Food Inc – A Summary

Last Updated on February 17, 2017 by

This is a Superb documentary which demonstrates the downsides of the industrialisation of the food system in the USA.

It is relevant to the following areas of Global Development within A level Sociology.

Illustrating unfair trade rules (corn is subsidised in America)

There is also one example (the local farmer guy) of People Centred Development

Scene One – Food Inc.

The Film starts by outlining the unrealities of the modern American supermarket, where there are no seasons and the meat has no bones. Then a bold statement – there is a deliberate veil drawn over the realities of the food production chain, which is basically a factory system, an industrialised system. The rest of the documentary is devoted to outlining the downsides of this system.

Scene Two – Fast Food for All

It’s suggested that the move towards an industrial food system started with McDonalds – when the McDonald brothers got rid of their waitresses and invented the drive through to cut costs, it caught on massively and McDonald’s and other fast food outlets expanded, and so did the mass demand for standardised food products.

McDonalds is now the largest purchaser of Beef in America and one of the largest purchasers of potatoes, tomatoes and even apples, and of course corn-syrup (and hence corn). It was the demand for large volumes of standardised food goods that led to a concentration of food production into massive farms and factories.

Such is the concentration that only four companies now control 80% of the beef packing market, with similar concentrations in other food sectors, so even if you don’t eat in a fast food restaurant you’re probably eating products produced by the same system, by the same food companies. One company name to look out for in particular is Tyson!

Scene Three – A Cornucopia of Choices

So important is corn that even though yields have increased from 20 to 200 bushels of wheat an acre, 30% of the US land base is planted to corn – which is subsidised which in turn leads to over production. Subsidies are in place because the big food TNCs (Tyson and Cargill) want cheap corn, and they have the ears of the government (no pun intended).

There is a transport network which transports corn to CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Farming Operations) where thousands of cattle are kept standing in their own manure until they are slaughtered.

Scene Four – Unintended Consequences

NB this is very different to how food is marketed to Americans – It is marketed in a very misleading way with images of small scale farmers out in the open air with their free range animals. (NB if you’ve never thought of the concept of ‘industrialisation’ as being applicable to food production as well as to the manufacturing of goods then this shows how good a job the food industry has done with its marketing!).

This industrialisation of agriculture has several downsides:

Exploitation of workers – battery farm owners are paid very little, and the often illegal migrant workers who pack chickens even less.

Scene Five – The Dollar Menu

The father of poor family has diabetes (his pills cost something in the region of $200 month) and 1 out of 3 people born after the year 2000 in the US will develop early onset diabetes.

As a contrast, we now take a trip to Smithfield Hog Processing Plant, the largest in the world in North Carolina, where over 30K hogs go through every day, where they treat their workers like their hogs – the workers are drawn from the poorest people and work in a conveyor belt system, sometimes getting covered in feces and blood and developing infections to the extent that finger nails separate from hands.

Scene Seven – Hidden Costs

Back to Joel Salatan who says that although some people make a round trip of 500 miles to get to him, he has no desire to upscale and argues that he can’t do so without compromising the integrity of his business.

Scene Eight – From Seed to the Supermarket

In 1996 – 2% of Soya beans grown in the US for Monsanto’s

Monsanto as a team of private investigators (sometimes ex-military) who visit farmers who save their own seed.

The end result is that Monsanto effectively own the Soya Been and they control it from seed to the Supermarket – you have to be in bed with Monstano to be a soya farmer

This is a case of centralised power being used against workers, farmers and ultimately consumers.

Scene Ten – Shocks to the System

The battle against the tobacco industry is the perfect model that illustrates the possibility of breaking monopolistic controls over a system by a few powerful corporations.

Buy from ethical companies who treat workers and animals humanely.

‘You can change the world with every bit’.

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Food, Inc.: Summary & Analysis of Today’s Food Industry

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Food, Inc., an American documentary film, examines the industrial production of meat, grains, and vegetables. The film concludes by claiming the entirety of our food industry is inhumane, and economically and environmentally unsustainable.

The film continues to examine today’s industry by exploring the economic and legal powers large food companies have. Thus, recently, the spotlight has been centered on today’s food production. Previously, food distribution prior to the Green and Greener Revolution centered on the notion of self-sustaining farming, where families provided solely for themselves.

However, with the revolution of producing food, coincided with the advancement of agricultural technology, it reformed the method in which food is mass-produced for a mass population. Although in theory, this idea appears efficient and positive, it contains negative repercussions.

The usage of corn converted from not only human edibility, but other uses such as feeding animals corn instead of grass or wheat a creates a sequence of negative consequences. Moreover, in particular, the mass production of meat provokes a wide spectrum of ethical quandaries and questions.

Furthermore, the mass production and distribution of food emanate fallacious advertisements that conceal potentially harmful information. In essence, the three central issues affecting our current food industry includes the new utilization of corn, ethical questions regarding the inhumane treatment of animals, and false advertisement.

Corn is one of the Western World’s main vegetables. It was used simply for edible purposes until the last couple of decades. Today, surrounding issues concerning how society utilizes corn. One issue, according to the movie Food, Inc. , exists in nearly all of the products in North America’s grocery stores.

Most processed foods, unless clearly stated otherwise, contains corn-based syrup. The extensive list of goods that contain corn-based material extends to other practical products, such as batteries. Besides other products, humans also ingest forms of corn through the meat. Since industries use corn to feed animals, because it is cheaper, easier to grow, and grows more, their meat inevitably contains corn nutrition.

In general, because of the abundance of food that contains corn-based syrups, it essentially provides an overdose on corn-related nutrition. The severity of overdosing on corn produces immunity to certain antibiotics, and potentially increases the risk of certain allergies. One of the central corn dilemmas exists in feeding factory-farmed animals corn.

Moreover, the mass production of corn unsurprisingly uses a vast amount of arable land. According to the movie, approximately 30% of The United States’ land is used strictly for producing corn. The land that corn utilizes could potentially be used for compensating the large population, or for producing other foods. Essentially, the new utilization of corn creates a variety of issues that concern health and land usage.

Ethical cases arise when mass production of meat occurs. Previously, animals were slaughtered purely for a family’s meat from their farm. However, according to Food, Inc. , large food industries such as McDonalds and others alike control 80% of the beef industry.

With the overwhelming amount of people who eat fast food or restaurants in general, these large industries pay farmers to mass-produce animals in a shorter time, while making them bigger.

The ethical quandary exists in the method in which farmers are forced to raise them. With minimal space for the animals to move, they achieve extremely low exercise – plumping them up. Similarly, the animals are forced to eat foods they would not normally eat by nature. Corn, steroids, and other products are used to grow animals faster and larger.

Chickens are a prime example because they are grown in half the time, and with many chemicals, their breasts are significantly enlarged. The large problem with genetically modifying animals maintains that is against nature’s process. Many people in society, if they were aware of this issue, might argue conversely to what is currently happening to animals.

Moreover, the idea of factory farming in itself contains ethical difficulties. This type of new farming that appeals to the mass population, the system where animals are treated. In Food, Inc. , one case of inhumane, ethical treatment of the animals prior to being slaughtered is demonstrated when the chickens are collected.

The workers are revealed kicking the chickens and shoving them in crammed cages with negligible care. In a similar case, the animals in factory farms reside in a small barn, with little than a square to move. Here, they are forced to live in layers of excrement and beside other dead animals. The ethical problem is clear in this example. Overall, the inhumane treatment of animals before being killed produces a significant amount of ethical inquiries.

In conjunction with delivering large amounts of food and creating bigger animals in a shorter span of time inevitably means companies will use potentially harmful chemicals. Of course, they will not use them in doses of fatality; however, they use smaller doses but in nearly every product. Consumers are not aware and in general, are hardly conscientious of what they eat.

This unawareness essentially allows corporations to take advantage of the consumer and use cheaper, better, but more harmful ingredients. This is concept is known as false advertising. A major issue in today’s food industry relies on the consumers’ hands as well as the corporations. On one side, consumers do not take self-responsibility and seek out what the ingredients actually are.

For example, corn-based syrups have a plethora of counterparts and offshoots that are easily disguisable in the nutrition table of products. Already, simply based on one core ingredient, companies use fallacious advertisements to promote their product as healthy. In another sense, the graphics on labels of products are in a different way, deceitful.

In Food, Inc. , the image on packages of meat depicts the old-fashion, typical red barn with greenery and fields of farmland. The innocent and traditional image of what used to be the norm almost subconsciously fools the consumer. This is the façade companies use as trickery for the common consumer.

In reality, the fallaciousness maintains that the companies use unethical and inhumane factory farming to produce their meat.  Essentially, misleading advertisements and commercials are one contribution to the many issues of today’s food industry.

