TOPICS FOR ENGLISH COMP final exams

These are posted because students have already begun the topics and can bring in an index card with notes for the persuasive essay.
However, if you write this at home and hand it in, you will be in violation of the in-class writing policy of this final and will fail the class.

You must do one of each of these to fulfill division standards.

Final Exam Topic
8-Paragraph Expository
1. Your teacher has argued that not exposing a child to technology (esp. computers) puts that child at an unfortunate disadvantage in life. What are some of the factors that contribute to this?
2. Why should I hire you? Tell me what job you’re being hired for and tell me why I should hire you over 40 other candidates that applied for the same job.
3. It was suggested from a fellow writer that a good topic would be how a boss or teacher should handle firing or failing someone (respectively)? Keep in mind that as a professional, you will be forced to handle situations like this.
4. Which professional leader stands out to you as a good example of what it means to be a successful leader and why? You cannot use family, friends, or relatives. You can use people who are dead.
5. If you were President of the USA, what law or action would you first implement?
6. Your teacher has stated that for many people, the only CURRENT EVENT ISSUES that we are so committed to are things that affect us personally. Tell about something you are committed to and why (mind, this is not persuasive).
7. Of all of the news events that have happened this year, what is the most important event and why?
8. While many people can create things and call these items art, what does art actually mean? Consider modern art, offensive items, and the creative work of all individuals of all ages (children’s art, anime, experimental art, erotic art, etc.).
9. Who is the best choice for the next President of the United States of America and why?
10. The president of the college has come to you stating that the smoking ban at the school is not effective, but that she wants it to be effective. From a non-persuasive argument (the ban IS going into effect on campus grounds), create a way that tells what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, and why your policy will make it work.

8-Paragraph Persuasive
1. George Bush has consulted you because you are an EXPERT in one of the following topics. How would you advise him on:
A: How to solve the immigration situation?
B: How to deal with Achmedinejad and Iran’s nuclear desires?
C: How to deal with Chavez and Venezuela?
D: How to handle the situation in Iraq?
E: China, Syria, Iran, and several European countries have had dealings with countries that America has had militaristic or sanctions level issues with. How should we deal with these countries? (Consider that Chinese weapons are being found in Iraq).
F: The Social Security Issue (do Americans have an individual responsibility to figure out their own retirement or should the government help people to be financially stable)
G: The Health Care Issue (do all Americans have the right to be insured via taxes / should tax care be affordable and if so, how can you create affordable healthcare).
H: The Education Issue (do Americans have the right to choose the schools that their kids will go to; do we as Americans have a mandatory responsibility to educate all students).
2. Debate the difference between global warming and climate change from the perspective of the side that you support.
3. Gillian Gibbons was thrown in jail for 15 days and will be deported by Sudanese authorities for blasphemy (naming a teddy bear after the holiest prophet of the Sunnis). Defend the Sudanese courts or persuade them to drop the sentence.
4. Genarlow Wilson’s situation of statutory rape was discussed in this class (he was 17; she was 15). Assuming that you are trying to keep him in jail or get him out of jail (through the magic of time travel – we’ll assume he’s still there), defend your side based on your understanding of the situation.
5. Should America base its laws on those of a single religion to have a theocratic government? Why or why not.
6. Your teacher has argued that oil is perhaps the greatest natural resource that this country needs to function. Persuade on any one of the following (any direction that you so choose):
A: How far should America go to secure the flow of oil regarding relationships with hostile countries that have it?
B: How far should America go to find oil within the confines of its borders?
C: How should America proceed to handle the dwindling supply of oil with regards to creating and implementing alternative fuels?
7. The TV writers are on strike for revenue sharing from DVD sales. Defend them or order them to get back to work. Either way, explain your opinions.
8. Throughout the Bush and Clinton Administration, the presence of the United Nations has been a serious ethical crisis. When considering this, argue based on the following:
A: Based on its ability or non-ability to solve problems, should America support the UN financially and militaristically?
B: Can America force its citizens to support a world agenda?
C: Where and what should the United Nations be concentrating its resources (Iraq, Darfur, etc.) on?
9. Outsourcing jobs to other countries has its advantages and disadvantages. Argue for or against this controversial procedure.
10. The Westboro Baptist Church is known for protesting military funerals. Technically, this is protected by the First Amendment. Attack these actions based on their anti-what America should be frame of reference or defend these actions as a right of Americans.
11. Gay marriage is a serious issue in the United States today. Tell why there should be a law allowing this or why it should be expressly banned.
12. The Patriots have been running up the scores on almost all of their opponents. Attack or defend this “ethical sports dilemma.”
13. San Francisco politicians put forth a vote for the people to decide whether they wanted guns in their city. The people chose against this. Attack or defend this situation as democracy or the way of the Constitution.
14. (Recommended from a history major friend) Abortion, gay marriage, the environment, moral majority decisions, civil, and/or women's rights have been considered by some historians to be non-issues, and relevant only because they appeal to a populace dependent on emotional decisionmaking, explain why these are or are not relevant issues in politics.
15. (Recommended from a science major friend) Creationism, Intelligent Design, and Evolution are 3 major theories on creation. Which one is correct and why?
16. (Recommended from a fellow English teacher) In other countries, public school students go to school year round. In America, we didn't do this in the early days because students had to help out with the farms in season. However, that no longer exists. Thus, should we go to school year round (with short breaks between terms like Britain does), or should we keep the current system?