Final Topic

4a) Make a final decision about your logical argument research topic. What is it? Questions to ask yourself: Bullying 

What have we been studying in class this year? Bullying, Standardized testing, Drunk Driving, Common Core,  and Smoking
Which subjects appeal to me? Bullying and Standardized testing 
What are people writing about? Standardized testing , drunk driving and bullying
What's most interesting to me?  Bullying and drunk driving 
Can I find information about that? Yes, I can find a lot of information about that topic
4b) Why are you most interested in the topic of argument selected?
 I'm interested in the topic of bullying because it is the topic that reaches close to my heart.

Cases for and Against

Drunk Driving- Stricter laws should be enacted against drunk driving because of the harm it can cause to innocent people and families. Stricter laws would prevent drunk driving because people would be afraid of the consquence.



Standerized testing- Some people believe teaching the same material and taking the same test across the nation would accurately show which kids are proficient in the subject. Other people argue that some students aren't good test takers or the test doesn't show what they've learned throughout the year.


Bullying- Schools should make stricter laws on Bullying because bullying doesn't only affect the child now but could effect them in the long run. Bullies should prosecuted and treated as a criminal depending on their age and effect of their bullying.


Smoking-  Although smoking is the most common forms of recreational drug use it is still a huge problem in America. Some people try to quit by going to rehab or using nicotine patches. Smoking causes cancer within the lungs and there are still 440,000 deaths related to smoking yearly.



Common Core-  The Common Core was created to help make national standards in order to help students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them to compete in a global economy.  Yes, while this does sound like a great idea it makes students more pressured to pass the test and sometimes aren't good test takers.

Common Core

                   Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. Why were the Common Core Standards developed?
2. Why are critics opposed to the Common Core Standards?
3. What are the potential benefits of having national standards for Language Arts and Math

• The Common Core standards were developed to establish clear and consistent standards across the country and make sure all U.S students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them to compete in a global economy.  
• Critics opposed the Common Core Standards because they believe it was flawed and forced upon the states.
•  The potential benefits of having national standards for Language Arts and Math is that if your proficient in one state you will be proficient in the neighboring states. 

Smoking

                    Critical Thinking & Analysis

Smokeless Tobacco
Are smokeless tobacco products a safe alternative to cigarettes?

Smoking Bans
Are smoking bans justified?

Tobacco Advertising
Is the regulation of tobacco advertising by the Food and Drug Administration necessary?

Tobacco Regulation
Should tobacco be regulated?


  

• Smokeless tobacco products are not a safe alternative to cigarettes because they are still harmful to your health. Its probably better for those around them because it reduces the chances of secondhand smoke but nevertheless it still isn't safe for the user.
• Smoking bans are justified because they help keep innocent people from inhaling the harmful toxins other people create by smoking. Its justified because of public safety.
• Yes, it is necessary for the FDA to regulate advertisement of tobacco products because if they didn't little kids can see them and might want to try it, which would cause smoking at a early  age.
• Tobacco should be regulated because it is a harmful drug that is unfortunately legal.  It should be soon removed from deli's and big retailers.

Bullying

                 Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. Do you think schools are doing enough to stop bullying? Explain your answer.
2. How should bullies be punished?
3. What should schools do to help students who are the victims of bullies?
4. What are the reasons that students bully other students? How can this behavior be changed

• I think schools aren't doing enough to stop bullying because they should train teachers to recognize signs of bullying or hold stricter laws against bullying although social media plays a big role nowadays and that's out of school limits.
• Bullies should have something on their transcript or whenever they need a letter of recommendation just like as if they didn't follow academic honesty.
• Schools should create groups and clubs supporting anyone who needs to speak to a friend that is encountering a similar problem.
• Bullies bully other children for countless reasons, they could feel threatened, they are abused mentally or physically at home and may have been bullied before.

Standardized Testing

Critical Thinking & Analysis

1. Is standardized testing necessary to measure and evaluate what students have learned? Why or why not?
2. Should students be denied promotion or diplomas based on the results of one test? Why or why not?
3. Does standardized testing make teachers more accountable for what their students learn? Explain.
4. In what ways can standardized tests be unfair to disadvantaged or minority students?

• I don't believe standarized testing is necessary to measure and evalute what students have learned because it should be the teacher that does it since the teacher has been working with kids the most.
• Students should not be denied promotion or diplomas based on the results from one test because students are talented in other ways which may not be test taking. Some students aren't able to recieve the best tutoring because they cant afford it.
• Standerized testing does not make teachers more accountable for what their students learn because their questions on the test that aren't taught in school but by tutors specifically for the test.
• Standarized testing could unfair to minority students because they dont have the proper living conditions to perform well on standarized testing.

Drunk Driving

1. Should states adopt stricter penalties for drivers who refuse to take a BAC test? Why or why not?
2. Should laws be enacted that require ignition-interlock devices for all convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders? Why or why not?
3. Do you think DUI checkpoints should be used more often and in more places? Explain.
4. Describe other measures you think could be implemented to reduce drunk driving.

• I think states shouldn't adopt stricter penalties for people who refuse to take the BAC test because Advil and other medication could effect the result leading in inaccurate readings. People who can hold more alcohol  and don't show signs of being drunk and could be arrested as well. 
• Yes, I believe  that laws should be enacted that require ignition-interlock devices for convicted drunk drivers because they have a higher chance of doing it again and risking other drivers.
• I think DUI checkpoints should used in more places 
• To always have someone responsible enough to keep you from driving or tell someone to take your keys if they realize your drunk.

5 Potential Research Topics

1. Drunk driving- I chose this topic  because I'm going to be driving soon and I want to be as safe as possible. I would rather be fined than wrapped around a pole and possibly take another persons life.
2. Standerized Testing- I chose this topic because as a student I feel like standerized testing takes away from the teachers oppurtunity to actually teach the subject instead of teaching the kids how to pass the test.
3. Bullying- I chose this topic because its something I've experienced and its a worldwide problem. Many teenagers have comitted suicide because of other kids
4. Smoking-  I chose this topic because it's something thats been a big problem in the world since it became popular. Parents who smoke in danger their kids because of second hand smoke and its not fair the child.
5. Common Core- I chose this topic because it doesn't allow the teacher to teach the kids instead only prepare them for the test. All students are categorized the same but everyone has different abilities.

Things That Tick Me Off

Make a list of four or five things that "tick you off." Explain why. (Choose significant things that others might experience as well. For instance, your little brother might tick you off, but there is little chance that this annoyance will yield a possible paper topic). It is possible that one of these annoyances can be transformed into an interesting, engaging, and researchable project.

1. The SAT because if you are prepped more for it then you are more likely to succeed. Also because a test makes or breaks your college career.
2. When people drink and drive because not only are they harming themselves but putting other people in harms way.
3. Child abuse, because children shouldn't be harmed for being a child or making mistakes.
4. Animal abuse, because I love animals and they don't know right from wrong and shouldn't be accountable.