Online chat rooms have become a great source of communication. By utilizing a chat room you can talk with lots of different people all at once. THese people can be from all over the world, or even your next-door neightbor. Chat rooms are very effective resources because they have even allowed me to converse with other members of my Biology class to discuss the lectures and labs. The chat room can provide a learning environment outside of the classroom. A lot of classes around campus have the chat rooms set up privately for only the students registered in that class. The chat room is a good resouce to use inside and outside of the classroom.
In Los Angeles (L.A.) the use of dogs in the police force has been rejected, and the use of weapons is prefered. During the Watts riots, which took place in L.A., officers employed guns as means of protection; some looters and perpetrators were killed (Knutson and Revering 64). Clearly dogs are a more suitable and effective alternative to weapons. The purpose of canines in the police force is to provide an alternative to excessive and deadly force. Although suspects have claimed to be badly bitten, these cases are extremely rare compared to the many documented good deeds and resuces involving human lives performed by police canines. It has been concluded by the 6th Circuit Court that, "since deaths are rare in police dog cases, deploying dogs cannot be condemned as deadly forces" (Savage para. 12).
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Cohesion
“I will be writing a policy paper about which certain types of [GMO] products should be @[labeled], and the basis for the requirements of labeling. I will focus on the strictness of the labeling policy, which @[products] are @[covered] in the policy, which ingredients are covered, when the labeling requirements are triggered. I will also discuss whether restaurants should be required to follow this procedure, what the labels should say, and how the companies will verify whether the products have GMOs or not. I will support this by using documents that prove that GMOs should be labeled. @[Moreover], I will talk about why all ingredients should be covered, @[with the exception of] preservatives and additives. I will use statistics and data from current policies in other countries and find reasons as to why products have to have a certain percentage of GMOs to be considered genetically modified. I will find data to support why restaurants should be excluded from this, @[as well as] why products should say "Does contain GMOs" @[as opposed to] "May contain GMOs". @[For example], many products that claimed to be free of GMOs were actually found to have GMOs, I will discuss a third party company will have to test the GMOs. I will need to find more sources, but I will definitely be able to use the articles I already have.”
Most of my sentences use parallelism so if i marked it, my post would be flooded with @[...].
This exercise made me realize that I need to use more cohesive devices in my writings.
Most of my sentences use parallelism so if i marked it, my post would be flooded with @[...].
This exercise made me realize that I need to use more cohesive devices in my writings.
"Tiger Tear Down"
When I first heard about the cancellation of the Clemson's Big Thursday, and whether we should cancel the Tiger Burn, it didn't even dawn on me that the reason it was cancelled was because of the tragedy in North Carolina. I believe that the "Tiger Tear Down" is a much better alternative, because the Tiger Burn could be a direct hit for friends of the girl from Clemson that died in the fire. I think it's sad that my first year here, I have to miss out on this USC tradition, but I completely understand why it was canceled, and I think it was a good decision. I am not exactly a USC fan by 'heritage', but I guess you could say they are my #2 team, so it's not like I'm missing out on a huge part of Gamecock life.
The motivation for this change in policy is to respect the 7 that lost their lives in a fire. I don't know that society will necessarily benefit from it, but many USC and Clemson students would be worse off emotionally if the Tiger Burn was still scheduled.
The motivation for this change in policy is to respect the 7 that lost their lives in a fire. I don't know that society will necessarily benefit from it, but many USC and Clemson students would be worse off emotionally if the Tiger Burn was still scheduled.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Chapter 7 Question 5
Patrick Moore and Jamie Lincoln Kitman discuss unconventional ways to help the environment. Both authors support protecting the environment, but their arguments on the effectiveness of hybrid vehicles and nuclear energy may come as a surprise to those who are less familiar with the subject.
In Jamie Lincoln Kitman's essay, "Life in the Green Lane", he describes the ineffectiveness of certain hybrid cars when it comes to protecting the environment. Rather than being an advocate of hybrid cars, as most would expect, Kitman discusses the reasons that hybrid cars aren't as beneficial as most believe. He begins by comparing hybrid cars to fat-free desserts. If you eat enough of these desserts, you can still gain weight. This is the same as buying a hybrid car that claims to save gas, but instead, can only save gas under certain conditions. Hybrid cars are designed to save gas when driving at moderate speeds through town, but when one is driven on the highway, the battery powered cell is not enough to make the car accelerate and stay at a higher speed. At this point, the car switches to gas power, thus using the same amount of gas as a conventional car. Kitman also writes that a conventional car is always better than a hybrid SUV, because the "21 miles per gallon is not particularly brilliant", as compared to the gas mileage of a conventional car. The government has begun making tax incentives and special parking spots for these very same cars that waste more gas than a regular car, while people that save gas by using regular cars have to walk a further distance and pay more money for actually saving more gas. Because Kitman is a bureau cheif for a car magazine, he knows more about cars than the average person (I assume); the article may come as a shock to those that don't know the truth about hybrid cars.
In Patrick Moore's article, "Going Nuclear: A Green Makes the Case", he writes about the advantages of nuclear energy. He admits that he was once against this idea, but now is an advocate. His pro-environmental stance makes it surprising that he supports this idea, but my high school chemistry teacher preached about the wonders of nuclear energy, so it really doesn't come as a shock to me. He begins by giving a history of nuclear energy, including fatal accidents (and he stresses that they were accidents) and stats about CO2 emissions from electrical energy plants. He talks about solar and wind energy, two useful energy sources, but that they are so unpredictable that they can't be relied on. There are five problems with nuclear energy that he is able to counter-argue. Nuclear energy may be expensive now, but with technological advances, it will be more affordable in the future. Nuclear energy has had an unsafe history, but only because the reactor was lacking safety measures that are now instilled in the plants now. Some believe that nuclear waste will be dangerous for thousands of years, but within 40 years, the used fuel will have less than 1/1000th of the original radioactivity. Nuclear reactors are believed to be vulnerable to terrorist attacks, but chemical plants, natural gas plants, and political targets are far more vulnerable. Finally, nuclear fuel can be diverted to nuclear weapons, but Moore argues that many things that are potentially harmful (such as car bombs, made of diesel oil, fertilizer, and cars), but have not been banned. Because Moore is a co-founder of Greenpeace, an organization devoted to the protection of the environment, his article is persuasive, because his has the environment's best interest.
