Chapter 16 Wrap Up Exercises

EXERCISE 16.7

Ask your friends and your teachers whether they think any of the steps your school has taken to prevent campus violence are excessive—or whether they think these measures don’t go far enough. Then, revise the paragraph you wrote in the template on the previous page so that it includes their opinions.

EXERCISE 16.8

Write an ethical argument in which you consider the topic, “How Far Should Schools Go to Keep Students Safe?” Make sure you include a clear analysis of the ethical principle that you are going to apply. (If you like, you may incorporate the material you developed in the template and in Exercise 16.7 into your essay.) Cite the readings in this chapter, document the sources you use, and be sure to include a works-cited page. (See Chapter 10 for information on documenting sources.)

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EXERCISE 16.9

Review the four pillars of argument discussed in Chapter 1. Does your essay include all four elements of an effective argument? Add anything that is missing. Then, label the key elements of your essay.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: ETHICAL ARGUMENTS

  1. Write an ethical argument in which you discuss whether hate groups have the right to distribute material on campus. Be sure to explain the ethical principle you are applying and to include several arguments in support of your position. (Don’t forget to define and give examples of what you mean by hate groups. Remember to address arguments against your position.) You can refer to the readings in Chapter 5 to find sources to support your position.

  2. Should English be made the official language of the United States? Write an ethical argument in which you take a position on this topic.

  3. Many people think that celebrities have an ethical obligation to set positive examples for young people. Assume that you are a celebrity, and write an op-ed piece in which you support or challenge this idea. Be sure to identify the ethical principle on which you base your argument.