Choose An Issue You Wrote About Pre
For This Discussion Choose An Issue That You Wrote About Previously I
For this discussion, choose an issue that you wrote about previously in this course (either your Toulmin or Rogerian essay). Let the class know your previous claim and briefly how you proved this claim in your essay. After this brief review discussion, discuss how you would have approached this particular topic if you were to write a middle ground argument, instead of a Toulmin or Rogerian argument. Would you have adjusted your claim? If so, what sort of adjustment would you need? Would you have to find additional sources about your topic in order to prove this new claim? Is a middle ground solution a more practical solution to your chosen issue? The essay attached is a Rogerian essay to complete this 200 word discussion.
Paper For Above instruction
In my previous Rogerian essay, I addressed the issue of implementing stricter gun control laws to reduce firearm-related violence. My primary claim was that a balanced approach, which respects Second Amendment rights while ensuring public safety, could effectively address the issue. I substantiated this by highlighting common ground—such as the need for background checks and restrictions on certain firearms—and demonstrating how compromises could satisfy both advocates and opponents of gun regulation. I emphasized understanding opposing perspectives and finding mutually acceptable solutions rather than outright opposition.
If I were to approach this topic with a middle ground argument instead of a Rogerian framework, I would focus on crafting a nuanced claim that explicitly advocates for moderate gun control measures while emphasizing individual rights. I might adjust my original claim to suggest that implementing comprehensive background checks and limiting access to assault weapons, without entirely banning individual gun ownership, offers a pragmatic solution. This adjustment would require me to find additional sources that present evidence on the effectiveness of moderate measures, such as studies on background check efficacy and data on firearms used in crimes versus legal ownership rates. A middle ground approach could be more practical because it appeals to a broader audience, reducing polarizing debates and increasing the likelihood of policy adoption. It offers a balanced, realistic path forward by addressing core concerns of both sides, making it a compelling strategy to mitigate gun violence while respecting constitutional rights.
References
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- Lott, J. R. (2018). The impact of concealed carry laws and gun control on firearm-related crime. Economics & Politics, 30(2), 329-350.
- Ranney, M., Clark, C. M., & Megson, C. (2014). Campaigns, controversies, and compromise: State gun injury prevention legislation. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 48(2), 217-222.
- Wintemute, G. J. (2017). The public health approach to gun violence prevention. The New England Journal of Medicine, 377(18), 1804-1807.
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- Webster, D. W., & Vernick, J. S. (2018). Strategies to reduce firearm injuries and deaths. JAMA, 320(7), 679-680.
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- Verlenden, J. V., & Friedman, R. (2020). Community-based gun violence prevention programs. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(6), 920-927.
- Vittes, K. A., et al. (2019). Policy approaches to reduce firearm violence. The Lancet Public Health, 4(10), e521-e527.