Topic Proposal Name: Kaitlin Rapone
Directions: Copy & paste into a Word document, complete, & print out.
Thoughtfully answer each of the following as you home in on a topic.
Topic: Rising of Autism Rates
Why does the topic interest you?
This topic interests me because autism is a serious and unfortunate condition that is increasing in children. Autism rates have shot up and I am interested in knowing why and if there is anything that can be possibly done to help lower autism rates.
Why should the class (including me) also be interested in the topic?
The class should be interested in this topic because it is one that could very well affect anyone. Even if you aren’t planning on having children yourself, you could still be a cousin, an aunt or uncle, or a godparent to an autistic child. People should understand why autism rates are increasing so they can be more aware of the causes and, as a result, contemplate what might be done.
What is a workable focus for a five to six minute speech?
I plan on focusing on why autism rates have been rising. What is the diagnosis for autism? I will discuss the meaning and reasons for the increase of children living with autism.
How does the focus fit the assignment for an informative speech?
I will be informing my audience on why autism is becoming more present in children today and the challenges we face as we try to understand these rising rates.
Is the topic workable in terms of research? Where will you gather quality information?
This topic is workable in terms of research. Health is always a big issue in the news and autism directly relates to health. It is also a fairly recent topic, therefore, information will be prevalent and current. I plan on using Kent Library’s online databases to find quality information and statistics. I also plan on locating valuable websites through Kent Library’s website.
Remember: Attach an annotated bibliography of three sources. (See syllabus.)
Cite the source properly.
Describe the contents and how it contributes to your speech. (See the sample entry on the syllabus.)
Note that only one source may be from Web page material.
Kaitlin Rapone
Formatted in MLA
Autism Society of America. Autism Society of America 30 Sept. 2008 <http://www.autism-society.org>
This website provides a lot of basic information on autism along with recent research findings. It also describes factors that are believed to trigger autism.
I will use this website to gather information to use in my introduction. The information is basic and I can use it to quickly inform my audience about autism and define autism before I began speaking on why rates have increased.
Healy, Bernadine. “Fighting the Autism-Vaccine War.” U.S. News & World Report 144 (21 April 2008):
73. Academic Search Premier. SEMO Lib., Cape Girardeau, MO. 8 Oct. 2008 <http://web.ebscohost.com>
This article presents an argument about the role that childhood vaccines play in the trigger of autism. It explains why vaccines could possibly cause autism.
I will use this article to present a main point of my speech. The information in this article will be used to explain why and how vaccines can possible affect children and trigger autism.
“Not More, Just Different.” Economist 387 (12 April 2008): 89. Academic Search Premier. SEMO Lib.,
Cape Girardeau, MO. 6 Oct. 2008 <http://web.ebscohost.com>
This article provided an argument that autism rates aren’t necessarily rising, rather that the definition of autism is becoming broader and simpler, resulting in high rates of autistic children.
I plan on using this article to explain one of my main points. A new definition of autism is a reason why so many more children are being diagnosed with autism.