Population - Problem or Not? (Due: Fri. Feb. 15)
*In this assignment you will review two articles: one that argues that the growing human population is a global issue and one that argues it is not.
· Your task is to:
o 1) Summarize each argument
o 2) Share and support your personal opinion in the form of a mini-essay
*How do I do this?
· Read the articles and highlight the most important points so they are easy to review later.
o Take all the highlighted points and use them to help you summarize each argument. To do this you write a paragraph or 2 about each argument being made. Your introductory sentence sets the stage by stating exactly what the argument is. Your mid-paragraph sentences outline all the arguments you have isolated in the article. Your final sentence wraps up the argument and closes up the paragraph.
§ Be sure to clearly organize these so they are easy to read and clearly outlining the issues written about in the articles.
· Consider for yourself what your opinion is.
o Now that you have read these articles and watched the documentary on the growing population of planet Earth you have likely started to form a personal opinion on the subject.
o You will either be:
§ For the argument that the growing population is a global issue and a concern to be addressed.
§ Against the argument.
§ Or…on the fence.
· Either stand is fine but write appropriately for each stand.
· Review the proper essay format for your argument.
o See the graphic organizer below for an idea of how you would arrange this in a proper format:
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*OMG – an essay?!
· Don’t freak – it’s going to be okay, it’s only a mini-essay
o That just means that you are supposed to use a proper format to create an argument.
o Your essay only needs to be 300 words (minimum)
§ You will need at least that much to outline your argument and support it with direct points from the article.
*How will this be marked?
· The criteria being marked are…
o Proper essay format
o Argument – clearly stated and explained
o Evidence – direct points shared to support your argument
o Overall strength of message – how affective your article is in demonstrating an understanding of subject matter whilst sharing a personal viewpoint of the issue at hand.