Overall, the three current problems facing today’s food industry are the reformed usage of corn, callous treatment of farmed animals, and false advertisement. With a rapidly growing population, more food is needed. Corn, being cheap and easier to grow, appeals to not only human consumption, but animals as well.

Connectively, factory farming, the use of corn, and general treatment of animals prior to butchery, generates ethical concerns for the public. Furthermore, companies utilize the old fashion, traditional red barn and innocent farm image as an illusion. They subliminally use this depiction to disguise the reality of mass-producing meat. Essentially, Food, Inc. exposes the unfortunate reality to the current food industry.

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Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary Essay

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Introduction

Analytical part, works cited.

One of the reasons why the documentary Food, Inc. can indeed be referred to as being thoroughly convincing is that, while working on it, its makers proved themselves thoroughly capable of taking a practice advantage of the rhetorical devices of an appeal to ethos, logos, and pathos. They also succeeded in ensuring smooth transitions between the deployed lines of rhetorical argumentation. In my paper, I will explore the validity of this suggestion at length, while specifying the qualitative aspects of how the documentary goes about trying to win the viewers’ support for the promoted cause, and outlying what can be considered the deficiencies of the used line of reasoning.

The first idea that is being promoted throughout the documentary’s entirety is that the American food-industry deliberately misleads consumers, as to what is the actual content of food-items, bought in supermarkets, and that this situation can no longer be considered tolerable. This is because, as the documentary implies, denying people their right to know what they consume is the blatant violation of their constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms. Food, Inc . also argues that there are several clearly immoral aspects to the earlier described situation, as the process of the food industry’s continual consolidation results in establishing ever more preconditions for the unfair treatment of domestic animals.

In the documentary, there are many instances of its makers providing viewers with the factual information, as to the discussed subject matter, which is supposed to convince the latter in the full legitimacy of people’s concern about how the food-industry treats them. These instances are best discussed within the conceptual framework of the ‘appeal to logos’ rhetorical technique, which is being commonly used as the mean of ensuring the deployed argumentation’s perceptual ‘non-biasness.’ As Oring noted: “Logos is concerned with the argument of the narratives and their attendant commentaries” (130). For example, while elaborating upon the fact that the ingredient of corn can be found in just about any food-product and that there is something utterly wrong about it, the documentary’s narrator presents viewers with the visualized data, as to the mentioned phenomena’s practical implications.

Skippy

In its turn, this was meant to prompt viewers to think that there is indeed nothing personal about how the documentary discusses the issue in question.

To increase the extent of the argumentation’s discursive plausibility even further, the featured guest Michael Pollan points out to the fact that there is a rationale-based reason for American farmers to consider feeding their cows with corn: “Cows are no designed by evolution to eat corn. They are designed to eat grass. The only reason we feed them corn is that corn is cheap” (00.22.51). This, again, is supposed to cause viewers to think that how the documentary describes the current state of affairs in the country’s food industry is thoroughly legitimate because the very laws of economics naturally predetermined it.

While knowing perfectly well that the viewers’ exposure to the ‘appeal to logos’ rhetorical technique alone can hardly result in causing them to adopt the promoted point of view on the issue, documentary creators also relied heavily on appealing to the audience members’ emotional sensibilities – hence, proving their awareness of what the so-called ‘appeal to pathos’ rhetorical device stands for. According to Micheli: “In a rhetorical situation, the audience ultimately has to pass judgment on a given case. Through skillful use of pathos (appeal to emotions), the orator modifies the audience’s disposition to pass judgment so that it favors the cause which he wants to see prevail” (6). The most easily recognizable instance of the ‘appeal to pathos’ device being used in the documentary is the scene that exposes viewers to the image of a dying chicken.

Chicken

While viewers observe this chicken’s convulsions, the off-screen narrator tells them that the reason behind the high rate of mortality among chickens is that they are excessively fed to make them gain weight as soon as possible. As a result, many of them grow fat to the extent that their legs can no longer endure their weight – hence, causing the poor creatures a great deal of suffering. It is needless to mention, of course, that after having been exposed to this emotionally disturbing image, viewers would be much more likely to recognize the validity of the documentary’s overall line of reasoning.

There is another example of the successful deployment of a pathos-fueled rhetorical argumentation in the documentary, concerned with the scene in which Barbara Kowalcyk begins to cry while talking about the story of her son Kevin’s death, due to food-poisoning: “He (Kevin) begged for water. That was all he would talk about – water” (00.31.09). By having included the earlier mentioned scene in the documentary, its makers strived to convince viewers that, contrary to what the majority of people tend to think, how the country’s food-industry operates is associated with several bright and present dangers to these people’s well-being. It needs to be said that the filmmakers did succeed in it rather marvelously, as the very context of emotionally disturbed parents talking about their children’s suffering, denies even a slight possibility for them to sound insincere. This, of course, provides emotionally sensitive viewers with an additional reason to subscribe to the documentary’s argumentative point.

Throughout the film’s entirety, there are also many examples of its creators taking advantage of the ‘appeal to ethos’ rhetorical technique, when audience members are being prompted to assume certain things about the involved stakeholders – hence, providing viewers with additional incentives to believe that the line of the documentary’s argumentative reasoning represents a universally recognizable truth-value (Connors 285). The validity of this statement can be well illustrated in regards to the film scene that features the following textual sequence:

Screen from the movie: Vince had offered to show inside his chicken houses.

Documentary creators did not have any hard evidence, as to the fact that the representatives of Tyson Corporation were applying any pressure on Vince, to make him decline the journalists’ request to film inside of his chicken-farm. Yet, as the above-screenshots imply, this was the actual case – by encouraging viewers to consider that there was indeed a connection between the visits of Tyson’s representatives and the Vince’s sudden ‘change of heart,’ filmmakers succeeded in ensuring the soundness of their subtle allegation of Tyson Corporation being involved in semi-criminal scheming against farmers.

Another example of how the ‘appeal to ethos’ technique is being used in the documentary, is the scene in which one of the interviewed farmers talks about the actual realities of the American justice system’s functioning: “Lady Justice has the scales. The one who puts more cash on the scales… wins” (01.15.04). It is understood, of course, that this statement was meant to appeal to the viewers’ deep-seated mistrust towards the country’s state-institutions, as such that are being affected by corruption. This is because people tend to assume that the statements, which correlate with what happened to be the essence of their unconscious anxieties, are true by definition (Lamb 109).

Nevertheless, even though that there can be only a few doubts, as to the documentary’s rhetorical effectiveness, it would be entirely inappropriate to suggest that there are no discursive drawbacks to how film creators argue their case. For example, one of the main ideas, promoted by the film, is that there are objective prerequisites for the current dynamics in America’s food-market to be what they are – specifically, the fact that, as time goes on, the gap between the poor and the rich in this country continues to widen. Moreover, the number of impoverished people keeps on growing rather drastically, which in turn implies that the food-producers specifically can provide consumers with particularly cheap food-items, which should be seen as the foremost precondition for them to remain commercially competitive: “To eat well in this country costs money… and some people don’t have it” (01.27.32). Therefore, there is very little sense in the documentary’s concluding remark: “People have to start demanding good wholesome food” (1.29.19). Those that have the means do not need to ‘demand’ organic food – they just buy it. Alternatively, regardless of how strongly poor people would be willing to ‘demand’ healthy foods, they will still not going to get any, simply because they cannot afford it – pure and simple. Therefore, I cannot say that the film did convince me to start ‘thinking organic.’

I believe that the earlier provided line of argumentation, regarding the documentary’s rhetorical subtleties, entirely correlates with the paper’s initial thesis.

Connors, Robert. “The Differences between Speech and Writing: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.” College Composition and Communication 30.3 (1979): 285-290. Print.

Freund47.“Food, Inc.” Online video clip. Veoh . 2012. Web.

Lamb, Brenda. “Rhetoric.” English Journal 87.1(1998): 108-109. Print.

Micheli, Raphaël. “Emotions as Objects of Argumentative Constructions”. Argumentation 24. 1 (2010): 1-17. Print.

Oring, Elliott. “Legendry and the Rhetoric of Truth.” Journal of American Folklore 121.480 (2008): 127-166. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2020, July 30). Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethos-logos-pathos-in-the-food-inc-documentary/

"Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary." IvyPanda , 30 July 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/ethos-logos-pathos-in-the-food-inc-documentary/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary'. 30 July.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary." July 30, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethos-logos-pathos-in-the-food-inc-documentary/.

1. IvyPanda . "Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary." July 30, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethos-logos-pathos-in-the-food-inc-documentary/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary." July 30, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/ethos-logos-pathos-in-the-food-inc-documentary/.

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Ethics on Film: Discussion of "Food, Inc."

