Using your outline and annotated bibliography from Touchstones 1.2 and 2.2, draft a 6-8 page (1500-2000 word) argumentative research essay on your chosen persuasive topic.

Step 1: Draft Persuasive Proposal Your persuasive proposal should include your persuasive thesis statement, involve argument development, and incorporate research. Remember that this topic addresses a problem or issue in your community or workplace. Refer to your feedback from the previous Touchstones to aid you in composing this assignment.

Your draft persuasive proposal should include the following components:

Persuasive ComponentsDescription Persuasive Thesis Statement Include a thesis in your introduction that includes a clear, arguable position and supporting reasons. Argument Development and Support All details are relevant to the purpose of your essay. Support the argument using persuasive rhetorical appeals and cited source material (i.e., direct quotations, paraphrasing, and summary). Essay is 6-8 pages (approximately 1500-2000 words), not including your references or reflection responses. If it does not meet this requirement, which details do you need to add or remove? Research Introduce, contextualize, and cite outside sources effectively using quotation, summary, or paraphrase techniques. Incorporate sources smoothly, providing the reader with signal phrases and context for the source information. Reference a range of at least 7 credible sources. Properly cite your sources according to APA-style guidelines. Include an APA-style reference page below your essay.

TOUCHSTONE 1.2: Evaluation: "Public Health Benefits of Community Gardens" In urban areas, limited access to fresh produce presents a significant challenge, impacting nutrition and overall community health. It is in this context that the article "Benefits of Community Gardens" by Tulane University's School of Public Health arises as a pivotal resource. Published on their public health blog, this source provides an in-depth exploration of how community gardens can serve as a viable solution to urban food deserts. The article is sponsored by Tulane University, a reputable institution recognized for its contributions to public health scholarship. The comprehensive analysis detailed in this source underscores the multi-faceted benefits of community gardens, including nutritional improvement, community engagement, and enhanced environmental sustainability. My thesis is that "Benefits of Community Gardens" is a credible and useful source for understanding the role of community gardens in addressing urban food security issues. Establishing community gardens not only enriches local diets but also strengthens community ties and fosters ecological responsibility, making it the most effective strategy for improving access to fresh produce in urban neighborhoods. The source, "Benefits of Community Gardens," was published on the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine's official blog. Tulane University is a well-regarded institution, known for its expertise and contributions in the field of public health, lending a high degree of credibility to this source. The blog post discusses the benefits of community gardens with supporting evidence including studies and testimonials from participants, although the specific studies cited are not directly referenced in the text provided. The absence of direct citations might slightly limit the perceived authenticity of the source. However, Tulane University's association implies a level of academic rigor behind the claims presented. The publication aligns with mainstream perspectives on community gardening, corroborating what's commonly found in environmental and public health literature, which bolsters the source's reliability. However, for comprehensive analysis, it would be beneficial to cross-reference the information with more detailed scholarly articles, preferably those including specific citations and data. The source effectively outlines how community gardens promote nutrition, enhance community bonds, and improve environmental sustainability, which aligns with common objectives in public health and urban planning projects. The blog is particularly useful for projects aimed at community development or health improvement because it ties practical benefits like increased fruit and vegetable intake to positive health outcomes, appealing to those interested in combating issues like obesity and diabetes. It provides a structured argument with clear implementation steps and addresses potential challenges with solutions, thus offering a practical framework for execution. Moreover, the source captures its audience through a persuasive appeal to health, community, and sustainability, supported by real-world examples. This makes it a valuable tool not only for supporting claims about the benefits of community gardens but also for addressing counter-claims regarding their feasibility and impact. While the post is concise, its utilization of both qualitative data (testimonials) and allusions to quantitative research enhances its persuasiveness, despite the lack of detailed statistical data or visual aids. Community gardens offer a multitude of benefits that extend across various aspects of health, community building, and environmental sustainability. By promoting nutrition through the increased availability and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, community gardens contribute to healthier diets and can help combat public health issues such as obesity and diabetes. These gardens also facilitate stronger community bonds by bringing individuals together around a common purpose, fostering social interactions, cooperation, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, community gardens enhance environmental sustainability by promoting green spaces, encouraging biodiversity, and often adopting eco-friendly practices like composting and organic farming. The proposal to implement community gardens is not only feasible but also offers tangible benefits that are supported by qualitative data and general research trends, despite the source's lack of specific citations. Tulane University's association with the blog lends credibility, suggesting that the claims made are grounded in academic research in the field of public health. For those interested in developing community or health improvement projects, the blog provides a practical framework for execution, complete with strategies to overcome common challenges. The impact of community gardens extends beyond immediate benefits; they represent a significant investment in future generations. By promoting healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and a more sustainable environment, community gardens can have a lasting positive effect. Therefore, it is imperative to act on these proposals, encouraging the establishment of community gardens as a means to advance public health, strengthen community ties, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations. Let us harness the power of community gardens to sow seeds of change in our society. References Public Health Tulane University. (n.d.). Benefits of community gardens. Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. https://publichealth.tulane.edu/blog/benefits-of-community-gardens/

