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Today you’ll need: vocabulary collection, journal, writing utensil

Vocabulary 9

• Brine• Flotsam• Jetsam• Jettison• Sordid

• Contaminate• Expurgate• Immaculate• Purge• Sully

Topic/thesis: so many choices

• Choose a topic that interests you, and is something that can be ARGUED.

• Make sure it’s not just straight opinion, you want evidence that can back up your argument.

• Watch out for fallacious claims (false logic)

What would I want to write about…

The following ideas are just to give you an idea of what kind of prompts are

available. Choose what interests you.

Pop Culture

Teens are bombarded with negative role models.

Disney “Princesses” = negative presentation of gender roles and expectations.

School

• Student grades should only be determined by summative assignments (tests, essays, projects, etc), not on daily homework.

• Required volunteer hours for graduation will benefit students.

Current Controversies

• Proposal: how can politics get better?

• Why voters don’t vote.

• Teacher tenure

• Common Core state standards.

My topic is…

• As I narrowed down my topic, I realized there was a lot I could say about the traditional Disney movies and the roles they play in child development.

• So, instead of doing all the thinking myself, I went online, and looked for articles and arguments which focus on my topic.

Some of my research“This article argues that children's self-image is affected by the

ways in which they see themselves in texts both verbal and visual, and that fairy tales play an important role in shaping self-image and the belief-system of children.”

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3626/is_200507/ai_n15743663/

“The song exemplifies both patriarchal control and traditional ideas of femininity through its lyrics (Larry Morey) and musicality (Frank Churchill).”

http://disneyprincess-swag.blogspot.com/2009/11/someday-my-prince-will-come-close.html

Disney 1937-1967

1989-1999ish

Music• [Ariel:] But without my voice, how can I -

[Ursula:] You'll have your looks! Your pretty face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!

• The men up there don't like a lot of blabberThey think a girl who gossips is a boreYes, on land it's much preferredFor ladies not to say a wordAnd after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversationTrue gentlemen avoid it when they canBut they dote and swoon and fawnOn a lady who's withdrawnIt's she who holds her tongue who gets her man

•Read more: Disney - Poor Unfortunate Souls [From The Little Mermaid] Lyrics | MetroLyrics

I want to focus on this idea

• In many cases, Disney’s portrayal of women presents them as either a damsel in need of a man, or an evil woman, jealous of the damsel.

• Rough central claim; once I’ve done more research and written my body paragraphs, I will go back and revise my claim.

Types of Arguments• Definition Argument: A does/doesn’t fit B

– Although some people wish to think of me as property, I am a woman. (Sojourner Truth in “Ain’t I A Woman?”)

– The relationship described in Twilight accurately depicts an unhealthy, codependent relationship.

• Evaluation: A corroborates/refutes/fits expectation of B.– It is conventional to honor soldiers with a cemetery dedicated to preserving their

remains, but it is patriotic to honor them by carrying out the mission they died pursuing. (Lincoln in “The Gettysburg Address”)

• Cause/Effect: A is/isn’t the cause of B.– A student’s future success is due to his/her motivation, not his/her intelligence.

• Proposal: A will/will not alter B.– Given what we have found about the inconclusiveness of studies, the money and

effort currently being spent on raising students’ self-esteem is unlikely to actually improve their performance in school or their success in life and may, in fact, be preventing or limiting the pursuit of initiatives that have proven positive effects . (Baumeister et al in Exploding the Self-Esteem Myth)

Topic Proposal- Due Thursday

• Identify the topic you would like to argue. • Explain the argument you plan on making. • What evidence is out there to support your claim?• What counterclaims can you address?• Why do you want to write about this topic?