Research Workshop: Writing and Presenting the Argumentative Essay, Part 2

Which statement best describes a good presentation slide?

Keep it simple and remember that less is usually best.

What evidence best supports the claim that vegetarians have multiple choices for protein?

Milk, cheese, and yogurt are valuable sources of protein that offer calcium as a bonus nutrient.

What is one benefit of giving an argumentative speech as opposed to publishing an argumentative essay?

The speaker can connect with the audience on a personal level.

Read this outline for an argumentative speech. 1. Introduction: Consuming organic food. A. It is better for your health to consume organic fruits and vegetables instead of conventionally grown produce. 2. Organic fruits and vegetables are free of chemicals. A. Farmers who raise organic produce do not use synthetic pesticides. B. Some say the pesticide residue on conventional produce is minimal, but even minimal amounts of pesticide can have a harmful effect over time. C. Organic produce is safer due to the lack of chemicals. 3. Organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious. A. Organic produce is packed with vitamins and minerals. B. Conventionally grown foods are not lacking in nutrition, but the concentration of vitamins and minerals is higher in organic foods. C. Organic produce is healthier due to the high concentration of vitamins and minerals. 4. Organic fruits and vegetables are less likely to carry diseases. A. Organic farming is cleaner than conventional farming. B. Organic farming does not include chemicals that kill organisms, however incidences of harmful bacteria are lower in organic produce. C. Organic produce is safer due to the low incidence of harmful bacteria. 5. Organic fruits and vegetables are better for your health for three reasons. A. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals, are more nutritious, and are less likely to spread diseases. B. The lack of chemicals, the high concentration of vitamins and minerals, and the lower incidence of disease are all better for your health. The underlined sentence in the outline is

a counterclaim.

Which visual aid would best enhance a speech about the popularity of sports around the world?

a graph that shows the most-watched sports around the world

The use of images such as graphs and photos in a presentation

can help communicate information visually.

Read the following paragraph. Genetically modified foods unequally benefit rich countries, including the United States. The USDA reports that the US gained the vast majority of the total world benefit from new herbicide-tolerant soybeans in 1997. In addition, the US company that created the soybeans charged farmers a technology fee. These high adoption costs will continue to limit the benefits of genetically modified crops to rich countries that do not need the higher yields, rather than extending them to poorer nations that do. Which change would best modify this written paragraph into a strong argumentative speech?

dividing the final sentence into two shorter sentences

Read this statement from an argumentative speech. Students with inconsistent bedtime routines are less successful in school than their peers. What is most needed to strengthen this statement?

facts and statistics

The evidence in an argumentative speech should include

facts, statistics, or examples.

Read the following paragraph. Organic fruits and vegetables are safer than produce grown on conventional farms because organic produce is less likely to carry diseases. Organic farming is cleaner and more hygienic than conventional farming. So when organic fruits and vegetables reach grocery stores and supermarkets, they are less likely to include E. coli and other harmful organisms. Some people claim organic produce is more dangerous because it is not grown with the use of synthetic chemicals. However, studies have shown that incidences of harmful bacteria are much lower in organic produce. Also, the lack of synthetic chemicals is better in the long-term for your health. As a result, organic fruits and vegetables are much healthier and safer than conventional produce. Which option would best make this text suitable for a slide in a presentation?

the replacement of the text with a bulleted list