for tom mutunga

(Student’s Name)

Dr. Gilstrap

COMM 211

7 August 2010

Dangerous Dining

General Purpose: To persuade

Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience to purchase organically-grown produce.

Thesis Statement: As consumers, it is important to be aware of some of the potential

problems associated with non-organic products, what causes these

problems, and some possible solutions.

Organizational Pattern: Problem-cause-solution

Introduction

I. Attention Getter: Elena Dominguez was your typically sixth grade girl; she

enjoyed gym class and playing outside. However, one day after playing

Frisbee across the street from an apple orchard, Elena blacked out at her

school desk in a seizure. At the hospital, doctors blamed her symptoms on

dehydration and sent her home; however, three weeks later it happened again.

According to this 2007 Associated Press article, investigation into the

situation discovered that Elena’s clothes were soaked in pesticide that had

been picked up from residue on the grass and absorbed into her bloodstream

through her skin. Unfortunately, Elena is not a solitary case. Thousands of

poisonings occur each year as a result of farmers’ use of synthetic pesticides

(Associated Press 2007).

II. State Topic: Today, I will try to persuade you to purchase organic produce.

III. Audience Relevance: In my in-class survey three out of five of you said that

you consume organic products on a regular basis, and four out of five of you

indicated that you would be willing to pay extra for the health benefits of

organic products.

IV. Credibility: I know the importance of this topic because I have been eating

organic produce for the last 2 years.

V. Preview Statement: As consumers, it is important to be aware of some of the

potential problems associated with non-organic products, what causes these

problems, and some possible solutions.

Transition: First, I will discuss some of the problems with non-organic products.

Body

I. There are two problems associated with non-organic farming. (VA, Chart of

Problems)

A. The first problem is that non-organic products are unhealthy.

1. According to a 2007 New York Dispatch article, non-organic

fruits, vegetables and grains contain lower levels of antioxidants,

vitamins and minerals than those grown organically (The New

York Dispatch 2007).

a. The synthetic pesticides used in conventional farming

contain high levels of nitrogen that cause plants to grow

quickly and bulk up with water and carbohydrates.

b. These plants are big in size and produce high yields, but are

less dense in nutrients than produce grown without the use

of synthetic pesticides.

c. The problem, according to a 2007 article in the Journal, is

that consumers are getting significantly less nutrition per

bite, because non-organic foods, on average, contain twenty

percent less nutrients than organic foods (The Journal,

2007).

2. Additionally, according to a 2007 article in the Lindsay Daily

Post, because of the chemical fertilizers, pesticides and

preservatives that are routinely administered to crops in

conventional farming, non-organic produce contains additives

that leave residues in our bodies (Lindsay Daily Post, 2007).

a. These unnatural additives are thought to have both

immediate and long-term negative health effects.

b. According to a 2007 article on the CNN website, research

links synthetic pesticides with cancer and other

developmental and neurological health problems (CNN,

2007).

B. The second problem is that non-organic products are harmful to the

environment.

1. According to a 2007 Nelson Daily News article, contamination

in rivers and lakes is the result of chemical run-off from

conventional farming practices (Nelson Daily News, 2007).

2. These harmful pesticides are endangering the plants and animals

that rely on the contaminated water sources.

3. According to a 2007 article in the McClatchy-Tribune Business

News, in the past two months water managers have removed

enough pesticide-contaminated soil from Florida’s Lake

Okeechobee to fill 100,000 dump trucks (McClatchy-Tribune

Business News 2007). (VA, pictures—before and after cleanup

of Lake Okeechobee)

Transition: Now that I have discussed some of the problems associated with non-organic

products, next let’s examine the cause of these problems. (VA, chart of main

points)

II. The use of synthetic pesticides by farmers is the cause of these problems.

A. According to a report retrieved August 3, 2007 from the University of

Georgia website, pesticides are the most commonly used method for

controlling the effects of pests on our food supply and have been approved

for use on every type of food crop imaginable (University of Georgia,

2007).

B. There are two common methods of administering pesticides.

1. The first common way to administer pesticides is by spraying.

a. According to a 2007 Farmer’s Weekly article, in this

method, farmers use giant sprayers that dispense chemicals

to large areas at one time after the crops are planted

(Farmers Weekly, 2007).

b. The main problem with this method is when it rains the

pesticides are washed away and the harmful run-off ends

up in near-by lakes and streams.

