LESSON FIVE Composing a Short Essay on a Public Issue Facing Michigan Citizens UNIT SIX: PUBLIC ISSUES FACING MICHIGAN CITIZENS

The BIG Ideas… It is important for citizens to take a stand, or a position, on public issues. Citizens can express their position on a public issue by writing about their position. When citizens write about their position on a public issue, it is important for them to give reasons for their position.

Citizens have the responsibility to learn about public issues so they can help make good decisions about how to resolve, or settle, the issue. Why is it important for citizens to learn about public issues?

Should wind farms be built in the Great Lakes? Sample Answers YesNo Other states are going to build them so we should too. They won’t hurt the beauty of the shoreline because you won’t be able to see them that well when they are out in the lakes at least six miles. We need jobs. Building wind farms in the lakes would create lots of jobs. We need new sources of renewable energy. Wind farms in the lakes could help tourism. People would want to visit the wind farms by boat. Wind farms in the Great Lakes would make a lot of energy that could power many, many homes. It is more expensive to build wind farms in the water than on land. They could cause problems for boats Wind farms in the lakes could hurt tourism. People who live on the shores of the Great Lakes don’t want the wind farms to spoil their view of the lakes. Wind farms could hurt fish or do other damage in the Lakes. Wind farms would hurt the natural beauty of the Great Lakes, which are one of our most important resources.

Sample Paragraph One I think wind farms should be built in the Great Lakes. They would be for the common good. We need more energy so they are a good idea. But maybe we shouldn’t build them in the Great Lakes. Maybe they will hurt the lakes. Weakness of Essay One: The writer takes both sides of the issue.

Sample Paragraph Two I think wind farms are so interesting. The wind turbines are so tall. It must take a lot of work to build a wind farm. It’s good that wind farms give us energy. Weakness of Essay Two: The writer does not take a position on the issue. There is no connection to a core democratic value

public issue an issue that affects many, many people Example: One issue in her city was whether or not to build a new police station.

point of view the way a person looks at and thinks about an issue Example: People had different points of view about whether or not to build a new police station.

core democratic values things people believe in that bring people together as Americans Example: Freedom and fairness are examples of core democratic values.

freedom the right to make choices and have your own ideas Example: Liberty, or freedom, means you have the right to make choices and have your own ideas.

justice another word for fairness Example: Justice means that people should be treated fairly.

the common good people working together for the benefit of everybody Example: When governments provide services like fixing roads, they are looking out for the common good.

individual rights things an individual person is entitled to have or to do Example: You have the right to own property. You have the right to speak freely.

to take a position to give your opinion on a public issue and give a reason for your opinion Example: He took a position on the Garage Sale Law. He said people should be able to have as many garage sales as they want.

renewable forms of energy energy that can be used over and over Example: Sun and wind provide renewable forms of energy.

wind farm a group of wind turbines in the same location Example: Wind farms are being created in Michigan to provide electricity.