Aug 30, 2016

Elena Shanbaum

Former Education Fellow, Carnegie Council

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Carnegie Council's Ethics on Film series analyzes films that deal with ethical issues in international affairs, emerging technology, climate, and more.

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Brief Overview

Food, Inc. takes a look at the U.S. food industry and examines how what we eat gets from the seed or animal to our table. Directed by Robert Kenner, this documentary explores farms around the country, both large and small, meat and vegetable. It reveals different practices in the food industry, with some farmers and company owners looking at food as something to be manufactured scientifically, while others see it as a product of nature. Throughout the film, the audience is urged to question whether mass-produced food is environmentally and socially sustainable. Food, Inc. also criticizes the role of the U.S. government in skewing prices lower for unhealthy foods through subsidies for corn. These subsidies bring down the cost of processed foods made with high-fructose corn syrup and other corn-based products and make the market less competitive for other foods. In addition, it exposes the close relationships between FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) regulators and major food companies. One example is Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's former position as an attorney for Monsanto Chemical Company (1976-1979) and his 2001 vote in favor of Monsanto in a case where the giant corporation sued a farmer for allegedly violating a licensing agreement that forbade him to replicate Monsanto seeds. Monstanto won the case. (Note that the film overstates the conflict of interest by claiming that Thomas wrote the opinion supporting Monsanto; it was actually written by Justice Elena Kagan. Nevertheless, a conflict of interest certainly exists. Kenner emphasizes that is up to the consumer to pressure companies to start including more information on their labels and offering organic choices. Such lobbying can make a difference. There are examples of large retailers like Walmart choosing healthier options for dairy products based upon consumer preferences.

The Cost of Cheapness

One of the major themes in Food, Inc. is the hidden costs of cheap food. It argues that mass-produced, "engineered," low-price foods come with health, social, and environmental costs. On the health costs, the point is raised through the stories of two families. In one, Patricia Buck's two-year old son died of an E-coli strain after eating a fast food Jack-In-The-Box hamburger while on vacation. Afterwards, Buck campaigned for Kevin's Law , which would give the USDA power to shut down meat processing plants that produce contaminated meat. The law did not pass but parts of it were included six years later in the FDA Food Modernization Safety Act of 2010 . The second example of hidden costs of cheap food is told through the story of a family who cannot afford a healthy diet. Instead, they frequently eat fast food because it is the most filling option at the lowest price. Because of this, the father now has Type 2 diabetes and the family spends around $200 per month on his medicines. At the end of the segment, the film shows the statistic that "one in three Americans born after 2000 will contract early onset diabetes." Our cheap food also comes at great social cost . Food, Inc. has a segment about illegal immigrants who are employed at meat processing facilities in the United States; because of their vulnerable status, they are afraid to protest against their unsanitary working conditions. This labor practice was common in the meat industry at the beginning of the 20th century. Upton Sinclair wrote about it in his 1906 muckraking novel The Jungle , which brought about a reaction that helped make these plants safer places with more workers' rights. The film notes that this is what happened in the auto industry as well. Meat processing plants, however, have reverted back to unfair treatment of workers, and today's conditions are arguably similar to those of over 100 years ago, according to Kenner. Finally, the environmental cost that comes with mass-produced foods can be seen through the petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers that are used in farming . Food, Inc. also states that it takes 75 gallons of oil to bring a steer to slaughter. Another common theme throughout the film is the debate between engineered science and nature, which questions practices such as using ammonia to kill bacteria inside meat rather than feeding cows grass, which naturally kills those bacteria.

Discussion Questions

1. The film states, "At the turn of the century, a farmer could produce enough food for six to eight people. Now the average American farmer can feed 126 people." Should food technology be seen as a positive thing because we can now feed more people at lower prices? Or are the health, social, and environmental costs too high for processed food to continue to be a major part of the American diet? 2. The film shows the mostly immigrant population that works in the meat processing facility and the conditions that they work in. This is compared to the early 1900s, where it was also a mostly immigrant population working in meatpacking plants in hazardous conditions. Do you think labor practices in the meat industry have improved since then? Why or why not? If you have read or are familiar with Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, it may be used as a good reference. What do you think can be done to improve working conditions in these meat plants today? 3. Do you think the power to create more ethical practices in the food industry lies with the consumer? Why or why not? The film argues that we can make choices in what we buy, but some people cannot afford choices, such as the family shown eating at the fast food chain. What can they do to enact change? 4. Do you think it is ethical for those who have been involved with the food industry to go on to influence or implement food policies? 5. After watching this film, what changes, if any, do you want to see made to the food industry? Who do you want to see drive the change? The consumer, the government, the producer or the supermarkets/retailers? Why 6. The film makes a comparison between food companies that promote unhealthy foods and the tobacco industry. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?

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Selected carnegie council resources.

Hold the Salmon, How About Scup? For Sustainable Seafood, Variety is Key: Amrita Gupta , Carnegie Council Atlantic salmon and blue fin tuna have been overfished nearly to extinction and farmed fish come with concerns such as the overuse of antibiotics. Yet there are hundreds of delicious and sustainable fish like mullet, dogfish, and scup, species often referred to as "trash fish." For sustainable seafood, let's be more adventurous and try fish like scup. (Article, August 2016) From Lab to Table: Gilonne d'Origny , New Harvest ; Irene Pedruelo , Carnegie Council

New Harvest wants to kick-start a bio-economy of animal products made without animals. Some have already called this revolution "the next .com." (Policy Innovations interview, December 2015) Fighting Obesity Requires a Choice: Profit or Public Health? Roberto De Vogli and Noemi Renzetti , University of California Davis

Unless governments take steps to promote healthy diets and discourage consumption of ultra-processed products, chances to stop and reverse the obesity epidemic remain quite slim. (Policy Innovations article, October 2015)

Big Soda Politics - A Call To Advocacy: Marion Nestle , New York University

It is becoming evident that Big Soda copies the playbook used by Big Tobacco to distract people from the harm caused by cigarette smoking. Although falling soda sales are the results of successful advocacy, there is still a lot of work to do. (Policy Innovations article, October 2015) How Much More Processed Food Can We Eat? Tim Lobstein , World Obesity Federation

Food policies for the 21st century will be about the purpose of markets and the need to hold marketers to account for their activities. (Policy Innovations article, October 2015) Global Ethics Day: Feeding the Planet: Gerald Bourke , World Food Programme ; Gilonne d'Origny , New Harvest ; Jessica Fanzo , Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

There are roughly 2 billion people who are under-nourished and another 2 billion who are overweight or obese. In other words, about half the world's population is malnourished. How can we feed the world ethically, sustainably, and well? This panel provides some answers, from food aid to producing milk and meat in cell cultures. (Global Ethics Network, October 2015. Video, audio, and transcript.) The Next Pig Idea: Tristram Stuart , Food Waste Campaigner ; Irene Pedruelo , Carnegie Council

Food waste expert and environmentalist, Tristram Stuart, has had an unexpectedly big idea that could change the world. (Policy Innovations interview, June 2015) Full Planet, Empty Plates: Lester R. Brown and Janet Larsen , Earth Policy Institute

"We are in transition today from an age of surpluses to an age of scarcity," says Lester Brown. The reasons are manifold: population growth; climate change; water scarcity; a substantial part of the U.S. grain harvest being used for fuel; increased demands because of rising affluence; and a glass ceiling for crop yields. (Public Affairs, May 2015. Video, audio, and transcript) Soy is a Huge Cloud Over All Agriculture: Kathryn Redford , Ofbug ; Irene Pedruelo , Carnegie Council

Kathryn Redford has a mission: revolutionize the meat industry. How? By using insects in animal feed, instead of soy or corn. (Policy Innovations interview, January 2015) Why Isn't Food a Public Good? Jose Luis Vivero Pol , Université Catholique de Louvain

What would the world look like if we were to treat food as a public good or commons and not merely as a commodity? (Policy Innovations article, September 2014) Food for Peace?

Food for Peace, which ships American farm products to developing nations, has long been criticized for crowding out local agriculture. Now, to the dismay of the U.S. farming and shipping industries, President Obama is proposing sending nations cash grants. Is "Cash for Peace" a better idea? (Global Ethics Corner, May 2013. Video, audio, text.) Not Enough Fish in the Sea?

Marine fish stocks are dangerously low, but this hasn't stopped China from sending its fishing fleets to distant waters, sometimes illegally. Could China's insatiable appetite for seafood be a threat to the world's fisheries? Is there more we should be worried about? (Global Ethics Corner, January 2013. Video, audio, text.) Is Local Food More Ethical?

