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Christian DuVall
Mrs. DeBock
English IV
20 February 2015
Research Question: Is organically produced food better than inorganically produced food?
Working Thesis: Organic products are better than inorganic products in the way that they are
more nutritious and wholesome.
Refined Thesis: Organically produced foods take precedence over their inorganic counterparts,
because organic products are safer for consumption, are considerate of the environment, and are
ultimately worth the expense.
Annotated Bibliography
Cummins, Ronnie. "Industrial Farming Is Harming Farmers, the Environment, and Public
Health." Is Factory Farming Harming America? Ed. Stuart A. Kallen. Detroit:
Greenhaven Press, 2006. At Issue. Rpt. from "Fatal Harvest: Sixty Years of Industrial
Agriculture." Organic Consumers Association, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.
Web. 22 Mar. 2015.
This article specifically addresses the deleterious impacts of conventional farming on the
environment. The author, Ronnie Cummins reports that billions of contaminating pesticides and
fertilizers are accelerating global warming, and devastating waterways. Cummins expands on
these claims, stating that largescale farming methods are polluting the environment, exhausting
aquifers, obliterating topsoil, and releasing excessive amounts of greenhouse and ozone-

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diminishing gases into the environment. In addition to these adverse effects, the article informs
the public that inorganic production techniques are to blame for the widespread obesity, heart
disease, and cancer epidemics, as well as reproductive and hormone disorders. After addressing
specific negative consequences caused by inorganically produced foods Ronnie Cummins
concludes that the only solution to the current disaster is a return to traditional, organic farming
techniques. Cummins encourages this global transition, insisting that agriculture and commerce
on a local level will normalize healthy diets and lifestyles. This article will support the claim
that organically grown and produced foods are better for the environment, as pesticides prove to
be exceptionally destructive.
Ellison, Andrew. "Organic Food Is Not Worth the Extra Expense." Is Organic Food Better? Ed.
Ronald D. Lankford, Jr. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "Organic
Food Is a Waste of Money." Times 5 Sept. 2009. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web.
22 Mar. 2015.
In discussion of organically produced food, one controversial issue has been cost. On
one hand, supporters of organic farming believe that organic products are worth the extra cost, as
production expenses are reflective of the production method. On the other hand, conventional
farming advocates argue that organic products are simply not worth the additional price. The
author, Andrew Ellison denounces organic consumption, stating that consumers who purchase
organic products are not paying for true quality, rather a perception of quality. Ellison expands
on this opposition to organic products, insisting that organic foods have no greater nutritional
value than their inorganic counterparts. In addition, he concedes that organic food is not better
for the environment. Further, Andrew Ellison defends the use of pesticides, acknowledging that
high doses can potentially cause cancer and birth defects, yet he claims that the small amounts

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contained in conventional foods are safe for consumption. This article will serve as a
counterargument, in which Ellisons ungrounded claims will be refuted by credible studies and
statistics.
"It's Easy Being Green: Organic vs. Conventional Foods-The Gloves Come Off." Center for
American Progress. 10 Sept. 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
This article is specific to evaluating the differences between organically and
conventionally produced foods. The author notes that identifying specific differences between
organic and inorganic products is growing progressively necessary as availability increases and
sales intensify. Its Easy Being Green: Organic vs. Conventional Foods The Gloves Come
Off proceeds by identifying several discrepancies between organic and conventional farming
methods. After analyzing the differences in production techniques, the article acknowledges a
multitude of reasons for choosing organic over inorganic. For instance, the author concedes that
consumers are inclined to purchase organic products to avoid exposure chemicals used in
conventional farming, as well as to bypass any antibiotics or hormones given to animals in
conventional methods. In addition, the author reports that organic products are preferable
because they are environmentally-safe, of higher nutritional value, and because they require
certification by of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The article goes on to correct the
misconception that organic foods are overpriced and unaffordable, by enlightening buyers to the
reasons behind the costliness of organically produced foods. The author concludes that the
variance in prices are due the differences in production methods. Therefore, the costliness of
organic foods is profitable in the end. This article will support the defense of consuming
organically, while also serving as a rebuttal to the popular criticism of organic produce being
unreasonably priced.

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