ENGL 147N Week 1 Discussion Pro-Position Topics

Sample Answer

As you’ll recall from the reading, there are a few different strategies for generating a topic. The first one discussed was doing preliminary research. I think this is always a good approach to try. It’s a great idea to take a look at the current, argumentative, hot topics. One way to do this would be to check out the databases in the library. You can look for recently published articles on a broad topic you are interested in, and narrow it down based on what research is available.

Another technique is simply turning to the news. Current news is usually full of controversial topics. Finally, the reading mentioned chatting with family, friends, and colleagues. What issues are people talking about these days? If you work in a medical facility, what are the issues being debated right now? These are all really good ways to determine a topic you would like to pursue.

Another thing we are focusing on this week is the audience. When I was working as a staff writer for various news and arts publications, I had to consider this often. Depending on the publication, I might want to think about the age, education level, political views, or general ideas of my audience. Sometimes an audience might be broad, while it could be very specialized other times. These are all things to take into consideration when writing. It could affect style and delivery.

When we take a look at the example of a pro-position source, like “Point Vaccines Save Lives,” we note that the recommendation that children be vaccinated against certain illnesses is for two reasons 1) to protect individual children against disease and to help them develop antibodies, and 2) to eradicate the diseases by “wiping out the bacteria and viruses that cause these diseases” (Lee & Carson-Dewitt, 2017). The authors mention smallpox and polio, which are unheard of in this country, thanks to vaccines. They also name the current list of diseases that doctors recommend vaccinating against.

You will want to find a source that does the same for your own topic argues in favor of it for a list of reasons. You will be looking at your source and naming three pro-positions about your topic.

If I were, for instance, looking for pro-positions for requiring the HPV vaccine for girls and boys, I might give the following;

1. It shields against a serious STI (HPV).
2. It can prevent 60-70 percent of cervical cancers.
3. No serious side effects, other than soreness at the injection site, have been found.

A 2012 study involving 190,000 young women found “no new safety concerns” with the Gardasil vaccine (Joelving, 2012). It was found that some pre-existing illnesses were discovered in a handful of patients when they received the shots, but the shots did not cause those conditions. The only side effects that researchers observed during the study were fainting and mild rashes, which were expected. All side effects were temporary.

If I were interested in showing the pros of vaccinating against HPV, I would look to the statistics (prevention of 60-70 percent of cervical cancers and prevention of 90 percent of genital warts). Those numbers are huge.
I look forward to your posts!

Best,
Amy

References

• Joelving, F. (2012, October 1). HPV Vaccine Found Safe in Large Study. Reuters Retrieved from http //www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/01/us-hpv-vaccine-found-safe-in-large-study-idUSBRE8901B820121001Links to an external site.
• Lee, D. & Carson-Dewitt, R. (2017). Point Vaccines Save Lives. Points of View Vaccines & Health Hazards, 2. Retrieved from https //web-b-ebscohost-com.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/pov/command/detail?vid=3&sid=2c3e7ad5-2b32-4334-8dce-e77b19bd3090%40pdc-v-sessmgr06Links to an external site.