ASSIGNMENT:Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to...

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ASSIGNMENT:Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to research. This will be your topic throughout the entire course, so the activities required for this assignment will provide the foundation for your future Touchstones. The topic for an argumentative research paper must be a debatable topic, meaning that it involves conflicting viewpoints. Additionally, it cannot be a topic that is already decided or agreed upon by most of society. You will need to take a firm position on the topic and use evidence and logic to support the position. Touchstone 1.2 includes a research question, a working thesis, a detailed outline, and a reflection on this pre-writing process.

A. Topic Selection Guidelines

DIRECTIONS:You may choose any topic you wish as long as the topic has two clear sides and is not agreed upon by most of society. Your topic should be current, appropriate for an academic context and should have a focus suitable for a 6-8 page essay.

In order to foster learning and growth, all essays you submit must be newly written specifically for this course. Any recycled work will be sent back with a 0, and you will be given one attempt to redo the Touchstone.

B. Research Guidelines

DIRECTIONS:Refer to the list below throughout the writing process. Do not submit your Touchstone until it meets these guidelines.

1. Research Question and Working Thesis

Keep in mind:The research question and working thesis are the driving force behind your research and eventual argument.

❒ Your research question should be a single sentence, framed as a question.

❒ Your working thesis should be a single focused sentence, framed as a statement that takes a clear position on the research question.

❒ Include your research question followed by your working thesis.

2. Detailed Outline

Keep in mind:Your detailed outline provides a map of the argumentative research essay that you will write, including your key claims and the sources that support them. You may not have all your sources yet, and that is fine. The outline is a way to organize your essay and determine which areas (e.g. your sub-points) will require researched evidence as support.

❒ Headings: one for each paragraph with a brief label of the paragraph’s controlling idea(s).

❒ An introduction, at least five body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

❒ Introduction includes your working thesis.

❒ Body paragraphs should each have their own unique title and key points.

❒ Conclusion includes notes on your final thoughts.

❒ Subheadings: two to five for each paragraph, below each heading, indicating key points that support the controlling idea

❒ Sources: one to three for each paragraph, as relevant, indicating the support for the key points

❒ For each source, include the author’s name and the idea or information relevant to your argument (e.g. “Lappé on mono-cropping corn/soy and production”).

3. Reflection

❒ Have you displayed a clear understanding of the research activities?

❒ Have you answered all reflection questions thoughtfully and included insights, observations, and/or examples in all responses?

❒ Are your answers included on a separate page below the main assignment?

C. Reflection Questions

DIRECTIONS:Below your assignment, include answers to all of the following reflection questions.

Learning to conduct research is important because it is a skill you will use both in academia and in your professional life. It improves critical thinking and empowers you to find information for yourself. Consider the process of researching as a whole. What was the most challenging aspect of the process for you? (2-3 sentences)

The working thesis statement is a proposed answer to your research question. It should clearly identify a debatable topic and take a position on one side of that topic. Analyze the effectiveness of your working thesis statement. (3-4 sentences)

A detailed outline is an effective tool for laying out the progression of an argument. It allows you to consider the arrangement and organization of your ideas, as well as choose places to incorporate outside source materials. Review your detailed outline and summarize the argument you've presented. (3-4 sentences)

You will use the same topic on three of the remaining Touchstones in this course. What kind of feedback would be helpful for you? What are specific questions you might have as you go deeper into the research process? (2-3 sentences)

