How do I write an argument essay?

It always helps me to see writing samples of something I need to write, so here are a few links that explain more about argument essays and give you examples.

Explanations:

http://www.writefix.com/argument/ (This site explains the format you should use step-by-step. Click on on of the sample essay links on this page)

http://www.writefix.com/argument/ (you can view sample outlines and possible topics here)


Sample essays:

http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/hacker/arguing.htm

http://www.eslminiconf.net/february/story2.html



Here's a website that have other sample essays as well:

http://www.rscc.cc.tn.us/owl&writingcenter/OWL/Types.html


A note about using outside sources:

If you want to use information from another source, great! But, you need to cite that source (include where you got the information from). Be careful not to use the same phrases as that source does, or you are plagiarizing. Read this website about plagiarism:

http://cctc2.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.shtml

Should the Masi change their culture?

In class today, we looked at a short film depicting the village of a Masi tribe. We also read about some of their customs and learned that they have preserved their culture from outside influences. But should all of their practices be protected? If you're a woman's rights lobbyist, I don't think you'd think so. The Masi circumcize women before they get married and they have to share husbands with other women. All of the wives do not live together, but are required to build their own huts out of cow dung when they get married. As they enter married life, the neighbors ridicule them with insults to remind these new brides that they must submit and serve their husbands. Should we really just stand by and let the Masi women be treated this way? Sure, in exchange for serving their husbands, they get protection and food, but can't those things be provided without making women lowly creatures? What's wrong with men only having one husband? Are they afraid one will not be able to satisfy them? Or is there really an inbalanced ratio of men to women? Just because the Masi culture has been preserved for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, doesn't mean that it has honorable values. But before we all jump to conclusions about these people, we certainly need to hear their perspective.

What points do you agree with or disagree with? Please leave your comments.

Movie Review: Evolution

Student note: notice my use of the passive tense, particularly with modals when I give my opinion about the movie. Write a review of a movie you've seen on your blog using as many modals in the passive voice as you can.

A while ago, I watched the scientific comedy, Evolution, which was released in 2001.

The movie is about alien life that rapidly evolves in a creator left by the crash of a meteorite from outer space. Two community college professors are asked to investigate the crash site, but when the government finds out that alien life is developing, the job is taken away from them. Unwilling to let their discovery be stolen, they sneak around to investigate and find the alien creatures evolving into enormous beings that soon threaten to overtake the earth.

This movie certainly would not appeal to everyone because it has dumb humor, but the idea of a meteorite sparking the growth of alien life on earth certainly stirs the imagination. Personally, I don't think the planet should have been saved by the dumbest students in class. That was a bit too unrealistic for me. I realize that comedies are not supposed to be viewed realistically, but I would have been pleased if the students who didn't understand the course material had failed the class. Perhaps that's the teacher coming out in me. Actually earning one's grade should be enforced at all schools. So, those two students who helped defeat the alien invasion should have been rewarded but their A's in the class ought to have been changed to failing grades because they couldn't pass the exams.

Watch the movie and see what you think.