3AP: Common Place Entries

Each Common Place Entry needs to be typed and needs to be based on an

important issue in our city, state, country, or world. Refer to the following:
1. Include the title, author, and date of the article/entry.
2. To begin, write a full-paragraph summary of the issue/article. The topic
sentence should include the title, author, and genre of source (usually
news story or editorial); avoid opinion and tone words; just the facts
please.
3. After the summary, you will provide a minimum of three proofs
(evidence) to support each side of the issue. While your article will
most likely support one side, you will need to infer the opposing side
(in this case, use one of your other articles with an opposing
viewpoint). If the issue is from a news article (as opposed to an opinion
article or editorial), you still need to state both positions on the issue.
This may be in note form. See directions on Sample Position
statements Im asking for cited quotations and one sentence of
analysis from your article and from one with an opposing viewpoint.
4. Cite the source of the issue in MLA format.
Refer to the back of this page for a sample Common Place Entry.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sample Entry for Common Place Entry:
Summary:
In the New York Times editorial The Mayor and Gay Marriage, New York
Citys Michael Bloombergs opposition to a state judges ruling that gay
marriage was legal in New York City is applauded. The mayor reiterated his
personal support for gay marriage while condemning the judges ruling,
causing critics to accuse the mayor of trying to please all constituents.
However, the editorial agrees that the Mayor had little choice but to oppose
the ruling. First, the judges decision conflicts with a previous state ruling
forbidding gay marriage. The editorial points out that legal confusion ensuing
from diverging rulings is not in anyones best interest. Also, the state had no
residency requirement, which would invite gay couples from out of town to
flock to New York City. The Mayor, according to the editorial, demonstrated
judiciousness in asking the states highest court to hear the issue as soon as
possible. The editorial asserts that a denial of gay marriage by the high court
will need a legitimate reason, and looks to Mr. Bloomberg as a powerful
voice supporting a law granting couples the right to marry.
Continued

Follow correct format for columns and titles; include pro/con position statements (thesis);
Directions for this assignment: the evidence should be actual cited quotations from your article;
for your opposing argument, use one of your other articles cite. Follow each quotation with
one sentence of analysis/explanation.

Arguments condemning Mr.

Bloombergs position:

Arguments supporting Mr.

Bloombergs position:

Position Statement
Mr. Bloomberg committed political
suicide by opposing a ruling by a
state judge allowing gay marriage in
NYC

Position Statement
Mr. Bloomberg showed political
judiciousness in opposing a ruling by
a state judge allowing gay marriage
in NYC

He will lose the gay vote

(pathos)

He will clarify the law and by doing

so, avoid having hundreds of
marriages that could later be
challenged and ruled illegal (pathos)

He looks wishy-washy by
personally supporting but not
allowing (pathos)
He lost revenue in the city by
keeping gay couples from coming
for marriage (logos)

Legal ruling will clear up confusion

as to what marriage is (pathos)
His personal support could help
sway the high court
(ethos)