DUE 11/11 9 PM
TOPIC APPROVAL PROCESS:
1. Persuasive speech topics must be sent to instructor via blog by due date (9 p.m. on 11/11/2010).
2. Topic proposal must include all of the following elements:
• Specific topic
• Thesis statement (complete sentence)
• Main points (complete sentences)
• Citations for at least two sources, in proper APA format
IF YOUR PROPOSAL DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL OF THESE ELEMENTS, IT WILL BE REJECTED AND THE CLOCK CONTINUES TO TICK
3. Students should expect feedback regarding topic proposals within 24 hours of submission. You have until MONDAY, NOV. 17 @ 9PM to submit new proposals via the blog.
IMPORTANT DATES:
• Tues., Nov. 9 – Persuasive Speech assigned.
• Thurs., Nov 11 – Persuasive Speech Topic Proposals due by 9 pm via blogpost. For every hour off, you will have one point deducted.
• Thurs., Nov. 18 – First four slides (due to me via email).
• Thurs., November 18 – RED PEN DAY - Bring 1 copies of completed outline and bibliography to class. YOUR OUTLINE IS DUE ON THIS DAY
• Tues. & Thurs., November 30 & Dec 2 – SPEECH DAY
I'd like to give a speech on the importance of a comprehensive sex education program in schools.
ReplyDeleteThesis: A comprehensive sexual education program that informs students of all their options and proper information, not just abstinence in a one week course, should be mandatory.
* Abstinence-only education programs are morally problematic by withholding information and promoting biased and inaccurate opinions
*Abstinence-only programs threaten fundamental human rights to health, information, and life.
* The more information about sex available, the later youth will be in starting to have sex. Delaying the age youth starts having sex has a substantial amount of positive consequences, as it can reduce the amount of sexual partners , STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and all of the emotional distress that comes with the territory of being sexually active.
Citations:
Willke, J.C. (1977). Sex education in the classroom. New York: Hayes Pub Co
Luker, K. (2007). When sex goes to school: warring views on sex--and sex education--since the sixties. Chicago: W W Norton & Co Inc
let me know what you think! thanks :)
Thesis: If steroid and performance enhancing drug use became legal, it would be detrimental to sports.
ReplyDeleteMain Points:
- PED’s are harmful and potentially fatal to athletes
- athletes who use them gain an unfair advantage violating the spirit of competition
- unfairly diminish the historic achievements of clean athletes
- PED’s send the wrong message to children
Citations:
ReplyDelete"Should performance enhancing drugs (such as steroids) be accepted in sports?." Sports and Drugs. ProCon.org, n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2010. .
"Drugs in Sport: Debatabase - Debate Topics and Debate Motions." IDEA. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Nov 2010. .
ReplyDeleteI am going to give a persuasive speech on why skiing is a better and more refine sport than snowboarding.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Skiing is a better sport than snowboarding.
Main points:
1. Skiing has a history, and is in fact the oldest proven sport dating back to 6,000 years ago.
2. It takes more skill to learn.
3. It has proven less number of injuries.
4. It is a "way of life" and an entry-level sport to the elite class. There are still "skiing only" resorts, such as Deer Valley, that make it a sport of wealth and status.
Citations:
Fry, John. (2006). "The Story of Modern Skiing." [Google Books Edition]
Allen, E. John. B. (2008). "The Culture and Sport of Skiing". [Google Books Edition]
I would like to try and convince the class that gender does not exist. I will explain how I, along with many other social scientists believe that gender is a social construct that our society unknowingly perpetuates. I will show the class how the gender roles that society accepts as ultimate truth are in essence an oppressive binary system.
ReplyDeleteThesis: today I will demonstrate to you how gender is a social construct that actively oppresses our society.
Main Points
1. Gender is a social construct.
2. I will define what a social construct is.
3. The construct of gender is fueled by society.
4. Anyone who tries to break the construct is punished.
5. How could you possibly put the entire human race of individuals into two categories
Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge, 1990
Jagose, Annamarie. Queer Theory: an Introduction. New York: New York UP, 1996.
I am going to persuade the class that despite her innocent image, Taylor Swift is actually quite promiscuous. I will talk about her music, her social life and how she combines the two to sell more albums. I will also talk about how her original sweet image and how it is changing with the most recent release of her newest album.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Today I am going to tell you why Taylor Swift is nothing like her innocent image.
Main Points:
1. Taylor Swift uses her innocent, down to earth image to be likeable and sell records
2. Uses the guys she dates to be relatable and sell records
3. Has this gone too far? When does running through men turn from relatable to promiscuous
4. Her most recent “boyfriends”, John Mayer, Joe Jonas, Taylor Latuner, Jake Gyllenhaal… using them for her music career?
5. There is a porn parody movie being made about her and her multiple men… What does all of this say about her image now?
