Blog Post #5: Position Paper Prewriting - Topic (Due 10/27)

*Identify at least two controversial issues (with two or more sides) for your position paper (for the sake of originality, stay away from topics that have already been discussed to death, such as abortion, gun control, death penalty, euthanasia, legalizing marijuana, etc. If you are not sure, check with the professor).  You can start your search with the sources provided below. You can also do a search on credible news sources to explore currently controversial topics.  Remember to choose topics that you can make clear and fair arguments about based on credible online or print sources.  Also, choose topics suitable for publication in our campus newspaper, Mace & Crown.

*Write down possible topics (at least two), and make a brainstorming list that identifies major points of contention. See Figure 11.1 on p. 226 in Writing Today.  You can do a Google search to identify possible points of contention.  Make a new post in your blog, entitled: Blog Post #5: Position Paper Prewriting, and post your topics and lists. (You don't have to create columns like Figure 11.1 in your blog post, but make sure the positions and their major point of contention are clearly identified in your post.)

*Bring a printed copy of this prewriting to the class on 10/27 for discussion and activities that will help you draft your paper (you can type up your list in MS Word, save, and print a copy for class, before posting to your blog).  Come to the next class ready to discuss your topics with the professor and classmates (you may be asked to briefly present your topic and some of the major points of contention).

Controversial Topics Research Guide

• Best Information on the Net - Hot Paper Topics provides Internet sites on various current topics such as affirmative action, death penalty, and welfare reform compiled by reference librarians at St. Ambrose University (IA): http://library.sau.edu/bestinfo/Hot/hotindex.htm
• Old Dominion Libraries Idea Generator provides topics ideas under several broad categories such as education, health sciences, and social sciences.REF LB1047.3 .L35 (at third floor Reference Desk), Rates possible research topics in such areas as population, foreign policy, medicine, and education for the amount of information likely to be available in libraries: http://www.lib.odu.edu/researchassistance/ideagenerator/index.htm
• ProCon provides resources for critical thinking: http://www.procon.org