Fast Food Nation Debate Research Assignment Checklist
DIRECTIONS: Please complete the following tasks in the order they are presented here. You will have two days in the computer lab to work on this
(today and Thursday), plus Wednesday in class to work. On Friday, we will debate the controversial topics you and your peers discover in your reading.
DUE DATE: Due via email Friday morning at 6 a.m. We are debating in class on Friday so no late work can be accepted for any reason.
ASSIGNMENT CHECKLIST:
 Read Fast Food Nation Introduction (9-11).
 Pick a partner and read the Fast Food Nation chapter you are assigned. As you read, take notes about any controversial topics discussed that you
might be able to use to prompt a debate among your peers.
1. The Founding Fathers (13-17)
5. Why the Fries Taste Good (44-50)
9. What’s in the Meat (71-80)
2. Your Trusted Friends (18-26)
6. On the Range (51-55)
10. Global Realization (81-89)
3. Behind the Counter (27-36)
7. Cogs in the Great Machine (57-62)
11. Epilogue: Have It Your Way (90-95)
4. Success (37-42)
8. The Most Dangerous Job (63-70)
12. Afterword: The Meaning of Mad Cow (96-101)
 Select one controversial topic from your chapter to research. Make sure it is truly controversial. Otherwise, you it will be difficult to debate.
 Find one article in the CGCC library (suggested databases: CQ Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints) that discusses this same topic and review the
article online (do not print in the lab). Take notes as needed and keep a copy of the MLA citation information for the article you use.
 Using information from the chapter and your article, create the following documents as your FINAL FAST FOOD NATION DEBATE PACKET:
 Background and Overview. Write two to four paragraphs describing your controversial topic. Include at least one direct quote from your chapter
and one direct quote from your article. This part is NOT an argument. It is merely an introduction to the issue so do NOT take sides yet.
 Points for Argument. Create a list of four subtopics that could be discussed in argument essays about this issue. Two of these subtopics should
be reasons why someone might be FOR the issue at hand and two should be reasons why someone might be AGAINST the issue at hand.
 “For” Argument #1. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing one of your “For” subtopics from your Points for Argument list. This should model
a synthesis essay paragraph, wherein you present a claim, evidence, warrant, counterpoint, qualification, and refutation.
 “For” Argument #2. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing your second “For” subtopic from your Points for Argument list. Again, model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 “Against” Argument #1. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing one of your “Against” subtopics from your Points for Argument list. Model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 “Against” Argument #2. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing your second “Against” subtopic from your Points for Argument list. Model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 Type each of the above documents, using single spacing, Arial 8-point font, and 0.5-inch margins, exactly like this document. Note that this is NOT
MLA formatting, but we’re trying to conserve space and minimize paper and ink usage.
Fast Food Nation Debate Research Assignment Checklist
DIRECTIONS: Please complete the following tasks in the order they are presented here. You will have two days in the computer lab to work on this
(today and Thursday), plus Wednesday in class to work. On Friday, we will debate the controversial topics you and your peers discover in your reading.
DUE DATE: Due via email Friday morning at 6 a.m. We are debating in class on Friday so no late work can be accepted for any reason.
ASSIGNMENT CHECKLIST:
 Read Fast Food Nation Introduction (9-11).
 Pick a partner and read the Fast Food Nation chapter you are assigned. As you read, take notes about any controversial topics discussed that you
might be able to use to prompt a debate among your peers.
1. The Founding Fathers (13-17)
5. Why the Fries Taste Good (44-50)
9. What’s in the Meat (71-80)
2. Your Trusted Friends (18-26)
6. On the Range (51-55)
10. Global Realization (81-89)
3. Behind the Counter (27-36)
7. Cogs in the Great Machine (57-62)
11. Epilogue: Have It Your Way (90-95)
4. Success (37-42)
8. The Most Dangerous Job (63-70)
12. Afterword: The Meaning of Mad Cow (96-101)
 Select one controversial topic from your chapter to research. Make sure it is truly controversial. Otherwise, you it will be difficult to debate.
 Find one article in the CGCC library (suggested databases: CQ Researcher or Opposing Viewpoints) that discusses this same topic and review the
article online (do not print in the lab). Take notes as needed and keep a copy of the MLA citation information for the article you use.
 Using information from the chapter and your article, create the following documents as your FINAL FAST FOOD NATION DEBATE PACKET:
 Background and Overview. Write two to four paragraphs describing your controversial topic. Include at least one direct quote from your chapter
and one direct quote from your article. This part is NOT an argument. It is merely an introduction to the issue so do NOT take sides yet.
 Points for Argument. Create a list of four subtopics that could be discussed in argument essays about this issue. Two of these subtopics should
be reasons why someone might be FOR the issue at hand and two should be reasons why someone might be AGAINST the issue at hand.
 “For” Argument #1. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing one of your “For” subtopics from your Points for Argument list. This should model
a synthesis essay paragraph, wherein you present a claim, evidence, warrant, counterpoint, qualification, and refutation.
 “For” Argument #2. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing your second “For” subtopic from your Points for Argument list. Again, model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 “Against” Argument #1. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing one of your “Against” subtopics from your Points for Argument list. Model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 “Against” Argument #2. Write one stand-alone paragraph discussing your second “Against” subtopic from your Points for Argument list. Model a
synthesis essay paragraph.
 Type each of the above documents, using single spacing, Arial 8-point font, and 0.5-inch margins, exactly like this document. Note that this is NOT
MLA formatting, but we’re trying to conserve space and minimize paper and ink usage.