2016-08-05 Writing: facts to support opinions

Greg Malivuk
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http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk
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In groups of three, list some facts and research that could be used to support these opinions:
- Homework should be banned.
	Doing homework is stressful.
	Without homework there is more time for other studies.
	Doing intensive homework injures the brain.
	Children need to take a rest and prepare for the next day.
	Studies indicate a negative relationship between children’s amount of homework and their physical health.
	University students often stay awake a very long time doing homework, which has many negative physical effects.
- Schools should block Youtube.
	Students learn bad things from Youtube. (sort of an opinion)
	Students spend more time watching videos which negatively impacts their academics.
	Students get distracted from the class by Youtube.
	Some videos can have a bad impact on students’ behaviors. (sort of on opinion)
	Students who watch a lot of Youtube get in more fights at school. / more trouble at school. / worse grades at school. (these are facts)
	In a survey, 70% of parents said they believe their children had worse moral attitudes after watching Youtube than before.
- All people should be vegetarians.
	More people are turning to a vegan diet for the health benefits.
	It’s a healthy diet based on plant foods.
	(list some specific health benefits, perhaps including obesity statistics, for example)
It has good effects on animals lives. (opinion? what’s a “good effect”?)
	(It decreases violence against animals.)
	Vegetarianism has many environmental benefits. (Reduced use of carbon dioxide, reduced need for land for feed crops. Reduced use of water. etc.)
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You need to “pick your battles” = choose which values and principles are worth putting effort into
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Homework: Choose one of these positions to agree or disagree with. Think of reasons and examples to support your opinion and write an outline for your argument.

Macs are better than PCs.
Students should not be allowed to use phones in class.
Androids are better than iPhones.
Drivers should not be allowed to use phones while driving.
All citizens who do not vote should pay a fine.
Smoking should be illegal.
Animal testing should be banned.
School uniforms should be required.
Grades should be abolished.