Somprikta · Accepted Answer

Legalisation of Marijuana		2
LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA
Table of Contents
Introduction	3
Research Question	3
Working Thesis Statement	3
Supporters of Legalization	3
The Aspect of Age	4
Benefits of Marijuana	4
Other Causes for Supporting Marijuana	6
Dissenters of Legalization of Marijuana	6
Statistics	7
Cons of Marijuana	8
Conclusion	10
Reflection	10
References	12
Introduction
	In the United States, there is a heated controversy regarding the act of legalization of marijuana. As it is probably known universally, marijuana or cannabis has both a positive as well as a negative side. It entirely depends on the people using marijuana as well as the purpose for which it is used. On the one hand, marijuana is used for the purpose of treatment and the health benefits that can be brought about with its use, on the other hand it is used for recreational purposes. 
Research Question
Is it right to use marijuana, which can result in substance abuse for the purpose of health benefit?’ 
Working Thesis Statement
Marijuana is a dangerous drug if used wrongly, therefore, it is only suitable to make the drug illegal.
Supporters of Legalization
· Increased number of states of the United States are legalizing the use of marijuana, including Virginia and New York. However, the debate regarding the legalization of marijuana has spread immensely, where people have formed different groups with different sets of perspectives and opinions. 
· Approximately 91% of the citizens of the United States have supported the legalization of marijuana, while only 8% of the citizens have stated that the use of marijuana should not be legalized under any circumstances. 
· Among the 91% people, who have supported the use of marijuana, 60% citizens of the United States are of the opinion that marijuana ought to be made legal for the purpose of both medical as well as recreational use, while 31% of the people have opined that marijuana needs to be made legal for medical use only.
· It has been observed from certain reports, that from the year 2009 to 2019, the American citizens who support the legalization of marijuana has doubled.
Source 1: Statistics from Pew Research Center, 2021.
The Aspect of Age
· Age plays a vital role in the debate associated with the legalization of marijuana in the United States. People of varying age groups have opined regarding the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. 
· The citizens of the United States belonging to the age group of 75 and older, have stated in majority that it is incorrect to legalize marijuana. 32% people have voted regarding the act of legalization for both medical and recreational uses. 
· In the age group between 65 and 74 years, approximately 53% are of the opinion that marijuana should be legalized. 
· However, the younger adults who are below the age of 30 years, have strongly supported the use of marijuana for both the purposes of medical and recreational use. Around 70% adults have supported the act of legalization. 
Source 1: Statistics from Pew Research Center, 2021.
Benefits of Marijuana
· The people who have supported widely and openly, the use of marijuana, have repeatedly pointed out the health benefits that can be achieved through the use of marijuana. Cannabis is replete with two chemical compounds that can have huge benefits on the health and wellbeing of the people. Two of the chemical compounds which are abundant in cannabis are Cannabidiol or CBD and Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. 
· These two chemicals have amazing benefits on the different health aspects of people. CBD can provide immediate relief from chronic pain of various origins. THC and CBD work together to help alleviate pain associated with arthritis, thereby relieving patients to a great extent. 
· Additionally, it has been found out from certain sources, that cannabis or marijuana has a positive impact on increasing the capacity of lungs. The chemical compounds found in marijuana can have a huge positive impact on the patients suffering from diabetes. 
· It can regulate blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure as well as increase circulation of blood. The compounds with its lasting impact on insulin can prove to be helpful even in preventing diabetes.
· Certain types of cancer can also be prevented with the use of cannabinoids. It can prove to be a potent source of treatment once numerous research studies have been conducted. 
· The endocannabinoid compounds that are present in cannabis can help in the process of stabilizing mood, thereby aiding and supporting the patients suffering from depression. 
· In addition to that, these compounds can be extremely helpful in autistic patients who suffer from extreme rates of mood swings, by controlling their moods and calming them down.
Source 1: Lungu (2019) discusses the two compounds found in marijuana
Source 2: Tawfik, Hashan, Abdelaal, Tieu and Huy (2019) discusses impact of marijuana on pain.
Source 3: Kerlin, Long, Kappelman,

ASSIGNMENT:Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to research. This will be your topic throughout the entire course, so the activities required for this...

A. Topic Selection Guidelines

B. Research Guidelines

1. Research Question and Working Thesis

2. Detailed Outline

3. Reflection

C. Reflection Questions

Answer To: ASSIGNMENT:Following the Topic Selection Guidelines below, choose an argumentative topic to...

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