In Jamie Lincoln Kitman's essay, "Life in the Green Lane", he describes the ineffectiveness of certain hybrid cars when it comes to protecting the environment. Rather than being an advocate of hybrid cars, as most would expect, Kitman discusses the reasons that hybrid cars aren't as beneficial as most believe. He begins by comparing hybrid cars to fat-free desserts. If you eat enough of these desserts, you can still gain weight. This is the same as buying a hybrid car that claims to save gas, but instead, can only save gas under certain conditions. Hybrid cars are designed to save gas when driving at moderate speeds through town, but when one is driven on the highway, the battery powered cell is not enough to make the car accelerate and stay at a higher speed. At this point, the car switches to gas power, thus using the same amount of gas as a conventional car. Kitman also writes that a conventional car is always better than a hybrid SUV, because the "21 miles per gallon is not particularly brilliant", as compared to the gas mileage of a conventional car. The government has begun making tax incentives and special parking spots for these very same cars that waste more gas than a regular car, while people that save gas by using regular cars have to walk a further distance and pay more money for actually saving more gas. Because Kitman is a bureau cheif for a car magazine, he knows more about cars than the average person (I assume); the article may come as a shock to those that don't know the truth about hybrid cars.
In Patrick Moore's article, "Going Nuclear: A Green Makes the Case", he writes about the advantages of nuclear energy. He admits that he was once against this idea, but now is an advocate. His pro-environmental stance makes it surprising that he supports this idea, but my high school chemistry teacher preached about the wonders of nuclear energy, so it really doesn't come as a shock to me. He begins by giving a history of nuclear energy, including fatal accidents (and he stresses that they were accidents) and stats about CO2 emissions from electrical energy plants. He talks about solar and wind energy, two useful energy sources, but that they are so unpredictable that they can't be relied on. There are five problems with nuclear energy that he is able to counter-argue. Nuclear energy may be expensive now, but with technological advances, it will be more affordable in the future. Nuclear energy has had an unsafe history, but only because the reactor was lacking safety measures that are now instilled in the plants now. Some believe that nuclear waste will be dangerous for thousands of years, but within 40 years, the used fuel will have less than 1/1000th of the original radioactivity. Nuclear reactors are believed to be vulnerable to terrorist attacks, but chemical plants, natural gas plants, and political targets are far more vulnerable. Finally, nuclear fuel can be diverted to nuclear weapons, but Moore argues that many things that are potentially harmful (such as car bombs, made of diesel oil, fertilizer, and cars), but have not been banned. Because Moore is a co-founder of Greenpeace, an organization devoted to the protection of the environment, his article is persuasive, because his has the environment's best interest.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Topic Proposal
**I am changing my topic proposal. I will now be writing a policy paper about which certain types of GMO products should be labeled, and the basis for the requirements of labeling. I will focus on the strictness of the labeling policy, which products are covered in the policy, which ingredients are covered, when the labeling requirements are triggered. I will also discuss whether restaurants should be required to follow this procedure, what the labels should say, and how the companies will verify whether the products have GMOs or not. I will support this by using documents that prove that GMOs should be labeled. I will talk about why all ingredients should be covered, with the exception of preservatives and additives. I will use statistics and datas from current policies in other countries and find reasons as to why products have to have a certain percentage of GMOs to be considered genetically modified. I will find data to support why restaurants should be excluded from this, why products should say "Does contain GMOs" as opposed to "May contain GMOs". Also, because many products that claimed to be free of GMOs were actually found to have GMOs, I will discuss a third party company will have to test the GMOs.
I will need to find more sources, but I will definitely be able to use the articles I already have.
I will need to find more sources, but I will definitely be able to use the articles I already have.
Chapter 7 Question 4
In Kluger and Lindzen's essays, both authors talking about the growing concern with global warming. The authors, though talking about the same subject, approach the matter in opposing ways.
In Jeffery Kluger's essay, "Be Worried, Be Very Worried", he talks about the growing threat of global warning. He discusses the main cause for global warming, that CO2 emissions have caused upsets in the Earth's natural order. He stresses that the population is not aware of how extreme the crisis is, and explains the cycles that get increasingly worse each time they come around. He discusses each matter, including land, water, plants, and animals. Carbon that is contained in soil in high altitude regions is released when the soil is warmed. This creates a continuous loop, because the carbon that is released makes the climate warmer, thawing more land and releasing more carbon. Total human carbon output is 7 tons per year; the carbon in the soil amounts to 200 to 800 gigatons. This imbalance of carbon dioxide is causing the icecaps to melt, making land extremely dry and causing droughts, causing trees to ascend mountains and animals to become extinct.
In Richard Lindzen's essay, "Climate of Fear: Global-Warming Alarmists Intimidate Dissenting Scientists Into Science", he claims that global warming is made out to be more of a catastrophe than it really is. He talks about the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, and about how it should contribute to increasing climate, but that the public does understand that this should not be alarming or make a single person responsible for the minute amount of temperature change. The warming balances out the temperature differences between the poles and the equator, so Lindzen claims that natural disasters, such as hurricanes that depend on differences in temperature, should occur less.
Lindzen's essay was hard for me to follow, and Kluger pulled in a little bit of emotional persuasion when he stated that the polar bear will be extinct sometime around 2060. Although Lindzen has valid points about the temperature differences, I believe that Kluger's essay is more persuasive, because he provide more information about global warming and its effects, and what can be done to stop it.
