Blog Post 9

I chose to use the second option on my issue paper.  My current research question, which I plan to use to help find information to formulate arguments, is simply, “Why are youth becoming less affiliated with religious organizations?”  This question is the means by which, at least at first, I plan to “enter the discourse community.”  I’m sure I will come up with more specific questions along the way, but this is where I will start.  Growing up in Southern California, I always lived around and went to school with hundreds of kids from a fair share of different religions.  I saw many come in an out of religious activity as well, especially in the LDS Church.  I feel like it is something I have seen first hand enough that I can easily formulate strong arguments once I just find some concrete fact details to work with.  I have 19 years of familiarity from working inside on the matter.  My own strong religious activity as the foundation of my life also gives me a very strong passion for this topic, so I should be able to easily present my paper with a lot of voice.  However, one tricky part will be that my audience doesn’t want to hear opinions.  I assume much of what I can discuss in my paper will sort of be theories based on what I’ve seen, which linger a little too close to opinion.  I need to make sure that I find enough statistics and facts to support my theories that they are not considered opinions and overlooked, but that they can turn into analysis on the trends my audience accepts and wants me to address.