Argument Project

Click on Browse Issues to look for topics of interest to you. Use the pull-down menu at the top to see new and updated topics or those that relate to particular groups of issues, like Energy and Environmentalism or Society and Culture.

When you see one you think is interesting, click on it and read a bit. You need to focus on:

• Summary at the top of the page
• FEATURED viewpoints on the left side, under the summary

or

You may also consult Room for Debate at the New York Times.

Scroll through to look at recent topics or look on the side of the page. You might be particularly interested in looking at Technology or Sports or Education topics.

2. Read!

3. Choose a topic and develop an argument then sign up online

You must have a topic and a specific stance/argument in mind and two backup topics. Also be able to say WHY you are interested in this topic.

Go to your teacher's Google Forms page to sign up (see at right)

Things to Remember:

• It's OK to pick a side that not everyone will agree with
• A topic and an argument are not the same thing. Your argument must present a specific stance on an issue or a solution to a problem that can be supported with evidence.
• Your argument should be something that legitimately has different sides to present. For example, no one would argue at this time that smoking is "good." But you could argue that a law that bans all smoking in a town would be ineffective in reducing rates of smoking.

Examples of topics and arguments:

Topic: School uniforms

Argument: Students should wear school uniforms to create a culture of success.

Topic: High school football

Argument: High schools should ban football because the risks associated with teen concussions are too great.

Research

Once your topic has been approved, you will begin doing research using these sources and finding others on your own, using the worksheet to assess and evaluate your source.

• Opposing Viewpoints
• Room for Debate
• Google News