In Jeffery Kluger's essay, "Be Worried, Be Very Worried", he talks about the growing threat of global warning. He discusses the main cause for global warming, that CO2 emissions have caused upsets in the Earth's natural order. He stresses that the population is not aware of how extreme the crisis is, and explains the cycles that get increasingly worse each time they come around. He discusses each matter, including land, water, plants, and animals. Carbon that is contained in soil in high altitude regions is released when the soil is warmed. This creates a continuous loop, because the carbon that is released makes the climate warmer, thawing more land and releasing more carbon. Total human carbon output is 7 tons per year; the carbon in the soil amounts to 200 to 800 gigatons. This imbalance of carbon dioxide is causing the icecaps to melt, making land extremely dry and causing droughts, causing trees to ascend mountains and animals to become extinct.
In Richard Lindzen's essay, "Climate of Fear: Global-Warming Alarmists Intimidate Dissenting Scientists Into Science", he claims that global warming is made out to be more of a catastrophe than it really is. He talks about the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, and about how it should contribute to increasing climate, but that the public does understand that this should not be alarming or make a single person responsible for the minute amount of temperature change. The warming balances out the temperature differences between the poles and the equator, so Lindzen claims that natural disasters, such as hurricanes that depend on differences in temperature, should occur less.
Lindzen's essay was hard for me to follow, and Kluger pulled in a little bit of emotional persuasion when he stated that the polar bear will be extinct sometime around 2060. Although Lindzen has valid points about the temperature differences, I believe that Kluger's essay is more persuasive, because he provide more information about global warming and its effects, and what can be done to stop it.
Point IV
- Products that contain genetically modified organisms should be labeled for any potential health risks associated with consumption of the product.
- Products that contain genetically modified organisms should be labeled only so consumers know what is in their food, and also to allow the US to continue trading with countries that have these labeling regulations.
- Products that contain genetically modified organisms should not be labeled, because there are minimal health risks, and it would be too expensive for the farmers and food companies to keep the GM crops separated from the organic crops.
The third perspective is the dominant, based on the current state of things. This is because there are no studies that have proven health risks associated with GM crops. Also, in transportation and distribution, it is easy for GM crops to be mixed with organic crops, and to keep them separated, or to test them for genetic modification would cost too much money and be a hassle.
The second perpective should be dominant, because consumers have the right to know what is in their food. Also, if Europe refuses to trade with the US because of their labeling regulations, the US could lose more money than it would for separation and testing.
This perspective can be enforced so that people will know whether their food is genetically modified or organic. By labeling the food, people will be able to decide if they want the food. If they see the label on the food, it may spark interest to see exactly what it means when their food is genetically modified. They will be able to research it, and therefore determine if they would rather have genetically modified food or organic food.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
USC Policy
I think that the smoking policy at USC should be changed. I'm not one of those people who think that just because I don't do something, no one else should do it, but everytime I walk into a cloud of smoke, I get a huge headache that lasts for an hour. Sure, one headache, I can live with that, right? Every class I leave, there is always someone walking in front of me with a cigarette. The current policy is that you must be 25 feet from a building (which it seems like no one every is anyways) before you start smoking, but I think it should be banned from campus. A little harshe, I know.
The existing policy is that 25 feet of space is given from a campus building to be smoke free. The motivation for this policy is that people can still smoke, but others in classrooms will not be affected by it. 25 feet should leave plenty of space for people to walk through without being surrounded by smoke. The authorities haven't exactly introduced my policy, but I think that either the campus or the city of Columbia is considering the ban of smoke.
The existing policy is that 25 feet of space is given from a campus building to be smoke free. The motivation for this policy is that people can still smoke, but others in classrooms will not be affected by it. 25 feet should leave plenty of space for people to walk through without being surrounded by smoke. The authorities haven't exactly introduced my policy, but I think that either the campus or the city of Columbia is considering the ban of smoke.
Achenbach and Reilly
Both essays were written because of the increase in the use of vulgar words. Achenbach's essay claims that the 'F' word should only be used when the person has reached the appropriate age, therefore making it special, and still vulgar, not just another word. Reilly's essay claims that the use of curse words should be limited, even though he realizes it is almost impossible. Achenbach seems to advocate the use of the 'F' word, but Reilly seems to believe that curse should cease to a minimum. I buy Reilly's perspective, because almost everywhere you go, you will hear an explitive. Don't get me wrong, I cuss quite a bit, but I think that cussing starts to get trashy after a certain extent.
Fossil Fuels
When I was growing up, I always thought that the use of fossil fuels was no big deal. I never understood why everyone always complained about how much gas the public uses, but when I started driving, and had to pay for gas, I realized just how much it cost to get to school and back (my school was 25 miles away). I still haven't exactly grasped how much gas is being used in the world, but I do know that it is making a dent in my wallet, and if it is at all proportional to the gas the world is using, it is a VERY large amount. I now spend less time driving... I haven't exactly started doing anything like riding a bike, but I just don't take joy rides anymore.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Short Writing Assignment #9
In Wendy Shanker’s excerpt from The Fat Girl’s Guide to Life, she constructs her ethos by talking about the obesity problem as a woman who is overweight. Although she is a grown woman, she actually refers to herself as a girl because she believes that using the word girl alludes to “girl power”, thus empowering her to be a ‘real’ human being, rather than being put down for her weight. Throughout her story, she talks about how she is fat, but that she should not be thought of as any less than a person. By telling this story as an overweight person, she works to give confidence to others who have tried dieting but cannot shed any weight. She also tells that just because she is overweight does not mean that she is unhealthy; she goes to the doctor for regular check-ups.
Her target audience is the overweight population of America; overweight girls, to be exact. Her article is clearly from a fat person’s perspective (and I use the word fat because she states that fat is just a word—the meaning of it depends on how a person perceives it), because emphasizes that she is overweight. The targeted audience is therefore able to relate to her, because they have suffered the same verbal abuse.
