The Persuasive Research Paper--
NO PLAGIARISM. I WILL CHECK FOR PLAGIARISM!! You are warned.
Paper #3--The Persuasive Research Paper
We
will be working on the Persuasive Research Paper for the next two
units. Please keep in mind that this is the longest paper you will
write for this class. (This paper is also worth more of your grade than
others in this course.) The Persuasive Research Paper will be due at the end of Unit 6.
In
the Persuasive Research Paper, you will simply want to take a position
on an issue of your choice, using research to support your position and
to try to convince others to adopt your position. This paper should be at least 4-6 pages long, it should include at least four sources, and it should accomplish the following:
*State your audience.
*Clearly
articulate your position as well as the reasons why you hold this
position, using evidence to support the validity of your stance.
*Present information confidently and efficiently.
*Use
established information for support, as well as personal “evidence” (if
applicable) such as short anecdotes and examples from your own
experience, or the experience of others.
*Maintain a persuasive tone that will be accessible (not alienating or insulting) to your particular audience.
Unit 5 is designed to familiarize you with the Persuasive Research Paper, and to help you choose a topic. I would like each of you to discuss your topic ideas on the discussion board this unit. Unit
5 will also discuss basic structure and strategies to consider in terms
of your approach to this paper. Unit 6 will explain how to cite
sources in papers such as this and give you time to revise.
***
IMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics will not be accepted:
* abortion
* capital punishment
* euthanasia
I've already read more papers on these topics than anyone should in an entire lifetime, so I won't read anymore. I encourage you to be more creative in selecting your topic.
***
IMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics will not be accepted:
* abortion
* capital punishment
* euthanasia
I've already read more papers on these topics than anyone should in an entire lifetime, so I won't read anymore. I encourage you to be more creative in selecting your topic.
Student Example: Persuasive Research Paper
Erica Alfaro
Breastfeeding: Best for Moms, Babies and the Environment
Is
breast truly best? Deciding how to nourish their baby is one of the
first of many important decisions parents will make regarding the health
of their infant. Parents can either choose to feed their baby with
commercially manufactured baby formula, or they can do what humans have
been doing for thousands of years and breastfeed their infant. Up until
the twentieth century, there wasn’t much of a decision to be
made. Babies were either breastfed by their mothers or wet nurses or
they would starve to death. In 1869, the first commercially produced
infant formula was invented by Justus von Leibig. Infant formula was
originally intended to provide babies with nutrition when their mother’s
could not. By 1950, due to convenience, low price and apparent
nutritional superiority, over half of all American babies were being fed
infant formula and by 1970 over 75 percent were being formula fed
(Warner). Recently, though, breastfeeding has been making a slow
comeback. Parents are re-learning what mothers have known for thousands
of years: that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed their
babies.
Although
the composition of infant formula has come a long way since its
invention in the late 1800’s, breast milk is still far superior for many
reasons. First and most important, breast milk is specially formulated
by a mother for her individual baby. It contains properties which
protect the child from illness and disease, boosts IQ and promotes
emotional growth (Spangler 3). Breastfeeding also has advantages for the
mother. It reduces the risk of certain cancers and increases bone
thickness which reduces the risk of osteoporosis (Spangler
1). Breastfeeding is also costs nothing and reduces the strain on our
already stressed earth.
One
of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding is the breast milk produced
by each mother is specifically designed to nourish her own infant. It
is easily digested so breastfed babies have less stomach upsets and it
changes to meet the needs of the baby as it grows (Spangler 3). Breast
milk contains 100 ingredients that formula manufacturers are unable to
reproduce (Perkins). The most important of these ingredients are
antibodies, or immunoglobulins. In his article “How Breast Milk
Protects Newborns,” Dr. Jack Newman explains how antibodies actively
protect newborns from various infections. As the baby breastfeeds, the
antibodies produced by the mother in response to her environment are
passed to the baby. Some of the cells attach themselves to the
intestines and block harmful microbes from entering the baby’s
system. Other cells stimulate the baby’s own immune system so that he
will be better equipped to fight the ear infections, colds and stomach
bugs that infants are so often exposed to. The result is a healthier
infant who is less likely to contract many of the illnesses he is
exposed to on a daily basis (Newman).
Breastfeeding
has also been shown to reduce other diseases which usually occur later
in life. According to the article “Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes,” a study
conducted at the University of South Carolina compared 80 children
diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. The results of the study suggest that
breastfeeding lowers the risk of childhood obesity and therefore lowers
the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes later in life
(Babycenter). Other studies have been conducted that strongly suggest
that breastfeeding protects children against Crohn’s disease, Hodgkin’s
disease and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Disease). More recent
studies of older children and adults have led experts to believe that
breastfeeding offers some protection against heart disease, stroke,
hypertension and auto-immune disease (Wight).
