ENG 101/PQL Cluster; Public Health and Nutrition
Spring 1 2009
A. McCormick
In-class Practice Essay
To practice your time management skills in composing essays as we get near the in-class exit final, here are two practice topics for you to write on. Choose one.
Brainstorm, plan out several main ideas, and write a draft of 500-600 words on your chosen topic. Quote and/or paraphrase from Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation.
Topic A: Fast-food Advertising on Campus?
CUNY is facing budget cuts, and LaGuardia is strapped for cash. Considering the need for funds, should LaGuardia allow McDonald’s and other fast food businesses to advertise their food throughout the campus? Why might some people be opposed to this? What, according to Eric Schlosser, is wrong with allowing fast food giants to advertise in schools? Write an essay discussing whether or not McDonald’s and other fast food corporations should be allowed to advertise on campus here at LaGuardia. Provide several main reasons, and support your position with references to Fast Food Nation as well as your own common-sense reasoning and experiences (and you may also refer to other readings we have used this semester if you’d like).
Topic B: McDonald’s at LaGuardia?
The current culinary service that operates out of LaGuardia’s cafeteria is leaving us because the college has decided not to renew their contract, which means that the school needs to hire a new food vendor. Several culinary service companies are competing for contracts, and one of them is McDonald’s! Should LaGuardia allow McDonald’s to open a franchise location in the cafeteria? Would a Mickey-D’s on campus be a good thing for students, faculty and staff? Or would it create problems? In what ways is the constant presence and availability of fast food like McDonald’s potentially bad for young people, children, or perhaps students? Write an essay arguing whether or not LaGuardia’s administration should contract with McDonald’s for food service. Support your position with references to Fast Food Nation as well as your own common-sense reasoning and experiences (and you may also refer to other readings we have used this semester if you’d like).