Clay Spinuzzi's Courses

In Project 2, you evaluated the link between thimerosal and autism. In Project 3, you'll investigate claims about causes and effects (see Everything's an Argument Chapter 11).

Select a possible action to deal with the thimerosal controversy -- either one that has occurred or one that might occur. If the action were implemented, what would be the probable results? What effects would you expect it to have? If the action has been implemented, what have its effects been?

Your causal argument should be about something that is genuinely under dispute -- that is, you shouldn't simply explain well known causal links. Pick a topic in which the causal links are not clear, and make a convincing argument that the links exist.

Your argument can take one of the following forms:

- State a cause, then examine one or more of its effects. ("What happens when we do X?")

- Begin with an effect, tracing it back to one or more causes. ("Why did X occur?")

- Examine a series of causal links. ("A leads to B, which leads to C and possibly D.")

Your argument should include the following elements:

- Thesis. A specific causal claim with one or more reasons to back it up.

- Exigence. An explanation of the claim's significance. (Why should we care?)

- Evidence. Evidence to support each causal relationship. (Evidence might include secondary sources such as articles, reports, and published studies. It might also include primary sources such as interviews that you conduct.)

- Dialogue. Careful consideration and rebuttals of alternate causes and effects.

Audience

The audience should be an authority in this local area -- again, some person or group who can consider your causal argument and determine a plan of action.

Specifics

The paper should be 3-5pp double spaced.

Due date: 08/05/2005