Q English 101 Paper #2: Opinion Essay Requirements: • 3-4 double-spaced pages (the works cited page doesn't count toward this total but is required) • Due: March 13th by 11:59 PM • MLA Formatting (1-inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt. font) • Research and quotes from at least 3 sources Note: Essays less than a full page in length, using MLA formatting, will not be accepted for credit. In your second essay, you will choose and respond to ONE (and only one) of the following questions. Your essay should include an introduction and conclusion, a thesis statement stating your opinion/answer to the question, and cohesive and well-structured paragraphs that develop and support your claims. Remember, your goal here is to convince readers that your opinion is right (and that perhaps they should adopt the same stance), so keep this in mind. In your essay, respond to one of these questions: Option #1: Should the U.S. adopt a four-day work and/or school week? Option #2: Does social media’s benefits outweigh its drawbacks? Option #3: Are “lockdowns” the right method for combatting pandemics? Be thorough in creating and defending the argument supporting your opinion. Also, note that it is generally better to explain one, two, or at most three ideas thoroughly than to cover eight or ten ideas superficially. You will be graded on your ability to… • Create an essay that fulfills the minimum page and formatting requirements • Maintain focus on the issue and include all the elements of an effective argument (as per the lesson) • Create an essay free of mechanical errors (grammar, spelling, punctuation) and informal language • Provide sentences that display style, transitions, and sentence variety. • Craft cohesive and well-structured paragraphs • Present supporting evidence in an effective manner that avoids plagiarism by including proper quotation marks and citations (both in-text and works cited page citations). • Design a purposeful structure in which ideas and paragraphs are logically organized and fully developed • Successfully argue a stance, moving beyond summary and informational writing • Craft effective rhetorical structures like introductions and conclusions • Original thought and writing: you should use quotes and paraphrasing to support what you want to say, not replace your own thoughts and writing.