Background Information–You have seen video clips pertaining to the Newtown Shootings. You have also read various articles, which discussed the tragic demise of those 26 victims. Those clips and articles highlighted whether lawmakers should leave gun laws the way they are or impose restrictions on gun ownership and usage. Essay Question: Should private citizens still be allowed to own guns without new restrictions? Why (not)? Standards: 7. W. 1. CS. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. .
W. 4. CS. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience Your Task is to… Write a five-paragraph letter to President Barack Obama explaining why private citizens’ right to bear arms should be upheld OR write a five paragraph letter to President Barack Obama explaining why he should work toward restricting gun ownership and gun usage. Use direct quotes from the articles you have analyzed in class to substantiate your beliefs.
Your paragraphs should be comprised of the following… • Introduction – Begin with a hook or grabber. Explain why people generally feel the need to own guns. Explain why other people generally feel that people should not own guns. End with a thesis statement by stating the three reasons (or three articles) why you believe the President should OR should not tamper with the individual’s right to own guns and briefly give three reasons (or mention the three articles that you will use to support your position) why you feel that way.
• Body – Begin with a opic sentence that states your first reason or article that shows why gun ownership and use should be untouched OR limited. Provide a quote (#1) that supports your opinion. Explain what that quote (#1) means in your own words. Explain how this quote (#1) supports your topic sentence. Write a second quote (#2) from the text. Explain what your second quote (#2) means in your own words. Explain how that second quote (#2) supports your topic sentence. Write a third quote (#3) from the text. Explain what your third quote (#3) means in your own words.
Explain how that third quote (#3) supports your topic sentence. End with a transitional sentence that mentions the next reason or article you will be discussing. • Body – Begin with a topic sentence that states your second reason or article that shows why gun ownership and use should be untouched OR limited. Provide a quote (#1) that supports your opinion. Explain what that quote (#1) means in your own words. Explain how this quote (#1) supports your topic sentence. Write a second quote (#2) from the text. Explain what your second quote (#2) means in your own words.
Explain how that second quote (#2) supports your topic sentence. Write a third quote (#3) from the text. Explain what your third quote (#3) means in your own words. Explain how that third quote (#3) supports your topic sentence. End with a transitional sentence that mentions an opposing viewpoint. • Body – Begin with a topic sentence that states the opposing viewpoint. It should show why people would disagree with your viewpoint. Provide a quote (#1) that shows how someone could disagree with your viewpoint. Then, explain what that opposing viewpoint #1 means.
Explain why that opposing viewpoint #1 is wrong or misguided. Provide a second quote (#2) that shows how someone could disagree with your viewpoint. Then, explain what that opposing viewpoint #2 means. Explain why that opposing viewpoint #2 is wrong or misguided. Provide a third quote (#3) that shows how someone could disagree with your viewpoint. Then, explain what that opposing viewpoint #3 means. Explain why that opposing viewpoint #3 is wrong or misguided. End with a transitional sentence that shows why your position is the correct one.