TOUCHSTONE 2.2: Annotated Bibliography 1.Armstrong, D. (2000). A survey of community gardens in upstate New York: Implications for health promotion and community development. Health & Place, 6(4), 319-327. Summary: This article examines the role of community gardens in promoting health and community development in upstate New York. The study finds that community gardens can significantly enhance nutrition by increasing access to fresh produce and provide a venue for educational activities related to health. The findings suggest that involvement in community gardens leads to increased consumption of fruits and vegetables among participants (Armstrong, 2000, p. 324). Use in Argument: This source will be used to support the argument that community gardens promote nutrition by demonstrating increased access to and consumption of fresh produce, aligning with the first main point of your thesis. Additionally, this study offers evidence on how community gardens can serve educational purposes, supporting the notion that they enhance community bonds.

2.Alaimo, K., Packnett, E., Miles, R. A., & Kruger, D. J. (2008). Fruit and vegetable intake among urban community gardeners. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 40(2), 94-101. Summary: The authors investigate the dietary habits of community gardeners in urban environments and find that participants consume more fruits and vegetables than non-gardeners. The research highlights how community gardens serve as a direct source of fresh produce, impacting diet positively (Alaimo et al., 2008, p. 97). Use in Argument: This source bolsters the thesis by providing quantitative evidence of improved nutritional intake among community garden participants. This study will be used to provide concrete numbers and comparisons to show the nutritional benefits of community gardening, fulfilling the evidence needs of the first main point.

3.Teig, E., Amulya, J., Bardwell, L., Buchenau, M., Marshall, J. A., & Litt, J. S. (2009). Collective efficacy in Denver, Colorado: Strengthening neighborhoods and health through community gardens. Health & Place, 15(4), 1115-1122. Summary: This article explores how community gardens foster social interaction and collective efficacy in Denver, Colorado. The authors find that participation in community gardens strengthens neighborhood ties and social networks, contributing to both physical and mental health improvements (Teig et al., 2009, p. 1120). Use in Argument: This research will support the second main point that community gardens enhance community bonds. Illustrating the social and health benefits observed in Denver will provide a case study of successful community interactions resulting from gardening, adding depth to the argument of fostering community cohesion.

4.Barthel, S., Parker, J., & Ernstson, H. (2015). Food and green space in cities: A resilience lens on gardens and urban environmental movements. Urban Studies, 52(7), 1321-1338. Summary: This paper discusses how urban green spaces, including community gardens, contribute to environmental resilience by improving biodiversity and providing ecological benefits. The authors emphasize the role of gardens in constructing sustainable urban ecosystems (Barthel, Parker, & Ernstson, 2015, p. 1325). Use in Argument: This source will be essential for supporting the third main point about environmental sustainability. By detailing the positive environmental impact of gardens, such as biodiversity enhancement and mitigation of the urban heat island effect, this source will provide evidence of how community gardens contribute to sustainable urban development.

5.Guitart, D., Pickering, C., & Byrne, J. (2012). Past results and future directions in urban community gardens research. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 11(4), 364-373. Summary: The authors review the literature on community gardens, providing a comprehensive analysis of their benefits and challenges. They explore social, economic, and environmental impacts while identifying research gaps and future needs (Guitart, Pickering, & Byrne, 2012, p. 370). Use in Argument: This review will aid in establishing a broad context for the benefits of community gardens, providing a foundation for the thesis statement. By synthesizing various studies, it supports the outline's main points and offers insight into potential challenges and solutions, enriching the discussion of implementation and sustainability.

6.Hanna, A. K., & Oh, P. (2000). Rethinking urban poverty: Community gardens as a tool for community renewal. Service Learning, General, & Integrative Programs, 5, 71-85. Summary: This study argues that community gardens are effective tools for addressing urban poverty by providing economic, social, and health benefits. The authors suggest that community gardens can significantly improve living conditions for disadvantaged communities (Hanna & Oh, 2000, p. 75). Use in Argument: The economic aspects discussed in this paper will support arguments related to the initial costs versus long-term community benefits. This source provides evidence that community gardens can help alleviate urban poverty, adding a socio-economic dimension to the thesis about the gardens' potential to improve community welfare.

7.Hou, J., Johnson, J., & Lawson, L. (2009). Greening cities, growing communities: Learning from Seattle's urban community gardens. Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning Faculty Publication Series, 3, 81-92.

Summary: This publication discusses the development and success of community gardens in Seattle, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between local government, organizations, and residents. The authors detail how these gardens have become models for urban green space utilization (Hou, Johnson, & Lawson, 2009, p. 85). Use in Argument: By providing a successful model in Seattle, this source offers practical examples for implementing community gardens, including stakeholder engagement and resource mobilization. It will support the section on implementation steps, illustrating real-world applications of community gardening strategies.