With real economic benefits and perceived environmental ones, local food has been branded as an ethical alternative to the mass-produced variety. But critics point out that locavores forget crucial points about climate change and global poverty. Is local food really more moral? (Global Ethics Corner, October 2012. Video, audio, text.) The Race for What's Left: The Global Scramble for the World's Last Resources: Michael T. Klare , Hampshire College

As we run out of resources, the human race is at a pivotal point. We have two options: We can continue along the same path, leading to much of the planet becoming uninhabitable. Or we can create an alternative future where we use resources in a much more sustainable and frugal way. (Public Affairs, March 2012. Video, audio, and transcript) The (Ethical) Taste of Success: Ashok Vasudevan , Tasty Bite ; Julia Taylor-Kennedy , Carnegie Council

Ashok Vasudevan has what it takes to build commercially viable and socially responsible global companies. Tasty Bite, an all-natural, ready-to-eat food sold in the U.S. and Australia, is ranked one of India's "Top-100 Best Companies to Work For." (Just Business, June 2011. Audio, transcript.)

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  • Writing for Success: Argument

This section will help you determine the purpose and structure of an argumentative essay.

The Purpose of Argument in Writing

The idea of an argument often conjures up images of two people yelling and screaming in anger. In writing, however, an argument is very different. An argument is a reasoned opinion supported and explained by evidence. To argue in writing is to advance knowledge and ideas in a positive way. Written arguments often fail when they employ ranting rather than reasoning.

The Structure of an Argumentative Essay

The following five features make up the structure of an argumentative essay:

  • Introduction and thesis
  • Opposing and qualifying ideas
  • Strong evidence in support of claim
  • Style and tone of language
  • A compelling conclusion

Creating an Introduction and Thesis

The argumentative essay begins with an engaging introduction that presents the general topic. The thesis typically appears somewhere in the introduction and states the writer’s point of view.

Acknowledging Opposing Ideas and Limits to Your Argument

Because an argument implies differing points of view on the subject, you must be sure to acknowledge those opposing ideas. Avoiding ideas that conflict with your own gives the reader the impression that you may be uncertain, fearful, or unaware of opposing ideas. Thus it is essential that you not only address counterarguments but also do so respectfully.

Try to address opposing arguments earlier rather than later in your essay. Rhetorically speaking, ordering your positive arguments last allows you to better address ideas that conflict with your own, so you can spend the rest of the essay countering those arguments. This way, you leave your reader thinking about your argument rather than someone else’s. You have the last word.

Acknowledging points of view different from your own also has the effect of fostering more credibility between you and the audience. They know from the outset that you are aware of opposing ideas and that you are not afraid to give them space.

It is also helpful to establish the limits of your argument and what you are trying to accomplish. In effect, you are conceding early on that your argument is not the ultimate authority on a given topic. Such humility can go a long way toward earning credibility and trust with an audience. Audience members will know from the beginning that you are a reasonable writer, and audience members will trust your argument as a result. For example, in the following concessionary statement, the writer advocates for stricter gun control laws, but she admits it will not solve all of our problems with crime:

Such a concession will be welcome by those who might disagree with this writer’s argument in the first place. To effectively persuade their readers, writers need to be modest in their goals and humble in their approach to get readers to listen to the ideas. Certain  transitional words and phrases  aid in keeping the reader oriented in the sequencing of a story. Some of these phrases are listed here:

Phrases of Concession

although granted that
of course still
though yet

Bias in Writing

Everyone has various biases on any number of topics. For example, you might have a bias toward wearing black instead of brightly colored clothes or wearing jeans rather than formal wear. You might have a bias toward working at night rather than in the morning, or working by deadlines rather than getting tasks done in advance. These examples identify minor biases, of course, but they still indicate preferences and opinions.

Handling bias in writing and in daily life can be a useful skill. It will allow you to articulate your own points of view while also defending yourself against unreasonable points of view. The ideal in persuasive writing is to let your reader know your bias, but do not let that bias blind you to the primary components of good argumentation: sound, thoughtful evidence and a respectful and reasonable address of opposing sides.

The strength of a personal bias is that it can motivate you to construct a strong argument. If you are invested in the topic, you are more likely to care about the piece of writing. Similarly, the more you care, the more time and effort you are apt to put forth and the better the final product will be.

The weakness of bias is when the bias begins to take over the essay—when, for example, you neglect opposing ideas, exaggerate your points, or repeatedly insert yourself ahead of the subject by using Itoo often. Being aware of all three of these pitfalls will help you avoid them.

The Use of  I  in Writing

The use of  I  in writing is often a topic of debate, and the acceptance of its usage varies from instructor to instructor. It is difficult to predict the preferences for all your present and future instructors, but consider the effects it can potentially have on your writing.

Be mindful of the use of  I  in your writing because it can make your argument sound overly biased. There are two primary reasons:

  • Excessive repetition of any word will eventually catch the reader’s attention—and usually not in a good way. The use of  I  is no different.
  • The insertion of  I  into a sentence alters not only the way a sentence might sound but also the composition of the sentence itself.  I  is often the subject of a sentence. If the subject of the essay is supposed to be, say, smoking, then by inserting yourself into the sentence, you are effectively displacing the subject of the essay into a secondary position. In the following example, the subject of the sentence is underlined:

Smoking  is bad. I  think smoking is bad.

In the first sentence, the rightful subject,  smoking , is in the subject position in the sentence. In the second sentence, the insertion of  I  and think replaces smoking as the subject, which draws attention to  I  and away from the topic that is supposed to be discussed. Remember to keep the message (the subject) and the messenger (the writer) separate.

Developing Sound Arguments

Use the following checklist to develop sound arguments in your essay:

  • An engaging introduction
  • A reasonable, specific thesis that is able to be supported by evidence
  • A varied range of evidence from credible sources
  • Respectful acknowledgement and explanation of opposing ideas
  • A style and tone of language that is appropriate for the subject and audience
  • Acknowledgement of the argument’s limits
  • A conclusion that will adequately summarize the essay and reinforce the thesis

Fact and Opinion

Facts  are statements that can be definitely proven using objective data. The statement that is a fact is absolutely valid. In other words, the statement can be pronounced as true or false. For example, 2 + 2 = 4. This expression identifies a true statement, or a fact, because it can be proved with objective data.

Opinions  are personal views, or judgments. An opinion is what an individual believes about a particular subject. However, an opinion in argumentation must have legitimate backing; adequate evidence and credibility should support the opinion. Consider the credibility of expert opinions. Experts in a given field have the knowledge and credentials to make their opinion meaningful to a larger audience.

For example, you seek the opinion of your dentist when it comes to the health of your gums, and you seek the opinion of your mechanic when it comes to the maintenance of your car. Both have knowledge and credentials in those respective fields, which is why their opinions matter to you. But the authority of your dentist may be greatly diminished should he or she offer an opinion about your car, and vice versa.

In writing, you want to strike a balance between credible facts and authoritative opinions. Relying on one or the other will likely lose more of your audience than it gains.

The word prove is frequently used in the discussion of argumentative writing. Writers may claim that one piece of evidence or another proves the argument, but proving an argument is often not possible. No evidence proves a debatable topic one way or the other; that is why the topic is debatable. Facts can be proved, but opinions can only be supported, explained, and persuaded.

Using Visual Elements to Strengthen Arguments

Adding visual elements to a persuasive argument can often strengthen its persuasive effect. There are two main types of visual elements: quantitative visuals and qualitative visuals.

Quantitative visuals  present data graphically and visually. They allow the audience to see statistics spatially. The purpose of using quantitative visuals is to make logical appeals to the audience. For example, sometimes it is easier to understand the disparity in certain statistics if you can see how the disparity looks graphically. Bar graphs, pie charts, Venn diagrams, histograms, line graphs and infographics are all ways of presenting quantitative data in visual and/or spatial dimensions.

Qualitative visuals  present images that appeal to the audience’s emotions. Photographs and pictorial images are examples of qualitative visuals. Such images often try to convey a story, and seeing an actual example can carry more power than hearing or reading about the example. For example, one image of a child suffering from malnutrition will likely have more of an emotional impact than pages dedicated to describing that same condition in writing.

Writing an Argumentative Essay

Choose a topic that you feel passionate about. If your instructor requires you to write about a specific topic, approach the subject from an angle that interests you. Begin your essay with an engaging introduction. Your thesis should typically appear somewhere in your introduction.

Start by acknowledging and explaining points of view that may conflict with your own to build credibility and trust with your audience. Also state the limits of your argument. This too helps you sound more reasonable and honest to those who may naturally be inclined to disagree with your view. By respectfully acknowledging opposing arguments and conceding limitations to your own view, you set a measured and responsible tone for the essay.

Make your appeals in support of your thesis by using sound, credible evidence. Use a balance of facts and opinions from a wide range of sources, such as scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and personal anecdotes. Each piece of evidence should be fully explained and clearly stated.

