Instructor:
Ms. Tadlparvar
English 120
PURPOSE:
This research guide has been
designed to help you complete your research assignment.
Controversial topics come from
concepts or ideas that have various points of view, usually opposing
viewpoints.
See writing
assignment 1 and
writing assignment 2.
The fundamental
assumption of this course is that argument is everywhere. We
live in a capitalist/consumer society and are accosted by
persuasive "statements" to purchase cars, clothes, food, etc..
everyday. We live in a "democratic" society which is based on
the belief that citizens should make informed decisions on
policy and representation.
An argument/persuasive essay is one that attempts to persuade
the reader to accept the writer's point of view. The writer can
either be serious or funny, but always tries to convince the
reader of the validity of his or her opinion.
Remember that you don't need to take an
extreme view on a topic. Assemble your evidence and decide
where you fit on the the whole range of opinions on the
issue between two extremes. Another way to focus is to
decide whether you are going to take a whole policy issue or
just take a part of it by focusing on a question of fact or
a question of value. Example of different ways to focus the topic of
household pets:
Informative:
Animal shelters routinely euthanize cats which are
not readily placed in homes.
Persuasive value:
Spaying and neutering of domestic cats is humane.
Persuasive policy:
The state should require that domestic cats be
spayed or neutered.
STEP 1: Find Books
For topic ideas, search the
Library homepage(or
SDSU Library Catalog).
Click on "Library Catalog". Use Keywords such as "opposing
viewpoints", "controversial issues", or "social aspects" or
"moral and ethical aspects" or use subjects words
listed below:
El
Cajon, California 92019 
