In this 3-page essay, you will write about an issue on which there is disagreement by taking a clear position and backing your position up with reasons and evidence. By issue, I do not only mean a large issue like health care reform-frequently, the best writing comes from a combination of knowledge, passion, and a specific subject. You may want to write about a smaller, more localized issue. Remember that this paper is only three pages, so you must limit the scope of your paper.

Though you will state your opinion, be sure to also support it. As always, be sure to engage your reader throughout your essay, especially in your introduction, and also make sure to edit carefully.

Later in the course, you will be working on a research paper tied to your major, and this essay is a great place to get started thinking about a topic that you might like to explore. You are not required to connect the essays in this class by topic, but it is a great strategy.