1.1: Current Connection

Assignment:

• Become familiar with your assigned current event.
• Write a argument on your topic.
• Include a minimum of two appositive phrases.

Mrs. Gillmore's Topic:  Six-Year High School

Claim:

Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students.

Chunk 1:

• Signal Phrase + Verb + "Evidence"
• According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete.  If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."
• Commentary 1
• This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.
• Commentary 2
• For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.

Chunk 2: Counterclaim

• Signal Phrase + Verb + "Evidence"
• Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."
• Commentary 1
• His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.
• Commentary 2
• These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.

Chunk 3:  Rebuttal

• Signal Phrase + Verb + "Evidence"
• Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."
• Commentary 1
• In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.
• Commentary 2
• Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.

Concluding Sentence

Therefore, secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.

Current Connection 1.1

• Bold the signal phrase + evidence sentence.
• Highlight the transitions.
• Change the color of the appositive phrases.

      Experiencing a six-year school would be beneficial for many students.  According to Sam Litow, a IBM vice president, in an article entitled "Six Years of High School?  An Educational Experiment in Chicago," he stated, "Right now, only about 25 percent of students that start at community colleges complete.  If you can move that number up to 60 percent or 70 percent or larger, the economic gains are really, really substantial."   This means requiring students to spend more time in school helps ensure their future monetary stability.  For example, many of those just entering our local community college would more succeed from such a decision as this.  Opposing this, professor of psychology Jeffrey Jensen Arnett at Clark University in his editorial "At 18, It's Time for a Change," countered, "They [high school seniors] have a strong sense of being ready to move on to a new life stage in which they will have more independence and freedom to make their own decisions."  His research illustrates the thoughts of many students today who even think they would benefit from not having to attend their senior years.  These soon-to-be graduates relate to this as many of them already have mounting bills and secured to jobs to assist in their financially supporting themselves.  Even President Obama, though, as reported in "Obama, at Brooklyn School, Pushes Educational Agenda" supported a six-year school when he spoke,"If you think education is expensive, wait until you see how much ignorance costs."  In other words, those not furthering their education will make less money and, in many instances, cost the taxpayers more money.  Thus, promoting such educational increases also add to our economic growth as a nation.  Therefore, secondary institutions across the land should consider this shift in a non-traditional school setting.