2. The second common way to administer pesticides is by

sterilizing the soil.

a. According to a 2007 article in AFX International Focus, a

European financial news service, in this method, pesticides

are dispensed before planting by injection into the soil

(AFX International Focus, 2007).

b. The most common pesticide in this method, metam-

sodium, is known to produce a gaseous byproduct that

causes severe eye and respiratory problems.

c. When this byproduct forms a cloud and floats away, it is

known as a pesticide-drift. (VA, picture of pesticide drift)

d. This method of pesticide administration is particularly

common in California and there are hundreds of incidents

of residents becoming ill after being exposed to pesticide-

drifts.

Transition: Now that we have examined the cause of these problems, finally let’s discuss

some possible solutions.

III. There are two solutions to solve these problems.

A. The first solution is purchasing organic products. (VA, Chart of Solutions)

1. According to the previously cited 2007 New York Dispatch article, it is

becoming easier than ever to find organic products in the supermarket

(New York Dispatch, 2007).

a. Organic products are now not only available at specialty health

food stores, but also at mainstream retailers such as Wal-mart,

Target and Dillon’s.

b. According to the previously cited 2007 article from the CNN

website, organic alternatives are now available in more than just

produce, from snack foods to frozen dinners to baked goods (CNN,

2007).

c. Consumers are advised to look for the USDA Organic seal to

ensure the product is really organic. (VA, organic label)

2. Organic food manufacturers are also making it easier for consumers to

go organic.

a. According to the previously cited 2007 New York Dispatch article,

organic food manufactures sponsor a “Go Organic for Earth Day”

campaign in April to educate shoppers of the benefits of

consuming organic foods (New York Dispatch, 2007).

b. Many consumers site higher costs as a reason for not purchasing

organic products; however, organic food companies have begun

issuing coupons to encourage shoppers to purchase organic

products at the grocery store.

c. In addition, many house brands, such as Best Choice, have begun

developing their own USDA approved line of organic products that

are considerably cheaper than other organic brands.

d. Although organic foods are typically more expensive than

conventionally grown foods, most people would agree that you

cannot put a price on good health.

B. The second solution is for the government to outlaw the use of synthetic

pesticides.

1. Organic products are grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic

fertilizers or artificial flavors that are thought to cause horrible health

and environmental problems.

2. According to the previously cited 2007 Lindsay Daily Post article, an

alternative to synthetic pesticides practiced by organic farmers is

natural pesticides (Lindsay Daily Post 2007).

a. Instead of toxic synthetic chemicals, these natural pesticides

contain ingredients such as copper and sulfur.

b. And unlike traditional pesticides, natural pesticides are safe on

both animals and humans.

Conclusion

I. Summary Statement: Today I have discussed why it is important to be

aware of some of the potential problems associated with non-organic

products, what causes these problems, and some possible solutions to these

problems.

II. Closure: Think back to the story of Elena, the sixth grade girl with pesticide

poisoning. Who would have thought that an outdoor game of Frisbee could be

so dangerous? Pesticides pose a great danger both to humans and the

environment. We must take action to eliminate these dangers to insure better

health for ourselves and our planet, and one way of accomplishing this is by

supporting pesticide-free farming through the purchase of organic products.

References

As earth day approaches, try going organic. (2007, April 18). New York Dispatch.

Burke, G. (2007, May 15). Students sicken when pesticides drift. Associated Press.

California to limit use of toxic pesticides. (2007, April 27). AFX International Focus.

Kavanagh, V. (2007, May 4). Why eat organic? Nelson Daily News, p. 2

Kinsinger, S. (2007, July 6). Going organic. Lindsay Daily Post, p. C3.

Know the rules for pesticide use. (2007, April 20). Farmers Weekly.

Morgan, C. (2007, July 21). Lake O’s muck to dirty for some uses. McClatchy-Tribune

Business News.

Spindler, A. (2007, April 13). Organic vs. conventional: what do experts say? CNN

University of Georgia. Pesticide usage in the United States: history, benefits, risks, and

trends. Retrieved August 3, 2007, from http://www.uga.edu/

Whitfield, G. (2007, April 2). Organic food ‘better for you.’ The Journal, p. 7.