to persuade the reader to adopt your viewpoint

Point of View:  Use third person.  Do Not
use first person (“I,” “me,” or “my”) or second   

                                       person (“you”).

            Requirement:  Include a claim (statement of position). 
Place the claim as the last

                                     sentence
in your introductory paragraph.

            Select one of the topics
below for your essay:

According to many Baby Boomers,
social networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) leaves much to be desired.  This generation still touts the importance of
face-to-face interaction, phone calls, and even the lost art of letter writing
for human contact.

Nexters, on the other hand, tend to
favor social network formats for the convenience and spontaneity they offer.
This generation maintains that this type of communication has benefits that
surpass the more “antiquated” means of staying in touch with others.

Take one of the two
positions presented above and develop an argument for it.  Base your argument on specific points and reasons
and provide evidence drawn from observation and experience.

OR

One might argue that a shift in
television programming from the wholesome shows of the 1960s thru 1980s to the reality
programs today has resulted in a youth culture of violence and selfishness.  Do you agree or disagree?  Provide concrete examples as evidence (from
television shows) to support your claim and include at least one
counterargument to acknowledge the merits of the opposing viewpoint.

OR

Many would agree that the use of social
media has greatly impacted and therefore, forever changed American
politics.  Thus, many would argue that
this impact has been far more negative than positive?  Do you agree or disagree with this claim?
Provide concrete examples as evidence to support your claim and include at
least one counterargument to acknowledge the merits of the opposing viewpoint.

NOTE:  You CANNOT include
information (research) from outside sources (books, websites, databases, etc.)
in your paper.  You are expected to
compose your argument based upon your own position, experiences, and knowledge
base.  There will be a twenty point
deduction from your essay grade if you do so. Remember that referencing
television shows or various social networking sites (and providing examples and
hypothetical scenarios from them), etc. is not considered research.