TOPIC APPROVAL PROCESS:
1. Persuasive speech topics must be sent to instructor via blog by due date (9 p.m. on 4/11/2011).
2. Topic proposal must include all of the following elements:
• Specific topic
• Thesis statement (complete sentence)
• Main points (complete sentences)
• Citations for at least two sources, in proper APA format
IF YOUR PROPOSAL DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS, IT WILL BE REJECTED AND THE CLOCK CONTINUES TO TICK
3. Students should expect feedback regarding topic proposals within 24 hours of submission. You have until WEDS, April 13. @ 9PM to submit new proposals via the blog.
Topic: Toys as a humanitarian effort to help children in poverty
ReplyDeleteThesis: We need to ensure that children living in poverty have equal access to recreational toys and games.
Counter-argument: We should be more concerned about other vital issues, such as childhood abuse, disease, starvation, and education.
1) A major problem is that poverty limits children’s access to toys and games.
2) Children need and can benefit from these toys and games for their wellbeing and happiness.
3) We can make a difference through various humanitarian efforts.
Sources: (I cannot format the indentations and italicization correctly in the blogpost)
Hebbard, R. (n.d.). Riley’s toy foundation. Retrieved from http://rileystoys.org/index.html
Missimer, R. (n.d.). Educational benefits of kids stuffed animals. Health Guidance. Retrieved from http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12663/1/Educational- Benefits-of-Kids-Stuffed-Animals.html
Topic: Fish are in danger.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Due to overfishing and temperature rises due to global warming in our beloved oceans, the size and population of fish has rapidly decreased over the past century. Thus, we have a responsibility to limit our fishing and be more conscious of the fish in respect to global warming and pollution.
Counter-argument: While fish is a delicacy and is enjoyed by millions, it is unfair for us to capture the amount that we do, particularly since a majority of it becomes wasted.
1. Size of fish decreasing- fish have lost their body mass over time as a result of global warming; rising temperatures, loss of 50% body mass.
2. Overfishing- fleets are able to collect thousands of fish at one time. More people, more demand, less product. Unorthodox methods of fishing- bottom trawling.
3. Overfishing disturbs food chains- messes up the cycle for the fish in the water, we take their fish, they have nothing to eat...etc.
The water cycle shows us how dangerous pollution is to the oceans, and how much it is affecting the fish and the life under the sea. We have a responsibility to be more conscious of not only what we are eating, but where we are dumping our waste and how much it affects the marine life.
Sources:
Greenpeace, (2011). Overfishing Retrieved from http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/oceans/overfishing/
Koster, Pepijn. (2007). Overfishing- a global environmental problem, threat to our oceans and distaster. Retrieved from http://overfishing.org/pages/what_is_overfishing.php
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ReplyDeleteTopic: Immigration Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants
ReplyDelete• Thesis statement: While recognizing the fact that undocumented immigrants undoubtedly bring many benefits to the United States, the immigration reform should focus more on tighter enforcement of borders and strict implementation of government policies rather than granting amnesty for illegal aliens.
• Counterargument: The U.S. government should grant amnesty to illegal immigrants due to humanitarian reasons and the reality that there is a permanent demand for immigrant labor.
• Main points:
o Giving amnesty to illegal immigrants is unfair
o Amnesty is a mass-pardon for lawbreakers
o Amnesties only encourage rather than deter future illegal immigration
Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants?. (2003, December 22). The New York Times, p. 30. Retrieved from ProQuest database: http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.usc.edu/docview/432611568/12EABB4AED42333CC0A/15?accountid=14749
Orrenius, P., & Zavodny, M. (2003). Do amnesty programs reduce undocumented immigration? Evidence from Irca . Demography, 40(3), 437-450. Retrieved from Google Scholar database: http://scholar.google.com.libproxy.usc.edu/scholar?start=10&q=amnesty+to+illegal+aliens+in+the+US&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5
Topic: Weight Loss and Calorie Counting
ReplyDeleteThesis: In weight loss, it is pure calorie counting that matters most, not nutritional value.
Counter-argument: Eating healthy foods and limiting the number of unhealthy snacks in your diet is the quickest way to permanent weight loss.
Main Points I: Healthy eating and exercise are always seen as the best method for weight loss.
Main Point II: You do not have to eat healthy foods to lose weight, but you do have to count calories.
Main Point III: The nutritional value of a healthy food has less precedent over the amount of calories in a food product.
Citations (APA):
Park, M. (2010). Twinkie diet helps nutrition professor lose 27 pounds. CNN Health. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html
Scott, J. (2010). How to Calculate Your Caloric Intake and Use it to Lose Weight. Weight Loss. Retrieved from http://weightloss.about.com/od/eatsmart/a/blcalintake_2.htm
Topic: Drinking Age
ReplyDeleteThesis: Although the legal drinking age in the United States is set at 21 as a way to reduce dangerous drinking habits among teenager, it would actually be more beneficial to the safety of America's youth to lower the drinking age requirement.
