Exploration

The purpose of this assignment is to identify and explore an issue about which you would like to learn more. This assignment will require that you apply the critical thinking, critical reading and critical action skills that you have been investigating, as well as, determine the issue, conclusion and reasons regarding your topic.

First, go to ted talks and select a video to watch. The selection process should include the following considerations:

1. Is the issue significantly important to society?

2. Does the issue affect different groups in society? (The groups can be based on ethnicity, culture, religion, economic status, sexuality, gender, etc.)

3. Is the issue actionable? (Is there some action that I can take to work toward a positive solution for the groups affected and society?)

4. Can I find a related article, by a different author, that supports the speaker's position?

Next, you will need to find an article that is related to the issue. Do not use an article written by the speaker in the video that you have selected. Your article must provide additional information about the issue you have selected. You may want to be sure that you will be able to find an appropriate article before you make your final video selection.

You may have to watch a few videos to find one that meets the criteria and focuses on an issue about which you are really interested.

Once you have selected an issue, develop a paper in which you discuss the following:

1. Issue, conclusion and reasons discussed in your video and article as well as your position on the issue
2. The importance of the issue in society
3. The groups that are affected by this issue and
4. What action you can take to advocate for positive change in society.

Include the link for the video and article that you have selected at the top of your paper.

Your paper should be approximately 3 pages long. It should be typed and double-spaced to receive full credit. The paper will be evaluated for its clarity and thoroughness. The paper is worth a maximum of 50 points. Rubric attached.

To be successful on this paper you should compose a well-worded and thoughtful first paragraph that includes the following:

1. Overview and discussion of your issue.You will need to identify the issue, conclusion and reasons provided by the speaker of the video and the author or your related article.

2. Your position on the issue. Do you agree or disagree with the speaker/author? Why or why not?

For the next part of this assignment, you will need to develop responses to the prompts below. Each of your paragraphs should be well developed and thoughtful.

1. Why is this topic important to society? (Be sure to include evidence from the video and article to support your position.)

2. How does this issue affect different groups in society? (Be sure to include specific groups that are affected.)

3. After reading about my topic, I want to... (What action will you take? ie: further research, join an organization, educate others, create a fundraiser, donate money) Be specific about how you will go about completing this action.

Your paper should consist of your video/article links, and four well-developed paragraphs (6-10 sentences) that follow this outline:

I. Link to TED video and article

II. Overview of the issue, key points and position (paragraph 1) Be sure to reference both the video and the article you have selected.

III. Response to prompt 1 - Importance of Issue (paragraph 2)

IV. Response to prompt 2 - Groups Affected by Issue (paragraph 3)

V. Response to prompt 3 - Advocacy Action for Change (paragraph 4).