Discussion: Myth Busting by Supporting Opinions in Writing
OVERVIEW
This discussion will integrate knowing how to use literature to support claims and opinions.
There are many controversial points surrounding drug use. It is important to be able to support your opinion with research and clearly communicate your findings. This will help you to challenge biases you may have as well as prove your point is not just an opinion. Most of us know illegal drug use is bad for the human condition. This assignment will help you to learn to PROVE your opinions.
You will be the researcher to find “proof” for an addiction claim.
Use the module pages on how to support opinions on how to prove points in writing-both essays and presentations. Knowledge is power in health so have fun learning to be a health detective!!
PREPARATION
Not sure how to use references to support your work?
Make sure you paid attention to How to Support Your Work in the Misinformation section, You will be expected to support all facts and claims. This will make your work stronger and earn you better grades her and in other classes! Here is some review of writing skills.
THESIS/TOPIC SENTENCES
SUPPORT A THESIS
CONCLUSION OR PERSONAL STATEMENT
Supporting Opinions Gives Our Words Power! It also helps us to know we are saying is true!
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Pick ONE of the myth topics in the “Myths and Misconceptions” page in this module as a thesis.
This MUST be in your first sentence. For example “(Myth you chose) is not true.”
STEP 2: Find two acceptable reference sources to support the chosen thesis with facts.
STEP 3: Write a post with the format: thesis>support x2 >conclusion. It should look similar to my Post
STEP 4: YOU MUST Include two properly written references (APA style). There are examples of this How to ReferenceActions
STEP 5: Reply to a peer.
PEER RESPONSE DETAILS
You must respond to at least one classmate. This will be worth 2 points of your total grade. Make sure that you go beyond stating “I agree” or “I disagree”. Explain WHY you agree or disagree with their claim. I would also challenge you to respond to someone who has an opposing opinion as you. This way you can generate more conversation, and potentially gain new insights from that classmate!
EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE: You post should resemble this. I am using a different myth! Here is my post:
Myth: Early drug use is ok since it is just kids experimenting with lighter substances like alcohol or marijuana.
Early drug use being safe is not true. Early drugs, sometimes called gateway drugs, do contribute to more powerful drugs as well as impact the developing brain. Marijuana is legal but can serve to sensitize the developing brain to dopamine receptors and cravings (Panlilio et al). Early alcohol use is correlated to an increase in lifetime alcohol use and alcoholism. If alcohol use began by 14 years, there was a 47% rate of dependance vs only 9% rate of dependance if the user drank at 21 years .(NIAA)
Early substance experimentation, even with adult legal substances such as marijuana and alcohol, poses unique risks to young people such as altering neurotransmitter receptors and increasing the risk of later dependency.
1.Panlilio LV, Zanettini C, Barnes C, Solinas M, Goldberg SR. Prior exposure to THC increases the addictive effects of nicotine in rats. Neuropsychopharmacol Off Publ Am Coll Neuropsychopharmacol.
2.NIAA, Early drinking linked to higher lifetime alcoholism risk. 2009Links to an external site.
GRADING RUBRIC
RubricTo doWrite a short paragraph supporting one of the provided thesis statements
Be sure to:Follow the format. Have 2 FACTs. Facts are numbers, statistics, examples or other solid evidence from another source. Have a conclusion or idea statement. Conclusions are how you tie the information together.
POINTS 15 total
2pick a thesis from above and make a topic sentence
12support the thesis with TWO supported comments, proof and/or statistics.
4Proper citation IN the paragraph (author) or (#)!
4Conclusion statement
4References at the end . Review “notating practice” for help.
4Peer response
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|