PART 1

You’ll be writing a short essay to practice a rhetorical move called “the counter argument.” When writing argumentative essays, it’s important to show your reader that you’ve considered all possible sides.

CREATE AND SUBMIT AN INFORMAL OUTLINE BEFORE YOU START ON THE ESSAY!!!!

In reality, this outline is mostly for you. It’s a way to get you thinking about the organization of the essay, especially the counter argument.

PART 2

In Book 2 of Reyna Grande’s memoir, The Distance Between Us, the siblings find themselves adjusting to American life in Highland Park, California. Mago, Reyna, and Carlos all of the sudden have to learn a new language, a new culture, and a new school system. In “The Potential and Promise of Latino Students,” Patricia Gandara shows why many Latinx students struggle to succeed in the classroom. She argues that communities and educational leaders can do more to help Latinx students thrive. Hiring more Latinx teachers, implementing a bilingual curriculum, and providing wraparound services are just a reforms Gandara recommends.

Prompt

From Book 2 of Reyna Grande’s memoir, The Distance Between Us, identify challenges the siblings encounter as they integrate into their new, American life. Next, using recommendations from “The Potential and Promise of Latino Students,” explain how these resources could have helped the siblings become more successful in school.

Readings:

1. The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande (attached as PDF)

2. “The Potential and Promise of Latino Students,” https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/ae_spring2017gandara.pdf

Specifications:

• 2 full pages
• Include a counterargument
• Include an introduction and a conclusion
• 2-3 body paragraphs
• Must use quote sandwich method to support your claim
• MLA format
• Academic Tone used throughout
• Include a Works Cited page

1. TIPS:
   -Thesis structure suggestion: If the siblings’ schools implemented (insert recommendations/resources from Gandara’s article), they would have had more opportunities to succeed in the classroom.
   -Remember to use quotations and paraphrases from all your source(s) to support your thesis.
   -Present your counterargument fairly and then rebut it to strengthen your own argument.
   -Offer adequate background information about your topic to help the reader understand your point. -Manage your time so that you have enough time to brainstorm, outline, draft, and revise.

THERE SHOULD BE TWO PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT!

PART 1 CONSISTS OF AN OUTLINE

PART 2 CONSISTS OF THE SHORT ESSAY