English 215: Research and Writing
Assignment 1: Research Topics With Explanation
Professor Reagan

January 16, 2013

There were many research topics that caught my attention, so choosing was a little difficult for me. The first topic I chose is “Should regulations be changed regarding genetically altering plants and/or animals”. This topic is a very serious matter to me, and I am taking it in the context that it is regarding genetically modified plants and animals that were intended to be used for food. I am a vegetarian and I do believe we all have the right to know what we are consuming. Genetically modified food can be dangerous, and by the time we find out how dangerous, it may be too late. The audience for this topic would be anyone who is health conscious, interested in animal rights, or just interested in knowing the truth about what they are really consuming. Two credible sources I would use to write my paper would be the Forbes article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2012/12/07/what-you-need-to-know-about-gm-foods-is-half-the-story/) and the Human Genome Project Information site (http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml) My preliminary thesis statement would be:
“With such a strong focus lately in obesity and calorie consumption, it seems as if many people are becoming more aware of their health and eating habits. While a salad may be a very good option for a healthy diet, does anyone really know what has happened to their tomatoes or lettuce before they were even grown?”
The second research topic I chose was “Should changes be made to the regulations for food that is served in public schools?” The reason I chose this topic is because I have a child in 1st grade whom attends a school that does not prepare fresh lunch. Needless to say my daughter brings her own lunch to school, but the children who do not bring lunch eat pre-packaged frozen lunches that are left out to thaw at the beginning of the day. Who knows what happens to the “extras”, but since I discovered that the school provides this type of lunch, at an astounding $3.25 a day, I have made every effort to ensure my daughter would never have to eat it. My audience would be parents, teachers, school administrators, and anyone interested in ensuring our youngest generation is getting a healthy lunch every day. Two credible sources I would use is the NMU pamphlet (http://www.nmu.edu/sites/DrupalEducation/files/UserFiles/Files/Pre-Drupal/SiteSections/Students/GradPapers/Projects/Ross_Amy_MP.pdf) and information on the No Child Left Behind Act (http://www2.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml). My preliminary thesis statement would be:
“The real dangers at school may be right in the lunch room. Do our children even know what they are eating?”
The last topic I chose was “Should regulations regarding the use of cell phones while driving be standardized?” I chose this topic as it seems to be in the news everywhere over the past few years. I reside in a “hands-free” state, meaning you MUST have your cell phone connected to a hands-free device in order to use it while driving. I completely agree with the law and I do feel it should be standardized. My audience would be parents, especially parents of teenagers, politicians either for or against the law, and good drivers who are tired of being cut off by someone who is too busy texting to pay attention to the road. My two credible sources would be the NJ state website that explains the law (http://www.nj.gov/mvc/About/safety_ cellphone.htm) and the National Safety Council site (http://www.nsc.org/Pages/NSCestimates1 6millioncrashescausedbydriversusingcellphonesandtexting.aspx). My preliminary thesis statement would be:
“Cell phone technology has advanced drastically over the years. However, until the phone learns how to drive, we should still pay attention to the road. So many accidents are caused by distracted drivers. Let’s make a change!”