Not
only are breastfed babies healthier as children and adults, but they
may also be smarter, as several recent studies have indicated
breastfeeding increases a child’s IQ score. In a study of 3,000
children, breastfeeding was shown to produce an IQ score of about 7
points above average if the child has a certain variation of the FADS2
gene. According to Julia Kim-Cohen, assistant professor of psychology
at Yale University, the gene is the crucial factor in determining how a
child’s body processes the fatty acids contained in breast milk. In
children where the gene variation is present, the body processes the
fatty acid more efficiently and promotes better brain development
(IQ). Some researchers also suspect the higher IQ scores are related to
the increased interaction between breast fed babies and their
mothers. Since breast milk is digested so easily, breast fed babies
must be fed more often and therefore they receive more direct human
contact which is thought to increase intelligence (Sears).
Aside
from being the best way to feed infants, breastfeeding also has
immediate advantages for mothers. Breastfeeding signals the brain to
release oxytocin, a hormone that causes the uterus to contract after
birth which prevents excessive bleeding and helps the uterus return to
its normal size. Breastfeeding also signals the brain to release
prolactin. This hormone produces a calming effect in the mother which
helps her nurture and bond with her baby (Spangler 2). Breastfeeding
also burns calories, helping new moms lose the weight they gained during
pregnancy. A bottle feeding mom would have to swim 30 laps or bike
uphill for one hour to burn the calories that a breastfeeding mom uses
just while sitting and feeding her baby (Dermer).
In
addition to the immediate benefits of breastfeeding, nursing moms also
enjoy many long term effects. Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of
developing cancer of the breast, uterus and ovaries (Spangler 1). In
fact, by breastfeeding a total of 6 to 24 months during her life a woman
can reduce her chance of breast cancer by almost 25 percent
(Dermer). A study conducted at Yale University suggests that
breastfeeding for longer than 24 months could reduce a mother’s risk of
breast cancer by 50 percent (Breastfeeding). In addition to offering
protection against cancer, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of
osteoporosis and hip fractures by improving bone thickness. While a
breastfeeding mother may lose calcium while nursing, her bone density
will rise to her pre pregnancy level or even higher after the baby is
weaned (Dermer).
Breastfeeding
also offers families an economic advantage. The average formula fed
infant consumes at least $1000.00 worth of infant formula during the
first year of life. Since breastfed babies tend to get sick less
frequently, they will save their parents about $400.00 a year in
healthcare costs. Fewer illnesses also mean that the parents will miss
fewer days of work therefore lessening the amount of wages a parent will
lose (Spangler 2).
Breastfeeding
is great for babies and mothers but breastfeeding can also impact our
environment. The production of infant formula requires the use of many
natural resources such as coal, gas and oil. Infant formula production
also requires cow’s milk, paper, aluminum and other
materials. Manufacturing infant formula puts unnecessary strain on our
environment. Breast milk doesn’t need to be manufactured and shipped to
consumers. There are no byproducts and there is no packaging to end up
in a landfill (Spangler 2). Breastfeeding is the most eco-friendly way
to feed a baby.
For
many years mothers have used their breasts to feed their babies. Only
recently have women started to abandon their maternal instincts and rely
on breast milk substitutes to feed their infants. Infant formula
manufacturers have been trying to duplicate breast milk for over 100
years with little success. Breast milk contains antibodies to protect
against illness and just the right nutrition to help babies
thrive. Although infant formula can sustain babies and help them grow,
it should by no means be the standard. Though the saying may seem
cliché, breast is truly best.
Works Cited
“Breastfeeding Boosts IQ In Infants With 'Helpful' Genetic Variant.” Science Daily. 6 Nov.
2007. Duke University. 26 Apr. 2008 <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/
071105171949.htm>.
“Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes.” Babycenter. 13 Mar. 2008. 26 Apr.
diabetes_5229805.bc>.
“Disease Prevention.” Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 <http://www.breastfeeding.com/
all_about/all_about_disease.html>.
Dermer, Alicia. “A Well-Kept Secret: Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers.” La Leche League
International Webpage. 14 Oct. 2007. La Leche League International. 26 Apr. 2008
“Less Chance of Breast Cancer and Other Cancers.” Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008
Newman, Jack. “How Breastfeeding Protects Newborns.” Breastfeeding Online. 2006. Cindy
Curtis. 26 April 2008. <http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/HowBreastmilkProtects
Newborns.pdf>.
Perkins, Sharon. “Comparing Formula and Breastmilk.” Breastfeeding for Dummies. 2008. 26
and-Breast-Milk.id-2487.html>.
Sears, William. “Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains.” AskDrSears Homepage. 2006. 26 Apr.
Spangler, Amy. Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide. Cincinatti: Specialty Lithographing Co,
2006.
Warner, Detlef. “The History of Baby Formula.” EzineArticles. 9 Feb. 2008. 26 Apr.
Wight, Nancy A. The Benefits of Breastfeeding. Oct. 1997. San Diego County Breastfeeding
Coalition. 26 Apr. 2008 <http://www.breastfeeding.org/articles/benefits.html>.
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