Directions: First, choose a topic and research question from the options below that interests you. Then, you will read the research from BOTH viewpoints and take notes. You will choose a side/viewpoint to argue in your research paper, but you still need to research both sides of the argument.
Hint: Waylon the _____________.
Research Question: Do the benefits of driverless vehicles outweigh the risks?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: Driverless vehicles have many benefits, including fewer traffic accidents and fatalities, more efficient traffic flows, greater mobility for those who cannot drive, and less pollution. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Driverless vehicles pose too many risks, including cyberattacks, computer malfunctions, relying on algorithms to make ethical decisions, and fewer transportation jobs. |
Research Question: Should students be required to wear uniforms?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: School uniforms can help improve behavior and reduce peer pressure. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Uniforms infringe upon students' First Amendment right to freedom of expression. |
Research Question: Are athletes overpaid?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: The salaries of athletes are excessive. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Athletes are paid a fair salary. |
Research Question: Should commercial whaling be banned?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: It should be banned. If commercial whaling is allowed, whales will be hunted into extinction. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Commercial whaling is an important source of income for many nations, and an important tradition for many cultures. |
Research Question: Is it possible life exists on other planets?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: The universe is so vast that it is possible there are other Earth-like planets capable of supporting life. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: If life existed on other planets, we would have found it by now. Earth is the only planet capable of supporting life. |
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Research Question: Where does climate action begin?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: Climate change action should begin at the government level. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Climate change solutions begin with local action. |
Research Question: Do the benefits of artificial intelligence outweigh the risks?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve many aspects of life. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Artificial intelligence comes with many risks that could worsen over time. |
Research Question: Is it the school's responsibility to provide a nutritious lunch to school children?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: Schools have an obligation to provide students healthy lunch options. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Students should be responsible for what they eat, not the schools. |
Research Question: Is there a gender gap in sports?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: A gender gap exists because women in sports do not receive opportunities equal to their male counterparts. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: A gender gap does not exist because women in sports have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. |
Research Question: Is the Endangered Species Act effective at protecting species from extinction?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: The Act is effective at protecting endangered species from extinction. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: The Act is ineffective and sometimes misused. |
Research Question: Should the use of fracking to extract oil and natural gas be expanded?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: Fracking should be expanded because it will help reduce dependence on foreign sources of oil. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Fracking should not be expanded due to the risks it poses to the environment. |
Research Question: Are we doing enough to stop pollution?
Viewpoint 1 PRO: By implementing pollution control laws and renewable energy sources we can reverse the damage to the environment. |
Viewpoint 2 ANTI: Policies and regulations are not enough to mitigate pollution. |