As we examined the basic ingredients of the mock trial this week, you have considered the pros and cons of the death penalty. Based on your reading, research, and discussion, compose a “case” for keeping or eliminating the death penalty in California.

In an effort to encourage critical thinking skills, our class will be debating key Supreme Court decisions in the next month. The first controversial issue that we introduced in our class this week was the matter of whether states have the constitutional right to ban abortions. This issue is still hotly debated as evidenced in the recent Presidential primary campaigns. Assume the role of a Supreme Court Justice and write about whether abortion laws are constitutional or unconstitutional based on a consideration of both pro-choice and pro-life arguments.

Last week, you practiced writing a persuasive essay by supporting an argument to complete a new year’s resolution. Another type of writing in which you must support an opinion is a movie review. This week, you must put on the critic’s hat and exercise the critical thinking skill of evaluation: what makes a movie worth seeing or what makes a movie flop? Using a four-star rating, write a movie review of one movie that you have seen recently.

The problem with new year’s resolutions has nothing to do with how good your resolutions are; the real question is whether you are really persuaded enough to move beyond good intentions and complete your goals. Our first “speak out” essay for this new year is actually an exercise in persuading yourself to complete one resolution. That’s it. Just one resolution. However, pick a goal that is worthy of your time and effort and convince yourself that it will be well worth it to accomplish your goal. You can do it!!!