5) Explore what you already know. Access Leading Issue summaries ("Topic Overview" or "At Issue" Pages)

• Surprising facts or statistics
• Animal testing decreased during 1973 to 2001.
• Animals test our drugs for our pain relief.

• The extent of the problem
• 
  
• Tmportant people or institutions involved

• Key schools of thought

• Common misconceptions
• Animals are geneticallly modified. 
• 
  

• Cbservations you've made

• Important trends

• Major controversies

4) Research Topic/ Arguement

4a) Make a final decision about your logical argument research topic. What is it? Questions to ask yourself:

What have we been studying in class this year? 
Which subjects appeal to me?
What are people writing about?
What's most interesting to me?
Can I find information about that?

4b) Why are you most interested in the topic of argument selected? I am interested in the topic of Animal Cruelty because when I get older I want to become a veterinarian and animal cruelty concerns me. Also everyday I see aniamls used for entertainment and abused out of sick pleasure. As a child I was raised around a lot of animals; primarily cats and dogs. I feel that more steps should be taken to protect animals against their abusive owners.  

Top 5 Research Topics

Animal Cruelty

1. Should animal welfare laws include provisions for animals being used for entertainment purposes? I believe so because everyday aniamls are used as entertainment and fighting purposes in their lives. Also animals have emotions, feelings and rights too; they want love and freedom, not to be used as entertainment purposes. 
2. Explain why some animal rights activists view horse racing and circuses as cruel to animals. Activists say it's abuse because animals are being used for entertainment purposes. They believe as long as the animals are treated with kindness, love and respect, it's fine.
3. Who should regulate the animal entertainment industry? I believe that animal rights activits and organizations like PETA should regulate the use of zoo's and animal related theme parks.

Abortion

1. Should abortion continue to be legal as stipulated by Roe v. Wade? Why or why not? Abortions should be made illegal because by aborting an unwanted pregnancy, you're killing an innocent life that never asked to be born. Also for people who unfortunately can't concieve a child, you're also ruining their chances of having a family of their own. 
2. What are the medical implications of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act? Basically it's the mother's right to choose and she chooses what's best for herself and the fetus if needed. 
3. Are there any situations in which abortions should be declared illegal or be severely restricted? None at all; all should be carried for a full term and then put up for adoption. Unless if the child/mother is in danger.
4. Which side in the debate has been more successful in making their case on the issue ofabortion and why? Both sides produce good arguements.
5. Based upon your understanding of the core beliefs and principles of the major camps in this discussion, is compromise possible? Why or why not? I feel its possible and yet its not because it's the mothers choice to abort a child yet but it's an innocent life being taken away, when the baby has a chance in life. 

Tabacco Advertising 

1. What is the main task of the FDA? The task of the FDA was to regulate the sales of cigarettes to minors. 
2. Besides the FDA, what other federal regulating body would be well suited to regulate tobaccoadvertising? The U.S. state senate and the house of representatives. 
3. Why do opponents of FDA regulation of tobaccoadvertising say the FDA is too weak? Oppenets mock the FDA's regulations because apparently the FDA is putting out false information. 

Teens and Driving 

1. What do you think the minimum age to obtain a driver’s license should be and why do you think this? I believe the minimum age should be the same; but maybe 17 or 18 becuase i feel they would be more mature. 
2. Explain how certain restrictions on teen drivers--like graduated licensing or limiting the number of passengers-could make them better drivers. I would cause less accidents at night and parental guidance can also help teen drivers. 
3. What else could be done to make sure teens are prepared for the responsibilities of driving an automobile? The limited use of phones, less aggression, carelessness, consideration of others, alcohol/drugs and friends in the car. 
4. Why do you think so many teenaged drivers are involved in serious accidents? I believe it's lack of knowledge of the law, the use of cellphones, friends distracting you while you drive, other careless drivers, the use of alcohol and drugs and other influences. 

Zoo's 

Should animals be kept in zoos?

I believe animals should be let free and be able to live in harmony. Also I feel animal rights activits should take action against zoo cruelty, abuse and entertainment.

Finding a good research question

• Why does animal cruelty occur?
• How does animal cruelty occur?
• What steps are animal activists taking to protect animals?
• Do humans enjoy animal cruelty out of sick pleasure?

5) Explore what you already know

• Surprising facts or statistics- Animals are kept in captivity and are held against their wills. They are used for entertainment purposes and are basically tortured in the process.

• the extent of the problem- Animals are sometimes  treated without kindness and love. Animals yearn for compassion from their caregivers.

 

• important people or institutions involved- PETA is greatly involved in animal abuse and rights. Also I feel more organizations should ban zoo's and animal theme parks to protect animals.

• key schools of thought- They may be unsure of their opinions. 

• common misconceptions- Zoo's and animal theme parks treat animals with love and kindness. 

• observations you've made- Animal cruelty has it's pro's and con's. 

• important trends- Banning the use of zoo's and animal theme parks. Animals being used as online social media trends.

• major controversies- Seaworld Captivity, use of zoo's. 

I strongly agree with the claim that animal cruelty is a horrible actions. 

• Abortion Arguements

For- It's beneficial by limting the population by distibuting birth control.

Against- The process of abortion consists of killing the fetus. Also unborn babies have human rights and they are taken by force.

• Animal Cruelty

For- I feel there is no real pro.

Against- Animals are like human beings; which means the have rights. The use of dog fights, horse races, zoo's, animal parks and others.

• Tabacco Advertising

For- By using social media and the purchase of cigarettes, companies get free adverisemets and profits.

Against- Smoking leads to cancer and other deadly diseases. Also smoking leads to air pollution.

• Teens and Driving

For- Teens now have social independence.

Against- More car accidents occur within teenagers than adults.

• Zoo's

For- It's beneficial by animals being protected.

Against- Animals are used as entertainment and are held against their wills.

3) Potential research topics

Choose five topics that you think are potential research topics for your paper and briefly (in 2 to 5 sentences) explain why these topics are of interest to you.

1. The topic of abortion is interesting to me because I feel it's inhumane and wrong. Fetuses never asked to be here and they have rights. Basically everyday a innocent life is taken away.

2. The topic of animal cruelty is interesting to me because I feel wrong and animals have rights also. Animals are like human beings and have no reason to be abused, used in fights and/or starved to death.

3. Tabacco Advertising is important because smoking is a filthy and disgusting habit. Smokers can give companies free advertisment by posting photos on social media while using cigarettes. 

4. Teens and Driving is a big issue because most car deaths occur within teenagers. Teens tend to text and be with others teens and counts as a distarction.

5. Zoo's is an important topic to me because animals want to live free and not be used as human entertainment. I feel bad because animals are basically imprisomed for the rest of their lives and some of us deep down desire that their freedom be given to them.