Discussion, “Let’s Really Reform Our Schools”

Before we read Anita Garland’s essay “Let’s Really Reform Our Schools,” let’s answer a few questions. This essay is available as a PDF in the Week 10 module. 

First, answer these questions that will focus only on the title and the blurb before the essay. Be prepared for the possibility of a reading quiz. 

1. Let’s think about the title for a moment: “Let’s Really Reform Our Schools.” What does 
“reform” usually mean? (Use your own words; don’t google the definition.) (Hint: If I scored a bad grade on an exam, I might need to reform my study habits.) 

2. Garland also uses the word 
“really” in the title: “Let’s REALLY Reform Our Schools.” Why do you think she included the word “really?” How does it change the meaning? 

3. Now read the blurb at the beginning of the essay under the word “Preview.” (It’s only 7 lines long.) According to the blurb, a report on education in America described a “rising tide of mediocrity” in our schools. 

(a) In your own words, what does 
“mediocre” mean? 

(b) What is an 
example of something that is mediocre? It can be a real example or one you make up. 

(c) So is it a good thing or a bad thing for schools to be mediocre? Answer in 2-3 sentences to get full credit. 

4. Garland explains a few “radical” ideas for improving students’ performance in school. A radical idea is one that many people may call crazy; it is usually a “big swing” idea instead of something more subtle or easy.

For example: 

Problem: The attendance rate in a local high school is really low. 

Radical idea: Pay students to attend class. 

See? A radical idea is “outside the box,” and is often controversial. It’s not slow or subtle, and a lot of people will say it’s impossible. However, radical ideas sometimes work, and they at the very least make for interesting conversation! 

Before you read Garland’s idea, write your own radical idea for improving students’ performance in school. (Minimum 4-5 sentences to get credit.) 

Now, read the essay, then answer the following questions: 

1. The thesis statement of an essay is usually found in the introduction of an essay.  In Garland’s essay, the introduction is made up of the first two paragraphs.  Find the thesis statement and write it here: 

2. Garland’s essay includes five “radical” suggestions for reforming high schools. List her suggestions here: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c)

(d) 

(e)

3.  Think back to your days in high school.  Which of the reforms that Garland suggests do you think might have been most useful at your high school?  
In two to three sentences, explain your reasons why.  

4. Is there one of Garland’s reform ideas that you absolutely hate?  If so, which one? 
 (If you don’t hate any of them, which do you like the least? It is not an acceptable answer to say you like them all! Think in terms of ranking them; which would you rank last?) 

Why do you think it’s a bad idea?  
Write at least two to three sentences to explain why. 

Read and discuss, “Debate College Casebook”

Read “Debate Casebook: Is College for Everyone and Just How Valuable Is a College Education?” posted as a PDF in this module.  Answer the following discussion questions.

1.  (a) How would you summarize Porter’s argument in one sentence?  

(b) What is Lee’s argument? 

2. Whose argument did you find more convincing?  Why? (3-4 sentences minimum) 

3.  What difference in point of view do you notice between Porter’s essay and Lee’s essay?  What might be the reason for the difference in tone? 

4. Notice in the blurb before each essay where each essay was published. (a) Where was Porter’s essay published? Who, then, is her audience?  What does knowing Porter’s audience tell us? 

(b) Where was Lee’s essay published? Who is her audience? What does knowing Lee’s audience tell us? 

5.  What does Porter use as supporting evidence for her point?  Lee?  

6.  Using the MLA citation rules we have used, provide a direct quote from Porter that provides her best argument.  You can use either a signal phrase, parenthetical citation, or a combination of the two.  

7. Now do the same for Lee. 

7.  Finally, in your opinion, what is the greatest benefit of attending college? What is the biggest drawback? Give 3-5 sentences for each.  

Essay #3 Assignment: The Descriptive and Narrative Profile

Assignment:  

Write a 2-4 page essay in which you tell a story or stories about someone you know in order to create a dominant impression. (The minimum length is two FULL pages.) 

