Discussion: This week’s discussion is preparation for the week 6 essay. The focus is on identifying the topic and main point of a source and then identifying alternate perspectives/viewpoints. In persuasive argument essays, alternative viewpoints are referred to as counterarguments.

Main Post:

For this discussion, choose a recent (not more than two months old) article or video, or podcast that discusses a social problem.

“A social problem is any condition or behavior that has negative consequences for large numbers of people and that is generally recognized as a condition or behavior that needs to be addressed.”

Source: Social Problems: Continuity and Change. Chapter 1.1 What is a Social Problem? University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing through the eLearning Support Initiative. https://open.lib.umn.edu/socialproblems/chapter/1-1-what-is-a-social-problem/

For examples of social issues, go to https://examples.yourdictionary.com/common-examples-of-social-issues.html

Read/view/listen to the source, and identify the topic and main point of the source.

1. If the source you choose includes reader/viewer/listener comments, then briefly discuss three different viewpoints expressed about the topic.
2. If the source you choose does not include reader/viewer/listener comments, then identify three different perspectives (alternative viewpoints) about the topic.