Choose ONE of the following prompts to develop a cohesive argument about our latest topic: college sports and the NCAA system. Refer to our FCTTA rhetorical terms to analyze the texts (not just what is argued but how that argument is constructed) and to support your points. See a list of terms here. Grading criteria are listed below.
Option #1: According to Taylor Branch
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, “Nothing prods students to think independently about amateurism—because the universities themselves have too much invested in its preservation. Stifling thought, the universities, in league with the NCAA, have failed their own primary mission by providing an empty, cynical education on college sports.” Do you agree? To support, challenge, or refute Branch’s claim, analyze evidence and other rhetorical strategies from at least THREE of our NCAA updates.
Option #2: Evaluate NCAA President Mark Emmert’s “State of College Sports” from the 2021 NCAA Convention
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(transcript
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or video* and press release
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). Based on your analysis of Emmert’s rhetoric (i.e. his methods, argument and purpose), do you think this is an effective speech? Use at least ONE of our recent articles (Branch’s “The Shame of College Sports
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,” the optional Business Insider video, or any of the NCAA updates) to support your position.
*The video includes more than the transcript: clips of the Pat Summitt Award winner, a “2020 Year in Review,” then Emmert’s speech and a closing “Dear College Sports” montage. You’re welcome but not required to analyze those other elements too.
Grading Criteria:
Demonstrated understanding of the articles
Analytical thesis that responds to the question(s)
Accurate rhetorical terms from FCTTA
Well-organized and appropriately cited evidence to support each point
Clear, cohesive writing style
Approx. 1000 words (3-4 double-spaced pages)
Be sure to cite your sources! Your essay will need a works cited page and in-text citations. If you need an MLA refresher, see FCTTA chapter 7 (296-312 and a sample works cited page on 327), the Reading & Writing Center
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, the MLA website
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, the Purdue OWL
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and/or the MPC Library (e.g. works cited pages
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and in-text citations
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). Here is MLA.org’s advice for citing class handouts/uploads
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if needed.
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