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Opinion Piece

Write an opinion piece on an issue of your choice. In choosing an issue, think about what you plan to do when you leave the University of Minnesota Duluth. Then, think about a political issue that will influence your career. The next step is to consider this issue in terms of an existing problem and a possible solution to that problem.

Your topic should have two parts: an existing problem, and your solution to it. It may be necessary to research some of the articles addressing this problem. While these articles will be helpful to you, the focus of this paper should be on your own argument for change. Anything you use, you should cite according to APA format.

Organization is the key. In developing this argument, break it down into more manageable subtopics and arrange them according to some kind of logic. Go from the least to most critical of issues or from the weakest to strongest arguments in favor of change. Also, mention one or two counter-arguments in your paper and explain why your solution is still the best choice.

The following are few general areas for research and possible topics from current newspapers, but you are welcome to choose your own topic. You will still need to identify a problem and solution for the topic that you choose.

• Local Issues: Development vs. preservation of buildings and natural areas in Duluth, Charter schools vs. traditional public schools, Skateboarding/loitering ordinances, Etc.

• State/Regional Issues: Dealing with the state budget deficit, State university funding/tuition levels, K-12 Education funding-the new tax plan, Unicameral/bicameral legislature, Transportation projects-roads vs. rail, Etc.

• National Issues: Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Disposal, Civil liberties vs. national security during the war on terrorism, Election reforms, Airport security, Gun rights/gun control, The war on drugs, Immigration regulations, Regulation of the accounting industry, Social security reform, Etc.

• International Issues: Invasion of Iraq, What to do next in Afghanistan, Working with the U. N./unilateralism, The Kyoto Protocols, The conflict in Israel and Palestine, Nuclear weapons proliferation, Etc.