Blog Post #45 - Outlining My Public Argument

Sane, Ian. "Riding A Good Outline". 6/29/2013. via Flickr
Attribution 2.0 Generic

In his blog I will be outlining my public argument. I will be providing a good-looking, easy-to-read but detailed picture of how I planning on addressing my argument.

• Introduction
• Think about Your Situation
• California, New York and Minnesota have all amended their whipping rules in 2015. This is directly attributed to pressure against the horse racing industry due to excessive use of the riding crop by jockeys.
• In the past decade there have been many reforms across all states that allow racing.
• Requirement for new style of riding crop that is more sound than snap.
• Public perception drives the allure of the sport. For the sport to grow there must be an increase in public acceptance.
• My main goal is to restate the current situation without bias and ensure the audience are all aware of exactly how things stand. I am also asserting that only through public acceptance can/will the sport return to its former glory days. I want to stay away from any aspect of controversy and do not want to make any appeals to the audience in this paragraph.
• Body
1. List Down the Major Supporting Arguments
1. Unless there is a change with public opinion towards the perceived abuse by use of the riding crop, the sport will continue to wane.
2. States are all ready making changes, so the problem is very real and must be addressed.
3. There is still no proof that excessive use of a riding crop does anything to improve the horses finishing position. If it does no good, why use it?
4. The use of the crop is reflected in the culture of the jockeys. This is visualized by veterans not using it and apprentices over-using it. Change must occur with the jockeys perceived idea of what it does.
2. List Down the Major Criticisms
1. Using a whip is abuse.
2. There aren't strong enough penalties to deter abusing the whip.
3. Key Support and Rebuttal Points
1. The issue is identified and the industry is in the process of making changes.
2. Since we cannot get rid of the crop entirely for safety reasons, strict regulation of its use needs to be formed and enacted.
3. Current regulations changes in California, New York and Minnesota need to be a national accepted standard instead of individual state standard.
4. Even if new regulations are enacted, strict enforcement will be necessary.
4. Tentative Topic Sentence
1. Current changes underway are a great start in getting the industry to change, but we are still a long way from a permanent solution.
2. Penalties for violations are not steep enough to deter offenders from repeating transgressions.
5. Gather Evidence
1. Use the associations for CA, NY, MN for their rule sets.
2. Quotes from The Jockey Club and other notable personalities.
6. Map of My Argument
1. Current changes being enacted and how it is a good start.
2. Still more to do.
1. Enforcement.
2. Strict Penalties.
3. Where the finishing line should be.
1. National rules/regulations.
2. Continued study into cause/effect.
3. Ways to further increase public opinion and awareness.
• Conclusion
• Future of the Debate / Positive Consequences
• I would like to take portions of each these (majority being Future of the Debate) to detail how there is still so much to be done even though we are taking positive first steps. There must be a highlighting of the benefits received through action to rectify the issue. An actual study needs to be conducted with real-race test subjects. How is the industry going to inform the public how it is policing itself and improving the welfare of the athletes.