Persuasive Research Paper

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Humanities

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In the Persuasive Research Paper, you will simply want to take a position on an issue of your choice, using research to support your position and to try to convince others to adopt your position.  This paper should be at least 4-6 pages long, it should include at least four sources, and it should accomplish the following:

Here is a student example of a persuasive research paper. example ta.docx 

*State your audience.

*Clearly articulate your position as well as the reasons why you hold this position, using evidence to support the validity of your stance.

*Present information confidently and efficiently.

*Use established information for support, as well as personal “evidence” (if applicable) such as short anecdotes and examples from your own experience, or the experience of others.

*Maintain a persuasive tone that will be accessible (not alienating or insulting) to your particular audience.


***

IMPORTANT NOTE: Papers on the following topics will not be accepted: 

* abortion
* capital punishment
* euthanasia



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Breastfeeding: Best for Moms, Babies and the Environment Is breast truly best? Deciding how to nourish their baby is one of the first of many important decisions parents will make regarding the health of their infant. Parents can either choose to feed their baby with commercially manufactured baby formula, or they can do what humans have been doing for thousands of years and breastfeed their infant. Up until the twentieth century, there wasn’t much of a decision to be made. Babies were either breastfed by their mothers or wet nurses or they would starve to death. In 1869, the first commercially produced infant formula was invented by Justus von Leibig. Infant formula was originally intended to provide babies with nutrition when their mother’s could not. By 1950, due to convenience, low price and apparent nutritional superiority, over half of all American babies were being fed infant formula and by 1970 over 75 percent were being formula fed (Warner). Recently, though, breastfeeding has been making a slow comeback. Parents are re-learning what mothers have known for thousands of years: that breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed their babies. Although the composition of infant formula has come a long way since its invention in the late 1800’s, breast milk is still far superior for many reasons. First and most important, breast milk is specially formulated by a mother for her individual baby. It contains properties which protect the child from illness and disease, boosts IQ and promotes emotional growth (Spangler 3). Breastfeeding also has advantages for the mother. It reduces the risk of certain cancers and increases bone thickness which reduces the risk of osteoporosis (Spangler 1). Breastfeeding is also costs nothing and reduces the strain on our already stressed earth. One of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding is the breast milk produced by each mother is specifically designed to nourish her own infant. It is easily digested so breastfed babies have less stomach upsets and it changes to meet the needs of the baby as it grows (Spangler 3). Breast milk contains 100 ingredients that formula manufacturers are unable to reproduce (Perkins). The most important of these ingredients are antibodies, or immunoglobulins. In his article “How Breast Milk Protects Newborns,” Dr. Jack Newman explains how antibodies actively protect newborns from various infections. As the baby breastfeeds, the antibodies produced by the mother in response to her environment are passed to the baby. Some of the cells attach themselves to the intestines and block harmful microbes from entering the baby’s system. Other cells stimulate the baby’s own immune system so that he will be better equipped to fight the ear infections, colds and stomach bugs that infants are so often exposed to. The result is a healthier infant who is less likely to contract many of the illnesses he is exposed to on a daily basis (Newman). Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce other diseases which usually occur later in life. According to the article “Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes,” a study conducted at the University of South Carolina compared 80 children diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. The results of the study suggest that breastfeeding lowers the risk of childhood obesity and therefore lowers the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes later in life (Babycenter). Other studies have been conducted that strongly suggest that breastfeeding protects children against Crohn’s disease, Hodgkin’s disease and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (Disease). More recent studies of older children and adults have led experts to believe that breastfeeding offers some protection against heart disease, stroke, hypertension and auto-immune disease (Wight). Not only are breastfed babies healthier as children and adults, but they may also be smarter, as several recent studies have indicated breastfeeding increases a child’s IQ score. In a study of 3,000 children, breastfeeding was shown to produce an IQ score of about 7 points above average if the child has