Essay Topics

Topics I would Like to Talk About

1. How important is a college education?
2. Should Students be able to grade their teachers?
3. What is school really preparing students for?
4. How necessary is a college education in today world?
5. Do violent video games make people more violent in real life?
6. How strict should gun laws be?
7. Is it offensive for sports teams to use Native American Names and Mascots?
8. Should parents allow their children to play football?
9. Should Summer Vacation be longer?
10. Should state colleges be free to attend

Essay 2 Draft 1

JJ Occhipinti
Professor Young
English 1100
21 October 2016

Essay 2 Quotes

"Schools that were already deeply segregated twenty-five or thirty years ago are no less segregated now, while thousands of other schools around the country that had been integrated either voluntarily or by the force of law have since been rapidly re segregating."

This quote is a direct example of how education in schools is determined by social classes. It states how schools are re segregating in today's everyday world which is a direct result of the social class the families are in.



"Even these statistics, as stark as they are, cannot begin to convey how deeply isolated children in the poorest and most segregated sections of these cities have become."

The author shares statistics that show the percentage of diversity in schools. He uses these statistics to support the first quote I selected about how the re segregation in schools is contributing to the success of students in schools.



"Its no surprise that schools in wealthy communities are better than those in poor communities, or that they better prepare their students for desirable jobs."

The author goes on to elaborate on the different techniques that different schools she visited used.
For example, the author showed how the wealthy communities did more critical thinking work and working class schools had more step by step instruction at a young age



"Then the teacher told them the steps to follow to do the problems saying, this is how you do them."

This quote elaborates on his statements of the learning styles of the schools. The author goes step by step subject by subject of how several schools with various social classes differ in preparing their students not only for the next grade but for the career they are most likely going into.

JJ Occhipinti

Professor Young

ENGW 1100

9 September 2016

Identity

            David S. Goyer once said “It’s not who you are underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.” After multiple class discussions I feel this is a perfect quote when talking about identity. More specifically how your behavior and identity connect. When breaking down identity I have realized how your behavior is one of the key components of your identity.

If I had to define Identity I would say it is not only how you view yourself but how other views you. There are many real life examples of how your behavior shapes not only your opinion of yourself but the opinion of others. For example, the upcoming presidential election has two main candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. These two huge public figures have identities that are all ways changing based on their behavior.

            When people look at Donald Trump’s identity they see someone who screams and yells vile things to get his point across. Yes, sometimes he may have all of his facts right, but people see him as a vulgar person because of his behavior. Therefor shaping his identity as a direct result of the way he is being viewed by the public. On the other side of things you have presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. When most people look at her all they see is a liar and someone who let our own Americans die behind enemy lines. As aforementioned these actions are what shape ones identity. Although underneath they may be good people who have made mistakes they will always be identified with this reputation due to what they have done that is defining them.

            This component of identity is important to me because I feel it is something everyone can relate to. People may be unfairly judged in their life due to some of their actions. Sometimes one mistake is all it takes to change someone else’s view on you. Making a mistake as simple as a bad first impression shapes a person’s view of you, therefor shaping your identity. But at the end of the day as author J.K. Rowling states “it is our choices that show us what we truly are far more than our abilities.”

            

Expressing Yourself In Your Own Words

JJ Occhipinti

ENGW 1100

22 September 2016

Professor Young

Expressing Yourself In Your Own Words

            Should students have a write to their own language? Should they be able to write using their own slang words to express themselves without having to worry about getting points taken off? “Language scholars long ago denied that the myth of a standard American dialect has any validity.” Over the years it has been agreed that there is no set standard of American English. If this has been agreed upon, why do institutes demand that students write and speak using “proper” American English?

When an educator is talking do students ask them to speak without using expression? Do students ask educators to drone on and on throughout the entirety of their lesson? No, students not only want to be able to express themselves through their own language but they want their peers and educators to use their own language as well. When one talks using their own language it adds enthusiasm and excitement to the conversation. So why write in a monotone language?

Students shouldn’t be writing in a language where they are unable to express themselves freely. If in everyday conversations students express themselves using their slang, they should be able to use it in their writing. A students writing should be an extension of their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. Without the use of “their language” they cannot get their point across to a reader in the way that they want it to be understood. Instead students are forced into portraying their message in the way that their instructor wants it written.

Contrary to a student’s belief writing is not a punishment or work that a professor assigns because they like to critique student’s papers while showing off how much higher of an education they have. The true purpose of writing is to have students express themselves and get an opportunity to voice their own opinion. Due to the fact that writing is used to express oneself, students should have the right to us their “own language” when writing. The bright ideas and opinions of Americas youth should not be bottled up and expressed threw the ways that educators say is proper but in the way that the student knows how to express themselves the best.