for anyone

Here are some tips on getting a decent grade on the 1-6 Journal assignment.

1. Potential Problem #1 and #2 - You must explore two (2) potential topics or problems that are researchable, related to your career or field of study, and they have two clear sides to the issue.  Those two sides are your opinion of the problem and your opponent's viewpoint or the opposing viewpoint or the counterargument.  You should be writing at least one paragraph (5-8 sentences) for each problem.  

Here is an example.

Let's say I'm a nursing major and the problem that I want to write about is about allowing first time responders to administer the drug Narcan to drug addicts.  My reasons for wanting first time responders to be allowed to administer Narcan is because it would save lives and possibly reduce addiction among addicts.  My opponents believe that they should not be allowed to administer Narcan because they might be inexperienced in administering drugs and because it might encourage drug use among addicts.  

Another problem that I want to explore is the legalization of medical marijuana.  My side is that medical marijuana should be legal because it is helping people to stay healthy.  My opponents' side is that medical marijuana should not be legalized because it could be a gateway drug to use other drugs.

If you add more details about these two problems where you reflect on the two problems, you will earn more points in this category and possibly receive the "exemplary" part of the rubric.

2. The Importance of Persuasion - Here you want to discuss briefly (5-8 sentences) on why it is important to persuade people about your position on the topic that you are most likely to write about.  This part should be one to two paragraphs in length.  In this part of the journal ask yourself, why is it important that I persuade people about this problem?  Look at the bigger picture. If more people took your side, how would this affect the world or those who are directly connected to the problem?  What outcomes would this produce?  When writing about this part, think BIG!!!  Don't limit yourself.  This part helps you to formulate the reasons why you are writing about this potential problem.  Think about these questions as you are addressing this part of the journal.

3. Audience - Who is your audience for the argument that you are most likely to write about. Choose a demographic of people and be specific in describing them.  Are they college students, moms over 45, lawmakers, medical doctors and nurses, hospital administrators, etc?  Thinking about your audience will help you as you develop your essay in formulating the best persuasive techniques.  

Here are some examples.

For the problem about first time responders and Narcan, my audience might be politicians, doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, pharmaceutical companies, etc.  Make sure that you also address why it is important to convince these people of your position.

For the problem about legalizing medical marijuana, my audience again might be politicians, doctors, nurses, etc.  Again, make sure that according to the rubric's guidelines that you address the importance of convincing your audience that your view or the selected view is the better view.