Key Issue Outline

Blank Outline

Example Outline

Student Name

Mr. Stephen Womack

English I, Honors - ___ period

Date

Key Issue Outline

Topic:

Introductory Points:

1. Key Issue 1:

1. Point 1.

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2. Point 2.

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1. Point 2.

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Conclusion Summary:

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Questions to Plant:

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Student Name

Mr. Stephen Womack

English I, Honors - ___ period

Date

Key Issue Outline

Topic: Random drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities should not be allowed in schools.

1. Key Issue 1: The cost of drug testing is expensive, and money could be better spent on other areas to support education.

1. Quality and reliable drug test are expensive.

1. Supporting Evidence: “An average drug test cost $16.32.  A school that administers drug test to students involved in extra-curricular activities could give up to 300 drug test a semester which is almost $10,000 a year”  (Smith 46).  The notation at the end refers to the source and the page number of the information.

2. Supporting Evidence: summary A student who tests positive for drugs must be retested at an additional cost to the school (Fross A11).

2. Money spent on drug test could be better spent in most schools.

1. Supporting Argument: summary No Child Left Behind seeks to implement more technology in schools. The money used for drug testing could be placed towards quality technology in schools (ACLU “Random…” par. 4).

2. Key Issue 2: Testing only students involved in extra-curricular activities is a discriminatory practice that risks missing the heaviest drug users and alienating students who are not drug users.

1. Students have a Constitutional right to expect privacy and be innocent until proven guilty.  Random drug testing does expects that some are guilty and must be proven innocent.

1. Supporting Evidence: summary The Constitution of the United States guarantees a right to privacy.  Random drug testing infringes on that right to privacy (ACLU. “Random…” par 10).

2. Random drug testing sends mixed messages to students.

1. Supporting Evidence: pp Random drug testing is a form of fear-based propaganda that does not teach students to critically analyze reasons they should not do drugs (ACLU. “Improper…” par. 4)

3. Random drug testing targets the wrong individuals.

   1. Supporting Evidence: “The heaviest drug users in schools are usually not involved in extra-curricular activities” (Smith 48)

2. Supporting Evidence: “ Testing only students involved in extra-curricular activities drives at-risk students away from extra-curricular activities leaving them more time to experiment with drugs” (Smith 49).

3. Key Issue 3: Drug test that are utilized in schools are not accurate enough to have a significant impact to offset the expense.

1. Drug tests typically used in schools are not accurate and may accuse innocent students.

1. Supporting Evidence: “Drug tests that are typically utilized by schools cannot detect the most commonly abused drug by teenagers – alcohol.  The test will also miss many of the more serious drugs such as methamphetamine or steroids.” (Ross B2).

2. Supporting Evidence: pp Drug test will often show false positives for illegal drugs when a legal drug was being taken for medical purposes.  Even aspirin has been known to show a false positive (ACLU “Random…” par 13).

3. Supporting Evidence: summary Students who test positive for drugs are usually given a second more expensive test to verify the findings.  The second test is more accurate which requires more money be spent on a test that often reveals negative results (Fross A11). Note: This argument was made earlier in the paper; it can be reiterated here if done so in a different context.

Oppositional Issue: Random drug testing of students involved in extra-curricular activities should be allowed in school.

I.         Key Issue 1: Random drug testing helps to keep athletes safe.

1.        Athletes using drugs run a greater risk of health problems.

A.      Supporting Evidence: summary Drug use can cause enlarged hearts, breathing problems, emotional stress, over-heating, and many other problems (King 34).

2.        Athletes who use steroids can hurt other athletes who do not.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “Steroid use can cause emotional instability in some athletes and lead to outburst of rage on the playing field” (Connley 74).

B.       Supporting Evidence: pp Athletes who use steroids have an unfair advantage over those who do not.  In high school, that can mean that small players could be playing unnaturally large players who can inflict undue harm (Legelos transcript).

3.        There are many examples of drug using athletes who have died during athletic events.

A.      Supporting Evidence: summary In 1999, senior running back for Mankota High School, Jonathan Lawson, died on the practice field from a heart attack.  An autopsy determined that Jonathan had been using an illegal form of steroids (Jordan A4). 

B.       Supporting Evidence: summary In 2001, a group of basketball players from Chesepeake High School used marijuana to celebrate a victory over their rival school.  The athletes crashed their car on the way home killing two of the four passengers in the car (Lee A7+).

II.       Key Issue 2: Schools have a legal right to try to ensure that students are safe.

1.        Schools may act in a parents stead when parents are not doing their job.

A.      Supporting Evidence: pp School officials function in loco parentis and are expected to look out for students best interest while they are at school or participating in school related activities (“Student Law…” par. 3)

2.        Schools must protect student who are not using drugs from those that are.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “Steroid use can cause emotional instability in some athletes and lead to outburst of rage on the playing field” (Connley 74). Note: This quote was used earlier, but it may be noted again as possible support for this argument.

a.        It may be possible for steroid users to have moments of rage during time off the playing field as well.

III.     Key Issue 3: Drugs use will interfere with academics; anything to deter drug use will help a school.

1.        Drug use will often slow reaction time that is essential for academic achievement.

A.      Supporting Evidence: “The use of marijuana and alcohol has been shown to reduce cognitive abilities by up to 65% in cronic users and 33% in occasional users.” (“Drugs…” par. 4).

2.        Drug testing deters the use of drugs.

A.      Supporting Evidence: Testimony of Katie W. of Southeast High School: “When my school implemented random drug testing, I quit using drugs.  The risk of getting caught was too great.” (ChannelOne.com)

 

B.       Supporting Evidence: Testimony of Charles B. of GHS: “I know many individuals at my school who no longer use drugs because they are afraid of getting kicked off the team.” (ChannelOne.com)