For your topic, you will build on the work of one or both of your first two papers by selecting a controversial issue related to one of the topics from your first paper. For example, if you wrote about the deaf community on your first paper, then you might write about cochlear implants; if you wrote about ADHD in your second paper, then you could look at prescribing behavioral drugs; if you wrote about teen parents and access to care in your first paper, you could look at debates over sex education. Basically, this essay will let you dig into the emotionally charged viewpoints surrounding health/human services issues.
In a Rogerian argument, you are required to look at an issue from multiple viewpoints, showing empathy for the various perspectives. As such, your research will take you in some new directions—in addition to the scholarly sources of earlier papers, you will want to find out the authentic positions of various points of view, which may mean going to social media, blogs, advocacy group sites, etc.
Your paper should include the following elements:
You must cite a minimum of eight sources.
You should use a variety of sources to address the viewpoints of many stakeholders! They may include:
Popular Sources: Articles in Newspapers or Popular Magazines; Blogs; Books; Statistics
Academic Sources: Professional articles, conference papers, stance reports, opinion statements
Special Interest Sources: Websites, Pamphlets, Interviews, Blogs, Public discussion boards
Government Sources: Legal documents, proposed legislation, government reports
Before you start and as you research, create a stakeholders checklist to make sure your paper considers all positions on the issue.
Before you use a source, ask yourself:
"Is this the best possible source to find this information?"
Experienced researchers determine where information comes from and evaluate it on many levels before deciding to use it for their own needs. Stakeholders may manipulate, exaggerate, misinterpret or disregard the opinions of competing stakeholders. Researchers must find sources that accurately represent each group’s concerns.