Citations:
Taylor swift and kanye porn parody in the works. (2010, November 09). Retrieved from http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2010/11/taylor-swift-and-kanye-west-porn-parody-works
Leahey, Andrew. (2009, October 18). Taylow swift biography. Retrieved from http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/swift__taylor/bio.jhtml
Specific Topic: Octopi
ReplyDeleteThesis: Today I’m going to tell you why octopi are indubitably the most magnificent animals in the world.
Main points:
1. They are very useful to humans (food and pets) and we have acknowledged them in the past as creatures perhaps greater than us (mythology).
2. Although they are not at the top of the food chain in the ocean, they are one of the hardiest and most intelligent creatures, due to their anatomy and short and long term memory.
Citations:
Mathar, Jennifer. (n.d.). What behavior can we expect from octopuses?. Retrieved from http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/behavior.php
Garziano, Fiorito. (1992). Observational learning in octopus vulgaris. Science, 256(5056), Retrieved from http://marinediscovery.arizona.edu/2005/2005%20Readings/Fiorito_octopus.pdf
I would like to do a speech about the negative effects of partisan stereotypes.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Today, I will explain why we should see people as political individuals rather than buy into partisan stereotypes.
- (Opposing view): To some degree, it is necessary to stereotype political parties in order to bring varying ideologies together.
- However, buying into partisan stereotypes has turned politics into a war between shallow party perceptions rather than real issues.
- Focusing on partisan stereotypes prohibits us from making political progress as a country.
Citations:
Dionne, Jr., E.J. (1991). Why Americans hate politics. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Kurtzman, Daniel. (2007). How to win a fight with a liberal. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Hysteria.
I would like to do a persuasive speech on why yoga is the best form of exercise.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Yoga is the best form of exercise.
Thesis preview: Because of its spiritual effects, physical effects, health benefits and results, yoga is the best form of exercise.
Main points: -Yoga can make a huge difference on your life.
-It has helped many people cure diseases physical (joint pains) and mental (anxiety).
-Increases your happiness level because of the mental aspect.
-It doesn’t strain or defeat you, just challenges you to improve.
Wood, C. (1993). Mood change and perceptions of vitality: a comparison of the effects of relaxation, visualization and yoga. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 86, 254-285.
Jain, S. (2006). Yoga the most effective scoliosis exercise. Retrieved from: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/yoga.shtml.
I will do a persuasive speech on why Ticketmaster is hurting fans and artists and we should not buy tickets from them.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Ticketmaster is a monopoly who is looking out for their own financial interest.
Main Points:
1)High fees that are not necessary.
2)Ticketmaster resells tickets to secondary ticketing companies instead of fans
3) Ticketmaster blocks out independent promoters
http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/mergers/2010/03/meese-and-richman-have-a-recent-paper-analyzing-the-competitive-effects-of-the-pending-ticketmaster-live-nation-merger-a-car.html
Anna Davis, Corporate Communications. http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol1no2/EJFall10_Full.pdf#page=122.
Topic: Why we should live on the moon!
ReplyDeleteThesis: Today, I am going to talk to you about why we should all move to the moon... Star Wars style.
Main points:
-We are depleting the earth's resources at a rapid pace.
-Research has been done regarding life on the moon and other planets.
-How society would be affected.
-Star Wars is awesome!
Sources:
Parker, M."Space Travel and Culture : From Apollo to Space Tourism." Wiley-Blackwell/Sociological Review. 2009.
Duggins, P."Trailblazing Mars: Next Giant Leap." Florida: University Press of Florida. 2010.
Topic: Gender Selection - the ability through recently developed genetic technology to choose the sex of your unborn child.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Gender selection (conceiving a child of a desired sex) is unethical and detrimental to the population at large.
Main points:
1) Unbalanced male to female ratio upsetting reproductive homeostasis.
2) Where does it stop? Ethical issues in creating a designer baby.
3) What societal values does the procurement of gender selection perpetuate?
Citations for 2 PROQUEST Sources:
Bhatia, R. (2010). Constructing Gender from the Inside Out: Sex-Selection Practices in the United States. Feminist Studies, 36(2), 260-291,467. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from Research Library Core. (Document ID: 2146442741).
ANITA L. ALLEN. (2008, May). Genetic, And Moral, Enhancement. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(36), B13-B17. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from Research Library Core. (Document ID: 1490746331).
Topic: Why Lil Wayne is the best rapper alive.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Lil Wayne is the ultimate rock star of our generation and, indeed, the best rapper alive.
Main Points:
- He is an extremely hard worker--he lives on his tour bus and records through most nights without sleeping.
- He is good to his fans and true artist.
- He is ubiquitously known and- love him or hate him- the most well-known rapper in America today.
Sources:
http://www.prefixmag.com/news/barack-obama-references-lil-wayne/19824/
http://www.rap-up.com/2009/10/09/lil-wayne-to-drop-3-albums-this-year/
Topic: Independent Cinema is vanishing and Block Buster films are taking over.
