Research Workshop: Writing and Presenting the Argumentative Essay, Part 2

Question

Your school has recently decided to start serving genetically modified food as part of school lunches.
Give a multimedia presentation to the student council arguing for or against the new policy. Include
engaging visual elements and strong evidence that support your position.
Assignment Instructions
Step 1: Gather materials and necessary information.
a) Retrieve your revised argumentative essay.
b) Ask your teacher which presentation software you should use and where you should save
your presentation as you work on it. For example, you may use Microsoft PowerPoint. Your
teacher may also have specific guidelines about the file name you should use.
Step 2: Create your title slide.
a) Begin by creating the title slide. This slide will
ensure that you receive credit for your work,
but it is not actually part of your speech.
b) Include your presentation title, your name,
your teacher’s name, and the presentation
due date on the title slide.
c) Remember to save your work as you go.
Step 3: Create your introduction slide.
a) Create the second slide by clicking on the
“new slide” option (in the “home” menu of
PowerPoint). Remember that you can rightclick your mouse, click on tabs, and use dropdown options to access other menus and
tools.
b) Place the introduction text in the notes section
below the slide by copying and pasting the
introduction paragraph from your revised
essay. This text will serve as the script for
your presentation.
c) Use your script as a basis to create bullet points on your slide. Remember to engage your
audience, introduce your topic, and present your thesis.
Student Guide (continued)
Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.
d) Add an image or a series of images to reinforce your argument. You can do this by using the
“insert” tool. Ask your teacher for guidance if you need help finding appropriate images.
e) Resize the images by clicking on the edge of each picture and using your mouse to drag the
image to the desired size.
f) When appropriate, add animations to the image and text by using your mouse to select the
item you want to animate and using the “animations” menu.
g) Remember to save your work as you go.
Step 4: Create three body-paragraph slides.
a) Use the “new slide” option to create three new
slides, one for each body paragraph.
b) Place the body-paragraph text in the notes
section below the slide by copying and pasting
the first body paragraph from your revised
essay.
c) Use your script to create bullet points on each
slide. Use what you have learned in the lesson
to create effective bullet points that convey the
essential parts of each body paragraph.
d) Use the “design” menu to change the look of the slide.
e) Add an image or a series of images to reinforce your argument. You can do this by using the
“insert” menu. Ask your teacher for guidance if you need help finding appropriate images.
f) Resize the images by clicking on the edge of the image and using your mouse to drag the
image to the desired size.
g) When appropriate, add animations to the image and text by using your mouse to select the
item you want to animate and using the “animations” menu.
h) Remember, clicking the button on the right-hand side of the mouse is often the easiest way
to access menus and options.
i) Remember to save your work as you go.
Step 5: Create the conclusion slide.
a) Use the “new slide” option to create the
conclusion slide.
b) Place the conclusion text in the notes section
below the slide by copying and pasting the
conclusion paragraph from your revised
essay.
c) Use your script to create effective bullet
points for the conclusion. Remember to
restate your claim, briefly summarize your presentation, and end with a gripping conclusion.
d) Use the “design” menu to change the look of the slide.
e) Add an image or a series of images to reinforce your argument. You can do this by using the
“insert” menu. Ask your teacher for guidance if you need help finding appropriate images.
f) Resize the images by clicking on the edge of the image and using your mouse to drag the
image to the desired size.
Student Guide (continued)
Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.
g) When appropriate, add animations to the images and text by using your mouse to select the
item you want to animate and using the “animations” menu.
h) Remember, right-clicking the mouse is often the easiest way to access menus and options.
i) Remember to save your work as you go.
Step 6: Cite your resources on a Works Cited slide.
Step 7: Evaluate your presentation using the following checklist. When you can answer “yes” to
all of the questions, you are ready to submit your presentation.

Answer 1

Multimedia Presentation Outline: Arguing Against the Introduction of Genetically Modified Food in School Lunches

Title Slide

• Presentation Title: "Say No to GMOs in Our School Lunches"
• Your Name: [Your Name]
• Teacher’s Name: [Teacher’s Name]
• Presentation Due Date: [Due Date]

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Slide 2: Introduction

• Bullet Points:

  • Introduce the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in school lunches.
  • Highlight the importance of understanding what GMOs are and their implications.
  • Thesis: "While the introduction of genetically modified foods may promise convenience and cost-effectiveness, it compromises student health, environmental sustainability, and ethical considerations."