Eleanor Randolph, the author of “The Big Fat American Kid Crisis…and 10 things We Should Do about It”, presents the problem of obesity in America by providing statistics about the obesity rates and information from the National Institute of Health, as well as effects of adult obesity that are being seen in children. She is effective in making her proposals seem feasible because she proposes an idea to keep young people from eating junk food by naming ideas that make it harder for the children to get this food. After proposing that fattening foods should be taxed, I thought that many people would still buy the junk food, regardless of the price, but she said that the extra money would go towards after-school exercise programs and medical expenses for diabetes; she was able to justify how her proposal would work.
Her target audience is the overweight population of America; overweight girls, to be exact. Her article is clearly from a fat person’s perspective (and I use the word fat because she states that fat is just a word—the meaning of it depends on how a person perceives it), because emphasizes that she is overweight. The targeted audience is therefore able to relate to her, because they have suffered the same verbal abuse.
Eleanor Randolph, the author of “The Big Fat American Kid Crisis…and 10 things We Should Do about It”, presents the problem of obesity in America by providing statistics about the obesity rates and information from the National Institute of Health, as well as effects of adult obesity that are being seen in children. She is effective in making her proposals seem feasible because she proposes an idea to keep young people from eating junk food by naming ideas that make it harder for the children to get this food. After proposing that fattening foods should be taxed, I thought that many people would still buy the junk food, regardless of the price, but she said that the extra money would go towards after-school exercise programs and medical expenses for diabetes; she was able to justify how her proposal would work.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Questions for the Reviewer
Should I provide more information supporting those who believe crops should not be modified?
Do I make it clear why this issue is such a controversy?
If the person reading this (I don't know how widespread GM crops are) had no knowledge of GMOs, would they understand why some people see the crops as a threat?
Do I make it clear why this issue is such a controversy?
If the person reading this (I don't know how widespread GM crops are) had no knowledge of GMOs, would they understand why some people see the crops as a threat?
Halloween costumes
Teenage girls seem to find Halloween an excuse to wear promiscuous clothing. At any given time, sure the girl can wear clothing that can be considered skimpy, but on Halloween, they go all out. What is so special about Halloween, and why is it considered fun?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Body Image
Body image is constructed by others' perception of how we look, which in turn makes us feel self conscious or confident, whatever the case may be. If you feel as though others look at you with disgust, you will have low self-esteem, but if you feel that others think you have a decent body, you will feel good about yourself. In prior years in other countries, a person with a large body was viewed as powerful, because they could afford food. This can be related to problems in countries in which the habitants are starving, and have imaciated bodies. Body image is constructed differently in different cultures, depending on factors such as wealth and food availability. However, in countries like the US, obesity has become accepted, although anyone will agree that it is unhealthy. In the CR essays, the authors recognize that obesity is a bad, but provides reasons for obese America, because people would rather have jobs sitting at computers that pay high wages than doing manual labor for lower pay. Many obese people realize that they are overweight, but are not willing to cut the calories and get on the treadmill to lose it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Annotated Bibliography
Molly Burnip
English 101-056
October 25, 2007
Annotated Bibliography
Betts, Kellyn S. “Growing evidence of widespread GMO contamination.” Environ. Sci.Technol. 1 Dec. 1999. 15 Oct 2007
Betts provides information about the unintentional GMO contamination in the United States. The essay discusses DNA tests used to reveal whether common crops are genetically modified. Many of the crops containing GMOs were contaminated by cross pollination from nearby crops of genetically modified organisms. This cross pollination occurrence can create new hybrids, such as super weeds that are resistant to pesticides. The article is objective because it presents concerns of the public, as well as the reasons that companies cannot avoid contamination. The author uses quotations from marketing managers, the U.S. Agricultural Secretary, and research associates, and therefore covers many viewpoints. This article will be used to provide background information on GMOs and the accidental contamination of supposedly organic products.
Kluger, J. “Food Fight.” Time 154.11 (1999): 42-44. Biology Digest. 15 Oct. 2007
Kluger offers reasons to why protestors are making demonstrations outside of McDonald’s in France. The essay is a brief description of the modification of genes in plants that can resist frost, produce pesticides, and withstand herbicides. The rise of this technology has produced and increase in crops, but because it tampers with a personal item—food—there may be lawsuits that force companies to label products that contain these organisms. This article is not biased, but it recognizes the problems with GMOs, and offers labeling as a means for informing customers, rather than alarming them. The article uses quotations from politicians, studies from Cornell University, Germany’s Environment Minister, and the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, and is from TIME magazine, so it contains useful and credible information. This article will be useful in describing reasons for labeling products, and also defend the safety of the GMOs.
Enserink, Martin. “Ag Biotech Moves to Mollify Its Critics.” Science 286.5445 (1999): 1666– 1668. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007.
Enserink offers evidence that British environmental leaders have branded genetically modified foods as health hazards, and that the fate of GMOs are in the hands of the consumers. Millions of hectares have been designated for GM crops; therefore, if the biotech food becomes unmarketable, billions of dollars will be wasted. Unless companies prove that these crops do not present a risk to human health. Labeling is encouraged as a way to show that the companies are confident in the safety of their products. The articles uses information from researchers, food scientists, and the president of a sponsor of genetic research. I will use this article to provide reasons for companies to label products for confidence as well as informing consumers.
Goldman, Karen A. “Bioengineered Food: Safety and Labeling.” Science 290.5491 (2000): 457- 459. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007.
Goldman provides information on food acts and regulations that require foods to be recognized as safe before being marketed. They must pass legal standards and have no potential allergens or toxins. Mandatory labeling of the GMOs could become burdensome, because the transportation and separation of crops that are genetically modified and organic would require segregation and tracking complications. This article is backed by court cases, agencies and food acts that support GMOs. Although this article is subjective, it will provide the point of view of a person in support of the process, who does not feel the need to label GMO products.
Mason, John. “Scientists warn of GMO contamination FOOD SAFETY. (INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY).” The Financial Times 24 Feb. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007.
