Letter+to+President

//The hot topics of today are the source of legislation & events that will be studied in the future.You’ve heard the buzz words like stem cell research, debt ceiling, social security reform, NCLB & health care reform, tossed about by politicians & media personalities, but these are complex issues with a range of opinions & ideas about the best course of action for our nation as a whole. //
 * Hot Topic Letter to President **
 * Introduction **:

//To better understand an issue hot off of the Presidential, Congressional, or public agenda.To develop persuasive writing skills & techniques. //
 * Objective **:


 * Product **: //Letter Outline//


 * Process **: //Research.Complete issue organizer.Additional research.Outline draft.Final outline.//

//Be clear and concise....get to the point, but prove you understand the issue. Formulate an opinion and support it with argument and fact. Do not waver or veer off course in proving your point. Do not embellish to fill space or write something just to write something or in a way to make us seem smarter than we are (this is when we get ourselves in trouble!). // //I. ////Introduction // //a. ////Introduction of issue // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">b. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Thesis (Position) // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">II. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Define Issue // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">a. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">General background, brief history of issue // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">b. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Current status // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">c. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Why issue is relevant or important // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">III. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Argument for Change / Action // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">a. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What must be done & why // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">b. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">What resources are necessary to accomplish change // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">c. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Who is affected by issue // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">IV. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Opposing Argument // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">a. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Define & explain // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">b. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Counter // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">V. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Implications // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">a. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Impact on US (and world if applicable to topic) // //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">VI. ////<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Citations //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Reminders: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Final Contents: **

//<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">You may choose anything from global warming to stem cell research, from bailout to gun control to affirmative action.The only restricted topics are abortion & the legalization of marijuana. //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Potential Topics **<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">:

//<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Opposing Viewpoints (check dates on articles), CQ Researcher (especially for history of issue), Student Resource Center, General Reference Center, ABC-Clio Issues //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Potential Resources **<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">:

//<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Students must use both book and online resources.Students are required to have a minimum of 5 different resources.Online resources must be of a high, scholarly quality. All research resources must be properly documented in MLA format.Use the online STHS MLA Citation Guide for Quick Reference. //<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> <http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/mla.html>.//Use noodlebib or citation machine carefully. It uses the info you provide, right or wrong.////Encyclopedias, including wikipedia, do not count towards your resource requirements!//
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Resource Requirements **<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">:

//<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">See rubric linked below. You must complete and hand in a rubric with your letter outline; it should be a reflective self-evaluation.I will grade you using the same rubric. //
 * <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Grading **<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">:

<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua','serif'; font-size: 10pt;">