• Notes (Introduction Paragraph):

  • Genetically modified foods have become a controversial topic in recent years, especially in school systems looking to cut costs and manage resources more efficiently. As our school considers serving GMOs as part of our lunch program, it's crucial to look beyond the surface and question the potential impacts on our health, the environment, and the ethics that lie behind their mass production.

• Images:

  • A relevant infographic explaining GMOs
  • A photo of a school cafeteria

---

Slide 3: Body Paragraph 1 - Health Risks of GMOs

• Bullet Points:

  • Potential long-term health effects are still unknown.
  • Studies indicate links between GMOs and allergies.
  • Concerns raised by health organizations.

• Notes (Body Paragraph 1):

  • The health risks associated with genetically modified organisms are alarmingly uncertain. Many studies are ongoing to evaluate the long-lasting effects these foods may have on human health. Research shows that some individuals may experience allergies or unforeseen side effects from consuming GMOs, leading several health organizations to advocate for caution in adopting such foods in school lunches.

• Images:

  • Diagram or chart showing studies on health impacts of GMOs.

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Slide 4: Body Paragraph 2 - Environmental Concerns

• Bullet Points:

  • GMOs lead to reduced biodiversity.
  • Chemical use increases in GMO farming.
  • Impact of monoculture on the ecosystem.

• Notes (Body Paragraph 2):

  • Genetically modified crops often lead to monoculture farming practices, which significantly reduce biodiversity. This kind of farming has increased the reliance on chemical herbicides and pesticides, ultimately harming the soil and local ecosystems. Without the variety of crops that traditional farming promotes, we risk damaging our environment further, which should be a paramount concern for our school community.

• Images:

  • Photos illustrating monoculture vs. diverse farming systems.

---

Slide 5: Body Paragraph 3 - Ethical Considerations

• Bullet Points:

  • Corporate control of food production.
  • Potential exploitation of farmers.
  • Transparency in food labeling is lacking.

• Notes (Body Paragraph 3):

  • The ethics surrounding GMOs are alarmingly complex. The agricultural process is increasingly dominated by a few large corporations that control the genetic engineering of crops and the food supply chain. This corporate control could exploit farmers, who may be pressured to use patented seeds that can be more expensive and less sustainable in the long run. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in labeling GMOs keeps consumers in the dark about what they are actually eating.

• Images:

  • Infographic showing the corporations that control the GMO market.

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Slide 6: Conclusion

• Bullet Points:

  • Restate thesis: GMOs pose risks that outweigh their benefits.
  • Summarize key points about health, environment, and ethics.
  • Call to action: Encourage informed decision-making regarding GMOs in school.

• Notes (Conclusion Paragraph):

  • In conclusion, while genetically modified foods may present an attractive solution in terms of cost-cutting and availability, we cannot ignore the significant risks they pose to our health, the environment, and the ethical dilemmas involved. It is essential for our student council to consider these implications carefully and strive for a healthier, more sustainable school lunch policy.

• Images:

  • A compelling image of fresh, organic produce contrasting with GMO crops.

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Slide 7: Works Cited

• Include citations in MLA format for the research, articles, and images used in your presentation:

1. [Author Last Name], [First Name]. "[Title of the Article]." [Name of the Journal or Website], [Date], [URL].
2. [Author Last Name], [First Name]. "[Title of the Article]." [Name of the Journal or Website], [Date], [URL].
3. [Other relevant sources].

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Presentation Checklist

1. Title Slide: Yes
2. Engaging Introduction Slide: Yes
3. Three Body Paragraph Slides: Yes
4. Conclusion Slide: Yes
5. Works Cited Slide: Yes
6. Images and Visuals Added: Yes
7. Animations and Transitions Applied: Yes
8. Saved File as per Guidelines: Yes

Once you've gone through this checklist and ensure all points meet the assignment requirements, you're ready to submit your presentation! Good luck!