Write an argumentive essay on whether or not adopted children should try to contact their birth parents after they grow up.

After being adopted, children often form strong bonds with their new parents/families. Meanwhile, their biological families may be dealing with issues like extreme poverty, illness, addiction, abusive behavior, etc. In general, adopted children SHOULD NOT try to contact their birth parents after they grow up. (AGREE or DISAGREE)

Write an essay on what are the main issues and vulnerabilities that slum-dwellers face?

1. Urban Societies: Socio-spatial Mappings (refers to Unit 5) Present a concise picture of the social divisions and spatial segregation in your mega-city. What are the main social groups and divisions in the city (e.g. by religion, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, migration, etc.)? How are these groups arranged in the city? Are there clear-cut (or segregated) areas for different groups, or are they generally mixed up? Are there areas that are ‘ghettos’, according to Wacquant’s definition? Explain. Are there major gated communities? When did they emerge? In your analysis, address at least three of the points listed above. Please add one or two relevant maps (from the web, publications, etc.) in the appendix and refer to them in your answer. Remember to cite the sources of all maps and visuals. 2. Urban Societies: Poverty, Informality and Inequality (refers to Unit 6) Present a concise picture of poverty, inequality and informality in your mega-city. What percentage of the city’s residents live below the poverty line (international, national or local)? What percentage of the city’s residents live in areas that qualify as slums? Where are these slums located (e.g. central, peripheral)? When did they emerge? What are the main issues and vulnerabilities that slum-dwellers face? Be specific. What is the estimated size and makeup of the informal economy? Overall, how (un)equal is your city? How does this compare to other cities? In your analysis, address at least three of the points listed above.

Write an argumentative essay to express a clear opinion about an issue and to persuade readers to adopt your position–or at least to consider your argument seriously.

The purpose of argumentative writing is to express a clear opinion about an issue and to persuade readers to adopt your position–or at least to consider your argument seriously. Important ideas to remember are that issues are not black and white, and there are rarely right/wrong answers in controversies. Opinions depend upon facts, values, and beliefs. To be convincing–which will be your object–you will need to present logical reasons based on shared values and beliefs. You will need to look critically at your position and at others’ points of view. In this essay, you will pick a topic from the list below. The topics are general, which gives you the opportunity to decide specifically what about this subject you want to inform and explain to the readers. You will also gather information from various sources and incorporate it into your paper, citing all borrowed information.