English 102 “You’ve Got a Ticket to Write” #1 Discussion Questions

“Veiled Intentions: Don’t Judge a Muslim Girl by Her Covering” by Maysan Haydar

1. Hijab refers to a way of dressing that many Muslim women adopt. It emphasizes a modesty that encourages women to cover everything except the face and hands in public (wearing a scarf and body cloak). Brainstorm as many advantages as you can to dressing this way, other than modesty.
2. Haydar speculates about the interactions she would have with the opposite sex if she did not wear a veil. Locate the hypothetical examples she offers. Do you think the interactions she imagines are typical? Are they fair representations of male reactions to women?
3. How do you suppose things have changed for Haydar and the way she is viewed as a Muslim woman since 9/11? What do you think the pre-9/11 non-Muslim American reactions were to Muslim women wearing a head scarf and a body cloak? What reactions might non-Muslim Americans have today when they see a Muslim woman wearing a veil and/or a body cloak?
4. What is the thesis (the main point) of Haydar’s essay? Is it stated or implied? If stated, where?
5. What is the purpose of the first five paragraphs of the essay?
6. Recently France banned all religion-specific attire in its public schools, including Muslim head scarves and body cloaks. Brainstorm likely reasons for this ban. Brainstorm likely effects of this ban. Do you think the ban is fair?

“Your Kid’s Going to Pay for Cheating—Eventually” by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

1. Is the reaction of the Piper High parents to Pelton’s actions typical of the reactions of most parents of high school children? If not, why not?
2. School boards are groups of citizens elected by the public to oversee schools. What do you think of the school board’s actions in Piper High’s case? To whom were they supposedly obligated?
3. What were the reactions of the students who plagiarized when they learned of the school board’s decision? Do you think their reaction would be typical of most high school students today?
4. Though the school board ruled against Pelton, they did not suggest she resign. Why do you think Pelton resigned? If you were in Pelton’s shoes, would you have resigned?
5. What is the thesis (the main point) of Pitts’ essay?
6. Consider the tenth paragraph (It’s the paragraph directly above the word “Wrong” on p. 2.) What is its purpose?
7. What was Pitts’ attitude toward the parents and school board’s actions? Specifically, how can you tell?

“Televising Humiliation” by Adam Cohen

1. As a group come up with a thesis statement that would fit Cohen’s essay.
2. Cohen refers to the police who participated as “brown shirts.” Using only the context in which the term “brown shirts” is used in the essay, come up with a group definition of the role of “brown shirts.”
3. List the specific television shows Cohen mentions. Poll your group: how many group members have watched some of these shows at least once? If so, which ones? Name any new shows Cohen could include if he updated this essay.
4. Why do people watch the shows Cohen writes about? What’s their appeal? Why do some appear on these shows voluntarily?
5. Some support To Catch a Predator’s actions because they may have taken a potential pedophile off the streets. Do you agree or disagree? What of “presumed innocent until proven guilty”? Do you agree or disagree with To Catch a Predator’s actions in this instance?
6. As a group, discuss whether these shows should be protected by The First Amendment (freedom of speech). Why or why not?