Debate Time

• W.9-10.8. Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

Learning Target: Students will brainstorm for their essay assignment.

Daily Video:

Welcome back to class everyone! Today we are going to start brainstorming for our essay for this unit. Let’s start by reading this article:

U.S. military planes bring food, water to Iraq

What’s going on in this article? Do you think that’s an example of American imperialism? After we look over that article, let’s talk about our essay and do some brainstorming questions! Here is your essay prompt:

Animal Farm Essay Assignment

Throughout this unit, we have examined the essential question “When is it OK to interfere in someone else’s business?” by looking at several times throughout history when this has happened, and by discussing George Orwell’s book Animal Farm. For our essay, I would like you to examine that question again and formulate a response to one of the following essay prompts (choose one):

1. If you feel there IS an appropriate time for one country to get involved with another country’s business, explain when this time is. Where do you draw the line between “cultural differences” and “human rights violation”? Is it appropriate for the United States to interfere in the Middle East, where women do not have the same rights as they do in our country? If a country is committing genocide (complete extermination of a group of people – think the Holocaust), would you want the United States to put a stop to it? Since you believe there IS an appropriate time for one country to interfere with another, explain why throughout history countries have NOT interfered with others, even in situations of genocide.
2. If you feel there IS NOT an appropriate time for one country to get involved with another country’s business, explain why not. What if a country is committing genocide(complete extermination of a group of people – think the Holocaust)? What if a dictator of a country (like Napoleon was on Animal Farm) is doing horrible things to the people that live in his country? Since you believe there IS NOT an appropriate time for one country to interfere with another, explain why throughout history countries HAVE interfered with others, such as the United States getting involved in the Middle Eastern conflicts that have nothing to do with us.

Take a moment and think about those two prompts. Next, I want you to answer these brainstorming questions!

Brainstorming questions!

1. When a tyrant dictator (aka an evil leader like Napoleon) is killing innocent people in his country, should someone step in and stop them? If so, who?

2. If someone is committing genocide (killing all of a group of people, like Hitler killed Jewish people during the Holocaust), should someone stop them? If so, who?

3. When another country is involved in a civil war and not asking for help, should someone step in and volunteer to help? If so, who?

4. When another country has a very different culture, should someone try to change their culture? If so, who should change them and how should they do it?

5. If another country doesn’t have very good technology, medicine, or things like clean water and safe food, should someone go help them get these things? If so, who?

6. If someone tries to get involved in one of the above situations, and the country says “No, we don’t want your help,” should someone keep trying to help them anyway, or should they stop?

7. When a country has problems of their own, such as poverty or high unemployment, should they focus on fixing their own problems, or should they go help other countries who have bigger issues such as an evil leader?

Once you feel like you have a good handle on your position for this essay prompt (remember, pick a side! Don’t ride the fence!) I would like for you to make an outline for your essay. You’ll hand it in today so I can check it off and tomorrow we will do a draft of the essay in class! Remember, your outline is worth 10% of your essay grade. Don’t lose 10%! Get your outline done today!!!