1,030 words

Irony and cinematic technique in "Bowling for Columbine"

The cinematic techniques used by the documentary "Bowling for Columbine" by Michael Moore are entirely crafted upon the use of carefully delineated irony. The film contrasts the real need to protect the nation's citizens with the zealous love affair that Americans have with guns.

~6 min read

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2,766 words

Gender differences in human behavior and evolutionary origins

Gender-based differentiation is nearly universal among all sexually-reproducing biological organisms.

~14 min read

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445 words

The United Nations and the Nuremberg trials after World War II

Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person," (General Assembly of the United Nations, Article 3); it is a surprisingly modern conception that every human being on this earth should have natural rights which not even their sovereign king or nation can take away from them.

~3 min read

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734 words

Quindlen's argument for same-sex marriage rights in "Evan's Two Moms"

The author's evidence for writing "Evan's Two Moms" seems to be her own understanding of the gay community and the problems they face in everyday life, in everything from sharing their commitment to adopting children and simply living life.

~4 min read

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567 words

Al Gore's argument on climate change and civilization in Earth in the Balance

In Chapter three of his book Earth in the Balance, former vice president Al Gore makes the point that our civilization is heavily dependent on stability in the climate. For the last ten thousand years, we have experienced the same sort of climate with very few changes.

~3 min read

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561 words

How male and female students use language differently

Tannert begins her essay by enumerating the differences in types of verbal communication used by males and females. She then applies these instances to both students in the classroom, and the gender of the professor in the classroom.

~3 min read

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650 words

Reading and writing skills for developing democratic citizens

One of the frequently-cited reasons for including social studies in the curriculum is to prepare students to become good citizens. Because America is a democratic, free society, students must learn to make good choices because their choices will affect the national community.

~4 min read

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1,947 words

Interpreting line and composition in Basquiat's early untitled paintings

One of the most famous stars of the East Village graffiti scene and Neo-Expressionist movement of the 1980s, Jean-Michel Basquiat once famously remarked of his paintings, "Every single line means something." If this is true, then this sets an unprecedented task for the interpreter, who is faced…

~10 min read

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623 words

Christoph Irmscher's Longfellow Redux and American literary culture

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American literary icon when he was alive. Schoolchildren were asked to memorize his immortal poetic classic "The Song of Hiawatha" as part of their education and there was even a drink called the "Hiawatha" in memory of the Indian warrior of Longfellow's poem.

~4 min read

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905 words

Evaluating the American Revolution webquest's pedagogical effectiveness

Chiang, Judy. "The American Revolution: Was it worth it?" 19 Oct 2007. http://questgarden.com/47/76/3/070311160651/ The introductory page of the Webquest "The American Revolution: Was it worth it?" is strong and provocative.

~5 min read

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