Factory Farming: Guide to Critical Analysis

Factory Farming: An Overview

Point: Industrial Agriculture has Improved Farming for Hundreds of Years

Counterpoint: Industrial Agriculture Causes More Problems than it Solves

This guide is intended to help you evaluate the controversial topics provided in EBSCO Information Services's Points of View Reference Center™. Using this analysis will enhance your ability to read critically, develop your own perspective on the issue of factory farming, and write or debate an effective argument on the topic.

Before You Read

  • In a single sentence, state what you currently think is the controversy surrounding factory farming.
  • On the opening screen, Browse by Category, click on "Animal Welfare," and then click on "Factory Farming."
  • View the Result List of four records on the Points of View tab that includes this guide.

Each topic in Points of View Reference Center™ has three main Points of View essays. While there may be many opinions on the issue, these essays are designed to provide a base from which you may engage in further analysis:

  • The Overview provides general background information on the issue.
  • The Point essay presents one opinion on the issue in a persuasive position essay.
  • The Counterpoint essay offers an alternative or opposite view of the issue.

As You Read

Reading all three essays will enable you to better understand the controversy, providing a foundation from which you can broaden your knowledge of the topic.

  • Read the Overview, Point and Counterpoint essays. You will be able to move between the Overview, the Point and the Counterpoint essays by clicking on the colored rectangles in the sidebar featuring the Points of View icon.
  • Take notes on the main ideas. Start by printing out the essay and highlighting the main ideas and circling key words.
  • Review the terms in the Understanding the Discussion section of the Overview.
  • Organize your ideas. Click on article "Organize Your Ideas Visually" on the sidebar. Use one of the graphic organizer templates provided to break the essay down into its main points.

Judge Fact and Opinion

Click on the sidebar article titled "Judge Fact vs. Opinion" and review.

FACTS

  • Facts are statements that can be proved true or false.
  • Facts tell what actually happened.
  • Facts tell what is happening now.
  • Facts state something that can be easily observed or verified.

OPINIONS

  • Opinions are statements that cannot be proved true or false because they express a person's thoughts, beliefs, feelings or estimates.
  • Opinions express worth or value.
  • Opinions tell what should or should not be thought or done.
  • Opinions are based on what seems true or probable.

Note the difference between the following facts and opinions:

Example 1:

Fact: About 80 percent of the poultry, beef, and pork consumed in the US is produced on large-scale industrial farms.

Opinion: Thanks to the bounty of large-scale agriculture, more Americans can afford a healthy, protein-rich diet than ever before.

  • In this example of an opinion, "thanks to the bounty" and "healthy" reflect value judgments that attempt to persuade readers to adopt the view that large-scale agriculture is beneficial to Americans.

Example 2:

Fact: "Certified Organic" meat and produce is available at an increasing number of specialty grocery chains such as Whole Foods.

Opinion: Those who object to industrial farming practices should purchase "Certified Organic" foods, which are increasingly available, at higher prices, in both regular and specialty grocery stores.

  • In this example, the opinion tells "those who object to industrial farming practices" what they should do.

Example 3:

Fact: Laying hens live in crowded cages stacked in huge warehouses and don't have room to spread their wings.

Opinion: Egg production in the US involves cruel treatment of chickens.

  • In this example of an opinion, "cruel treatment" is a value judgment.

Example 4:

Fact: Grains and plants have been genetically modified for pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance, and cold tolerance.

Opinion: Genetically modified products may benefit corporations but consumers should beware.

  • In this example, the opinion suggests to consumers what attitude they should have toward genetically modified products.

Based on the criteria listed above, select:

  • Three fact statements from the Point essay on factory farming
  • Three opinion statements from the Counterpoint essay on factory farming

LOOKING DEEPER INTO FACTORY FARMING

You will see several links in the Related Items box on the right hand side of the screen. Exploring these added features will enhance your understanding of the topic you're studying.

  • Click on one of the photos in the Related Items and record your reaction to the picture you chose. Did viewing this picture change your current view on factory farming? How?
  • Under the What the Experts Say tab, click on the link and read the article provided. Is the author of this article promoting the same argument put forth in the Point or the Counterpoint essay? If the writer is supporting a new viewpoint on the topic, what is it?
  • The Result List also offers many other kinds of research articles, such as Periodicals, Newspapers, Reference Books, etc. Click on one of these tabs and read one of the articles. What source tab did you use and what is one benefit of using this type of source? What is one drawback? What new information did you learn from reading this article?

YOU DECIDE

Based on the readings and review of the Related Items offered, consider the Point and Counterpoint essays in light of your own set of personal values.

  • Reflect on which arguments about factory farming you accept: Point, Counterpoint, or a completely different argument. For you, what is the single most compelling argument regarding factory farming, and why?

Write an 800-1,000-word essay response to the above question that contains a thesis statement and 2-3 supporting arguments. See "Writing a Thesis Statement" and "Writing a Persuasive Essay" on the sidebar for tips on how to write your essay.

  • Use facts from other resources found in Points of View Reference Center, other than the Overview, Point, and Counterpoint essays. See "Judge Fact vs. Opinion" on the sidebar to help determine the value of the information you find.
  • Investigate some of the sources cited in the Bibliography at the end of each Point of View essay to see what kind of sources those authors consulted.
  • For website information, first review the article titled "Evaluate a Website" on the sidebar. Use the information you find there to guide your decisions on which site's information would add value to your essay.
  • Suggest ways in which the controversy surrounding factory farming could be resolved.

See these other Points of View "How To" topics for additional help. They can be found on the sidebar of each essay.

  • Writing a Topic Sentence
  • Taking Good Notes
  • From Notes to Outline
  • Visual Ways to Organize Your Ideas
  • Writing a Conclusion
  • Citing Sources
  • Creating a Bibliography
  • Writing a Research Paper

DEBATE IT

  • Debate the issue. To create an effective debate, refer to the tips offered in the "Debate Strategies," "Give an Oral Presentation," and "Start a Debate Club" articles in the sidebar.
  • Have someone else read either the Point or the Counterpoint essay on factory farming. Imagine you are facing this person in a debate setting. Take notes on the points (contentions) you would make to oppose the arguments (rebuttals).
  • When the speaker is finished, respond to the arguments presented with opposing arguments, pointing out any contradictions you may have heard.