Counterargument: Teenagers are not yet mature enough to drink responsibly are are more likely to abuse alcohol and cause harm to themselves and others.
Main Points:
1. Lowering the drinking age will make it less taboo and take away the excitement of underage drinking.
2. Teenagers must learn about the responsibilities of drinking in moderation from an early age.
3. A drinking age limit of 21 forces teenagers and young adults to drinking in private and unsafe environments.
Sources:
International center for alcohol policies. (1998). Drinking age limits. Retrieved from: http://www.grsproadsafety.org/themes/default/pdfs/Drinking%20Age%20Limits.pdf
CBS news. (2009). The debate on lowering the drinking age. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/19/60minutes/main4813571.shtml
Topic: Failure
ReplyDeleteThesis: Failure is a necessary ingredient of risk taking, innovation, and success.
Counterargument: The negative consequences of failure far outweigh the positive.
Main points:
1) Pitfalls of perfectionism.
2) Failure breeds learning.
2) We must create a culture that embraces failure.
Sources:
Marano, H.E (2008, Mach 1). Pitfalls of perfectionism. Psychology Today. Retrieved from http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200802/pitfalls-perfectionism
Coutu, D. (2008, June 24). The competative advantage of failing. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from
http://blogs.hbr.org/hbr/hbreditors/2008/06/the_competitive_advantage_of_f.html
Sidhu, I. (2011, March 25). When wrong makes right: The upside of failure. Forbes. Retrieved from
http://blogs.forbes.com/indersidhu/2011/03/25/when-wrong-makes-right-the-upside-of-failure/
Maxwell, J. C. (2000). Failing forward: Turning mistakes into stepping stones for success. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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ReplyDeleteTopic: Reality television
ReplyDeleteThesis: The consumption of reality television has a negative impact on both participants and viewers.
Counterargument: Reality television gives viewers a chance to live vicariously through others' experiences, providing them a sense of adventure and escape
Main points:
- Many reality shows promote a lifestyle of materialism and vanity
- Reality television has turned our society into a "pseudo-celebrity" culture, where everyone believes they deserve their own 15 seconds of fame
Sources:
Scholastic scope (n.d.). "Is reality tv making you stupid?" Scholastic magazine. Retrieved from http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/magazines/scope/pdfs/SCOPE-101110-EssayKit.pdf
Stefanone, M., Lackaff, D. & Rosen, D. (2008). We’re all stars now: Reality television, web 2.0, and mediated identities. Culture and communication. Retrieved from http://www.communication.buffalo.edu/contrib/people/faculty/documents/stefanone_hypertext2008_000.pdf
Topic: Teen Pregnancy Reality Programming and the Decline in Teen Pregnancy Rates.
ReplyDeleteThesis: MTV teen pregnancy themed reality shows like “Teen Mom” and “16 and Pregnant,” are successful tools in pregnancy prevention as they accurately depict the impact of pregnancy on teen lives, thus promoting safe sex and abstinence.
Counterargument: These reality shows are glamorizing teen pregnancy, contributing to an increase of teen pregnancy by showing the teens receiving fame, celebrity, and fortune.
1. Abstinence programs have failed to decrease teen pregnancy rates, despite $2 billion being spent on abstinence only funding over the last 10 years.
2. MTV reality shows are more effective tools for safe-sex education because of the intimate and raw portrayal of the consequences of teen sex.
3. Teen pregnancy reality shows provide a negative depiction of the emotional and social effects of early parenthood.
Sources:
AVERTing HIV and AIDS. Abstinence and sex education. Retrieved from: http://www.avert.org/abstinence.htm
Hoffman, J. (2011). MTV's Teen Mom Goes To The Classroom. New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/10/fashion/10TEEN.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1
Medical News Today. (2008). Abstinence-Only Program Ineffective, Not Worth The Federal Money, Editorial Says. Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119279.php
Topic: Entrepreneurship
ReplyDeleteThesis: Everyone should adopt an entrepreneurial mindset, even if you don't necessarily start your own business.
Counterargument: In some countries, entrepreneurship is highly discouraged and looked down on.
Main Points:
1. People choose to follow a corporate path because it is commonly assumed to be "secure"; however, entrepreneurship allows people to work for themselves and not for others.
2. Having an entrepreneurial mindset opens up a whole new way at looking at the world and empowers people; because entrepreneurship, at its core, is a mentality, it can improve how people live their daily life.
3. People can pursue social entrepreneurship and help society as a whole.
Sources:
Seeling, T. (2009). What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
Philips, T. (n.d.) Why Did You Become An Entrepreneur. Retreived from: http://www.naijapreneur.com/purpose-of-entrepreneurship/
Breast Cancer
ReplyDeleteThesis: Breast cancer affects thousands of people worldwide and we must devote time and money to cure this disease.
1. Each year breast cancer affects 200,000 people and more than 40,000 will die. (National Breast Cancer Org)
A. Women in the U.S get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer. (National Breast Cancer Org)
B. Second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in women
2. Donate your time or your money to help cure breast cancer
A. Past research grants/breakthroughs in science
B. The Susan B Komen Foundation is working towards finding a cure by hosting events and using donations towards research.
