D#5, HW#6, Requiring Primary or Secondary Research

• PURPOSE: After reading my paper I would like my reader to actually stop and say "wow". Not necessarily say wow because I'm such an amazing writer or anything, but I want them to be shocked by the results I find. I think most people just don't know how poorly abstinence-only sex education is actually working. The information regarding teen pregnancy, STD spread, and oral sex participation will hopefully motivate my readers to take action.
• AUDIENCE: I think my audience will value reliable/factual resources. Hopefully I can find reports and research (numbers and statistics) done by credible doctors or scholars. If I just find articles that are written by people who are just stating their opinion on the matter, it will not help my case very much. Also if there is a very profound story about an abstinence-only sex education class gone bad, that might appeal to my readers and capture them through emotion.
• CIRCUMSTANCE: All in all I have a few weeks to finish the research. It is definitely pretty cramped which just means I will have to work at it day by day and definitely not put it off to the very end of the course. Procrastination will not be happening. I have a library and the internet that will be my main resources. If I need to find primary sources I will hopefully be able to find them on the internet.
• TOPIC/ QUESTION: To answer my question thoroughly I need statistics. I need numbers to back up the theory that abstinence-only education is not only not working, but is also harming teenagers.
• AUTHOR: I already know from personal experience what is taught (generally) in abstinence-only sex education classes. Also, from briefly reading a few articles I know that abstinence-only sex education programs are not preventing teenagers form going out and having sex. I also know from a previous class that more teenagers are participating in oral sex becuase they believe they are still abstinent. To access information I basically have me, myself, and I.