You will complete an Argument based on the topic you choose.
Select one topic to research. You may choose from one of the following questions:
Should teens be allowed to play dangerous sports?
Should volunteering be required to graduate high school?
Should bullies be legally responsible for their actions?
Choose one side of the issue: Submit your work in 06.04 Organize Your Argument.If you cannot save your worksheet, you can type the information into a document and submit.
The question your essay will answer
A claim clearly stating your stance on the issue that is written in the third person point of view, does not include emotions or feelings, and can be supported with facts
Reason 1 why readers should agree with your claim. Evidence/support for the reason. A reliable source for the information
Reason 2 why readers should agree with your claim. Evidence/support for the reason. A reliable source for the information
Counterclaim
Rebuttal with evidence from a reliable source
The question my essay will answer: Should volunteering be required to graduate high school?
Claim: Requiring high school students to complete a set amount of volunteer hours before graduation is beneficial for both the student and the community they serve.
Reason 1: Through volunteering, students learn important life skills and gain experience that will benefit them in future professional settings. According to a study by The Corporation for National and Community Service, volunteers are more likely to obtain leadership positions and increase their employability.
Evidence: The same study discovered that volunteering can help students develop communication and problem-solving skills, as well as an increased sense of empathy and concern for those in need. Students who engage in community service also have the opportunity to network with professionals in different fields.
Reason 2: Mandatory volunteering promotes a sense of civic responsibility and empathy in young people, leading to a more engaged and compassionate society. Engaging in meaningful community service helps students feel more connected to their community and encourages them to be active citizens.
Evidence: In a study conducted by The National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, students who participated in service learning demonstrated improved academic performance and increased participation in extracurricular activities. Additionally, volunteering can increase a student's sense of pride and self-esteem.
Counterclaim: Volunteering should not be mandatory because it takes away from the students' free time and can cause stress.
Rebuttal: While it is true that mandatory volunteering may initially cause stress, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term discomfort. Additionally, by completing required community service hours, students are contributing to a greater good and learning the value of sacrificing time for the benefit of others. According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling, volunteering can also benefit a student's college application and increase their chances of being admitted to a top university.
Overall, mandatory volunteering is a positive requirement for high school graduation. It teaches important life skills, promotes a sense of civic responsibility, and can improve academic and professional outcomes for students, all while benefiting the community at large.
Topic: Should bullies be legally responsible for their actions?
The question your essay will answer:
Should bullies be legally responsible for their actions?
A claim clearly stating your stance on the issue that is written in the third person point of view, does not include emotions or feelings, and can be supported with facts:
Bullies should be held legally responsible for their actions, as it promotes accountability, deters future bullying incidents, and protects potential victims from harm.
Reason 1 why readers should agree with your claim. Evidence/support for the reason. A reliable source for the information:
Reason 1: Holding bullies legally responsible promotes accountability and teaches valuable life lessons to both the bully and society. When bullies face legal consequences for their actions, it sends a strong message that their behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It holds them accountable for the harm they cause and helps them understand the seriousness of their actions. According to a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, legal consequences for bullies can effectively reduce the recurrence of bullying by creating a deterrent effect (Source: "Effects of Legal Consequences for Bullies: A Meta-Analysis" by Kim, S., Colistra, C., & Mihalic, S. W., 2008).
Reason 2 why readers should agree with your claim. Evidence/support for the reason. A reliable source for the information:
Reason 2: Legal responsibility for bullies helps protect potential victims from harm and creates a safer environment for everyone. By holding bullies legally accountable, it establishes a barrier that prevents them from causing further harm to their victims. This protection is crucial for a victim's physical and mental well-being. A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found a significant link between legal consequences for bullies and a decrease in bullying incidents, leading to a safer school environment (Source: "Legal Consequences for School Bullies and Their Victims" by Williams, K. R., & Guerra, N. G., 2007).
Counterclaim:
Some might argue that bullying is a complex issue that should be addressed through education and counseling rather than legal punishment. They believe that bullies often come from troubled backgrounds and need support to change their behavior.
Rebuttal with evidence from a reliable source:
While it is important to address the underlying causes of bullying through counseling and education, legal consequences are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of victims. According to a study in the Journal of Criminal Justice, interventions combining legal consequences and therapeutic approaches have been found to be the most effective in reducing bullying incidents and promoting positive behavioral changes in bullies (Source: "Combining Enforcement and Treatment Strategies to Reduce School Bullying" by Bradshaw, C. P., Waasdorp, T. E., & Johnson, S. L., 2015). Legal responsibility should be viewed as part of a comprehensive approach to combat bullying, rather than an isolated solution.
By holding bullies legally responsible for their actions, promoting accountability, deterring future incidents, and protecting potential victims, society can take a stand against bullying and create safer environments for everyone involved.