Unit 3 Research Report – Part 1

Common components of an objective summary of a debate topic Introduction to topic Hook (interest reader, or connect topic to something the reader cares about) Definitions for key terms Background on the topic/debate Clear statement of debate topic Summary of different points of view: choose one of the organization options below PRO-CON organization: summarize all pro claims and then summarize all con claims Argument-Counterargument or Point-by-point organization: Explain one sub- issue and then discuss both the pro and con arguments related to this issue

Example using Bottled Water Bans Introduction Paragraph: Hook: Bottled water sales increased rapidly in early 2000s, but now the sales are dropping (source needed). Why? Some groups are opposed to the idea of bottled water and are campaigning to have the product banned. Define bottled water and give examples of some common brands. Discuss some of the history of bottled water in USA and around the world. Debate statement: Some groups demand that bottled water be banned from schools and other public institutions. These groups even advocate for a ban on all bottled water sales. Others suggest that bottled water plays an important role in our society and that such bans are unfair and unwise. This paper attempts to explore these points of view and provide an overview of the main arguments related to this debate.

Example using Bottled Water Bans (cont …) Summary of points of view Paragraph about cost of BW Pro ban: tap water is free and bottled water is very expensive (source needed) Con ban: yes, BW is more expensive, but it provides convenience and quality/safety/taste (source needed) Paragraph about safety and taste of BW Con ban: People like BW because they feel it is cleaner (source needed) and tastes better than tap (source needed) Pro: studies suggest that BW is no more cleaner (source needed) and it rarely tastes better than tap (source needed). Plus, using a water filter at home can provide similar results (source needed). Paragraph about plastic waste of BW Pro ban: BW leads to increased trash since bottled end up in trash (source needed) Con ban: Most bottles can be recycled (source needed) Pro ban: They can be recycled, but they usually aren’t (source needed) AND when they are recycled, they are often down cycled (source needed). Also, reusable bottles prevent waste while still allowing for portability (source needed). Paragraph about push for bans of BW Pro ban: because the many reasons against BW, groups are demanding that BW be banned. Examples include towns (source needed), universities (source needed), and national parks (source needed). Con ban: ban prevents choice (source needed), could result in soda pop consumption (source needed), and inhibits emergency preparation (source needed).

Example using Bottled Water Bans (cont …) Summary Review main points