Intensive+Writing+-+Day+4

Intensive Writing - Day Four Name ______________________ Knowledge Period _______
 * Choose one of the following topics.
 * Narrow the topic; **let your thesis address a small part of the idea**.
 * You will not have time to write a rough draft, but you do have time to plan your examples and what order to put them in to be most effective. Doodle on the back of this sheet. It is a good idea to use **20 minutes to plan**! Don't start the essay until you know what you're going to say!

> Turn in what you've written at the end of class. It's okay if the essay isn't quite finished; just turn in what you've done.
 * Write an informal essay which includes the following:
 * an introductory paragraph
 * **It is perfectly okay if your introduction includes only your thesis.**
 * Arguments and explanations to support your thesis
 * from your life
 * from literature
 * from what you know of the world around you
 * a concluding paragraph
 * return to your thesis
 * ideally, expand on your thesis beyond the scope of the essay
 * You should write at least four paragraphs (intro, two body, conclusion).

Topics:
 * 1) **Should everyone have access to all knowledge**? Are there things no one should know? What are the limits? (Imagine what's on the internet: how to build a bomb that will fit in a suitcase, how to kill someone and never get caught, how to extract a rotten tooth without any training, etc., etc.) **Choose one area of knowledge** and develop your thesis around that. //All knowledge// is too broad!


 * 1) Should those with more knowledge have more responsibility? Are there things you wish you didn't know? Why? What kind of knowledge comes with a burden like this? **Does responsibility come with knowledge**? What if someone chooses not to be responible?


 * 1) **Are advances in technology improving our lives?** Which modern devices are the most helpful? How do we decide? Consider one aspect of technology and whether or not it should be considered an improvement or how we should adapt to its use.
 * 2) **How would you change our school system to ensure that future citizens are both good and wise?** You may consider any kind of change at all.


 * 1) **Why is it that some people who have very valuable knowledge do not want to share it?** (Keep in mind both the person who knows how to do something dangerous and the person who feels special because of that knowledge.) Use concrete examples.
 * 2) **Are our institutions serving us as they should?** Choose one institution in our society, explain its flaws, and describe what would improve it.