Essay 2 - Instructions and Writing Prompts

For Essay 2, you will write a persuasive/argument essay on one of these topics: gun control, same-sex marriage, or physician-assisted suicide. The final draft will be a minimum of three full pages. You will draw from at least two of the sources/readings that I have provided; you will also draw from at least one other source/reading (found in the SMC library databases).

The first draft is due Thursday, 10/18, by 11:59 p.m. The requirement for the first draft is two full pages. Name the file E2D1, and submit the file to Turn It In (for the "Essay 2, Draft 1" assignment). Bring a paper copy to class on Friday, 10/19, for peer review.  

Essay 2 must be MLA-formatted, double-spaced and written in Times New Roman, 12-point font. Use one of these file extensions: .doc, .docx, .rtf or .odt.

Writing Prompts:

• The recent spate of gun-related tragedies in the U.S.--particularly, those shootings in Arizona, Colorado and Wisconsin--have brought the gun-control debate back to the forefront. Where do you stand on the debate? Should we have stricter gun laws? Would these stricter laws help to diminish gun violence? Why or why not?
• Another divisive topic is same-sex marriage. Some people are hopeful that legalized same-sex marriage will soon be a reality across the U.S. Others oppose the idea of same-sex marriage for various reasons. The question: Should same-sex marriage be legalized in the U.S.? Why or why not?
• A third topic of debate is physician-assisted suicide (PAS). Proponents believe that terminally ill patients should have the right to make end-of-life decisions. Opponents often argue that assisted suicide is an aspect of suicide and therefore should not be legalized. What is your position? Should physician-assisted suicide be legalized in the U.S. (and particularly in California)? Why or why not?