Private Life for Public Employees
General Petraeus had to resign as director of the CIA because of an admitted affair. Bill Clinton
was impeached because of sexual misconduct. In a day when ?anything goes? is our general
attitude, to what extent should ?private? matters like affairs be a factor in the jobs of public
employees. Does a person?s private behavior has any bearing on their ability to do their job? If
the actions taken are legal, why should resignation be expected?
Write two opposing arguments
Write two opposing theses
Based on one of the three topics, you will write two separate arguments. First, write a thesis that you
believe in. Then write a thesis that is logically incompatible with the first one. The rule is that ?no
reasonable person could agree with both theses.? Define the facts and the principles in an objective
manner so both sides would agree with them. Write outlines to support the each thesis.
Using the outlines you write, organize facts, stories, examples, and logic to support the arguments. Do
not get off-topic and don?t spend too much time researching. Just get a reasonable understanding of
the facts and then come up with principles both sides are likely to agree on. All of these are complex
topics that could consume months of research to really understand fully?you don?t have that kind of
time, so don?t turn this into a research paper. Use the knowledge you have gained from our class as well
as a few sources to make a reasonable argument for your thesis.
Write two opposing arguments supporting the two theses
This paper assignment is really to write two papers. Each one should be 1500 words or less. Write one
full paper including appropriate counter-arguments, and then write the second opposing paper
including counter-arguments. They do not have to mirror each other, but they may if you?d like. For
each side, use the best arguments you can come up with. Think of it like the editorial page of a large
newspaper where they publish conflicting opinions of two columnists on the same issue?only you?re
both columnists! (Turn your hat around backward; spell your name backward; whatever it takes to
make yourself temporarily switch sides!)