Your initial response should be at least 200 words. You need to respond to two students’ initial posts, and each of these responses should be at least 150 words. The initial post plus two peer responses, according to the rubric, has the potential to earn a C grade. Four posts of high quality, according to the rubric, has the potential to earn a grade of B, and five high-quality posts all meeting the highest rubric standards has the potential to earn a grade of A, or all the points available. 

Please note that this forum has several parts, so read these instructions carefully.

First, choose one (1) of the essays from the “Issues Facing the International Community” listed in the “Supplemental Readings” section of the course lessons. Then, let the reader know why you chose this particular essay. Does this essay discuss an issue that is facing you currently? Next, discuss whether or not your essay is peer-reviewed. How do you know? State the claim of the essay. Then, discuss how the author proves this claim. Is the author using the Toulmin method? Use complete sentences, give citations to back up your points, and create a final works cited citation for this essay.
After completing the first section, consider the following. During week five, you are creating an argument using the Toulmin model. Have you used this style of argumentation before in your studies or career (either verbally or in past writing assignments/projects)? Will you use it in the future? Why or why not?   Check out this amusing (ok, corny) video rap on the Toulmin in a nutshell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hu5MyF8GLc The text of the video is also available if you click on CC at the bottom of the screen.

Finally, please revisit your first essay:  The Critical Evaluation Essay.  Take a look at the comments your instructor made to you about your essay.  How will you incorporate your instructor’s feedback in your Toulmin essay, assigned this week?  What improvements do you hope to make in the Toulmin essay?

In your response to your classmates, find a student who wrote about a different essay from the “Issues Facing the International Community” list, and comment on your classmate’s discussion of his/her chosen essay. Do you agree with his or her analysis of this essay? Why? The why is key – please post a rich response to your classmate. You may also respond to your classmate’s discussion of the Toulmin argumentation model.