GCC English 101: Common Final Assignment for Spring, 2007
Topic: Volunteerism
Home ~~ Practicing thinking and writing ~~ Documenting sources
Alexis de Tocqueville, a Frenchman who visited the United States in the nineteenth century and who wrote a book, Democracy in America, about his impressions, first noticed the American habit of forming what he called "voluntary associations" to accomplish ends that the very wealthy accomplished by themselves in Europe. In this new form of organization, Tocqueville observed, "private citizens, by combining together, may constitute bodies of great wealth, influence, and strength, corresponding to the persons of an aristocracy" (342). Americans in the early years of the new country, seeing work that needed to be done, looked to themselves rather than to their fledgling government.
Over time, in both Europe and in America, governments took over some of that work, providing social services funded by taxes. During the past 50 years, the pendulum has moved back and forth between support provided to citizens in need by government and that provided by fellow citizens freely contributing their time and expertise. In fact, many people consider volunteering to be a civic responsibility, so much so that many secondary schools and college classes require it.
The goal of this writing assignment is to develop an argument about volunteerism and to support it with good reasons, evidence and examples drawn from materials you have read. Your documented essay should contain an argumentative thesis, consist of multiple paragraphs, and clearly identify (in proper MLA format) which sources you have used. Effective arguments also recognize the positions of those who hold an opposing viewpoint and refute those positions as part of their argument. The English Department has a rubric for evaluating argumentative essays.
Becoming informed about the topic
You can approach this topic in a number of ways. What follows are some suggestions that may be familiar to you from other activities you have done in English 101 this semester:
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Last updated by Karen
Schwalm on
April 16, 2007
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