Choose a person to describe.  The subject must be someone you know, such as a friend, a relative, a teacher, a mentor, etc.  This is because this essay does not use documentation; you are only writing from first-hand knowledge.  (If you were writing a profile of Mariah Carey, for example, you would need to provide documentation for any biographical information you mention because you do not know Mariah Carey personally.  Therefore, no celebrities are allowed as subjects.) 

Other restrictions: 

You cannot not choose your mother, father, or a child.  The essay will receive a zero if it is on one of these. 

The biggest mistake students make with this assignment is that they do not tell a story. The assignment is not to explain or only describe your subject; the goal is to tell a story about someone you know while using descriptive language. 

The story should be told in first-person point of view, and while you may be a character in the story, make sure that you are not the focal point of the story.

Other requirements: 

Remember that your essay will need a point:  Why are you telling a story about this person?  What is your thesis? Name your specific subject in the thesis statement. 

Do not write in 2nd person.  Essays that use second person will be docked one letter grade. 

In addition to using sensory details, use at least one example of each of the 4 types of figurative language discussed in the notes:  simile, metaphor, personification, and allusion.  
Both the rough draft and final draft must be typed and in MLA format.  

This is not a biography of your subject.  Instead, you will use narrative to create a dominant impression.  In other words, tell a story or a series of short incidents that capture who the person is. 

Do not start with “John was born in…,” and the goal is not to write the subject’s life story. 
 Instead, tell a story about your subject or a few short episodes in their life, 
using narrative. 

The most difficult part of this assignment is often choosing the right subject.  This can be a person you know well, a person you love, or a person you despise. (Remember, a dominant impression can be either positive or negative!) It can be someone you remember fondly from childhood, someone who made you afraid, someone you had a crush on, or someone who hurt you. It can be your best friend, your roommate, your next-door neighbor, an interesting person you met recently, or anyone else you can think of.  

Here are just a few examples of successful subjects students have chosen in the past:

· an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend (A dominant impression does not have to be positive!) 

· a best friend with a quirky personality (We all have that one friend we talk about…)

· a coach with a tough persona

· a friend who works with the homeless (Someone who has a remarkable character will make a great subject.) 

· a friend who always got into trouble

· a cousin or other relative who is often the subject of gossip or funny stories at family get-togethers 

Think about someone you know well.  This should be someone you already tell stories about.  If you’re having trouble figuring out what to say about your subject, just pick someone else!  

The writing process 

When choosing a subject, ask yourself how you will make this person interesting to an audience.  Begin by brainstorming specific details and stories about this person; this will help you craft a dominant impression.

Step 1: Choose a subject and brainstorm

Step 2: Complete a sketch outline:  introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion

Step 3: Write your thesis statement

Step 4: Flesh out the outline with specific details

Step 5: Write the essay

Step 6: Revise and edit (at least twice)

BELOW IS THE TOPIC ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS ESSAY:

Essay #3: One-paragraph topic proposal

For this assignment, write a fully-developed paragraph about the person you will profile for Essay #3. The paragraph should tell a brief version of the story you will tell in your essay. 

Catherine Goodman is an ambitious, confident, and resilient black woman who has defied odds to become one of the youngest black female leaders in the United States. Catherine grew up in Shreveport, LA. She faced economic hardships, lack of quality education, systemic racism, and implicit bias. Whenever Catherine entered professional rooms, she faced overt bias as she was often the only black woman in the room. Even though Catherine did not access quality education, she did not give up her dreams of becoming a leader. Catherine got involved in various community programs to develop her leadership skills. She coordinated community awareness campaigns about the dangers of drugs. Catherine showed genuine care and concern for drug addicts. She helped develop the strategic objectives of awareness campaigns. Catherine also collaborated with community organizations and businesses to help provide resources to individuals facing drug addiction. She organized community forums and hall meetings and invited experts to discuss the available resources for drug addicts. Catherine conducted workshops on rehabilitation processes and drug prevention. Even though she faced funding limitations, Catherine managed to develop effective campaigns that helped many young people overcome drug addiction.