Write an essay that proves an argument/stance on one of the premises in The Coddling of the American Mind. Are trigger warnings dangerous? Why or why not? How does avoiding subjects impact people’s, especially college students’ ability to critically think? Is free speech in jeopardy? Does it divide people? Why or why not? (These are just questions to get you started; you can create your argument from the basis of any of the topics from the reading). Address these types of questions and create a complete argument (with four elements of an effective thesis) that is supported with logic and explanation.
This is not an opinion-centered paper. It should be written as an objective argument. This means that you will be writing in the third person and take an unbiased tone that presents information rather than tries to convince or persuade an audience to see things your way. The logic of your argument will do that convincing; the tone of your argument will not.
You must use at least 2 outside sources, all of which must be a book, journal, or from some other sort of academic database. The validity of Internet sources is questionable compared to articles found in scholarly journals, periodicals, and books—which are readily available to you through the library’s online database.
This essay must be a full 5-6 pages in length (one paragraph on the last page will not meet the length requirement) and should follow all MLA format requirements, including a Works Cited page with correct MLA citations for your sources (typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 pt. font, 1 inch margins on all sides, etc.). Your final draft is due Sunday, May 15 by midnight.
(Personal Notes for you)
Hook → (one paragraph, it can be stylistic, like using personification, or an example of something, like an example of an event that occurred) → Formal Introduction (Another paragraph) →
The thesis has to have 4 elements: 1)The Problem → 2)Direct (how it affects directly) → 3) Personal → 4)Societal
Example of thesis: Repeated use of the term “trigger warnings” (Problem) incentivizes psychological distortions(Direct), causing flaws in an individual’s ability to critically reason, (Personal) leading to a collectivist society that lacks individual creativity. (Societal)
Don’t use: Mental Illness, in case you do use along with the words psychological distortions
You can use The coddling of the american mind as a source, theres a book online with PDF: https://eddierockerz.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind-how-good-intentions-and-bad-ideas-are-setting-up-a-generation-for-failure-pdfdrive-.pdf
The thesis has to be objective
Other requirements:
Your response must have the following:
Clear sense of purpose or thesis that supporting details are effectively connected to
Smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences to establish a smooth, even flow
A complete (two-part) introduction to hook your reader and introduce your argument/topic
Demonstrated ability to conduct and analyze outside sources and effectively incorporate them into your own argument
Supporting ideas that prove the thesis/purpose and build off each other
Smooth transitions between paragraphs and sentences to establish a smooth, even flow
Correct MLA formatted citations, both in the text and in a Works Cited page
Quotes that are correctly integrated into your own structured sentences
A conclusion that leaves the reader with something to think about
Use of at least three rhetorical devices
Sentences that vary in length, structure, and style
Sentences that correctly incorporate underutilized punctuation (em dashes, colons, etc.)
Six or less major mechanical errors