Consider an issue that matters to you. It might be a subject that is in the news headlines, like immigration, climate chage, or gun control.  It can also be a subject closer to home, possibly something that is happening at Baruch College or in your neighborhood.  For your essay, you will need to take a strong position on this issue and offer a persuasive defense of your position. You may want to offer a proposal for solving a particular problem. (For instance: The United States should impose a full ban on the sale of handguns) Or you may simply want to provide a particular way of thinking about a current issue. (For instance: legalizing drugs will reduce gang-related violence in cities). Make sure you choose a subject that is narrow enough to allow you to produce a focused and specific argument. You should use primarily factual evidence to support your claims, but you can also use personal, anecdotal, or hypothetical examples. For this paper, you must use at least three sources, and you must cite them according to MLA guidelines. Some of these sources may come from the assigned readings, if they are relevant. For this paper, it’s important that you read articles from both sides of the ideological spectrum so you get a sense of the full range of opinions on the subject and so you can determine how to refute the views of the opposing side. In looking for sources, you should consider consulting the following library databases: Academic Search Complete; LexisNexis, and Opposing Viewpoints in Context. You can find these here:

http://guides.newman.baruch.cuny.edu/databases

For guidelines on how to cite sources in accordance with MLA rules, please consult the following website:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/

3-5 Pages, double-spaced.  First draft due February 14.  Second draft due February 28.