Inquizitive - Synthesizing Ideas
Understanding the arguments for and against an issue is an important part of reading source material with an open mind and looking for patterns, themes, and connections. Read the quotations below and click or tap on the ones that argue against the following statement: "People should be permitted to select the gender of their children using techniques such as in vitro fertilization." Options: "The doctors offering the services, as well as some medical ethicists who defend them, argue the procedures make it possible for parents to fulfill a natural desire, harm no one, and enhance the joys of parenthood and family life" (Stein). "[T]he practice, which is prohibited in many countries, uses expensive medical care for frivolous purposes, destroys some embryos just because they are the 'wrong' sex, and promotes gender discrimination. Moreover ... the trend is a dangerous first step toward transforming childbirth from a natural process full of surprise and wonder into just another commodity in which a baby's features are picked like options on a new car" (Stein). "'It is clear that sex selection targets women,' said Alfonso Gomez-Lobo, a philosophy professor at Georgetown University. 'From an ethical point of view, all this is quite unacceptable'" (Stein).
Answer: "[T]he practice, which is prohibited in many countries, uses expensive medical care for frivolous purposes, destroys some embryos just because they are the 'wrong' sex, and promotes gender discrimination. Moreover ... the trend is a dangerous first step toward transforming childbirth from a natural process full of surprise and wonder into just another commodity in which a baby's features are picked like options on a new car" (Stein). "'It is clear that sex selection targets women,' said Alfonso Gomez-Lobo, a philosophy professor at Georgetown University. 'From an ethical point of view, all this is quite unacceptable'" (Stein).
A writer is working on a research paper in which he argues that coconut products might not be as good for your health as popular opinion and the media would suggest. In the paragraph from his paper that follows, click or tap on any sentences in which the writer uses his own words to interpret his source material for readers. Recently, CNN reported on a startling statement: "In her lecture at the University of Freiburg -- entirely in German and posted in July -- professor Karin Michels, of the university's Institute for Prevention and Tumor Epidemiology, calls the health claims surrounding coconut oil 'absolute nonsense' and says it's 'pure poison' for its saturated fat content and its threat to cardiovascular health." Many people were likely shocked to hear this, as coconut oil and other related coconut products have been the latest fad for a while now. Those with health issues who need to limit their sugar and refined grain intake, such as with Paleo-style nutritional plans, often rely heavily on coconut products. However, it seems that many scholars, while not usually expressing themselves as severely as Professor Michels, do hold that that coconut products should be consumed only in moderation, as with other calorie-dense products, and that other oils should be used when possible because of the high saturated fat content of coconut oils. According to a CNN report, "Health organizations tend to discourage the use of coconut oil, which is more than 80% saturated fat. The American Health Association says it's better on your skin than in your food, and it recommends that no more than 5% or 6% of your daily calories come from saturated fats -- about 13 grams per day. The association also advocates replacing coconut oil with 'healthy fats' such as polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, like those found in canola and olive oils, avocados and fatty fish." It's often difficult to know what to do when one reads conflicting reports about the benefits or disadvantages of a product. However, it seems clear that at least reducing the consumption of coconut oil and mixing in other types of oils, such as canola and olive oil, or foods with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, when possible, is a theme shared by many experts.
Answer: Many people were likely shocked to hear this, as coconut oil and other related coconut products have been the latest fad for a while now. Those with health issues who need to limit their sugar and refined grain intake, such as with Paleo-style nutritional plans, often rely heavily on coconut products. However, it seems that many scholars, while not usually expressing themselves as severely as Professor Michels, do hold that that coconut products should be consumed only in moderation, as with other calorie-dense products, and that other oils should be used when possible because of the high saturated fat content of coconut oils. It's often difficult to know what to do when one reads conflicting reports about the benefits or disadvantages of a product. However, it seems clear that at least reducing the consumption of coconut oil and mixing in other types of oils, such as canola and olive oil, or foods with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, when possible, is a theme shared by many experts.
A writer is working on a research project about how to help family members of people who are suffering from depression. He wrote the following outline as he considered how his source materials relate to one another and to his thesis.Each of the sources below provides support for one of the reasons in the writer's outline. Place each source in the blank spot in the outline where it best fits. Thesis: It's important for family members of people with depression to understand how common depression is, to recognize the signs of depression, and to know what they can do to help. First reason: It's important for family members to know that depression is a very common mental health disorder. Support: ??? Second reason: It's important for family members to know what to look for. Support: ??? Third reason: It's important for family members to know what they can do to help. Support: ???
