9.3

=Policy Debates = Compose a persuasive essay on a public policy issue, and justify the position with a reasoned argument based upon historical antecedents and precedents, and core democratic values or constitutional principles.

=Core Democratic Values and Constitutional Principles= Our nations foundational documents contain items so essential to our society that we consider them inseparable to our function. It is these values and principles that our government is designed to protect. Download/Open the "[|Core Democratic Values]" document.

=9.3 Essay Topics= While this assessment could be served by asking students to choose a topic and develop a focus and policy question to argue, the Department of Education has sponsored twelve different topics from which we can choose: Download complete document to see all topics: [|9.3 Topic Choices.pdf].
 * 1) Term Limits
 * 2) Defining and Defending American Interests Abroad
 * 3) Computer/Online Communication
 * 4) Balanced Federal Budgets
 * 5) Federal Taxes
 * 6) The Use of Tariffs to Achieve Economic Goals
 * 7) China and the Environment
 * 8) Discouraging Illegal Immigration to Michigan
 * 9) Business Practices in Other Countries
 * 10) Ethnic Conflict in the Balkans
 * 11) National History Standards
 * 12) Registration for the Draft

=Requirements= Your essay must include the following:
 * A thesis
 * A well-developed argument
 * Core Democratic Values and/or Constitutional Principles that defend your position
 * A refutation (counter-argument and why it is wrong)
 * Conclusion that restates your position

=Structure/Organization= //Intro//: Identify with the topic or problem and provide the argument. State your position (answer the public policy issue question).

//Body 1//: Define your argument. Describe why it is important that the policy be decided by your opinion

//Body 2//: Why is your way the right way - use core democratic values and constitutional principles

//Body 3//: Provide a counter-argument and say why it is wrong or bad (refutation)

//Conclusion//: Restate the problem and why your position (which is...) is the best one