D#9, HW#6 - Toulmin Method Outline

Topic: Lowering the Voting Age in Arizona

Thesis Statement: The voting age in Arizona should be lowered from 18 to 16 because youths have better opportunities to learn about voting, establish early voting habit(s), increase voter turn-out and strengthen the communities they live in.

Reason # 1: Educational opportunities are easier to provide to students still in school.

Warrant # 1: Most 16-17 year olds are in high school.

¨ Backing # 1: Teachers have the opportunity to enhance the learning regarding civics and politics for 16-17 year olds.

¨ Backing # 2: Organizations such as Kids Voting USA have designed curriculum directly related with teaching ‘voting’ for kids.

Reason # 2: Establishing early voting habit(s) is simpler while students are still in school and leads to voter turn-out increase.

Warrant # 1: Engaging students while they are in the “still learning” process will initiate a habit that can be nurtured.

¨ Backing # 1: Preparing teenagers is less challenging than trying to connect with most 18 year olds, who may be more focused on graduating, starting college and possibly moving away from home.

¨ Backing # 2: Some people believe that establishing an early voting habit would lead to voting consistency, thereby, increasing voter turn-out.

Warrant # 2: Parents discuss politics with students who participate in the Kids Voting USA program.

¨ Backing # 1: Statistics show districts with the Kids Voting USA program have increased at the polls.

¨ Backing # 2: Kids Voting USA curriculum is designed for students to learn civics in school and continue learning by discussing what they learn at home with parents.

§ Objection # 1: Voter turn-out has not increased for the age group of 18-24 for the past 20 years. What makes you think that the turn-out will be any different for teenagers?

¨ Rebuttal # 1: Using the KVUSA curriculum will not only teach kids how to vote, it also encourages parents to vote by setting an example. Families will be more involved with discussions in the home when promoting a positive habit.

Reason # 4: Communities are strengthened with active civic participation amongst teenagers.

Warrant # 1: Youths active in their communities are more invested and concerned with what’s happening in their communities.

¨ Backing # 1: Several teenagers and politicians have already attempted to introduce legislation that would lower the voting age.

¨ Backing # 2: Teenagers in New York created an exhibit where they demonstrated their ability to be ‘positive’ and community ‘vested.’