Prewriting for the Toulmin Essay
1. What are five favorite movies, books, games, or TV shows?
· The Shawshank Redemption (film)
· Black Panther (film)
· The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (book)
· The Last of Us (video game)
· Breaking Bad (TV show)
2. Choosing one of these, tell us briefly why it is your favorite.
My favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption since it is the most vivid film detailing the power of hope and perseverance in the face of systemic injustice. The main character Andy Dufresne maintains his dignity even when he is incorrectly imprisoned, thus the character is used to recognize how humans can exercise their resilience and moral strength even in the most repressive situations.
3. Who are five of the most influential people in your life?
· My mother
· Nelson Mandela
· Barack Obama
· My high school English teacher
4. Choosing one of these, briefly explain the influence on you.
Nelson Mandela has had a lot of influence on my understanding of the value of justice and forgiveness. The fact that he was committed to reconciliation after decades of being imprisoned showed that an effective leadership does not depend on vengeance, but the restoration of humanity (Napier, 2020). His philosophical beliefs inspire me to deal with conflict in the most empathetic and long-term view.
5. What are five important actions that any U.S. citizen should undertake to strengthen society?
· Vote regularly in local and national elections.
· Volunteer in community service projects.
· Educate oneself on civic issues and media literacy.
· Advocate for environmental sustainability.
· Promote social inclusion and respect for diversity.
6. Choosing one of these, briefly explain how that action can strengthen society.
Prejudice can be reduced by promotion of social inclusion and respecting the diversity and this reduces cooperation between communities. Through active discrimination confrontation and multiculturalism, citizens strengthen the unity of the country and instill the trust in the democratic institutions. An inclusive society turns out to be more innovative, well established, and fair.
7. From all your notes above, choose one claim to strengthen by putting together claim and rationale.
Claim and Rationale
“Promoting social inclusion is essential for a stronger society because diversity fosters creativity, reduces inequality, and builds collective resilience.” The evidence can include research studies that have validated the claim that different organizations outperform homogenous organizations in innovation and decision-making. Moreover, social inclusion will ensure every citizen invests his or her talents in the national development, thus culminating in enhancing democracy and economic growth.