First reason Support: a survey of college students in which seven out of ten of those surveyed had or knew someone who had depression Second reason Support: a quotation from an expert in the field about the signs of depression Third reason Support: a quotation from a classmate about resources her family has used to help her brother, who suffers from depression
A writer is conducting research for a paper on supplying teachers with firearms to decrease gun violence. Personally, she believes that arming teachers is a good idea. She finds the following potential sources for her paper in a database search.Take a look at each search result's title and subject terms. Based on the information provided, how might each source relate to what the writer thinks about her topic? (Click on the images to enlarge them.)
Likely provides unbiased background information about the issue: GUN LAW HISTORY IN THE US AND SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS. Likely disagrees with or argues against the writer's position: Don't Make Me Part of Your Gun Culture. Likely agrees with or provides reasons in support of the writer's position: NRA Report: Train Teachers on guns
As you read and think about your topic of research, you'll become aware that there's a larger conversation going on. Which of the following are most likely to be topics of larger conversations surrounding the issue of whether e-cigarettes should be regulated by the federal government?
Likely: the health of minors. secondhand health risks of e-cigarette use in public places. health risks of e-cigarettes as compared to traditional cigarettes. Not likely: the taste of e-cigarettes.
A writer is researching whether abstinence-only sex education courses are effective. What connection can she make between the following two quotations? Do they agree, disagree, or address different issues? "Sex education programs that teach abstinence along with instruction on how to use a condom, critics argue, send a confusing message to teenagers. 'In every other area of public policy—food, drugs, alcohol—we tell children what is the best choice,' Kristi Hamrick, a representative for the group American Values, told the Guardian in 2009. 'It seems very bizarre that the sex education establishment rejects the idea that we should talk to kids about what is best for them. We don't take vodka to drivers education because children will drink and drive'" ("Abstinence-Only"). "[W]hen girls and boys are separated, teachers can overcome traditional gender stereotyping that often keeps students from pursuing, and doing well in, particular subjects. For example, the NASSPE says that girls in single-sex environments are more likely to demonstrate an interest in math, science and computers, while boys are more likely to show an interest in foreign languages, music, art and drama. 'Both girls and boys have more freedom to pursue their own interests and abilities in single-gender classrooms,' the group states" ("Single-Sex"). Source Citations:"Abstinence-Only Education: Are Abstinence-Only Sex Education Courses Effective?" Issues & Controversies, 14 Apr. 2014. Infobase, http://icof.infobaselearning.com.cscc.ohionet.org/recordurl.aspx?ID=14177. Accessed 25 Aug. 2018."Single-Sex Education: Would Teaching Boys and Girls Separately Improve Academic Performance?" Issues & Controversies, 6 June 2008. Infobase, http://icof.infobaselearning.com.cscc.ohionet.org/recordurl.aspx?ID=2001. Accessed 25 Aug. 2018.
The quotations address different issues.
True or False: A writer is working on a research paper in which she argues that bottled water is not necessarily superior to tap water in quality. One of the paragraphs in her paper reads: Bottled water is something that most people have been taught is a good thing. Not enough people, however, research whether the claims the bottled water industry makes are true, and whether bottled water is always better than tap water. We are used to hearing that we need to drink more water, and we see advertisements touting the purity, tastiness, and convenience of bottled water. An explanation for why bottled water sells well can be found in the article"Bottled Water: Is Bottled Water a Responsible Alternative to Tap Water?": "Although defenders of bottled water say that its continued popularity is a testament to its convenience, the writer Lisa Margonelli attributes such popularity to 'marketing, marketing and more marketing,' noting that advertisements for bottled water portray it not only as a healthy alternative to tap water but also as an environmentally friendly product" ("Bottled Water"). In other words, too often people are charmed by the beautiful lakes and waterfalls and calm blue or green nature-inspired tinting on the packaging and fail to look beyond these to the realities of the bottled water industry. This paragraph effectively relates the writer's source material to her own ideas about bottled water.
True
True or False: It's essential for writers to include their own ideas in their research projects.
True
True or False: Sources can sometimes affect your thinking on a topic and lead you to a more interesting research question than the one you started with.
True
