BellRingersforArgumentAPLanguageandComposition

Bellringer

1. LINK TO GOOGLE SLIDES VERSION THAT CONTAINS VIDEO FEED https:// goo.gl/QQHGJE For some reason, when downloaded in PPT, the video link disappears. I apologize for any inconvenience. Please feel free to use the Google version! I will keep updating and adding and tweaking this version, so you will have more and more bell ringer options.

2. Take a position on Sivers' argument. Defend your claim with reasoning and evidence.

3. “Love is strong. Fear is weak.” -Buddha Who makes a better leader: someone who is loved, or someone who is feared? Take a position and provide two original examples.

4. Do you agree or disagree with Duckworth's claim? What is your reasoning? Examples? 

5. “All television is educational television. The question is: what is it teaching?” ~Nicholas Johnson Many people believe that television has a negative effect on society. Do you agree or disagree? Use specific reasons and examples to support your response.

6. Do you agree or disagree with Trevor Timm's ideas about the First Amendment? Justify your position with reasoning and an example.

7. “That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.” ~Martin Luther King Jr. Is “an eye for an eye” a good basis for determining an appropriate punishment? Why or why not? Give a specific example to explain your claim.

8. Take a position on Walkowicz's argument . Defend your position with reasoning and examples.

9. “Cloning is great. If God made the original, then making copies should be fine.” ~Doug Coupland Since the cloning of the sheep Dolly, there has been much debate over whether or not human beings should be cloned. Many people feel cloning should be banned, while many others feel that this is the natural progression of science and human evolution. How do you feel about this issue? Use specific examples to support your position.

10. What are your thoughts on Smith's core principles? Do you agree or disagree with Clint Smith's message? Justify your position with reasoning and evidence.

11. “It must always be remembered that what the Constitution forbids is not all searches and seizures, but unreasonable searches and seizures.” ~Potter Stewart As part of the “war on drugs” and in reaction to an increase in school violence, many schools across the nation now conduct targeted searches of student backpacks and lockers. Although the Supreme Court has ruled that public school officials have the right to conduct these searches when they have reasonable cause, many people feel this is a violation of privacy. How do you feel about this issue? State your position and explain with specific examples.

12. What are your thoughts on Tezuka's kindergarten? How important is play in a child's early years? How important is autonomy in education? What are some of the counterarguments to your argument?

13. “The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.” ~Dave Barry According to some people, elderly drivers should be required to reapply for their driving licenses because with age comes diminished vision, hearing, and reaction time. How do you feel about this issue? Explain what you think should be done and why.

14. To what extent has the spread of unreliable information had an impact on society?

15. “A blade of grass is a commonplace on Earth; it would be a miracle on Mars. Our descendants on Mars will know the value of a patch of green. And if a blade of grass is priceless, what is the value of a human being?” ~Carl Sagan Do we place too little or too much value in human life? Use specific examples to explain your position.

16. Take a position on Cardini's directive for our multitasking society. Defend your position with reasoning and evidence.

17. "There is nothing permanent except change." - Heraclitus What is the relationship between change and progress? In what ways has the U.S. changed, but not progressed? Defend your answer with reasoning and evidence.

18. Take a position on Graham Hill's claim. Use reasoning and examples to bolster your claim. 

19. CLAIMS: Claim of Fact : states something that can, in theory, be proven true or false ex. Extraterrestrial life exists. Claim of Value : states that something has or lacks worth ex. Animation is as important an art form as painting. Claim of Policy or Solution : states an opinion about whether something ought to be done ex. All seniors should be given the opportunity to graduate in January. Claim of Cause and Effect : makes inferences about the relationship between two or more actions or occurrences ex. Listening to hip-hop leads to higher SAT scores.

20. Do you concede? Making concessions : acknowledging the validity of opposing claims. Concessions help make your arguable claims more believable. Showing your readers you’ve studied all aspects of an issue or argument makes you seem authoritative and thoughtful – an it makes readers more likely to trust you. Imagine that you are writing an essay to support the following claim: As part of a meaningful civic education, high school students should be given the right to vote in school board elections. Come up with one concession for each of the expressions listed below: -Admittedly… -Granted… -Although… -While it is true that…