Are exams really the best way to evaluate someone’s potentials?

The purpose of this essay is to explore an issue relevant to you from one particular angle. Whilethere are many different ways to approach any given subject, it is your job to limit your focus so that you can adequately explore one particular aspect of your chosen subject. The subject you choose, though, is entirely up to you. You’ll want to derive your paper topic from something that you find personally relevant or compelling. In short, anything that you find noteworthy or interesting is ripe for exploration. In forming your argument, be mindful of the elements of writing that we discussed in this section.

Your topic sentences should be expressing your own ideas; paragraphs should be distinct and singular in focus; transitions should be tying ideas together and helping to develop and advance your argument; and your thesis should be both contestable and complex. In exploring your chosen subject, you are required to find at least two scholarly texts to help you support and explain your analysis. You are, of course, more than welcome to use more than one source if you would like, but do remember that two scholarly sources are required.

Questions to consider while constructing your thesis:Has there been an instance lately in which you found yourself feeling like an outsider, notquite welcome or part of the group? Where were you? Who was around? What was the occasion? What elements of the situation do you feel contributed to this feeling? Did one element primarily influence your perception more than all the others?Did you recently get into a fight with someone—a boyfriend or girlfriend, family member, friend, stranger—that has stuck with you, that has particularly troubled you? If so, why? What were the circumstances? What was the subject of the conflict? Who was to blame? Can you explain the other person’s reaction? Can you explain your own? Remember, you want to figure out one predominant reason to analyze this situation.

Has there been a recent news event that you feel passionate about? If so, why? What about this particular event has sparked your interest? What tension or complexity is there that deserves your attention? Has there been some aspect of college life that you’ve found striking? The amount of work? Freedom? Parties? Relationships? Loneliness? Why do you think this one aspect has hit you the most? Have you found yourself in a powerless situation lately? A powerful position? Did you feel in control or out of control? How? Why? What contributed to the dynamic? Did it have to do with your age? Physical stature? Class? Gender? Race? Again, remember that you’ll want to find a critical way to examine whatever topic you choose. That is, you don’t want to simply report on an incident or your emotional state; you want to analyze it critically, try to explain it by approaching it from one particular angle and using evidence to illuminate and support your analysis.

Highlight all text evidence used from sources in another folder.

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