ENGL 1301 What is a Reader Supposed to Think?
(Coleman)
In Merchants of Doubt, Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway establish that there is a pattern of common tactics and strategies used by some individuals and groups to fight “the scientific evidence and spread confusion on many of the most important issues of our time” (9). But how is a reader supposed to identify when this smoke-screen of confusion and doubt is being used or when the content is legitimate skepticism? How is a reader supposed to be able to judge between the credible opinion based upon legitimate information and the opinion that seeks to promote disinformation and propaganda?
The research paper assignment requires that you find a newspaper opinion piece related to an issue where there is some scientific consensus. The article may involve government regulation, media coverage, political influence by think tanks, or litigation on an issue addressed in Merchants of Doubt or similar controversial issues. But, behind the message in the article rests the science.
Your task is to determine from close analysis and research whether a reader should believe the article’s message or discount it. Then, from an analysis, present an argument convincing readers to either believe the message and take the article seriously or not believe it and be wary of it as propaganda. To make this argument, use what we have learned about the tactics of merchandising doubt and propaganda from Merchants of Doubt—the book will be one of the required research sources.
The Essay Question for this assignment will be something like the following:
Essay Requirements:
This essay should be 1000-1250 word argument that incorporates a minimum of FIVE research sources. A minimum of three of these sources need to be from the SAC Library databases, such as those recommended by the librarian’s LibGuide. The essay should be correctly documented using MLA Documentation Style and in MLA Manuscript Format.
Choosing the Article
Your research topic must be approved by your instructor within a Canvas assignment.
Once your topic has been approved, choose an opinion article published in a newspaper. It could be a “pro-science” based article or a “doubt-science” based article (see the examples on the next page). You can find an opinion piece on a historical topic described in Merchants of Doubt like smoking, acid rain, or nuclear winter. You could also take on an editorial related to the current topic of climate change, but there are other current issues that have science at the heart of them like sugar, genetically modified crops, pharmaceuticals, or pesticides to consider.
Researching the Article
The first and most important task will be to read the article closely. Then, research (1) the author and (2) the content. Research the author and uncover his or her (1) credentials and (2) similar work or publications on the issue. Consider the advice in Chapter 33 of The Bedford Guide, specifically the Research Checklist Evaluating Sources on page 680 and the advice on pages 683-684. In addition, ask the following as you research:
Constructing an Argument
Build your argument for or against this article’s message upon firm claims. These claims should be based upon clear criteria for judging the merits of the article’s message or the messenger. These criteria should include: