Question

Please follow these directions to complete your Portfolio assignment correctly!
How-To Video
In this portfolio, you will write an argumentative text in response to this prompt:
When you hear the word endangered, you most likely think of endangered species;
however, animals and plants are not the only things endangered. Cultures, languages,
traditions, and governments can be endangered too. Write an argumentative essay for or
against making the effort to save something considered endangered.
Write an argumentative essay, of 250-500 words, whether or not you agree
with people making an effort to save something considered endangered.
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH - At least 3 sentences
1. Talk about the topic, say background info like who, what, when, where, why
2. Create your claim.
a. Similar to a thesis! This is where you will state your side of the argument. Are you for or
against the prompt?
b. Think: how would you summarize what you are going to write about in one general
sentence?
3. Expand on your claim. State at least two reasons why your argument is correct and
can be supported.
1.
a. Remember to use your own words for this part! Do not cite any evidence in your
introduction paragraphs ever.
BODY PARAGRAPH - At least 6 sentences
Topic Sentence for Point #1. What is the first point you want to say to support your
claim?
a. This should be something you can argue well, something you believe to be true.
b. You need to bring in outside evidence or sources to complete this! Use the internet to find
a trusted source tied to the specific topic you chose.
2. Present text evidence for your point. (Don't forget to cite, following MLA or APA
formatting requirements!)
3. How does this evidence support your point?
4. How does this point support your claim?
5. Introduce a counterclaim. What would someone say to argue with your claim?
a. Sentence starters for counterclaim include:
i. One may think that...
ii. An argument against my claim could be...
iii. It may be true that...
iv. Some may say...

Answer 1

When people hear "endangered," they usually picture animals like tigers or rhinos. Yet cultures, languages, traditions, and even forms of local government can be endangered as well, threatened by globalization, displacement, and changing economies. I argue that society should make deliberate efforts to save endangered cultural elements—especially languages—because doing so preserves unique knowledge and identity and promotes justice and diversity for future generations. Protecting these things maintains human heritage and gives marginalized communities the power to continue their histories.

Saving endangered languages and cultures preserves irreplaceable knowledge and a sense of identity. UNESCO reports that nearly half of the world’s roughly 7,000 languages are endangered, with many at risk of disappearing this century (UNESCO, n.d.). When a language dies, oral histories, traditional ecological knowledge, medicinal practices, and community-specific ways of thinking are often lost as well. This evidence shows that language loss is not merely a linguistic event but a loss of practical and cultural information that can benefit all of humanity; therefore, preserving languages supports my claim that efforts to save endangered cultural elements are worthwhile. One may think that resources should instead focus on pressing economic needs, or that language change is a natural process that does not require intervention. While languages do evolve, targeted efforts such as documentation, community language classes, and immersion programs have successfully revived several languages and are relatively low-cost compared with the long-term cultural loss they prevent. Investing in preservation is an investment in cultural resilience and informed, diverse societies.

In sum, endangered cultures and languages are not expendable relics but living stores of knowledge and identity. Governments, schools, and communities should fund documentation and revitalization programs so that valuable traditions and know-how are not lost to time; doing so respects human rights and enriches global diversity.

Reference
UNESCO. (n.d.). Atlas of the world’s languages in danger. https://en.unesco.org/languages-atlas