Mason provides scientists’ insights that seeds of GM crops used for medicinal purposes could be accidently combined with mainstream food sources and threaten human health, but that the studies looked at the production and distribution (more easily contaminated) of the seeds, instead of the cultivation, harvesting and transportation. The study reported that because seeds are the basis of the food system, contamination of seeds will corrupt the food system. The article was based from a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, but Mason presented this information while refuting the claims with other evidence. Although this article is biased, I plan to use it to provide information from studies that discourage GMOs, and the opposing opinions.
Pogash, Carol. “California County Debates Use of Gene-Altered Foods.” The New York Times 2 Mar. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Pogash reports on a local business woman, a former scientist, who proposes a plan called Measure H, which would prohibit the crop use of GMOs in a California County. Many communities in other states have already banned the crops. These proposals prevent organic crops from being contaminated by neighboring GMO crops by cross-pollination. The article uses information from scientists, the county’s Farm Bureau, and agricultural experts. I plan to use this article as support for labeling products, so consumers who want organic products can avoid GMO products.
Knox, Noelle, et al. “European laws requires labels on biotech foods.” USA Today 3 July 2003. 15 October 2007.
Knox provides information on European laws that require manufacturers to label food with GMOs. U.S. consumers do not show as much concern for these products. Because the U.S. does not have these laws, a trade barrier would be created. Farmers claim that their GM soybeans are blended in a local grain silo with organic soybeans, so there is no guarantee that soybeans are not genetically modified. This article uses information from farmers, a commissioner for the environment, and a representative of a GMO company. I will use this article to describe the laws in other countries, as well as the potential risk in American exportation and economy if GM products are not labeled.
“South Africa; Researchers Find Traces of Modified Food in Local Maize.” Africa News 27 January, 2006. 24 October, 2007.
The author of this article reports that 75% of products in South Africa that claim to be free of GMOs. The food producers were not intentionally misinforming customers, but were making these mistakes because there are no guidelines in South Africa. These findings support the need for effective regulations to be made, because although it is legal, it misleads consumers. In the European Union, organic products must have no GMOs, but in the U.S., there can be 5% of GMOs to be organic, which also misleads consumers. Researchers and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications provide information in this article. I will use this article to provide reasons for labeling products, as well as regulations that must be made so that consumers are not mislead.
English 101-056
October 25, 2007
Annotated Bibliography
Betts, Kellyn S. “Growing evidence of widespread GMO contamination.” Environ. Sci.Technol. 1 Dec. 1999. 15 Oct 2007
Betts provides information about the unintentional GMO contamination in the United States. The essay discusses DNA tests used to reveal whether common crops are genetically modified. Many of the crops containing GMOs were contaminated by cross pollination from nearby crops of genetically modified organisms. This cross pollination occurrence can create new hybrids, such as super weeds that are resistant to pesticides. The article is objective because it presents concerns of the public, as well as the reasons that companies cannot avoid contamination. The author uses quotations from marketing managers, the U.S. Agricultural Secretary, and research associates, and therefore covers many viewpoints. This article will be used to provide background information on GMOs and the accidental contamination of supposedly organic products.
Kluger, J. “Food Fight.” Time 154.11 (1999): 42-44. Biology Digest. 15 Oct. 2007
Kluger offers reasons to why protestors are making demonstrations outside of McDonald’s in France. The essay is a brief description of the modification of genes in plants that can resist frost, produce pesticides, and withstand herbicides. The rise of this technology has produced and increase in crops, but because it tampers with a personal item—food—there may be lawsuits that force companies to label products that contain these organisms. This article is not biased, but it recognizes the problems with GMOs, and offers labeling as a means for informing customers, rather than alarming them. The article uses quotations from politicians, studies from Cornell University, Germany’s Environment Minister, and the U.S. Agriculture Secretary, and is from TIME magazine, so it contains useful and credible information. This article will be useful in describing reasons for labeling products, and also defend the safety of the GMOs.
Enserink, Martin. “Ag Biotech Moves to Mollify Its Critics.” Science 286.5445 (1999): 1666– 1668. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007
Enserink offers evidence that British environmental leaders have branded genetically modified foods as health hazards, and that the fate of GMOs are in the hands of the consumers. Millions of hectares have been designated for GM crops; therefore, if the biotech food becomes unmarketable, billions of dollars will be wasted. Unless companies prove that these crops do not present a risk to human health. Labeling is encouraged as a way to show that the companies are confident in the safety of their products. The articles uses information from researchers, food scientists, and the president of a sponsor of genetic research. I will use this article to provide reasons for companies to label products for confidence as well as informing consumers.
Goldman, Karen A. “Bioengineered Food: Safety and Labeling.” Science 290.5491 (2000): 457- 459. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007
Goldman provides information on food acts and regulations that require foods to be recognized as safe before being marketed. They must pass legal standards and have no potential allergens or toxins. Mandatory labeling of the GMOs could become burdensome, because the transportation and separation of crops that are genetically modified and organic would require segregation and tracking complications. This article is backed by court cases, agencies and food acts that support GMOs. Although this article is subjective, it will provide the point of view of a person in support of the process, who does not feel the need to label GMO products.
Mason, John. “Scientists warn of GMO contamination FOOD SAFETY. (INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY).” The Financial Times 24 Feb. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Mason provides scientists’ insights that seeds of GM crops used for medicinal purposes could be accidently combined with mainstream food sources and threaten human health, but that the studies looked at the production and distribution (more easily contaminated) of the seeds, instead of the cultivation, harvesting and transportation. The study reported that because seeds are the basis of the food system, contamination of seeds will corrupt the food system. The article was based from a study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, but Mason presented this information while refuting the claims with other evidence. Although this article is biased, I plan to use it to provide information from studies that discourage GMOs, and the opposing opinions.
Pogash, Carol. “California County Debates Use of Gene-Altered Foods.” The New York Times 2 Mar. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Pogash reports on a local business woman, a former scientist, who proposes a plan called Measure H, which would prohibit the crop use of GMOs in a California County. Many communities in other states have already banned the crops. These proposals prevent organic crops from being contaminated by neighboring GMO crops by cross-pollination. The article uses information from scientists, the county’s Farm Bureau, and agricultural experts. I plan to use this article as support for labeling products, so consumers who want organic products can avoid GMO products.
