1. Drones vs. Terrorists?

Despite growing concern that drone attacks are turning foreign citizens against the United States, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is asking the White House to approve expansion of the operations. The Obama administration contends that drone attacks have successfully taken out important anti-U.S. terrorists, including al-Qaeda leaders. At the same time, U.S. officials concede that some of the people killed by drones in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere have been innocent persons in the wrong place at the wrong time. Protest demonstrations, often anti-American, have attracted large crowds in some of the target areas. In the newspaper or online, find stories about U.S. counterterrorism efforts, and discuss with classmates. Then write a few paragraphs about situations in which you would approve the use of drones.

Common Core/National Standards: Coming to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material, explicitly drawing on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic; producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

2. You Remind Me of Someone

Great literature is both specific and universal. Fictional characters may remind you of real people as you read. Think of a character that you find interesting in a short story, play or a novel that the class is reading, or that you have read by yourself. Then try to find a newsmaker in today's newspaper that you think is similar to this character. Write an essay comparing and contrasting the newsmaker and the character from your book.

Common Core/National Standards: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience; describing and discussing archetypal human experiences that appear in literature and other texts from around the world.

3. ‘Battleground’ States

The next president of the United States will not necessarily be the candidate with the most votes. He will be the one with the most electoral votes. Yes, it’s possible, especially in a campaign as close as this seems to be. Most opinion polls indicate that President Obama and Mitt Romney are neck and neck, but that the president will probably be re-elected because he enjoys slim leads in what are called “battleground” states, those with a lot of electoral votes where the race appears close. Such speculation, of course, depends on the reliability of the polls, and what the small number of “undecided” voters eventually decide. As a class, review how the Electoral College works. Then find stories in the newspaper or online about the presidential election or the Electoral College system. Write a short editorial for the newspaper giving your opinion about whether the Electoral College system is a good way to elect a president.

Common Core/National Standard: Producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

4. Guilt by Association?

Birds of a feather may flock together, but does that mean they’re up to no good? The lawyer for a reputed mob boss has argued in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that even though his client may be in the mob Mafia, “it’s not about being a member; it’s about what you do.” At a U.S. District Court trial for Joseph “Uncle Joe” Ligambi and six co-defendants, a defense lawyer said that just associating with each other does not prove a criminal enterprise and that the prosecution would have to prove his clients were guilty of extortions and shakedowns, among other charges. Making references to “The Godfather” movies and “The Sopranos” TV series, he said his clients are not racketeers — they are “victims” of guilt by association. In the newspaper or online, find a story about a crime case. Write a paragraph about what kinds of evidence you think would be needed for prosecutors to get a conviction in the case.

Common Core/National Standard: producing clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization and style are appropriate to the task, purpose and audience.

5. Twitter vs. Tyranny

For years, criticizing the powers-that-be has been unheard of in the Middle East nation of Saudi Arabia, where the ruling family has held such a tight rein that even the Arab Spring freedom movement has been kept out. Unheard of until recently, that is. As repressive and restrictive as the regime has been, it has been unable to counter open criticism on Twitter. With some 2.9 million viewers, this may be the world’s fastest-growing Twitter zone, in which, a Riyadh lawyer told a New York Times reporter, “people from all political sides meet and speak freely.” Twitter “hashtag” labels, for example, have included “Saudi Corruption” and “Political Prisoners.” The government has shown unexpected tolerance, which may reflect helplessness against the cyber-criticism or what a reporter calls “a deliberate ploy to let people blow off steam.” In the newspaper or online, find a story on Saudi Arabia’s monarchy system of government, one of the last in the Middle East. Research some of its policies and tactics, including the subjugation of women. Write a few paragraphs about the impact Twitter and social media can have on politics and government.

Common Core/National Standard: Engaging effectively in a range of collaborative discussions; writing fluently for multiple purposes.