For your first blog entry I would like you to think about what topic in illegal immigration you are interested in researching and then answer a number of questions.
First, how might this topic be described as a controversy? Remember, if there's not at least three or more positions about what should be done about something you likely haven't found a controversy. On the question of whether Europe should join into an economic union there were many opinions. This is an example of a genuine controversy. What different positions might constitute your controversy? Be imaginative, but try to think about this as realistically as you can. Your research for Paper 1.1 will come to confirm or deny the validity of your ideas.
Next, Who would be the most likely audience for deliberations about this controversy? Your classmates and your instructor are obviously one such audience, but you should think broadly about who this controversy most profoundly affects. Why should certain people, communities, or organizations care about the outcomes of deliberations concerning your controversy?
For your next writing assignment you'll be responding to one another's blog postings. You'll want to ask the same questions of your fellow students as I've asked of you. Evaluate their posts carefully. Then, honestly but respectfully critique their entries. First, decide whether they've described a genuine controversy. Then, consider how you might help them to map their controversies. What might be other positions within their controversy they've not yet considered?