Knox, Noelle, et al. “European laws requires labels on biotech foods.” USA Today 3 July 2003. 15 October 2007
Knox provides information on European laws that require manufacturers to label food with GMOs. U.S. consumers do not show as much concern for these products. Because the U.S. does not have these laws, a trade barrier would be created. Farmers claim that their GM soybeans are blended in a local grain silo with organic soybeans, so there is no guarantee that soybeans are not genetically modified. This article uses information from farmers, a commissioner for the environment, and a representative of a GMO company. I will use this article to describe the laws in other countries, as well as the potential risk in American exportation and economy if GM products are not labeled.
“South Africa; Researchers Find Traces of Modified Food in Local Maize.” Africa News 27 January, 2006. 24 October, 2007.
The author of this article reports that 75% of products in South Africa that claim to be free of GMOs. The food producers were not intentionally misinforming customers, but were making these mistakes because there are no guidelines in South Africa. These findings support the need for effective regulations to be made, because although it is legal, it misleads consumers. In the European Union, organic products must have no GMOs, but in the U.S., there can be 5% of GMOs to be organic, which also misleads consumers. Researchers and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications provide information in this article. I will use this article to provide reasons for labeling products, as well as regulations that must be made so that consumers are not mislead.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Topic Proposal
As consumers walk throughout the aisles of their favorite grocery stores, they are unaware that common products that they are browsing and purchasing contain ingredients that are derived from genetically modified organisms. The genetic engineering of these products can be considered hazardous to human health and the environment. The most commonly altered organism is corn, which is bred to express the genes of the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. These crops can produce proteins that are active against certain insects, therefore producing a natural insecticide. However, companies that manufacture items containing this crop are not required to specify on the labels that these products have the genetically modified organisms in them.
My paper will argue that companies that manufacture goods containing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene should be required to declare on the labels of their products that the corn was bred with the (Bt) gene. I will provide background information on the Starlink corn industry, as well as the potential health hazards of this crop. I will discuss the growing evidence of the GMOs in products, and the use of products with GMOs in a major fast food corporation. I will explore the protests that are leading to companies to label their products, and I will also research laws in other countries that require the companies to label their products.
The audience will be my classmates and teacher. However, some students may, themselves, be unaware of this situation, so I plan to provide background information as well as a persuasive argument that will support my opinion on this issue.
Betts, Kellyn S. “Growing evidence of widespread GMO contamination.” Environ. Sci.
Technol. 1 Dec. 1999. 15 Oct 2007 http://wf2dnvr3.webfeat.org/MlThI1166/url=
http://pubs.acs.org/isubscribe/journals/esthag-a/33/i23/html/dec-news6.html>.
Kluger, J. “Food Fight.” Time 154.11 (1999): 42-44. Biology Digest. 15 Oct. 2007
Enserink, Martin. “Ag Biotech Moves to Mollify Its Critics.” Science 286.5445 (1999): 1666–
1668. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007.
Goldman, Karen A. “Bioengineered Food: Safety and Labeling.” Science 290.5491 (2000): 457-
459. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007.
Mason, John. “Scientists warn of GMO contamination FOOD SAFETY. (INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY).” The Financial Times 24 Feb. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
.
Pogash, Carol. “California County Debates Use of Gene-Altered Foods.” The New York Times
2 Mar. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Knox, Noelle, et al. “European laws requires labels on biotech foods.” USA Today 3 July
2003. 15 October 2007
My paper will argue that companies that manufacture goods containing the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) gene should be required to declare on the labels of their products that the corn was bred with the (Bt) gene. I will provide background information on the Starlink corn industry, as well as the potential health hazards of this crop. I will discuss the growing evidence of the GMOs in products, and the use of products with GMOs in a major fast food corporation. I will explore the protests that are leading to companies to label their products, and I will also research laws in other countries that require the companies to label their products.
The audience will be my classmates and teacher. However, some students may, themselves, be unaware of this situation, so I plan to provide background information as well as a persuasive argument that will support my opinion on this issue.
Betts, Kellyn S. “Growing evidence of widespread GMO contamination.” Environ. Sci.
Technol. 1 Dec. 1999. 15 Oct 2007 http://wf2dnvr3.webfeat.org/MlThI1166/url=
http://pubs.acs.org/isubscribe/journals/esthag-a/33/i23/html/dec-news6.html>.
Kluger, J. “Food Fight.” Time 154.11 (1999): 42-44. Biology Digest. 15 Oct. 2007
Enserink, Martin. “Ag Biotech Moves to Mollify Its Critics.” Science 286.5445 (1999): 1666–
1668. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007
Goldman, Karen A. “Bioengineered Food: Safety and Labeling.” Science 290.5491 (2000): 457-
459. JSTOR. 15 Oct. 2007
Mason, John. “Scientists warn of GMO contamination FOOD SAFETY. (INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY).” The Financial Times 24 Feb. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Pogash, Carol. “California County Debates Use of Gene-Altered Foods.” The New York Times
2 Mar. 2004. 15 Oct. 2007
Knox, Noelle, et al. “European laws requires labels on biotech foods.” USA Today 3 July
2003. 15 October 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Smoking Ban Brainstorming
locations
-restaurants
-bars
-public places (parks, etc)
health
-cancer
-secondhand smoke
-allergies
-poor hair and skin
tobacco industry
-economy
-origins
chemicals in cigarettes
underage smoking
cigars
illegal substances
pollution
-restaurants
-bars
-public places (parks, etc)
health
-cancer
-secondhand smoke
-allergies
-poor hair and skin
tobacco industry
-economy
-origins
chemicals in cigarettes
underage smoking
cigars
illegal substances
pollution
Monday, October 8, 2007
Karma
My Post Secret had a pink background with an ice cream cone made from newspaper clippings. The cone was made out of a picture of a waffle, and the ice cream was made out of a striped pattern, which was actually a shower curtain in the article. Handwritten on white strips of paper was the quotation "When customers are rude to me, I give them less ice cream than they pay for."
