I have an essay to write, I need the rough draft TOMORROW, it is 11:34 PM in Cali.
It is an argumentative essay, my topic is the rescheduling of psychedelic drugs for the purposes of research and therapy. I have a lot to say about the drugs I'll be discussing, I know which conditions I will be discussing, but I have NO CLUE on how to start writing this essay!!! I've been trying to outline and brainstorm, I simply cannot organize my thoughts properly! I completed a pre-writing exercise which I will post here, if anyone can give me any suggestions as to how to begin writing..
explain controversial issue by answering one or more of the following questions: What positions have people taken? What typically causes people to disagree over this issue? What is the issues history? Has the issue changed over time? What makes this issue important?
1. The controversial issue I will be discussing concerns psychedelics, and the reclassifying of them from Schedule I status. My paper will be focusing on the drugs MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, and dimethyltryptamine, perhaps touching on LSD and other drugs. These are drugs that could have legitimate uses in psychological therapy to treat conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), addiction, or end-of-life anxiety in terminal cancer patients. Many people are reluctant to consider the possibility of positive uses of these substances because of their seemingly out-of-control use in the 1960s during the hippie movement, and the apparent drug-induced transformation of the academic Timothy Leary. Since the beginning of the Drug War, virtually all research of psychedelics ceased. In the 1990s, the regulatory dam cracked a bit with the efforts of Rick Strassman to research N,N-dimethyltriptamine(DMT) and the role it may play in mystical states or near-death experiences. More recently, MDMA has been enjoying a comeback as well, with current research focusing on its effects in treating PTSD. The reclassification of these drugs is necessary for conducting more research that could lead to the improved mental and emotional health of many people.
In the introductory paragraphs, how will you convince your readers that the issue exists or is serious enough to deserve their attention?
2. If you have ever known anyone with depression, who has suffered through trauma, who struggles with addiction or who has died or is dying from a terminal illness, this issue is important to you. These are conditions that don't only effect the people diagnosed with them, they effect their friends and families, whole communities even. The society we live in is one that causes and perpetuates these diseases through violence, pollution, the use of harmful chemicals, and isolating eachother. While we struggle to cease and desist these behaviors, the least we can do is to have compassion for people who are suffering the consequences.
Briefly discuss your understanding of your readers. Consider the following questions: how much do my readers know about this issue? What could I realistically hope to achieve with these particular readers - convincing them to adopt my point of view, getting them to reconsider their own position, motivating them to take action?
3. I understand that many of my readers may not be familiar with psychedelics, their effects or their uses. Most people are wary of illicit substances, and with good reason; however, I hope that the reader will at least consider that when used properly and under professional observation, psychedelics may provide a helpful tool to countless others.
Where do you stand on this controversial issue? State your position as clearly as possible.
4. I am for the reclassification, the research, and the prescribed, supervised use of psychedelics.
What are your reasons for taking this position? List four or more plausible reasons in the prewrite. You may modify or limit your reasons later.
5.(a) Current research data shows that these drugs may be useful in treating addiction, PTSD, and end-of-life anxiety. (b) Much early research depicting negative effects of these drugs was performed on unwilling inmates of mental institutions who had been diagnosed with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, therefore these studies are flawed. (c) The classification of psychedelics as Schedule I narcotics(based on findings from earlier studies) bars further research of their effects, side effects and their potential harm or benefit to humans. (d) The criteria for Schedule I classification do not aptly describe psychedelics, as there is little to no potential for abuse, they are reasonably safe to use under medical supervision, and they show great potential for use in therapy.
What kinds of support do you think you will need to make your argument convincing (eg, statistics, examples, facts, anecdotes, quotations from authority)? Be specific. Where do you think you will find this information?
6. My reasons will be supported by statistics, examples, anecdotes, quotations from authority, and most importantly, FACTS. I have found a number of cool-looking charts online, from reputable sources. I have access to many books focused on psychedelics research at the public library and at least one in my own collection. I will be using examples and quotes by people who have used or researched psychedelics from videos, if permitted.
Identify at least one widely help opposing position and the reasons readers would likely give in support of this position. State one reason you do not accept and explain how you would counter-argue it (by pointing out where the reasoning is flawed or where argument lacks support).
7. The biggest opposing argument I've heard has to do with the irresponsible use and idolization of psychedelics during the 1960s. Timothy Leary and his buddies thought that LSD and other psychedelics were the key to enlightenment, and encouraged their widespread use among the masses. The nature of these drugs was grossly misrepresented and over-idealized to the public by Leary and his cohorts, and many after them as well, but the answer is not to hide them away and prohibit further research. This led to many people "tuning in and dropping out" of conventional society. Some people neglected duties and responsibilities because they thought they were living a more spiritual life by getting high all the time. However, before the sixties psychedelics were in use among some scholars, professionals and other intellectuals with no alarm. The problem then, was that the use was irresponsible, and that the users were naive and uncritical of their experiences. But the solution is not to further misrepresent these drugs so as to cause people to fear their use in research or medicine.
The quotiest quote of all quotes.