Make sure that your style and tone are appropriate for your subject and audience. Tailor your language and word choice to these two factors, while still being true to your own voice.

Finally, write a conclusion that effectively summarizes the main argument and reinforces your thesis.

Argumentative Essay Example

Universal Health Care Coverage for the United States

By Scott McLean

The United States is the only modernized Western nation that does not offer publicly funded health care to all its citizens; the costs of health care for the uninsured in the United States are prohibitive, and the practices of insurance companies are often more interested in profit margins than providing health care. These conditions are incompatible with US ideals and standards, and it is time for the US government to provide universal health care coverage for all its citizens. Like education, health care should be considered a fundamental right of all US citizens, not simply a privilege for the upper and middle classes.

One of the most common arguments against providing universal health care coverage (UHC) is that it will cost too much money. In other words, UHC would raise taxes too much. While providing health care for all US citizens would cost a lot of money for every tax-paying citizen, citizens need to examine exactly how much money it would cost, and more important, how much money is “too much” when it comes to opening up health care for all. Those who have health insurance already pay too much money, and those without coverage are charged unfathomable amounts. The cost of publicly funded health care versus the cost of current insurance premiums is unclear. In fact, some Americans, especially those in lower income brackets, could stand to pay less than their current premiums.

However, even if UHC would cost Americans a bit more money each year, we ought to reflect on what type of country we would like to live in, and what types of morals we represent if we are more willing to deny health care to others on the basis of saving a couple hundred dollars per year. In a system that privileges capitalism and rugged individualism, little room remains for compassion and love. It is time that Americans realize the amorality of US hospitals forced to turn away the sick and poor. UHC is a health care system that aligns more closely with the core values that so many Americans espouse and respect, and it is time to realize its potential.

Another common argument against UHC in the United States is that other comparable national health care systems, like that of England, France, or Canada, are bankrupt or rife with problems. UHC opponents claim that sick patients in these countries often wait in long lines or long wait lists for basic health care. Opponents also commonly accuse these systems of being unable to pay for themselves, racking up huge deficits year after year. A fair amount of truth lies in these claims, but Americans must remember to put those problems in context with the problems of the current US system as well. It is true that people often wait to see a doctor in countries with UHC, but we in the United States wait as well, and we often schedule appointments weeks in advance, only to have onerous waits in the doctor’s “waiting rooms.”

Critical and urgent care abroad is always treated urgently, much the same as it is treated in the United States. The main difference there, however, is cost. Even health insurance policy holders are not safe from the costs of health care in the United States. Each day an American acquires a form of cancer, and the only effective treatment might be considered “experimental” by an insurance company and thus is not covered. Without medical coverage, the patient must pay for the treatment out of pocket. But these costs may be so prohibitive that the patient will either opt for a less effective, but covered, treatment; opt for no treatment at all; or attempt to pay the costs of treatment and experience unimaginable financial consequences. Medical bills in these cases can easily rise into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is enough to force even wealthy families out of their homes and into perpetual debt. Even though each American could someday face this unfortunate situation, many still choose to take the financial risk. Instead of gambling with health and financial welfare, US citizens should press their representatives to set up UHC, where their coverage will be guaranteed and affordable.

Despite the opponents’ claims against UHC, a universal system will save lives and encourage the health of all Americans. Why has public education been so easily accepted, but not public health care? It is time for Americans to start thinking socially about health in the same ways they think about education and police services: as rights of US citizens.

Key Takeaways

  • The purpose of argument in writing is to convince or move readers toward a certain point of view, or opinion.
  • An argument is a reasoned opinion supported and explained by evidence. To argue, in writing, is to advance knowledge and ideas in a positive way.
  • A thesis that expresses the opinion of the writer in more specific terms is better than one that is vague.
  • It is essential that you not only address counterarguments but also do so respectfully.
  • It is also helpful to establish the limits of your argument and what you are trying to accomplish through a concession statement.
  • To persuade a skeptical audience, you will need to use a wide range of evidence. Scientific studies, opinions from experts, historical precedent, statistics, personal anecdotes, and current events are all types of evidence that you might use in explaining your point.
  • Make sure that your word choice and writing style is appropriate for both your subject and your audience.
  • You should let your reader know your bias, but do not let that bias blind you to the primary components of good argumentation: sound, thoughtful evidence and respectfully and reasonably addressing opposing ideas.
  • You should be mindful of the use of I in your writing because it can make your argument sound more biased than it needs to.
  • Facts are statements that can be proven using objective data.
  • Opinions are personal views, or judgments, that cannot be proven.
  • In writing, you want to strike a balance between credible facts and authoritative opinions.
  • Quantitative visuals present data graphically. The purpose of using quantitative visuals is to make logical appeals to the audience.
  • Qualitative visuals present images that appeal to the audience’s emotions.
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  • Successful Writing. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/s14-09-persuasion.html . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
  • Successful Writing. Authored by : Anonymous. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
  • Table of Contents

Instructor Resources (Access Requires Login)

  • Overview of Instructor Resources

An Overview of the Writing Process

  • Introduction to the Writing Process
  • Introduction to Writing
  • Your Role as a Learner
  • What is an Essay?
  • Reading to Write
  • Defining the Writing Process
  • Videos: Prewriting Techniques
  • Thesis Statements
  • Organizing an Essay
  • Creating Paragraphs
  • Conclusions
  • Editing and Proofreading
  • Matters of Grammar, Mechanics, and Style
  • Peer Review Checklist
  • Comparative Chart of Writing Strategies

Using Sources

  • Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism
  • Formatting the Works Cited Page (MLA)
  • Citing Paraphrases and Summaries (APA)
  • APA Citation Style, 6th edition: General Style Guidelines

Definition Essay

  • Definitional Argument Essay
  • How to Write a Definition Essay
  • Critical Thinking
  • Video: Thesis Explained
  • Effective Thesis Statements
  • Student Sample: Definition Essay

Narrative Essay

  • Introduction to Narrative Essay
  • Student Sample: Narrative Essay
  • "Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
  • "Sixty-nine Cents" by Gary Shteyngart
  • Video: The Danger of a Single Story
  • How to Write an Annotation
  • How to Write a Summary
  • Writing for Success: Narration

Illustration/Example Essay

  • Introduction to Illustration/Example Essay
  • "She's Your Basic L.O.L. in N.A.D" by Perri Klass
  • "April & Paris" by David Sedaris
  • Writing for Success: Illustration/Example
  • Student Sample: Illustration/Example Essay

Compare/Contrast Essay

  • Introduction to Compare/Contrast Essay
  • "Disability" by Nancy Mairs
  • "Friending, Ancient or Otherwise" by Alex Wright
  • "A South African Storm" by Allison Howard
  • Writing for Success: Compare/Contrast
  • Student Sample: Compare/Contrast Essay

Cause-and-Effect Essay

  • Introduction to Cause-and-Effect Essay
  • "Cultural Baggage" by Barbara Ehrenreich
  • "Women in Science" by K.C. Cole
  • Writing for Success: Cause and Effect
  • Student Sample: Cause-and-Effect Essay

Argument Essay

  • Introduction to Argument Essay
  • Rogerian Argument
  • "The Case Against Torture," by Alisa Soloman
  • "The Case for Torture" by Michael Levin
  • How to Write a Summary by Paraphrasing Source Material
  • Student Sample: Argument Essay
  • Grammar/Mechanics Mini-lessons
  • Mini-lesson: Subjects and Verbs, Irregular Verbs, Subject Verb Agreement
  • Mini-lesson: Sentence Types
  • Mini-lesson: Fragments I
  • Mini-lesson: Run-ons and Comma Splices I
  • Mini-lesson: Comma Usage
  • Mini-lesson: Parallelism
  • Mini-lesson: The Apostrophe
  • Mini-lesson: Capital Letters
  • Grammar Practice - Interactive Quizzes
  • De Copia - Demonstration of the Variety of Language
  • Style Exercise: Voice
  • Link to facebook
  • Link to linkedin
  • Link to twitter
  • Link to youtube
  • Writing Tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay

How to Write an Argumentative Essay

4-minute read

  • 30th April 2022

An argumentative essay is a structured, compelling piece of writing where an author clearly defines their stance on a specific topic. This is a very popular style of writing assigned to students at schools, colleges, and universities. Learn the steps to researching, structuring, and writing an effective argumentative essay below.

Requirements of an Argumentative Essay

To effectively achieve its purpose, an argumentative essay must contain:

●  A concise thesis statement that introduces readers to the central argument of the essay

●  A clear, logical, argument that engages readers

●  Ample research and evidence that supports your argument

Approaches to Use in Your Argumentative Essay

1.   classical.

●  Clearly present the central argument.

●  Outline your opinion.