The message I was trying to get across to the audience was that you should be courteous to people with whom you are interacting, whether they are being paid or just doing a favor. The reason I chose the color for the background was actually because I asked my roommate for an index card and she handed me a pink card, but it also helped with the message, because the color gave an 'elementary' feel, because pastel colors normally indicate childhood or youth. The ice cream cone is an image used to create an immediate visual thought, and is also a youthful image, because children love eating ice cream. I wanted the card to come off as innocent, rather than deceitful, so the reader would be persuaded to empathize with me rather than the customer, and because children are a symbol of innocence, I made the card seem like it was written by a child. This is the reason I handwrote the secret, because most children do not type when they are creating 'art.'
The class saw the secret as a confession, that I take out my frustration on customers, but the message I was trying to relay was the idea of the childhood "Golden Rule", treat others as you wish to be treated. The customer was treating the employee with disrespect, so the employee took revenge by over-charging.
The message I was trying to get across to the audience was that you should be courteous to people with whom you are interacting, whether they are being paid or just doing a favor. The reason I chose the color for the background was actually because I asked my roommate for an index card and she handed me a pink card, but it also helped with the message, because the color gave an 'elementary' feel, because pastel colors normally indicate childhood or youth. The ice cream cone is an image used to create an immediate visual thought, and is also a youthful image, because children love eating ice cream. I wanted the card to come off as innocent, rather than deceitful, so the reader would be persuaded to empathize with me rather than the customer, and because children are a symbol of innocence, I made the card seem like it was written by a child. This is the reason I handwrote the secret, because most children do not type when they are creating 'art.'
The class saw the secret as a confession, that I take out my frustration on customers, but the message I was trying to relay was the idea of the childhood "Golden Rule", treat others as you wish to be treated. The customer was treating the employee with disrespect, so the employee took revenge by over-charging.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Post Secret
The post secret I chose is the one with the crying baby that says "My biggest fear is that if I have a daughter, she will inherit my eating disorder."
The author of the card explicitly implies that he or she (probably a she, since the card says 'daughter' rather than 'child') has an eating disorder, and they fear that it will be passed to their child. The implicit claim is that an eating disorder is a bad thing, and that the author hopes that her child will not suffer the same feelings of poor body image towards herself that the author felt (towards her own self).
The author, as previously stated, is probably a woman who at some point in her life had a bad personal body image, and developed an eating disorder to try to improve her self image. The audience is directed towards mothers who themselves have had an eating disorder, as well as young girls who are experiencing the same feelings, because the text only says daughters, not sons.
The visual components of the card work at an emotional level, because it is a picture of a baby crying, which can easily stir feelings. Of course, babies do not have a body image at such a young age, but many mothers see their daughters as their babies, even when they get into their teenage years.
The author of the card explicitly implies that he or she (probably a she, since the card says 'daughter' rather than 'child') has an eating disorder, and they fear that it will be passed to their child. The implicit claim is that an eating disorder is a bad thing, and that the author hopes that her child will not suffer the same feelings of poor body image towards herself that the author felt (towards her own self).
The author, as previously stated, is probably a woman who at some point in her life had a bad personal body image, and developed an eating disorder to try to improve her self image. The audience is directed towards mothers who themselves have had an eating disorder, as well as young girls who are experiencing the same feelings, because the text only says daughters, not sons.
The visual components of the card work at an emotional level, because it is a picture of a baby crying, which can easily stir feelings. Of course, babies do not have a body image at such a young age, but many mothers see their daughters as their babies, even when they get into their teenage years.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Newspaper Advertisement
The post that I found was in a newspaper, an ad for the store American Apparel. The header for the ad is "Short Shorts Shiny Tights" in black bold letters. Below this, there are three pictures of the same girl, in different poses, wearing the same outfit in different colors; she is wearing short shorts, shiny tights, and a tank top. Below the picture, the name of the store is listed, and there are addresses for the locations of the store, and additional information.
This work fails me, personally, as the audience, because i have no desire to wear short shorts with shiny tights. Also, the way the model poses is not "model-esque" (pardon me for the lack of a better word), but instead the model has a lifeless look on her face, and the background is plain white. The intended audience of this ad is young women who are in their late teens to early twenties, who want to wear short shorts and shiny tights, and clothes of the like.
The claim of the ad, which is that that store sells shiny tights and short shorts is implied through the words at the top of the ad. Its support (and evidence) are shown through the pictures of the girl wearing short shorts and shiny tights. The warrant for this ad is that anyone reading the article wants to wear short shorts and shiny tights, even though many probably do not.
This work fails me, personally, as the audience, because i have no desire to wear short shorts with shiny tights. Also, the way the model poses is not "model-esque" (pardon me for the lack of a better word), but instead the model has a lifeless look on her face, and the background is plain white. The intended audience of this ad is young women who are in their late teens to early twenties, who want to wear short shorts and shiny tights, and clothes of the like.
The claim of the ad, which is that that store sells shiny tights and short shorts is implied through the words at the top of the ad. Its support (and evidence) are shown through the pictures of the girl wearing short shorts and shiny tights. The warrant for this ad is that anyone reading the article wants to wear short shorts and shiny tights, even though many probably do not.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Article Responses
“Ugly, the American” is an article written by James Poniewozik, who claims that America is a melting pot of different cultures, and that the combination of new blood is what makes this country what it is. His main example is based off of the TV series, “Ugly Betty,” a show about the daughter of an illegal immigrant, who, although she wears strange clothing and brings Mexican food to work, becomes accepted by her coworkers at Mode magazine. Poniewozik also shows that most reality television in America is taken from other countries-American Idol is British; Survivor was originated in Sweden-yet another reason that American culture is not, well, all-American.
