| Subject: The first three assignments I would give students at the start of composition class, if I taught it. Do you think this is a good idea? (Yes, it's relevant) |
Author:
obitchecker
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Date Posted: Sun, May 17, 2009 10:12:29
1. For Assignment 1, I would ask each student to write about a public issue (of their choice) on which they feel very strongly, on one side or the other.
2. After they have handed in Assignment 1, I would give them Assignment 2. I would ask them to thoroughly and seriously write the best arguments against the position they took for Assignment 1. This would require research on their part to determine what the best arguments are, if they are unaware of them. If they think there are no arguments for the other side, then they would have to do some research to find them.
For Assignment 2, any hint of satire, parody, or sarcasm in presenting the opposing arguments will result in a failing or very low grade. As will arguing the extreme.
(Examples of "arguing the extreme": A student, in Assignment 1, states their belief in laissex-faire capitalism. Then, for Assignment 2, rather than just stating the arguments for why government intervention is sometimes necessary, they argue for Stalin-style Communism. Or, say, a student who stated their opposition to abortion in Assignment 1 argued in Assignment 2 for forced abortion and euthanasia by government decision).
For Assignment 3, after handing in Assignment 2, I would ask them to argue again for the position they stated in Assignment 1, specifically and thoroughly arguing against the arguments given in Assignment 2. This would be their assignment even if they said that researching the arguments for Assignment 2 had caused them to change their opinion. (Again, parody, satire, and arguing the extreme will result in failure).
The point of these assignments is just this: the more you know and understand the best arguments of the other side, the better you are able to make arguments for your side.
Some students may not even want to do Assignment 1, because they don't want to be public about their beliefs. But I know I'd get a lot of howls about Assignment 2: "There ARE no good arguments for the other side!", "How can you ask me to argue for something I don't believe in?!", "You want me to argue FOR (or AGAINST) this?!". Well, 1. Then you'll have to research and find them, 2,3. presenting the best arguments does not make them "your" arguments.
As for Assignment 3, if Assignment 2 made it harder, then all the better for their position. And if Assignment 2 made them change their minds, then maybe Assignment 3 and researching better arguments for their side will cause them to change their mind again. But that's the risk you have to accept with finding the best arguments.
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