●  Provide enough evidence to support your theory.

2.   Toulmin

●  State your claim.

●  Supply the evidence for your stance.

●  Explain how these findings support the argument.

●  Include and discuss any limitations of your belief.

3.   Rogerian

●  Explain the opposing stance of your argument.

●  Discuss the problems with adopting this viewpoint.

●  Offer your position on the matter.

●  Provide reasons for why yours is the more beneficial stance.

●  Include a potential compromise for the topic at hand.

Tips for Writing a Well-Written Argumentative Essay

●  Introduce your topic in a bold, direct, and engaging manner to captivate your readers and encourage them to keep reading.

●  Provide sufficient evidence to justify your argument and convince readers to adopt this point of view.

●  Consider, include, and fairly present all sides of the topic.

●  Structure your argument in a clear, logical manner that helps your readers to understand your thought process.

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●  Discuss any counterarguments that might be posed.

●  Use persuasive writing that’s appropriate for your target audience and motivates them to agree with you.

Steps to Write an Argumentative Essay

Follow these basic steps to write a powerful and meaningful argumentative essay :

Step 1: Choose a topic that you’re passionate about

If you’ve already been given a topic to write about, pick a stance that resonates deeply with you. This will shine through in your writing, make the research process easier, and positively influence the outcome of your argument.

Step 2: Conduct ample research to prove the validity of your argument

To write an emotive argumentative essay , finding enough research to support your theory is a must. You’ll need solid evidence to convince readers to agree with your take on the matter. You’ll also need to logically organize the research so that it naturally convinces readers of your viewpoint and leaves no room for questioning.

Step 3: Follow a simple, easy-to-follow structure and compile your essay

A good structure to ensure a well-written and effective argumentative essay includes:

Introduction

●  Introduce your topic.

●  Offer background information on the claim.

●  Discuss the evidence you’ll present to support your argument.

●  State your thesis statement, a one-to-two sentence summary of your claim.

●  This is the section where you’ll develop and expand on your argument.

●  It should be split into three or four coherent paragraphs, with each one presenting its own idea.

●  Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that indicates why readers should adopt your belief or stance.

●  Include your research, statistics, citations, and other supporting evidence.

●  Discuss opposing viewpoints and why they’re invalid.

●  This part typically consists of one paragraph.

●  Summarize your research and the findings that were presented.

●  Emphasize your initial thesis statement.

●  Persuade readers to agree with your stance.

We certainly hope that you feel inspired to use these tips when writing your next argumentative essay . And, if you’re currently elbow-deep in writing one, consider submitting a free sample to us once it’s completed. Our expert team of editors can help ensure that it’s concise, error-free, and effective!

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Food Inc Movie Summary

In 2009, Food, Inc. was named one of the top five films of the year by the National Board of Review.

This film talked about the process of how animals are raised and slaughtered, as well as, the harsh conditions in which immigrants work. Food Inc also mentioned topics such as Monsantos monopoly on seeds and the government’s lack of regulation when it comes to food production.

I was really disturbed by what I saw in this movie because it made me think about all of the times I have eaten fast food or bought unhealthy snacks from the grocery store without knowing where it came from or how it was made. This documentary has inspired me to start cooking more meals at home from scratch and to be more mindful about the food that I am putting into my body. It is important for people to see films like Food, Inc so that we can be more informed about the food we are eating and the industries that are responsible for producing it.

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  • Essay on Business

Example Of Food Inc Argumentative Essay

Type of paper: Argumentative Essay

Topic: Business , Film , Environment , Food , Ethics , Cinema , Company , Development

Published: 03/24/2020

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The food production industry has been rapidly developed over the centuries. The food production has become faster and more technologically advanced. From producing agricultural crops for feeding the town, the production of food has increased for feeding the whole country and even the world (Leopold 199). There has been many enhancements in order for the food industry to provide more products to the increasing global population such as genetic modifications and production methods. However, the documentary Food Inc. has presented many ethical and moral issues about the food production in the United States. According to the film, these issues has been kept secret to the public which is the very consumer of the food industry’s products. The objective of this essay is to elaborate some of the moral and ethical issues from the film Food Inc. According to the film, the large companies which manufactures food have little or almost no concern with the environment and the natural world. They view the large food companies which are only concern about making their production faster and larger. They are changing the production method such as changing the food of the animals in order to increase the amounts of their products. They are not concern about the unintended effects of their methods to the natural environment. The large food companies are controlling the world food production even if there are negative consequences to the environment. According to the film, the large food companies has no intended actions for industrial sustainability and they always find a way to kept it a secret to the public. They control the food production as well as the government provisions that should be the one protecting the public to the unethical acts of the large food companies. If Aldo Leopold have known the issues presented in the documentary Food Inc. he would be very disappointed. Aldo Leopold is an ecologist who developed the modern environmental ethics. According to him, people should obey the law to protect the environment and should always practice conservation in order to bring profit (Leopold 199). In Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethics, people should be part of the ecology which means, people should not have over control of the land use. As a responsible specie, people should have an important goal in promoting biodiversity and sustainability. Leopold’s ideals are contradicting with the large food companies which are presented in the documentary Food Inc. Large food companies have controlled over the methods of production that changes the environment. As an environmentalist and ecologists, Aldo Leopold would make some actions to change the land use of the large food companies (Leopold 121). There are two types of environmental ethics which are anthropocentric and non-anthropocentric. Anthropocentric ethics promote environmental protection for human needs while non-anthropocentric ethics promotes environmental ethics for non-human entities. Non-anthropocentric ethics could change the behavior of humans towards the animals in the food industry. Respecting the living and the non-living entities in the environment as a part of the moral community is one of the aspects of non-anthropocentric environmental ethics. Developing a non-anthropocentric ethics could help in promoting respect and concern about the animals in the food industry. In could help establishing the duty and responsibilities of humans for the protection of the animals for abuse and immoral acts (Callicott 800). As for the engineers, they have very high level of responsibilities for the issues presented in the film. Quality of products should be the first priority in the any production system. A responsible engineer should always be concern of the safety of the public against the unsafe products they are producing (Food and Agricultural Organization 25). In the film, they presented the issue of contamination in the food products which the large companies are producing. It is the responsibility of the engineers to design their production which removes the risk of contamination. A responsible engineer should be concern more of the safety of the public rather than the profit. The film presented that the large food companies are controlling the economic and political development of food production. In my opinion, the regular customers are the ones that is controlling the food production. The large companies are only producing large amounts of food using unethical methods since they have large demands from the public. For me, people could change the world from industrial control to environmental sustainability if they change their way of life. If people are more demanding of sustainable and organic food, then the large food companies will have to lower their production and lower their environmental effects. I argue that the issue presented in the documentary Food Inc. are serious moral concerns. If the food industry will not change their production methods, then people could suffer the unintended consequences such as health problems and environmental impacts. People are responsible for the large demand that the large food companies are supplying. These issues should be changed and answered by the government since their provisions are also problematic. In the film, the government agencies such as the USDA and the FDA are protecting the large food companies and not the general public. These issues are serious moral concerns that should be solve by humanity.

Works Cited:

Callicott, J. Non-Anthropocentric Value Theory and Environmental Ethics. American Philosophical Quarterly, 21(4), 799-825. 1984. Print. Food and Agricultural Organization. Ethical Issues in Food and Agriculture. University of Oxford Press. 2011. Print. Leopold, Aldo. Ecocentrism: The Land Ethics. From A Sand County Almanac: And Essays on Conservation from Round River. Oxford University Press. 1981. Print

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Great Argumentative Essay Topics About Food with essay prompts

Bob cardens.

  • July 31, 2022
  • Essay Topics and Ideas , Nursing

It can be hard to think of a good Argumentative Essay Topics About Food. You want something that will engage your audience and get them thinking, but you also need to pick a topic that you feel passionate about. In this article, we’ll give you a list of some great Argumentative Essay Topics About Food to get you started!

What You'll Learn

Great Argumentative Essay Topics About Food

Differences Between Food Intoxication and Food Infection

Essay Prompt: Food infections occur when individuals consume food contaminated by infectious organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins. Food contamination can happen during the production of food.

Food as a Way to Showcase African Americans’ Identity

Essay Prompt: For the majority, there is not much to think about food. Food is simply a means to an end. We eat so we could be full. However, others understand that food is not just a means. They understand that what they eat is a representation of who they are.

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Why Do People Waste Food?

Essay Prompt: Evidence reveals that the food wasted annually could be enough to feed an enormous number of people. There are two main reasons why people waste food. First, when people visit restaurants, they are usually starving. Consequently, they are likely to order more food than they need.

