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Directions: Essays are due on the assigned date, weekly on Thursdays and submitted to Criterion. Essays must follow the proper format – Introduction, 3 Mel-Con Body paragraphs, and Conclusion. You are allowed 3 revisions on Criterion. You may access the essay up to one week before it is due. No Late Essays will be accepted.

February 3, Television Series- MTV is looking for ideas for a new television series for teenagers. Write a letter to the president of the network explaining your idea for the new television show. Include all the information that will help the president evaluate your idea, including the show’s title, what kind of show it is (such as reality, comedy, music, game, or sports), specific details or features of the show that would be appealing to teenage viewers, and an example of what viewers might see in a typical episode.

February 10, Advisory Changes: Many students complain about the long advisory period every Wednesday. Students argue that they would rather have a study hall or flex time every week. Ms. Smith is looking for ideas for how to more effectively use the advisory time. Write an essay citing 3 ways we can improve the extended advisory time on Wednesdays.

February 18, Active Listening- You have learned that active listening can pay off in smoother relationships, but no matter how hard you try, you can't get your mother or guardian to listen to you. Think about times when you have felt your mother or guardian has not really listened to what you were saying. Now write to persuade your mother or guardian to listen to you actively.

February 24, Haiti Relief- You have been given the opportunity to go to Haiti and help with relief, handing out food and providing medical attention to people who were hurt in the earthquake. Even a year later, the citizens of Haiti still need help. Your parent or guardian thinks that the trip will be unnecessary and dangerous. Write an essay to persuade your parent or guardian to let you go.

March 3, Improve your School- The local school committee is seeking ideas to improve Westinghouse. These ideas will be discussed during meetings with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and other interested parties. The changes proposed by students will be seriously considered since the school is only in its second year. Choose one change that might improve your school for all students. Write a persuasive essay explaining why your suggested change is an improvement. Give at least three reasons to support your suggestion.

March 10, Music in Class- During independent working time, your Social Studies teacher frequently plays soft, calming music which you would like to change. Decide what type background music you would like played during independent working time. Now write to convince your Social Studies teacher to play the kind of music you prefer as background for independent working time.

March 17, Moving to Alaska- Your parent or guardian has been given an opportunity to transfer to a job in Alaska. The transfer would neither help nor hurt his/her career, and all moving costs would be paid by the company. Think about how your family's lives would change if you were to move to Alaska. Now write to persuade your parent or guardian to take or to turn down the transfer to Alaska.

March 24, Steroids- Imagine you have a friend who is considering taking steroids in order to bulk up for a weight lifting competition. Think about the damage steroids do to the body and about the consequences of being caught with steroids. Now write to convince your friend not to take steroids.

March 31, Learning a new Language- You and your family have just moved to Germany, and that you are the only family member who speaks German. Imagine also that your mother has decided it is unnecessary to learn to speak German. Think about the benefits your mother would gain by learning to speak the language of your new country. Now write to persuade your mother to learn to speak German.

April 7- Report Card Pickup, No Essay

April 14- Half Days- Many students think that half days should occur on a weekly basis at Westinghouse. Dr. Jackson and Dr. Jones disagree, saying that half days take away from much-needed instructional time. Write an essay either arguing that half days should be weekly, or that they should be eliminated.

April 21- Spring Break, No Essay

April 28, Failing Math- Your best friend is getting behind in math because he fails to do his homework or he does it while watching TV and snacking. Think about the conditions necessary for intense concentration and learning. Now convince your friend that he could study more efficiently if he changed the way he does his homework.

May 5, Sandwich Stand- Imagine you have just been given the opportunity to take over a sandwich stand on a busy corner at North Avenue Beach. You see opportunities for building the business if you could get more people to come to the beach. Decide what your city could do to attract more people to the beach. Now write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper to convince your readers that the city should act upon your ideas.

May 12, Curfew- The mayor of your city is trying to decide if a 7:00p.m. curfew for children under the age of 16 is needed. What do you think? Write a persuasive letter to Mayor Daley to convince him to enact or not to impose the curfew. Give at least three reasons to support your position.

May 19, Extended School Day -Write a persuasive essay stating whether the school day should be lengthened by two hours so that all students can get help with homework. Give at least two reasons to support your position. Remember you must argue in such a convincing manner that others will agree with you.

May 26, Service Learning Hours- Part of Chicago Public School’s requirements for graduation is having 40 service learning hours. Write about how you agree or disagree with this requirement. Cite 3 reasons why you feel this way about requiring students to volunteer.

How your essay will be graded: A combined score of the teacher’s discretion, holistic score,

and spelling/grammar/mechanics score.

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