Debate: Are Research Papers a Waste of Time?
Has the Internet made research papers a useless exercise for college students? Is there a better way to assess knowledge?

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Research papers uncover superficial uncritical thinking.
Warrant 0: college students aren't masters of critical thought
Warrant 1: college students are masters of critical thought
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Teaching students in the use of digital tools would be helpful.
Warrant 0: students already know how to use digital tools
Warrant 1: many students don't already know how to use digital tools
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Good research papers will require students to access real books and information.
Warrant 0: research papers are not widely available to purchase at low costs online
Warrant 1: research papers are widely available to purchase at low costs online
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Research papers ensure that scholars, engineers and scientists can distinguish between fact and fiction.
Warrant 0: people can tell the difference between fact and fiction
Warrant 1: people can't tell the difference between fact and fiction
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Students must thoroughly process information to apply it towards their paper.
Warrant 0: research is not used in very many fields of work so it is not an important skill for the majority of the populace
Warrant 1: research is used in many fields of work so it is an important skill for the majority of the populace
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: A well written paper takes critical thinking skills.
Warrant 0: it takes critical thinking to write a paper
Warrant 1: it takes too much thinking to write a paper
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Teaching students in the use of digital tools would be helpful.
Warrant 0: research papers do not require the use of digital tools
Warrant 1: research papers require the use of digital tools
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: A well written paper takes critical thinking skills.
Warrant 0: critical thinking skills are not developed well before the college years
Warrant 1: critical thinking skills are mostly developed well before the college years
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Research papers are a useful exercise for college students
Reason: Research papers encourage students to properly support their arguments.
Warrant 0: the most powerful people in this country have to support their arguments
Warrant 1: the most powerful people in this country don't have to support their arguments
Correct warrant: 0