I don’t have a topic but we can decide on one together

Assignment Guidelines

This exercise will help you brainstorm potential academic topics for your argumentative research paper, which you will compose in the next module.

Answer all prompts below. Each prompt’s response should be at least 100 words, although greater elaboration is encouraged.
You should respond to at least two other students for this assignment. Your responses to your classmates should be thoughtful and engaged. Ask questions of each other; disagree with each other; prompt further conversation with each other. Please do not simply respond with “cheerleading” responses.
Please answer the following prompts:

(One paragraph for each issue) Make a list of at least three debatable issues that interest you, and write a short paragraph about each. Write about what you know and want to know about each issue, and explain how each topic may be important to a current audience. Aim to select topics that are complicated and debatable. Make sure these are issues that you could research academically (so arguing to add a stop sign in your neighborhood would not work) and that you could argue practically (so stating that all guns should be banned would not work). Consider some of the issues raised from your rhetorical analysis article as well. Avoid those topics that have been argued over and over again: gun control, abortion, legalization of marijuana, euthanasia, etc. If you want to check with me about a topic, shoot me an email.
(One paragraph)Discuss which topic you think would work the best for this project and why. Identify some research questions you’ll ask as you seek to learn more about your topic. You can also pose questions to your classmates about your topic.
(One paragraph) Identify the stance you intend to take about this issue. Also, discuss any potential biases, obstacles, or disagreements you might face in an audience.

Acceptable Length

Your original post must be in paragraph form (numbered for each prompt), and your responses back to your peers must be at least one full paragraph each (100 words).

Formatting Requirements

Please compose your answers in a Word document first so you will not lose your work. Too often, students compose in the discussion board thread for the first time, and too often, a snag online causes lost work. Instead, draft first in a Word document and THEN copy and paste your ideas into the thread. You should NOT attach your response.

Grading Criteria

Full, detailed responses to all prompts will count for 40 out of the 50 points assigned to this discussion board. The other 10 points will be awarded for the thoughtful responses you leave on two classmates’ posts. Extend their responses by providing comments that expand on those ideas by offering your own observations or connections.

Responds to all prompts with detailed examples (10 points)
Identifies a clear stance and potential obstacles (10 points)
Utilizes organized, developed paragraph writing skills (10 points)
Demonstrates polished writing for the academic community (10 points)
Includes two engaged peer comments (10 points)