If you got this far, do some research tonight!  Help yourself out by adding to your research collection.  Also, don't forget change and a USB drive so you can keep everything you find in the library tomorrow.

Alrighty, guys - as promised, I'm posting the list around noon today.  :-) 

Some things that need to be considered...
1.  These topics are locked.  There will be no switching of overall topics.  The questions within the topics may be altered, depending on how your research works out.  However, trying to stay within the confines of the question and arguing that is part of the assignment. 

2.  I did my very best to give you your first choice.  Several of you asked for help with the question development, and I tried, but really do not wish to interfere.  If you didn't get your first choice, chances are it was an incredibly popular topic.  If you created an original question and I deemed it feasible for research, I gave it to you.  Some, however, didn't work.  I, again, did what I could.

3.  Use the Pre-Research questions to help yourself out.  Think about these questions seriously.  Reacting to gun control with a judgmental statement, such as "guns are awesome, and people who don't like guns are stupid", puts you at a gross disadvantage and cripples your argument from minute one.  Remember that you have to be convincing, not necessarily confrontational.  Think about the other side, too.  Why would they reasonably disagree?

4.  There are some of you out there that did not post, and I gave you an assignment.  That sticks as well.  I tried to match you to a subject that I thought you would find interesting to research.  Please try to follow the assignment next time.  I did the best I could, considering you did not give me a suggestion. 

5.  IF FOR SOME REASON YOU ARE NOT ON THIS LIST, EMAIL ME ASAP TO TAKE A BLANK SPOT ON THIS LIST. 

Remember, you report to the library for class tomorrow.  For library days, bring a USB drive and change to make copies/print articles.  Even if you plan on printing your articles at home, you cannot check out the reserved books, so bring some dollar bills/change as a just in case.

I look forward to your research, and what you guys have to learn! 

NOW, for Animal Farm...

We have read the first two chapters, which have given us amazing examples of how people (or characters, rather) use speech in order to cause revolution, but we have also seen how speech can manipulate and steer thought and ideology.  Think about how we do this in our daily lives when we engage in argumentative banter.  Think about how we fight to prove a point, and wish for us to agree with us.

I guarantee that the best way to do this is to see the other side, understand it, dismantle it, and then attack with your reasoning.  The reason why Old Major's speech is so effective is because he understands why humans depend on animals.  Why wouldn't they?  The animals have given all they can to the humans, and the humans just keep taking.  Old Major knew that, even though it was because of the humans he was able to lead a natural life. 

How can y0u use Old Major's tactics in your argument?  He employs all three points of Aristotle's rhetorical triangle to bring these animals into a fever pitch.  Think about how you can move people with your argument, not anger them.  People want to understand, not be offended.  Think about that for a while before you decide to attack people about what they believe and seem to understand. 

Until tomorrow, go read President Obama's inauguration speech, the given invocation, and the inaugural poem.  Interesting stuff, no matter the political leaning.

See you tomorrow in the library,
Ms. B

I couldn't find a witty picture to accompany this, yet, so here you go.

I genuinely believe everyone can find something to argue efficiently, effectively, and persuasively, using this list.  However, should you choose to argue something else, here's the procedure...

1.  Do what everyone else is doing:  Create your list of top 3 research questions as a response to this blog post.  USE YOUR REAL NAME, FOR PETE'S SAKE!  If you have a question that is not on the master list, place an asterisk (*) at the end of the line.

2.  Be prepared to explain why you wish to argue this.  Don't just have emotional reasons, either - think about the ethical and logical reasons that you will have to develop before saying "yeah, I wanna argue that."

3.  Make sure your email is put somewhere on your blog post.

4.  I will send you a document to fill out.  Email it back to me ASAP, and I will give you my final decision.

Based on availability of topics, first choice, and teacher's consideration, I do have the final say for what your topic is, but I will absolutely take your primary wishes and opinions into account.

Be fearless in your approach to this assignment, but also be willing to be proven wrong.  That's when arguments often get interesting.

Can't wait to see what you want to research...

Peace,
Ms. B