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These writing prompts are followed by text boxes for your input. If you are working online and your instructor has given you the go-ahead, you can e-mail your work to him or her by clicking the "E-mail Your Answers" button. You can also e-mail a copy to yourself as a record of your work. If you are working offline, you will have to copy your answers (CTRL-C on most systems) and paste them (CTRL-V) into a text document to retain a record of your work.
Directions: Visit the New York Times and scroll down to the Op-Ed section. Read one of the editorials posted and summarize the author's argument. Answer the following questions in your summary: How does the author support his or her argument? What do you think qualifies this writer to write about the subject? Do you agree with his or her argument? Why or why not?
Directions: Find an online chat area like this one. Pick a topic that interests you and join the conversation. Find someone in the room who has a different opinion than you do, and put forth your own. (Please consider netiquette!) Characterize the nature of your discussion. Was your opinion heard? Did you learn anything? What kinds of argumentation there would be appropriate for a class paper? What kinds wouldn't be?