The Food we Eat

Essay Prompt: The food we eat contains nutrients necessary for nourishing and proper functioning of the body. It is important to understand well the food we put into our mouths because it determines our health and wellbeing. The food we eat contains nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, and vitamins…

Food Preference Identifies Identity

Essay Prompt: Although food variations can be found anywhere in the world whether it is local or adopted; that people are liking food regardless of their roots and preferences; those food varieties these days are being adopted and reformulated from culture to culture, food variation identifies the individual’s culture.  

Please watch the documentary “Food Chains”. Literature & Language

Essay Prompt: Food Chains is a documentary that was produced by Eva Longoria on November 24, 2014. This documentary reveals how farmworkers in the United States are abused by the multibillion-dollar supermarkets and food industries

Essay Prompt: Food wastage refers to the loss of unconsumed food. Food wastage occurs in various stages, such as production, processing, distribution, retail, and consumption. Conversely, food loss refers to the removal of food intended for consumption from the food chain. In most cases, food that ends up.

Unique Argumentative Essay Topics About Food

The topic is fast Food and health

Essay Prompt: Fast food refers to types of foods that are prepared within a short time before they are served. They are relatively cheaper than ordinary food cooked in homes. In most restaurants, fast foods are readily available and one does not need time to wait for it to be prepared.  

Food Security and Reasons Why LDCs Are Food-Deficit Countries

Essay Prompt: Food security entails the availability of adequate, nutritious, sufficient, and safe food that enable people to maintain their health and have active lives. In particular, food security comprises of three primary elements, namely availability, access, and utilization. (Argumentative Essay Topics About Food)

The Slow Food Movement will improve the Condition of the Environment

Essay Prompt: The slow food movement has been popularized due to the positive effects that it has on the environment. The movement supports the consumption of locally manufactured food instead of imported foods, which ultimately cuts the use of fossil fuel in the transportation of food.

The Concept of Right to Food, Justice, and Sovereignty and the Food Insecurity

Essay Prompt: From the video, key concepts discussed are the right to food, justice, and sovereignty. Every human being has a right to food, which involves the right to have adequate food which is correspondent to their cultural tradition, as well as enhance physical and mental status for a dignified and fulfilling life.

Here are additional 60+ Top And Best Argumentative Essay Topics For Different Contexts

Food Policy and Public Health’s Impacts on Mexican Food System

Essay Prompt: Food policy and public health are always a major concern to different countries across the globe. Food policy is the way a government manages and regulates the food system and industry, the laws governing the trading of food products and inputs.

Food History. Could slow Food be the best choice for producing Food for humanity?

Essay Prompt: Slow Food mainly seeks to attain the goal of producing food that is good, clean, and fair. Additionally, it also seeks to continue feeding the world without necessarily harming the environment. Unique Argumentative Essay Topics About Food.

Find out more on  Argumentative Essay Topics About Social Media [Updated]

Reflection on the Lecture About Food Justice

Essay Prompt: This lecture explores diverse concepts, with food justice attracting significant attention. Food justice ensures that everybody acquires access to nutritional and affordable food, not forgetting the safety of those involved in food production.

Research Paper Topics on Food

Cause and Effect Eating out at Fast Food

Essay Prompt: Fast food was made famous in the 1950s through Mc Donald’s company. The industry has been growing vast in the past years. This has been a result of the high demand from customers and improvements in the products and services.

Facts Impacting Food Choices

Essay Prompt: The state of human health is predominantly a faction of food choices that an individual makes every day. My daily food choices are mostly affected by cultural influences, time, and cost. My cultural background affects my daily food choices.

How Food Affects Human Health

Essay Prompt: Currently, the numbers of teenagers with poor eating habits have drastically improved as the sizes of fast-food restaurants also increase. Specifically, the issue has been observed in the US where several new fast-food businesses continue to emerge which produce unhealthy food products.

Global Food Politics

Essay Prompt: After viewing the week eight lecture recording, different key concepts can be unpacked from the discussion, such as student overall essay performance, global food politics, and diabetics. Global food politics is one of the critical concepts that caught my attention.

Traceability, Suitability, and Regenerative Agriculture in Food Supply Chain

Essay Prompt: The Food Industry plays a significant part in providing fundamental necessities and essentials with which diverse human behaviors and activities are given. When food is harvested or manufactured, it must go through several processes.

How can Food supply chains prepare for the future in terms of traceability, suitability, and regenerative agriculture?

Food Insecurity and the Strategies for Solving It

Essay Prompt: A key concept that was clarified in the Zoom Lecture is food insecurity. Food insecurity is an issue that faces a significant number of households globally. During the pandemic, many people experienced food insecurity.

Eating Unhealthily and Our Expectations in How Others Eat

Essay Prompt: Is It Ethical to Eat Unhealthily? People’s food intake comprises the food systems, which are composed of elements such as the workforce, infrastructures, environment, institutions, and other activities associated with food.

How should a developing country improve its Food security? Select a single developing country to consider?

Essay Prompt: Food is critical to human sustenance. Through mankind’s journey, food has been front and center of major events including wars, social rituals, worship and child-bearing.

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Should Ban or Limit GMO Food

Essay Prompt: In the recent years, the GMO foods have flooded the consumer market with over 30,000 different food products.

Global Food Politics: The Food System

Essay Prompt: The movement of people across Mexico and the USA has been on the rise in recent years. There have been several cases of undocumented migration. According to the zoom meeting lecture, the policies put on the line to prevent the undocumented migration of people have not been effective.

Pros of a Single Food Agency

Essay Prompt: Master’s level Essay: Pros of a Single Food Agency: What are some of the pros and cons of creating a single food agency?

Food Industry’s System Structure and Misaligned Interests with Public Health

Essay Prompt: The food industry has introduced a fierce competition for consumers’ money through aggressive advertising efforts and their display of products on supermarket shelves. The fierce competition imposes poor diets worldwide, characterized by immense consumption of ultra-processed packaged food products manufactured.

Why People Work to Reduce Food Wastage?

Essay Prompt: The primary reason why people work to reduce food wastage is because of hunger and saving the resources used to produce food; for example, 28 percent of global land coverage is used for producing food, which eventually goes to waste. Not everybody can afford to buy food from the supermarket, and the grocery.

Is GMO Food safe? They are more nutritious. FDA has approved GMO Foods

Essay Prompt: The safety of GMO foods has sparked heated debates and, in many countries, there is legislation on their consumption. The proponents of GMO foods assert that they cannot be dismissed as categorically harmful….

Write a topic About Food that affects health. Is GMO Food safe?…

The Relationship Between Overproduction and Hunger with the Commodification of Food

Essay Prompt: A commodity is a primary resource utilized as a raw material in manufacturing goods and services. Coffee, beans, and wheat are just a few examples of commodities. The transformation of resources and services into commodities is a significant factor influencing all cultures.

You can also check out 150+ Top-Notch Argumentative Essay Topic Ideas

Identifying the Meaning of Organic

Essay Prompt: Organic implies that the food or agricultural products meet quality standards without the use of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Fruits, vegetables, grains, and even meat can be produced organically but is mostly the food crops than meat…

College Students Who Go Full Time to School Should Be Able to Get Free Food

Essay Prompt: While in high school, many students yearn for the opportunity to complete their studies and join college little do they know what one goes through in college. College comes with huge expenses and it may be costlier for those who reside in the campus.

Food Symbolism in Society

Essay Prompt: Research on food thrives, from the history of contradictory types of charge to the relationship between provisioning and values, gender responsibilities, and eating maladies.

Raw Fresh Foods versus Cooked Processed Foods: Which is better for the Body?

Essay Prompt: The irony that while most people agree that raw fresh foods are better for the body and yet most people also eat more processed food than fresh food.

Here’s a sample argumentative essay outline you can use for your food essay

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Harris Fights Uphill Against Trump in Arizona, Backed by a Revived Party

The battleground state, where Kamala Harris will rally on Friday, has drifted toward Donald Trump since he lost it in 2020. Democrats hope her momentum could turn their fortunes around there.

  • Share full article

Vice President Kamala Harris speaking at a campaign event in April in Tucson, Ariz.

By Kellen Browning and Nicholas Nehamas

Kellen Browning reported from Phoenix and Nicholas Nehamas from Minneapolis.

As Vice President Kamala Harris fights for the votes of Americans threatening to abandon the Democratic Party, she faces challenges across the battleground states, from working-class Nevada communities to Arab American enclaves in Michigan.

But perhaps no swing state has vexed Democrats as much this year as Arizona.

A longtime Republican stronghold before President Biden’s victory in 2020, the state is tricky political territory for Democrats, who confront magnified concerns over the number of migrants coming across the U.S.-Mexico border. A handful of polls in recent weeks have shown former President Donald J. Trump leading Ms. Harris by the mid-single digits, even as her numbers have improved in other vital states.