APA Sources
Susan g. Komen for the Cure. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://ww5.komen.org/GetInvolved/Donate.html
National Breast Cancer Organization. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/How-To-Help/Donate-Online.aspx
Business Wire, April 12, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110412006655/en/Hundreds-Breast-Cancer-Advocates-Call-Congress-Maintain
Topic: High fashion model health
ReplyDeleteThesis: Models over the years have gotten increasingly thinner and potentially pose a danger to both themselves and those who consume the products they sell; in light of this concern, regulations should be implemented to ensure that models are and look healthy while they work
Counterargument: High fashion requires a very slim body frame so that clothes will fall better, therefore looking more presentable and hence, sellable.
Main Points:
- The struggle to stay thin is also a struggle to stay employed; models are competing with other models for campaigns, and failure to garner enough work can lead to unemployment. This urgency to stay relevant can lead to unhealthy habits (anorexia/bulimia)
- These models' pictures and work are distributed throughout the media (fashion magazines), which can adversely affect consumers of the media who begin to buy into that standard of beauty in thinness, and they too can potentially start unhealthy habits
- Beginning of regulation: Milan Fashion Week began a movement towards healthier models by banning models having a Body Mass Index of under 18 from their shows; Council of Fashion Designers of America Health Initiative designed to ensure model safety
Sources:
Bender, E. (2007) "For some fashion models, thin is definitely not in." Psychiatric News, 42, 3, 10. Retrieved from http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/42/3/10.1.short
David, P., Boyne, N. & German, T. (2009). "Thinness portrayals of fashion models." Visual communication quarterly, 16. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.usc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=8&hid=108&sid=2c0ed7f1-73fe-4c40-8b86-ae4f92630d51%40sessionmgr112
REVISION
ReplyDeleteTopic: Toy Philanthropies
Thesis: We should all help children in need by donating to toy philanthropies.
Counter-argument: Toys are superficial, compared to more concerning issues, such as childhood abuse, disease, starvation, and education.
1) Not all children have access to recreational toys and games.
2) Children need and can benefit from these toys and games for their wellbeing and happiness.
3) Therefore, you should contribute to toy philanthropies to help bring happiness to children in need.
Sources:
Duncan, D., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (2000). Family poverty, welfare reform, and child development . Child Development, 71(1), Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1132232
Pitman, T. (2011, January). 3-5 years: encouraging creative play. Today’s Parent, 28 (1), 93-94.
Wolford, M. (2001, April 4). Kingwood girl collects toys for tots in Japan. Charleston Daily Mail. Retrieved April 12, 20111, from http://www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201104040280
U.s. marine corps reserve toys for tots program. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.toysfortots.org/about_toys_for_tots/toys_for_tots_program/default.asp
Topic: Solar Panels
ReplyDeleteThesis: People should install solar panels in their homes.
Counterargument: The initial investment to convert to solar power can be expensive.
Main Points:
1. Installing solar panels actually saves people money in the long run because it uses the sun's energy.
2. Any unused energy can actually be sold back.
3. Using solar panels decreases the amount of pollution people emit and is very eco-friendly.
Sources:
Roman, H. (2007, December) Residential Solar Systems Add Up to Savings. Retrieved from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=3&did=1396203131&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1302742094&clientId=5239
Sweet, C. (n.d.) Let the Sun Shine. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204313604574330572870415610.html
Topic: Organ Donation
ReplyDeleteThesis statement: All citizens should opt in to being an organ donor for the improvement of our society
Counter-Argument: Many people have a very specific preference on how their body should be handled after passing away and believe donating their organs will vandalize their body.
Main points:
1. The several pros to being an organ donor outweigh any negativity associated concepts of organ donation.
2. There are 82,000 Americans in need of lifesaving organ transplants, which is increasing each year.
3. Other countries implement laws that prove to increase organ donation, therefore we should also implement those laws.
Citations:
Organ and Tissue Donation. Health First. Retrieved from http://www.health-first.org/hospitals_services/hrmc/trauma/donation.cfm
Matthews, C., & Bureau, G.A. (June 9, 2010). Organ Donation: An opt-out policy?. USA Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-06-29-organ-donors_N.htm
Sorry this is late. Passover sedar!
ReplyDeleteTopic: Alternative Energy Sources
Thesis Statement: Quit corn based fuel, it's unsustainable.
Counter argument: We have few viable alternative energy options.
Main Points:
1. Ethanol is inefficient and requires foreign oil.
2. Ethanol is a drain on America's water supplies and International agriculture.
3. There are other viable energy options worth pursuing.
Citations:
Ethanol and water don't mix. (2008, February 28). The Economist, Retrieved from http://www.economist.com/node/10766882?story_id=10766882
Robert, Bryce. (2005, July 19). Corn dog. Slate, Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/id/2122961/