Bowie State University
Paper details:
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/05/17/remarks-first-lady-bowie-state-university-commencement-ceremony
“Does education still require sacrifice today? Write an essay in which you argue whether or not it does”
Essay 2: Education
Option A: In her 2013 commencement speech at Bowie State University, former first
lady Michele Obama shares her views on education. She discusses its benefits but also criticizes
some of today’s youth when it comes to education. She asserts that “when it comes to getting an
education, too many of our young people just can’t be bothered. Today, instead of walking miles
every day to get to school, they’re sitting on couches for hours playing video games, watching
TV. Instead of dreaming of being a teacher or a lawyer or a business leader, they’re fantasizing
about being a baller or a rapper” (291). Do you think this is true? Do young people feel that
they “just can’t be bothered” with getting an education? Argue whether or not you believe
this to be true.
Option B: Michelle Obama was invited to Bowie State University to give the
commencement address in 2013. Her speech was part history lesson and part a call to action to
graduates to give back to their communities. Obama dedicated a good part of her speech to the
sacrifices African Americans have made on the path to education. She discussed the sacrifices of
African American educators in the early part of the 20th century as well as the sacrifices of Civil
Rights leaders. This brings up an interesting question about our relationship to education today.
Does education still require a sacrifice today? Write an essay in which you argue whether
or not it does.
Before you begin writing, open the link on essay structure and study it. Follow this
structure for your essay.
Your essay must begin with your “they say” on Obama’s speech. Be sure to start with her
main idea. You may use some of the above quotes in your opening summary if you want, but
don’t use all of them or you will not be able to add some of Obama’s other important ideas.
Remember that you have to “spin” your summary to your thesis. At the end of your opening (the
say) paragraph, state your thesis or your “I say.” Review the video on “How to Write a Thesis”
to help you. Hint: Your answer to one of the above questions is your thesis. Be sure it is
sufficiently complex. Support your thesis with well-developed body paragraphs. Review the
video on “How to Structure a Paragraph.” You must use ideas from Obama’s essay and one from
your own personal experience to support your thesis. Be sure to add a conclusion.
Templates
You will receive extra credit for using templates in your essay. Underline the ones you use. You
will receive ½ point for each template that you use up to a maximum of 3 points on your essay
total. Three points can change a 77 to an 80. That’s the difference between a C+ and a B.
Works Cited List
Since you are using one source, this essay must have a works cited list. Watch the video on
“Article or Essay in an Anthology or Collection” to help you. Create a works cited list for the
essay by Obama. This is a new page after your conclusion.
Rubric
Return to this week’s learning module. Review the Rubric for Essay 2. This is what Professor
Reilly will use to grade your essay. Be sure that you completed all of the tasks listed on this
rubric. Print the rubric and staple it to your essay. This should come after the works cited list.
Required Drafts
Initial Draft: A typed and stapled, two-page draft (not 1 ½ )is due for a conference with your
professor.
Final Revision: A typed and stapled three-page (not 2 ½ ) essay is due. This must be submitted to
your professor.
