NOTE 1: These articles must be read by Thursday 6 a.m. of the assigned week.

NOTE 2: In this Unit, you have a choice between two subject topics. You will ultimately select ONE subject topic by first reading overviews about BOTH subjects.

NOTE 3: This reading assignment must be completed before you do the subsequent assignments.

Purpose

By actively reading opposing viewpoints documents about a significant issue of our day, you will know both sides of the issue and be able to formulate an informed position on the issue. Later on in the unit, you will develop your argument essay based on this position and these readings. In addition, these documents will form part of the research you will need for your essay.

Directions

1. The following are links to TWO topics: (1) Prescription Drug Advertising and (2) Open Borders.

1. Topic 1: Prescription Drug Ads asks the question: Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers?

2. Topic 2. Open Borders asks the question: Should the US close its borders?

2. Using your active reading skills, read through all four of the articles below, two for each topic.

1. Pay special attention to the "for" and "against' arguments in the articles.

2. Take notes as you read and consider the following questions: What is each topic about? What are the key ideas that each viewpoint of the topic presents?

3. As you read, determine which topic and position interests you more. Your choices will be the topic of this unit's assignments, which includes the discussion and research analysis.

NOTE: the following links are from the Opposing Viewpoints database in NOVA's library. When you click on the first link, you will be asked to log in to the library using remote access. You must enter your NovaConnect login.

TOPIC 1: Prescription Drugs Advertising

1. Prescription Drug Ads Should Be Better Regulated
(http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=viva2_nvcc&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010865223)

AND

2. Prescription Drug Advertising Empowers Patients
(http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=viva2_nvcc&currPage=&disableHighlighting=false&displayGroups=&sortBy=&source=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE%7CEJ3010471209)

TOPIC 2: Open Borders

1. Open Borders Improve the US Economy
(http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&dviSelectedPage=&limiter=&u=viva2_nvcc&currPage=&source=&disableHighlighting=&displayGroups=&sortBy=&zid=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|EJ3010615222)

AND

2. Open Borders Hurt US Workers
(http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.vccs.edu:2048/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&display-query=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&dviSelectedPage=&limiter=&u=viva2_nvcc&currPage=&source=&disableHighlighting=&displayGroups=&sortBy=&zid=&search_within_results=&p=OVIC&action=e&catId=&activityType=&scanId=&documentId=GALE|EJ3010615223)
Grading
Although this is not a graded assignment, these readings are required for all the subsequent assignments in this unit.

My ASSIGNMENT:

This assignment has TWO parts. You must complete both.

PART 1

Purpose
Identifying arguments in the readings and analyzing them will help you learn how to formulate effective arguments of your own. Also, by engaging in a discussion with your peers, you will be able to share your position and analysis and see how your peers support their arguments. Additionally, developing argumentation ideas to discuss will prepare you for the research argument essay that is due at the end of this unit.

Directions

1. Select ONE topic from last week's readings:: Either Open Borders: Should the US close its borders? OR Prescription Drug Advertising: Should prescription drug advertising be regulated or does it empower patients?

2. Thoroughly re-read the articles related to this topic, using active reading skills and refining your notes

3. Take a position on your topic: (NOTE: you MUST take one position that you will argue. You may not be on both sides of the issue)

1. If the topic you have selected is Open Borders, then take a position: Either "The US should close its borders" OR "The US should open its borders."
2. If your topic is Prescription Drug Advertising, then take a position: Either "Prescription drugs ads should be regulated" OR "Prescription drug advertising empowers patients"

4. Using your notes from these Opposing Viewpoints articles, respond to the following questions in three well-written paragraphs (approximately 350-400 words total).

5. Use the following directions to develop your paragraphs:
NOTE: These directions pertain to both topics. You must apply these to the topic you have selected.

1. Para. 1:

1. Write a summary of the whole issue that you have selected (either Open Borders or Prescription drug advertising). This summary will answer the question: What is the issue about--from both perspectives? (100-150 words)

2. Para 2:

1. Using your reading notes from the viewpoint article that supports your position, analyze at least ONE argument that the author makes about that perspective that has persuaded you to support this position. (100--150 words)

2. Your analysis will follow these guidelines:
1. First clearly state your position on this topic.

2. Then support your position by analyzing two arguments that the author has made in the article. You can develop this analysis by answering the following questions in the argument point you select:

1. What is the argument that the author is making?
2. What are some of the the reasons that the author uses to support this argument?
3. Finally state your opinion about these arguments and why you support this position.
3. Make sure that the author's argument points are supported by evidence from the documents you have read.
4. Don't forget to cite this source as an in-text citation.

3. Para 3:
1. Using your reading notes from viewpoint article that opposes your position, analyze at least ONE arguments that the author makes about that perspective and that has persuaded you to oppose this position. This will be your counterargument. (100--150 words)

2. Your analysis will follow these guidelines:
1. First clearly state that this a counter argument to your position.

2. Then analyze one arguments that the author has made in the article. You can develop your analysis by answering these questions in each of the argument point you select:

1. What is the argument that the author is making?
2. What are some of the the reasons behind the author making this argument?
3. Refute this counterargument by giving your own opinion and clearly stating why you oppose this perspective.
3. Make sure that the argument points of the author are supported by evidence from the document you have read
4. Don't forget to cite this source as an in-text citation
4. Develop a Works Cited at the end of the three paragraphs (Make sure your cite both articles/sources).

5. Post your paragraphs in the Discussion Forum of the topic you have selected: "Discussing Open Borders" OR "Discussing Prescriptions Drug Advertising". (You can access these discussion boards by clicking on the above assignment link, "Discussing Arguments," or you can click on Discussion Board in the main menu.)

Note 1.: Please make sure you post in the Discussion Board for the topic you have selected

Note 2: Please do not post your paragraphs as an attachment.