Argumentative Writing - The Latehomecomer
Fall Final Essay

The Writing Prompt Options

1. Argument: Should alternative/traditional medicine play a role in our health care system? (yes or no)
   Description: Yang’s grandmother was a traditional healer, respected and trusted for her abilities. Studies have shown that traditional medicine can be effective in treating or minimizing symptoms of serious diseases. But opponents of traditional medicine say that it gives people a false sense of security, especially when it concerns those who believe they have been successfully treated but still are contagious. What role do you think traditional medicine should play in healthcare? The 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights provides for the human right to health. Should this right embrace a right to traditional medicine and health care? Consider its role in developed countries, compared to that in lesser-developed countries.

2. Argument: Is it important to preserve minority/indigenous cultures (namely language)? (yes or no)
   Description: Part of Yang’s aim in writing the memoir was to preserve her family’s culture. In your opinion, should governments have a duty to preserve minority or indigenous cultures? Or should they merely refrain from acting with deliberate hostility toward a minority culture? Is this a human rights issue? For example, it is predicted the Hmong language could die in the next 50 years. Does the government have a duty to help preserve the language?

3. Argument: Should the country responsible for a war also be responsible for taking in the refugees of that war? (yes or no)
   Description: Each of Australia, France, and the United States took Hmong refugees fleeing their homeland in the wake of the Laotian Civil War (1953-75)―also known as the “US Secret War” owing to the major role played by the United States to stop the spread of Vietnamese communism into Laos. Generally speaking, who do you think has the responsibility to take refugees? According to what criteria? Is this a human rights issue?

4. Argument: When should welfare and transition programs like teaching the language for refugees of war stop , or should it?
   Description: Yang’s family received help from the United Nations in arranging for documentation, refugee camps, and life therein. The U.S. government afforded benefits for disability and welfare. At what point do you think UN assistance should stop? At what point do you think individual government assistance should stop? Should it be particular to the refugee community’s unique needs? What transition program would you design? Are these human rights issues?

5. Argument: Should refugee camps have better living conditions? And if so, who is responsible for making the conditions better?
   Description: Despite living in poverty, Yang recalls a happy childhood in the refugee camp. As readers, it is difficult to understand the conditions in which Yang and others lived for many years. What do you think should be the standard of living for a refugee camp? What do you think should be the responsibility of the United Nations and individual governments to ensure such a standard? Are these human rights issues?

• EXAMPLE OUTLINE - Ms. Tucker's outline

QUICK TIPS

Introduction Formula:

1. Some kind of hook - interesting statement that grabs attention (this is the hardest part)

2. State your thesis and mention the author and title of the novel since you'll be reference that throughout

3. A one-sentence summary of your two arguments.

4. A one sentence summary of the opposing argument and your counterclaim

Typical Body Paragraph Formula

1. Topic Sentence (main argument)

2. Evidence #1

3. Commentary/analysis (how this evidence connects to your main argument)

4. Evidence #2

5. Commentary/analysis (how this evidence connects to your main argument)

6. Concluding Sentence (connect back to main argument and start transition to next argument)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.A

Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.B

Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience's knowledge level and concerns.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.C

Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.D

Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.1.E

Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.