Page 1169 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

2. Is date rape a problem on your campus? What can be done to
eliminate it on your campus or at other colleges?

Topics for Writing

Journal Entry 1: A Definition

Write a journal entry giving your definition of rape.

Journal Entry 2: Police Business

You are a police officer taking the statement of John L., a suspect

arrested in a crime against his neighbor Kristen G. The suspect, John,

uses the following excuses: “She invited me in.” “She was always

flaunting it.” “What else was I supposed to do, with temptation right
there in front of me?” John’s crime, however, is not rape. Instead, he

locked Kristen in a closet and stole her new Sony high-definition

television. Use your imagination and write up John’s statement in a

journal entry.

Putting the traditional excuses for rape in the mouth of a television
thief presents them in a new light and exposes their absurdity. This

form of writing, called satire, uses humor to expose the faults of

humanity or society.

Essay 1: Causes of Date Rape

What factors do you believe account for the prevalence of date rape?
Write an essay discussing them.

Essay 2: Reluctance to Report