Controversial Issues in Controversial Issues in our World Todayour World Today

First: What does “Controversial First: What does “Controversial Issue” Mean?Issue” Mean?

A controversial issue is something A controversial issue is something that not everyone agrees on; there is that not everyone agrees on; there is debate – some people are in favor of debate – some people are in favor of it, and some people are against it. it, and some people are against it.

An example of a current An example of a current controversial issue is whether Chaz controversial issue is whether Chaz Bono, a transgendered man, should Bono, a transgendered man, should be allowed to participate in a family be allowed to participate in a family television show (Dancing with the television show (Dancing with the Stars).Stars).

Are these controversial issues? Are these controversial issues? (Are there two legitimate sides to these issues?)(Are there two legitimate sides to these issues?)

1.1. Cigarettes can lead to illness and death. Cigarettes can lead to illness and death. 2.2. President Obama’s mandatory health care President Obama’s mandatory health care

reform bill. reform bill. 3.3. Ten years ago, the World Trade Center was Ten years ago, the World Trade Center was

attacked by terrorists.attacked by terrorists.4.4. Muslims plan to build a mosque near Ground Muslims plan to build a mosque near Ground

Zero.Zero.5.5. Undocumented immigrants deserve the Undocumented immigrants deserve the

same rights as natural-born citizens of the same rights as natural-born citizens of the U.S.U.S.

6.6. There are millions of undocumented There are millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. immigrants in the U.S.

Are these controversial issues? Are these controversial issues? (Are there two legitimate sides to these issues?)(Are there two legitimate sides to these issues?)

1.1. Cigarettes can lead to illness and death. (Cigarettes can lead to illness and death. (Not Not controversialcontroversial))

2.2. President Obama’s mandatory health care reform President Obama’s mandatory health care reform bill. (bill. (ControversialControversial))

3.3. Ten years ago, the World Trade Center was Ten years ago, the World Trade Center was attacked by terrorists. (attacked by terrorists. (Not controversialNot controversial))

4.4. Muslims plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero. Muslims plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero. ((ControversialControversial))

5.5. Undocumented immigrants deserve the same rights Undocumented immigrants deserve the same rights as natural-born citizens of the U.S. (as natural-born citizens of the U.S. (ControversialControversial))

6.6. There are millions of undocumented immigrants in There are millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. (the U.S. (Not controversialNot controversial))

BrainstormBrainstorm

With your team, brainstorm some With your team, brainstorm some controversial issues that are in the controversial issues that are in the news NOW. news NOW.

Class share-out of brainstormClass share-out of brainstorm

What you need to doWhat you need to do

Get a newspaper, or go online to sites such as Get a newspaper, or go online to sites such as LA Times, NY Times, OC Register, Time LA Times, NY Times, OC Register, Time Magazine or other valid news sites, and print Magazine or other valid news sites, and print up articles about a controversial topic that up articles about a controversial topic that interests you.interests you.

Read the articles and formulate Read the articles and formulate your opinionyour opinion on the controversial issue of your choice. on the controversial issue of your choice.

Choose a clear stance on the issue.Choose a clear stance on the issue. Come up with details to Come up with details to support your support your

opinions opinions

HomeworkHomework

We will discuss the articles and We will discuss the articles and issues on Monday, so you must bring issues on Monday, so you must bring them that day!them that day!

We will write about them on TuesdayWe will write about them on Tuesday