Karen'sTrendsTopicProposal

1. What is your topic and how does it relate to the overall theme of trends and culture?

My topic is the effects (and possibly causes) of caffeine. Americans consumption of caffeine has dramatically increased over the last (10? Or 15?) years.

2. What is the main controversy? Who are the participants in the debate?

The biggest controversy are the negative effects: whether or not caffeine is harmful, America's excessive spending, the distortion of natural sleep-cycles of an entire country and the use of other drugs to go to sleep, but also positive effects exist. I think this will be enough information, but I can also set up the story, or mention the causes of caffeine's popularity. There are many parties involved in this issue- possibly the FDA or other health organizations, the producers of caffeine products, and of course, consumers.

3. Please list all the causes/effects you intend to explore in your essay. Obviously, you might come up with other causes/effects based on your research, but it is useful to know what you have to start with.

See above paragraph.

4. What approach will you be using? Please explain if you plan to combine approaches.

I *plan* to use the effects approach, though some causes might be necessary, before I can decide I will have to know how my paper falls together and the conclusions I make.

5. What information will you be looking for as you start researching the topic?

Information, (possibly the police report/autopsy) of the (high school?) basket-ball player that died on the court, after drinking multiple Red Bulls. The amount of spending on caffeine related products, and the differences between American and foreign, mostly Asian and European (specifically British) consumption. Anything else I can get my hands on. The lifestyle trends of why a younger generation is consuming more caffeine.