Hon. English 11 (Contemporary Teen Issues): Home

Last year you researched a social justice issue outside of the United States. Next year you will pursue a research paper with a literary topic. Since we are reading American literature this year, it makes sense to explore a contemporary problem within our own country. Because there are so many problems facing our nation, please select a current issue relating to teens or young adults. You want a debatable issue (one with at least two opposing sides) so that you can defend one side or the other or present a more nuanced middle ground. Consider contestable issues about things that are interesting or important to you, but be sure you aren’t arguing a position everyone already agrees on. Here are some ideas to get you started brainstorming possibilities:

• Should college tuition be free in the U.S.?

• Should 16-year-olds be allowed to vote?

• Should the school day start later?

• Should colleges still require standardized test scores?

• Should trans students be banned from competing in high school sports?

• Should the sex ed curriculum be revamped?

• Should concussions be handled differently in teen sports programs?

• Should cases of sexual assault on college campuses by handled differently?

Since students, by junior year, have already been through a research paper with a number of checkpoints, I am giving you more independence with the process while still offering support. I am also cutting the timeline in half. To help facilitate that, I am suspending other homework assignments during the research paper process, although you will be working on the American play festival project in class with a few research workdays built into the calendar. Such an approach puts you in the driver’s seat regarding whether to work a little each day or to devote large amounts of time the night before a due date. The onus also falls on you to ask for help as needed. This helps to prepare you for research assignments in college.