Pickelsimer !1

Wilson Pickelsimer

Professor Malcolm Campbell

English 1103

February 16, 2015

Topic Proposal: The Pros and Cons of Coffee

Introduction/Overview

I will be examining the potential risks and benefits one intakes when consuming a caf-

feinated beverage such as coffee. I am using information from around the world but focusing

mainly on today’s American coffee drinkers. I would really like to know how the beverage I

drink a minimum of four cups a day affects me. Some argue that coffee is one of the most bene-

ficial and healthy things you can drink. Others say that it is harmful to your body, stunts growth,

and upsets a stomach. There is a multitude of evidence for both cases. I have read every website

suggested on the first page of Google and have read many articles stating that it decreases the

risk of stroke, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Coffee is filled with various antioxidants that pro-

tect the body from many illnesses and keeps it out of harm’s way. But, I have also read that it

increases insomnia and anxiety. Also, I have read that coffee can lead to increased cholesterol

levels. This is true for unfiltered coffee such as a French press. They claim it can raise your cho-

lesterol levels by two percent. Coffee that uses a paper filter can actually trap the cholesterol be-

fore it reaches your cup.

I like how you point out both sides of the argument, that is definitely important to have a

strong argumentative essay- the only issue is having more information against your argument

Pickelsimer !2

than for it.. definitely the last sentence is very interesting and probably something people do not

know much about. Elaborating on that could make an interesting paper

Most of the sites I have used have been “.edu” and highly suggested by Google. I have

not made it to the library databases yet. My research started too specific with focusing on the caf-

feine in coffee, but I have now broadened my research to caffeine in general. Somehow, this

search lead me to more articles about coffee. So far, my research on this topic has been pretty

basic but still in depth.

The debate whether coffee is good or bad for you is split between many individuals.

Heavy coffee drinkers and most everyday drinkers are obviously for it. Some may not worry

about the health factor, but just rely on it to give them energy. The opposing side is obviously

most everyone else. Of course there are the non-coffee drinkers that don’t have an opinion either.

AARP.org provided the majority of my information so far.

add more sources for more information- this is a topic that not a lot of people are educat-

ed on so answering more questions would help the reader better understand the topic

!Initial Inquiry Question(s)

Do everyday coffee drinkers benefit more from consuming coffee than those who don’t?

How does coffee culture affect the health of the population?

add more questions maybe that relate to all the interests you stated in your introduction

paragraph

!My Interest in this Topic

Pickelsimer !3

I am interested in the affects coffee has on the body because I am a very heavy coffee

drinker. I enjoy the art of making it and the complex flavors it offers. Caffeine does not affect me

in a major way, but it does to the majority of people and I want to know if it is healthy for them

or not. I someday would like to start a café and would like to know what the affects are of the

product I would be making. Coffee is one of my top passions and I love exploring different cul-

ture’s coffee preparations. I honestly find almost everything about the subject fascinating.

I think it is important that this subject is fascinating to you. That could help strengthen

your paper- just remember not to be too biased since coffee doesn't effect you the way it effects

most people

1.What do you already know? I already know many different preparations of coffee, how

many cultures use coffee, and some of the obvious affects. I know more about the culture of cof-

fee than the affects.

2.What do you hope to learn? I hope to learn more about coffee cultures and the affects

coffee has on the body. I hope to learn more about what I am making and if I should cut back my

daily consumption by a few cups or if I am fine with the amount I consume currently.

!Next Steps

I will start to use the library databases, and more health insurance websites. I will search

for “.edu” and “.org” sites and try many different search engines. I will also seek help from the

librarians to help find another database or maybe even a book.

I definitely think you're off to a good start to this paper! I can tell you are interested in

and I love that it is a topic that I have never read about. I think that it would be more interesting

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if you could add more questions. Also, adding more sources could also be beneficial to learning

more about the topic. Since this is a topic that is not well known, going into further detail would

definitely add to your paper. I think it is very interesting and I think this could make a really

great paper overall!