On Friday, Ms. Harris will take the stage in a Phoenix suburb alongside her new running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota — part of a renewed push to put Sun Belt states back in play and keep Arizona’s 11 electoral votes in the Democratic column. She faces an uphill battle there as Republicans work to paint her as the architect of the border crisis , but her allies say the energy she has brought to drained Democratic voters could also attract moderate swing voters.

“She seems to have captured some of that lightning in a bottle that the Obama campaign had,” said John Giles, the Republican mayor of Mesa, east of Phoenix, who endorsed Ms. Harris last month . Still, he cautioned, “she absolutely has to run like she’s behind in Arizona, because I think she is.”

Immigration consistently ranks as a top issue in Arizona, where voters will decide in November whether to make unlawfully crossing the border from Mexico a state crime. Even as border apprehensions have dropped sharply nationwide this year, they have continued to climb in Arizona. Border officials in the area south of Tucson have tallied nearly 430,000 apprehensions and other encounters since October, out of roughly 1.4 million across the entire southwestern border. That is up from about 235,000 in roughly the same time period the year before.

Mr. Trump and his allies have hammered Ms. Harris on immigration, highlighting her previous statements that “an undocumented immigrant is not a criminal” to portray her as soft on the border. They have castigated her as the “border czar,” though Mr. Biden gave her the responsibility of solving the “root causes” of migration from Central America, rather than dealing with problems at the southern border.

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IMAGES

  1. Food Inc.: A Free Essay Example on Today's Food Industry

    food inc argumentative essay

  2. Organic Food Essay

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  3. Argumentative Essay

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  4. What Is an Argumentative Essay? Simple Examples To Guide You

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COMMENTS

  1. Food, Inc': a Summary and Critical Analysis

    This film "Food, Inc"depicts the changes in the way people eat; choose their foods and the food systems in general. There are a lot of gray areas between consumers and food sources. Corporations are able to hide the truth about the quality and ethical standards that are held in food production. Most members who are involved in the food ...

  2. Food Inc

    Food Inc - A Summary. Last Updated on February 17, 2017 by. This is a Superb documentary which demonstrates the downsides of the industrialisation of the food system in the USA. It is relevant to the following areas of Global Development within A level Sociology. Illustrating the downsides of Industrialisation.

  3. Food, Inc.: Summary & Analysis of Today's Food Industry

    Food, Inc., an American documentary film, examines the industrial production of meat, grains, and vegetables. The film concludes by claiming the entirety of our food industry is inhumane, and economically and environmentally unsustainable. The film continues to examine today's industry by exploring the economic and legal powers large food companies have. Thus, recently, the spotlight has ...

  4. Ethos, Logos, Pathos in the Food, Inc. Documentary Essay

    There is another example of the successful deployment of a pathos-fueled rhetorical argumentation in the documentary, concerned with the scene in which Barbara Kowalcyk begins to cry while talking about the story of her son Kevin's death, due to food-poisoning: "He (Kevin) begged for water. That was all he would talk about - water" (00. ...

  5. Rhetorical Analysis of the Documentary 'Food, Inc': [Essay Example

    The documentary "Food, Inc" is informative, but a slightly biased film that shows the development of the larger food trade. The film tries to show the bad results ensuing from opinions that are effective, but there's an over-reliance on pathos in the facts. Created by Robert Kenner the film supported Eric Schlosser's book sustenance Nation.

  6. Food, Inc

    Food, Inc. takes a look at the U.S. food industry and examines how what we eat gets from the seed or animal to our table. Directed by Robert Kenner, this documentary explores farms around the country, both large and small, meat and vegetable. It reveals different practices in the food industry, with some farmers and company owners looking at food as something to be manufactured scientifically ...

  7. Argumentative Essay On Food Inc

    Argumentative Essay On Food Inc. 802 Words4 Pages. The documentary, Food Inc., takes a deeper look at the food industry and how it has changed over the years. The McDonald brothers played a huge part in changing the food industry forever. The brothers began to run their restaurant in a factory style. Each worker only had one specific job to do.

  8. Food Inc.: Persuasive Essay

    Food Inc.: Persuasive Essay. 1021Words5Pages. Food is a necessity that every living thing needs to survive. Humans demand food increases by the minute and with the help of new technologies, they are given to us quickly. But very seldom do people stop and think about the consequence of the food we buy so easily at a grocery shop.

  9. 'Food Inc. Argumentative Essay

    View Essay - 'Food Inc.' Argumentative Essay - Brianna Andrews from ENGLISH 101 at Springport High School. Brianna Andrews Mr. Bradley AP English December 16th, 2016 Food Inc. (Classical Model) In AI Chat with PDF

  10. Essay On Food Inc

    Argumentative Essay On Food Inc 802 Words | 4 Pages. The documentary, Food Inc., takes a deeper look at the food industry and how it has changed over the years. The McDonald brothers played a huge part in changing the food industry forever. The brothers began to run their restaurant in a factory style. Each worker only had one specific job to do.

  11. Argumentative Thesis Overview

    A writing process presentation brought to you by the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab. Think of a thesis statement as a road map for your essay. Writers use thesis statements to let an audience know the main point of an essay. An argumentative thesis clearly presents the main claim or argument being made. It makes a clear assertion!

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    An argument is a reasoned opinion supported and explained by evidence. To argue in writing is to advance knowledge and ideas in a positive way. Written arguments often fail when they employ ranting rather than reasoning. A Tip: Most of us feel inclined to try to win the arguments we engage in.

  13. How to Write an Argumentative Essay

    Requirements of an Argumentative Essay. To effectively achieve its purpose, an argumentative essay must contain: A concise thesis statement that introduces readers to the central argument of the essay A clear, logical, argument that engages readers Ample research and evidence that supports your argument. Approaches to Use in Your Argumentative ...

  14. Food Inc Movie Summary Essay on Documentary, Food, Movie

    Food Inc Movie Summary. Food, Inc. is a 2008 American documentary film directed by Robert Kenner. The film examines the industrial production of meat, grains, and vegetables in the United States, concluding that the food industry in America is an oligopoly controlled by a handful of powerful companies. The film was nominated for an Academy ...

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    Food, Inc.is not only informational but holds viewers attention, in conjunction with being very persuasive. This documentary would prove to be a valuable educational resource because it improves critical thinking, and teaches factual information. Food, Inc. goes on a journey to the biggest farms and slaughterhouses across the country.

  16. 10.2: Introduction to Argumentative Thesis Statements

    An academic argument asserts a claim and supports that claim with evidence. The goal of an argument is to convince readers that the writer's position is reasonable, valid, and worthy of consideration. Therefore, an argumentative thesis statement needs to be not only clear and focused, but also debatable, assertive, and reasoned.

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  18. Food inc Argumentative Essay (500 Words)

    Essay on Food inc Argumentative Essay Movie: Food Inc. In your own words, answer each question briefly, i.e. 1 short paragraph. Please type your answers directly on this page, using italics or

  19. Argumentative Essay On Fast Food Advertising

    Argumentative Essay On Food Inc 802 Words | 4 Pages. The documentary, Food Inc., takes a deeper look at the food industry and how it has changed over the years. The McDonald brothers played a huge part in changing the food industry forever. The brothers began to run their restaurant in a factory style. Each worker only had one specific job to do.

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    Order custom essay Food inc review with free plagiarism report 450+ experts on 30 subjects Starting from 3 hours delivery Get Essay Help ... Food inc Argumentative Essay. Essay type: Research. Words: 526. Pages: 2. Movie: Food Inc. ...

  21. 20 Fast Food Articles for a Juicy Argumentative Essay

    Sample thesis statement: Though banning fast food may seem like a simple solution to the obesity epidemic, a ban on fast food will not solve the problem. Why the Fast-Food Ban Failed in South L.A. Published by the well-respected online news source, The Atlantic, this timely article includes a brief commentary on banning fast food and explains why the ban failed in South L.A.

  22. Great Argumentative Essay Topics About Food with ...

    Essay Prompt: Food Chains is a documentary that was produced by Eva Longoria on November 24, 2014. This documentary reveals how farmworkers in the United States are abused by the multibillion-dollar supermarkets and food industries. Food Waste. Essay Prompt: Food wastage refers to the loss of unconsumed food.

  23. Argument Jack Flashcards

    The following is an effective argumentative thesis: The federal government should overhaul all of the laws regarding agriculture. Fasle. Which logical fallacy occurs in the passage below? The United States is the best country in the world because we are the friendliest and most diverse country. Begging the question.

  24. Harris Fights Uphill Against Trump in Arizona, Backed by a Revived

    The battleground state, where Kamala Harris will rally on Friday, has drifted toward Donald Trump since he lost it in 2020. Democrats hope her momentum could turn their fortunes around there.