ReplyDeleteThesis: Hollywood thinks you’re stupid and will continue to produce simplistic material until you demand more.
Main points:
Hollywood is making fewer movies. Instead of making a whole bunch of lower budget films and letting some do well and some not so well, they are piling all their resources behind huge budget movies and pushing them as hard as they can. These movies are designed to target as large an audience as possible and as a result are simplified for everyone’s understanding.
How many people have cable? Imagine if you didn’t have cable and you couldn’t watch your favorite shows. Instead you were forced to watch what’s on network television. That’s how it used to be but now everyone can watch their niche TV shows on their favorite channels. Hollywood is not allowing this and instead they are making movies for the lowest common denominator.
Hollywood makes fewer and fewer movies that actually matter. They are all only for entertainment purposes. If this continues eventually we will go to the movie theater and there will only be a couple of massive Avatar like movies to go see. No more Little Miss Sunshines or the like.
Bibliography:
Almanzar, Cynthia A. (2010, September 9). Fewer People Going to the Movies, but Hollywood is Making More Money. TheCelebrityCafe.com. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/fewer-people-going-movies-hollywood-making-more-money-09-02-2010
LaPorte, Nicole (2005, November 20). H’wood Belt Tightening. Entertainment News, Film Reviews, Awards, Film Festivals, Box Office, Entertainment Industry Conferences – Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2010, from http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117933276?categoryid=13&cs=1
Topic: Musical films of the 1960s and 1970s encompass essential values to live by, and should be a part of everyone’s childhood upbringing (specifically The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof).
ReplyDeleteThesis statement: Musicals of the 1960s and 1970s are reflective of a more wholesome era in Hollywood, during which filmmakers portrayed valuable life lessons. Every child must see The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof in order to be a well-rounded individual.
Main Points:
1. Sound of Music: “climb every mountain ‘til you find your dream” – Fraulein Maria’s character embodies the concept of stepping outside of the stereotypical mold/what’s expected of her in order to pursue her dreams. A lesson in perseverance.
2. Fiddler on the Roof: Tevye allows his daughters to marry the men they love, straying from the traditional Jewish marriage route. A lesson in tolerance and making sacrifices for the ones you love.
3. My Fair Lady: (An adaptation of Pygmalion) The transformation of Professor Higgins from Eliza’s cold, unkind tutor to a caring mentor, represents the importance of human affection. A lesson in the capacity to love, and the importance of human connections.
Citations:
Lerner, A. J. (1956). ”’Pygmalion’ and My Fair Lady’”. Bulletin (Shaw Society of America) 1(10). Penn State University Press. pp. 4-7 http://www.jstor.org/stable/40681399
McLeer, A. (2002). “Practical Perfection? The Nanny Negotiates Gender, Class, and Family Contradictions in 1960s Popular Culture”. NWSA Journal 14(2). The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 80-101. Retrieved Nov. 11th 2010. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4316893
Wolitz, S. (1988). “The Americanization of Tevye or Boarding the Jewish ‘Mayflower’“
American Quarterly 40(4) The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 514-536. Retrieved Nov. 11th 2010. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2713000
Topic: Use of the word “Retard” as slang
ReplyDeleteThesis: Despite modern efforts to redefine the meaning of the word “retard,” historical contexts and casual use of the term have led to an inadequate view of the people it refers to, causing a misconception of what it means to be mentally retarded. I am going to try and persuade you not to use the word “retard” as a form of slang in your everyday language because it is offensive to the people it actually describes.
Main Points:
-The historical meaning of the word “retard” and related terms used to be purely medical in nature.
-Because of it's historical background as well as it's adoption as a form of slang in the 1960s, the there is much confusion today associated with the word “retard.”
-Using the word “retard” as slang degrades the people it refers to, and so you should make a point not to use it in a derogatory way.
Sources:
Edgerton, R. B. (1979). Mental retardation. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP.
Silverstein, S. (1994). What about me? Growing up with a developmentally disabled sibling. New York, NY: Plenum.
TOPIC: SCHOOL UNIFORMS
ReplyDeleteThesis: School Uniforms should be required in elementary and middle schools.
-They demote a certain extent of judgement and bullying
-They demand and expose a sense of order of discipline with the students
-They are cost efficient
SOURCES:
Pros and cons of school uniforms. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms-182.html
White, K.A. (2000). Do school uniforms fit?. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0JSD/is_2_57/ai_77382140/
TOPIC: the importance of thank you notes.
ReplyDeleteTHESIS: While seemingly insignificant, a thank you note means more in our society than we all suspect.
-Show genuine thoughtfulness
- Mean more to the receiver than you think
- metaphor for how you should live your life.
Sources
Williamson, M. Importance of Thank You Notes. Catalogs.com. http://www.catalogs.com/info/party-planning/importance-of-thank-you-notes.html
Farr, Michael. (2005). Next-Day Job Interview. JIST Work Inc.