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Miami Dade College

ENC 1101: English Composition 1

Professor: Mrs. Monica Plata

Take Home Essay # 3: Argumentation (200 points)

Directions: Choose one of the following topics to create a well-developed argumentative essay supporting your point.

→ An infamous 1998 medical journal report by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, whose research sparked international concern claiming that the MMR vaccine caused autism. Although Wakefield retracted his statement, which alarmed so many, there are still parents who are not allowing their children to receive the recommended vaccinations. Prior to his research, vaccinations were commonly given to protect individuals from common diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, etc. There is no medical evidence that autism is linked to immunizations. Why then is there still debate nearly twenty years later, and why are parents still choosing not to vaccinate?

→ Obesity is a widespread epidemic in the United States. Last year, the mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg was on a quest to limit the size of sugary drinks being sold in New York. Eventually, the court overruled his ban on soft drinks. Does this set a precedence where the federal government can dictate what individuals can or cannot consume? Is this a violation of our inalienable rights as put forth in the Constitution? Or does the government know best?

→ Since the events of September 11, 2001, the idea of arming pilots of commercial passenger planes has been debated. Those opposed to arming pilots claim that the risks- that the gun will fall into the hands of hijackers or that a passenger will be

accidentally shot-outweigh any benefits. Those who support the idea say that the pilot is the last line of defense and must be able to defend the cockpit from terrorists. Due to public pressure in favor of arming pilots, a small trial program has been instituted. Do you think all pilots of commercial airplanes should be armed?

The essay must consist of a minimum of five well-developed paragraphs and no less than two typed pages. Since you are arguing/debating a point, you must use facts, as well as opinions, to support your topic. Papers should be double-spaced and use Times New Roman, 12-point font with 1-inch margins. In the top left corner (not in the “header”), you should include your first and last name, my first and last name, the date, ENC 1101 and Take Home Essay # 3. The title, which should be original, must be centered but NOT italicized, bolded, underlined, in a different font size, or in quotation marks; also, capitalize the first letter of the important words in your title. Insert your last name and page numbers as a “header” in the top right corner of each additional page. You will need to print out your essay and turn it in to me at the beginning of class on the due date for full credit. You may print your essay on both sides of the paper. The penalty for late papers is one letter grade per day it is late (excluding weekends).