a certain variation of the FADS2 gene. According to Julia Kim-Cohen, assistant professor of psychology at Yale University, the gene is the crucial factor in determining how a child’s body processes the fatty acids contained in breast milk. In children where the gene variation is present, the body processes the fatty acid more efficiently and promotes better brain development (IQ). Some researchers also suspect the higher IQ scores are related to the increased interaction between breast fed babies and their mothers. Since breast milk is digested so easily, breast fed babies must be fed more often and therefore they receive more direct human contact which is thought to increase intelligence (Sears). Aside from being the best way to feed infants, breastfeeding also has immediate advantages for mothers. Breastfeeding signals the brain to release oxytocin, a hormone that causes the uterus to contract after birth which prevents excessive bleeding and helps the uterus return to its normal size. Breastfeeding also signals the brain to release prolactin. This hormone produces a calming effect in the mother which helps her nurture and bond with her baby (Spangler 2). Breastfeeding also burns calories, helping new moms lose the weight they gained during pregnancy. A bottle feeding mom would have to swim 30 laps or bike uphill for one hour to burn the calories that a breastfeeding mom uses just while sitting and feeding her baby (Dermer). In addition to the immediate benefits of breastfeeding, nursing moms also enjoy many long term effects. Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of developing cancer of the breast, uterus and ovaries (Spangler 1). In fact, by breastfeeding a total of 6 to 24 months during her life a woman can reduce her chance of breast cancer by almost 25 percent (Dermer). A study conducted at Yale University suggests that breastfeeding for longer than 24 months could reduce a mother’s risk of breast cancer by 50 percent (Breastfeeding). In addition to offering protection against cancer, breastfeeding also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures by improving bone thickness. While a breastfeeding mother may lose calcium while nursing, her bone density will rise to her pre pregnancy level or even higher after the baby is weaned (Dermer). Breastfeeding also offers families an economic advantage. The average formula fed infant consumes at least $1000.00 worth of infant formula during the first year of life. Since breastfed babies tend to get sick less frequently, they will save their parents about $400.00 a year in healthcare costs. Fewer illnesses also mean that the parents will miss fewer days of work therefore lessening the amount of wages a parent will lose (Spangler 2). Breastfeeding is great for babies and mothers but breastfeeding can also impact our environment. The production of infant formula requires the use of many natural resources such as coal, gas and oil. Infant formula production also requires cow’s milk, paper, aluminum and other materials. Manufacturing infant formula puts unnecessary strain on our environment. Breast milk doesn’t need to be manufactured and shipped to consumers. There are no byproducts and there is no packaging to end up in a landfill (Spangler 2). Breastfeeding is the most eco-friendly way to feed a baby. For many years mothers have used their breasts to feed their babies. Only recently have women started to abandon their maternal instincts and rely on breast milk substitutes to feed their infants. Infant formula manufacturers have been trying to duplicate breast milk for over 100 years with little success. Breast milk contains antibodies to protect against illness and just the right nutrition to help babies thrive. Although infant formula can sustain babies and help them grow, it should by no means be the standard. Though the saying may seem cliché, breast is truly best. Works Cited “Breastfeeding Boosts IQ In Infants With 'Helpful' Genetic Variant.” Science Daily. 6 Nov. 2007. Duke University. 26 Apr. 2008 . “Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes.” Babycenter. 13 Mar. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 < http://www.babycenter.com/204_breastfeedingmay-help-prevent-obesitydiabetes_5229805.bc>. “Disease Prevention.” Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 . Dermer, Alicia. “A Well-Kept Secret: Breastfeeding's Benefits to Mothers.” La Leche League International Webpage. 14 Oct. 2007. La Leche League International. 26 Apr. 2008 . “Less Chance of Breast Cancer and Other Cancers.” Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 . Newman, Jack. “How Breastfeeding Protects Newborns.” Breastfeeding Online. 2006. Cindy Curtis. 26 April 2008. . Perkins, Sharon. “Comparing Formula and Breastmilk.” Breastfeeding for Dummies. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 . Sears, William. “Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains.” AskDrSears Homepage. 2006. 26 Apr. 2008 . Spangler, Amy. Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide. Cincinatti: Specialty Lithographing Co, 2006. Warner, Detlef. “The History of Baby Formula.” EzineArticles. 9 Feb. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008 . Wight, Nancy A. The Benefits of Breastfeeding. Oct. 1997. San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition. 26 Apr. 2008 .
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