An issue is an important topic causing disagreement and debate. Daily newspapers are full of issues that face our society, including climate change, drug addiction, sexism, health care, crime, asylum seekers, gambling and racism. There is often disagreement over how we should address important issues. Possible solutions to these issues are discussed and debated in the news media. This debate and discussion also informs how politicians respond to the issue and, ultimately, the types of policies they create to deal with such issues
PersuasiveLanguage_2019.pdf (nothingbeatstherealthing.org.au)
A contention is a writer's viewpoint on an issue e.g Driving licenses should be lowered to the age of 16 in Victoria.
See the link below to examples of persuasive language and how they affect argument.
PersuasiveLanguage_2019.pdf (nothingbeatstherealthing.org.au)
Click on the image above to go to the Newsbank database. Type in a word or topic to bring up newspaper articles from a range of Australian newspapers. Save the articles for your research.
E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that are used to heat a liquid to produce a vapour, which is then inhaled – mimicking the act of smoking. This is commonly referred to as ‘vaping’.
Vaping (e-cigarettes) - Alcohol and Drug Foundation (adf.org.au)
Click on the image above to find information about vaping and e-cigarettes from Brittanica.
Further links below.
Australian government announcement on vaping
Taking action on smoking and vaping | Health Portfolio Ministers and Aged Care
Vaping (e-cigarettes) - Alcohol and Drug Foundation (adf.org.au)
Also, go to the Newsbank site to read a range of articles on Vaping. Just type vaping into the search bar.
Take notes using Cornell notes and cite your sources using the Online Reference Generator.
Click on the above image to go to a document that lists and explains a range of persuasive techniques you might use to change someone's beliefs or behaviours.
Each book in the Issues in Society series targets a specific social issue and comprises a thoroughly researched compilation of the latest news, facts, statistics and commentary from trusted sources. Many titles cover a range of opinions on controversial topics, providing the perfect platform to provoke debate, stimulate critical analysis and encourage further research.
These are available as both print and ebooks.
Click here for access to the ebooks
Check out Spinney Press's hand-picked websites that have must-read information for your issue.
Visual texts
Visual texts also explore topical issues using colour, line drawings and a range of visual techniques. Cartoons for analysis are political cartoons.
Click on the image above to learn about how to write a good oral presentation of your argument.
Below is a list of helpful websites for further exploration.
PersuasiveLanguage_2019.pdf (nothingbeatstherealthing.org.au)
FactCheck – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation – page 1
The following debate topics from The Debaters Association of Victoria might be helpful for your discussion and analysis of issues.
JSP Topics archive | Debaters Association of Victoria (dav.com.au)
One effective strategy for improving retention is note taking – not just because you’ll have a written record to refer to in the future, but also because the actual act of taking notes can help cement concepts in your mind. There is no single way of taking notes. Browse these resources to find what suits you.
Tips on how to organise the information you've read into a useful set of notes State Library of Victoria - Ergo
Once you've read this, watch the Cornell Method video. This is an excellent strategy.
Note-taking (University of Melbourne)
Referencing or citing your sources is an important part of academic writing and research. It lets you acknowledge the ideas or words of others and helps avoid plagiarism.
Click on the Online Reference Generator to create citations for your Bibliography.