I plan on doing a College Essay for Project 3. As a result, I will need to gather a copious amount of evidence to support my various claims. Since fracking is such a hot button issue right now, finding 10 sources was not too difficult:
1. Waterless Fracking, Fox News
This story discusses how the use of conventional fracking techniques may allow companies to start fracking in New York state. It mentions that New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, is strongly opposed to the industry. However, the fracking being used does not use water to break up the shale rock where the oil and gas is contained. Instead, a propane gel is used. It is hoped that by not using water, the fracking process will be much cleaner and safer.
2. Green Fracking, Nat. Geo
The article discusses several innovations or procedures that could potentially make fracking a greener industry. Such improvements include using recycled water or brine instead of freshwater, treating the waste water generated by fracking, and eliminating diesel equipment from drill sites.
3. In Search of Greener Fracking, Inside Science
This article is similar to the Nat. Geo article in that it discusses a way to make fracking a more environmentally friendly process. In specific, the author talks about how some companies are changing the chemicals used in the fracking process to changing the form that chemicals come in (powdered chemicals over liquid ones. Liquid chemcials used in the process can create toxic solvents).
4. Fracking Is Destroying Our Groundwater, US News
This Op-Ed makes its views clear in the title: Fracking is a plague upon groundwater. The author states that the process releases dangerous chemicals and materials stored deep within the oil and gas rich shales that are being drilled. These chemicals pollute local groundwater. This information makes fracking appear incredibly risky and dangerous.
5. Fracking Fallout, CNN
This story states that millions of people in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain states are at risk for earthquakes. A study by government scientists states that fluid injection could be creating light tremors. Fluid injection is a mjaor part of the fracking process. However, there is some controversy. The study was conducted by government funded scientists while another group of scientists funded by research industry companies pointed out that the government group did not directly reference fracking as a cause.
6. Americans Split on Support for Fracking, Gallup
This is a poll conducted by Gallup to research the opinion of U.S citizens on fracking. The poll found that 40% of Americans support fracking while 40% oppose it. Incredibly, 19% of those polled do not have an opinion on the matter.
The poll is later broken up into support for fracking amongst Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. A very partisan divide is evident: 66% of Republicans approve while 54% of Democrats disapprove of fracking.
7. Fracking Industry Needs to Follow Laws, US News
Much like Source #4, this is an Op-Ed expressing concerns over fracking. The author believes that the fracking industry needs to be held more accountable for its actions and legislation must be implemented to ensure that fracking is done safely and ethically.
8. Fracking: The Pros and Cons, BBC
The story focuses on fracking in the English county of Lancashire. The video states several pros and cons about fracking and how it may affect the region. Overall, the same pros and cons can be transcribed to the U.S controversy.
9. Fracking Fact Finding Trip, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Like Source #8, this article focuses on both the benefits and drawbacks of fracking in South Australia. On one hand, there were reports of groundwater leaks. On the other hand, incidents were mostly isolated and it is believed that fracking could provide a boost to the economy.
10. Oil Milestone, CNN
This article shares the startling new information that half of the oil produced in the U.S comes from shale oil (fracking). This story claims that the oil boom is still growing strong despite a few years of environmental concerns.
Hey Joshua!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have a pretty concrete list of sources already for your Public Argument. Since you're doing a Standard College Essay you won't be needing any visual or audio sources, though it wouldn't hurt if you did find some. As for the level of detail, I noticed some of your sources don;t have the author stated clearly or how they're found to be credible. Maybe finding that out and including it would help with the process of making your Public Argument a little easier. This might also help to see if they are completely credible sources with reliable information you can use to take a stance on your chosen topic. Besides that, I think your project looks awesome! Good luck :)
Hey Joshua!
ReplyDeleteI think you have a really solid start here, and I can't help but admire the amount of detail that you were able to stick with while evaluating each source which is more than I can say haha. The only concern I have is that, like Cheyenne said, some of the sources don't have a reason stated as to why they're credible. Also one of your sources is Fox News, which tends to be very skewed. However, I've picked some sources in the past that are skewed specifically for that because they proved my point, so I trust your judgement. Great start here!
Hey Joshua,
ReplyDeleteI know that I am behind, but I am catching up on some blogposts, so for this one I did a review of your research report. Like Sarah and Cheyenne said above, you want to make sure all your sources are credible, you can do this by doing a background check on your authors. In addition, it would be beneficial to state how the information will be included in your project. Your provide the gist of the sources, but it doesn't really say how or where it will be used. If you would like to view my peer review you can find it here.