College Writing Exercises

• Exercise One: In an essay with multiple paragraphs, please introduce yourself. In a concluding paragraph, please express what your plans for next year are and what you hope to get out of this class to help you achieve them.
• Exercise Two: Please read this New York Times editorial from 2009 about the awarding of the Purple Heart. Following the principles outlined in Chapter Two of They Say/I Say, summarize the argument it makes, and then respond with your own argument on whether the Purple Heart should be awarded to soldiers suffering from PTSD. Be sure to include a clear statement of your position, along with clear support for your view.
• Exercise Three:

  First, read the article from New Yorker Magazine entitled, "The N.R.A. Lobbyist Behind Florida's Pro-Gun Policies," by Mike Spies. You will be using this as the source for a 400 word essay on gun policy in Florida. You will be using the information from They Say/I Say, Chapter Three, to help you integrate supporting quotes from the article into your essay.

  After finishing the article, you should start a new Google Doc for this writing assignment, because it will be submitted as Writing Exercise Three. First, complete the following sentence in your own words: "The reason that gun laws in Florida are among the least restrictive of any state is because of _______________ ." Then write an introduction to the topic, ending your introduction with the sentence you have created--it will be your thesis. Using two quotes from the article we read last class, create an essay of at least 400 words that supports your statement/thesis. Follow the instructions and advice in Chapter Three of They Say/I Say, looking especially at the templates offered on pages 46 and 47 for introducing and explaining quotations.

• Exercise Four: After carefully reading Peter Singer's essay "The Singer Solution to World Poverty" (Norton Field Guide, page 931), please answer the following question: Do you agree, disagree, or "agree but" with Singer's argument? Construct your own argument supporting your position and critiquing Singer's essay. You should follow the principles outlined in They Say/I Say, Chapter Five to make sure your distinctions between Singer's views and your own are clear to the reader. (400 word minimum)
• Exercise Five:First read David Brook's Op-Ed piece in the New York Times entitled "The Morality of Selfism." When you are done, write a 400 word response to his argument. First, summarize his point and say how it can be understood as an example of satire. What is the target of the satire? What "deviation from reasonable opinion or conduct" does the story exaggerate? Next, give your own opinion in response, either agreeing, disagreeing, or agreeing/but with Brooks' point as you have summarized it in your essay.

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