- Decide on a topic for your persuasive essay
- Find (and print if you want to) at least one article on your topic
- Use this article to fill in 1 source record sheet (p9) and 1 key points sheet (p10) in your booklet.
You will be doing more note-taking in class on Tuesday. You can use your smartphone to access the internet or print up some articles to use in advance.
Possible sources for articles / info:
www.debatingmatters.com
Any of the links in the post below about broadsheet journalism and non-fiction reading
Remember to choose a topic that you feel passionate about.
Possible Topics:
1. Does social networking make relationships (friendships or family relationships) better or worse?
2. Should more men be stay at home dads?
3. Where should we draw the line at genetic engineering of animals, plants or people?
4. Should more be done about child obesity?
5. Should restaurants, especially fast food restaurants, be required to do things like display calorie counts, provide healthy options, and limit portion sizes?
6. Should advertising aimed at children be limited? Who should limit it? Government? Self regulation?
7. Should the government be involved in limiting / controlling internet pornography?
8. Should we be concerned about overpopulation? What should be done?
9. Should everyone be required to ‘give back’ to their community through compulsory, rather than voluntary, community service?
10. Should sex education be taught in schools or at home?
11. Does text speak damage a child’s ability to learn?
12. Is marriage beneficial to society?
13. Should governments penalise obesity?
14. Does violence in computer games lead to violence in real life?
15. Is gambling more detrimental to society than alcohol or drugs?
16. Should teens be able to buy violent video games?
17. Should boys and girls be taught in separate classes?
18. Should people who download music and movies illegally be punished?
19. Should people be allowed to keep pit-bull or other ‘dangerous’ dogs?
20. Should Edinburgh offer a bike sharing programme like the ‘Boris Bikes’ in London?
21. Should same sex marriage be legalised?
22. Should violence on television be more strictly controlled?
23. Should organ donation be on an opt-out rather than an opt-in basis?
24. Should it be compulsory for everyone over 16 to donate blood twice a year?
25. Should a ‘life’ prison sentence mean life?
26. Should students have to pass a basic skills test before they are able to leave high school?
27. Should the government place a tax on junk food and fatty snacks in order to try to control levels of obesity?
28. Should students as young as fourteen be allowed to have part-time jobs while they are still at school?
29. Should people who fail to recycle be fined?
30. Should people have to take a course and get a license before they can become parents?
31. Should students who commit cyber-bullying be suspended from school?
32. Is it appropriate for students and teachers to be friends on Facebook?
33. Should alcohol manufacturers be allowed to advertise on television?
34. Should UK families have a two child max rule to limit population growth?
35. Should school students who fail end of year exams be kept back and have to repeat the year?
36. Should children who commit violent crimes be tried as adults?
37. Should the government censor internet content which is deemed inappropriate?
38. Should teachers have to wear uniforms or have a dress code?
39. Should the government be allowed to put down dogs and prosecute owners when dog attacks take place on private property?
40. Should boxing be banned?
41. Should the driving age be raised to 18 / 21?
42. Should parents of teen vandals be held responsible for their child’s damage?
43. Should research on cloning be discontinued?
44. Should convicted sex offenders’ names be made public?
45. Should females in the military be excluded from combat and other “hazardous” duties?
46. Should parents of students who are excessively absent from school be prosecuted under the law?
47. Should “home schooling” be permitted?
48. Should families of victims be allowed to decide the punishment of those who commit crimes?
49. Has the war on terror contributed to the growing abuse of human rights?
50. Should all citizens be required by law to vote?
51. Both parents should assume equal responsibility in raising a child.
52. Have people become overly dependent on technology?
53. Should new drivers only be allowed to drive at certain times of the day i.e. during daylight hours?
54. Are celebrities entitled to privacy, or is a lack of privacy the price they should be prepared to pay for fame and wealth?
55. Should photoshopping images in magazines and adverts be banned on the grounds that it creates misleading body images for people to live up to?
56. Should absent parents who refuse to pay child support be sent to prison?
57. Should a year’s National Service in the military be introduced for all school leavers?
58. Given the country’s current financial situation, should the government freeze all bonuses for bankers / bosses of utility companies?
59. Should the richest 5% be made to pay more tax in order to reduce the gap between rich and poor?
Ms Ruxton - English teacher 