One of the author’s warrants in this essay is that laws to keep illegal immigrants out of the country are made to protect American culture from being changed by other countries. Another warrant is that because many of the television programs are adapted from other countries, their culture is seeping into the pop-culture of America. The opposing views are successfully refuted because the author conveys to the reader that although borders need to be protected, American mainstream culture is a mixture of customs, and helps America see itself.
Kim McLarin’s essay, “Race Wasn’t an Issue to Him, Which Was an Issue to Me”, claims that she could not be in a relationship with a white man who was willing to grapple with race, unlike her ex-husband, because his ‘grappling’ was just beginning and hers had started at 5. Her reasoning for this is that while Jerry, the white man she was seeing, was not racist, his grappling was less mature than hers.
The author’s warrants in this article are that only black people can grapple with race from childhood, whereas white individuals can not start grappling with race until that have fully matured into adulthood, and that a white person is born with an innocence (although I believe this detail must also include how and where the person was brought up). The opposing views are successfully refuted, because the author reveals that even though people can be open to inter-racial relationships, they can only work if both individuals can grapple on the same level of maturity.
One of the author’s warrants in this essay is that laws to keep illegal immigrants out of the country are made to protect American culture from being changed by other countries. Another warrant is that because many of the television programs are adapted from other countries, their culture is seeping into the pop-culture of America. The opposing views are successfully refuted because the author conveys to the reader that although borders need to be protected, American mainstream culture is a mixture of customs, and helps America see itself.
Kim McLarin’s essay, “Race Wasn’t an Issue to Him, Which Was an Issue to Me”, claims that she could not be in a relationship with a white man who was willing to grapple with race, unlike her ex-husband, because his ‘grappling’ was just beginning and hers had started at 5. Her reasoning for this is that while Jerry, the white man she was seeing, was not racist, his grappling was less mature than hers.
The author’s warrants in this article are that only black people can grapple with race from childhood, whereas white individuals can not start grappling with race until that have fully matured into adulthood, and that a white person is born with an innocence (although I believe this detail must also include how and where the person was brought up). The opposing views are successfully refuted, because the author reveals that even though people can be open to inter-racial relationships, they can only work if both individuals can grapple on the same level of maturity.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Rhetorical Analysis
Essay "Shades of Black"
Louis Chude-Sokei
Central Claim: "Immigrant status is deployed not against race but against the messy and unresolved tensions of domestic American racial relationships." (pg. 189)
My Central Claim:
"Chude-Sokei effectively relates to the audience that Obama does not surpass race, but instead embodies the strains that go beyond black and white." (pg. 3)
My Revised Claim:
"Louis Chude-Sokei presents his argument in such a way, through claims, warrants, and evidence, that he gains credibility by his knowledge and presentation."
My conclusion:
"Louis Chude-Sokei wrote it to inform and persuade the readers about racial tensions that are in American, between immigrant blacks and African Americans."
Louis Chude-Sokei
Central Claim: "Immigrant status is deployed not against race but against the messy and unresolved tensions of domestic American racial relationships." (pg. 189)
My Central Claim:
"Chude-Sokei effectively relates to the audience that Obama does not surpass race, but instead embodies the strains that go beyond black and white." (pg. 3)
My Revised Claim:
"Louis Chude-Sokei presents his argument in such a way, through claims, warrants, and evidence, that he gains credibility by his knowledge and presentation."
My conclusion:
"Louis Chude-Sokei wrote it to inform and persuade the readers about racial tensions that are in American, between immigrant blacks and African Americans."
Monday, September 17, 2007
Rhetorical Essay Readings and Outline
"Shades of Black"
Louis Chude-Sokei
This essay was the first that really caught my attention. It addresses many racial issues; however, it is all within the same race. The article is called "Shades of Black" because the author describes the tensions between native blacks and immigrant blacks, because the immigrant blacks are oftentimes more educated, and whites use differences in the two groups to charge the African Americans with problems without being accused of racism.
"Welcome Candy, Sam & George: Immigrants Change Countries, and Their Names"
Yvonne Abraham
This essay was very interesting to me. I was never aware of how many immigrants changed their names when they moved into the US. Many people change their names to avoid scrutiny and complications when dealing with American citizens who are too ignorant to realize the importance of diversity.
The essay that I chose to use for my rhetorical analysis is "Shades of Black". I chose this essay because it had more of an argument than that of "Welcome Candy, Sam & George: Immigrants Change Countries, and Their Names".
I. Introduction
II. Text
a. Essay
b. Argumentative
III. Reader/Audience
a. General Public
b. Readers of the Los Angeles Times
c. Those either supporting or interested in Barack Obama
d. More specifically, minorities
IV. Author
a. Louis Chude-Sokei
b. Associate Professor of literature at the University of California-Santa Cruz
c. Author of The Last ‘Darky’: Bert Williams, Black-on-Black Minstrelsy and the African Diaspora
V. Constraints
a. Because the author is a professor of African-American Studies, he has a first-hand look at African American prejudices.
b. He believes that white America looks down on native blacks as opposed to immigrant blacks.
c. Depending on who is reading it, these constraints can limit effectiveness of the essay, or create common ground.
i. Anyone who is racist can oppose any of the author’s views.
ii. Those who are racially tolerant will agree with the author and therefore accept the essay’s claims.
VI. Exigence
a. The essay was written because Barack Obama is running for presidency.
b. He is biracial, however, he is not considered white; black, but not African American; American but not African.
VII. Conclusion
Louis Chude-Sokei
This essay was the first that really caught my attention. It addresses many racial issues; however, it is all within the same race. The article is called "Shades of Black" because the author describes the tensions between native blacks and immigrant blacks, because the immigrant blacks are oftentimes more educated, and whites use differences in the two groups to charge the African Americans with problems without being accused of racism.
"Welcome Candy, Sam & George: Immigrants Change Countries, and Their Names"
Yvonne Abraham
This essay was very interesting to me. I was never aware of how many immigrants changed their names when they moved into the US. Many people change their names to avoid scrutiny and complications when dealing with American citizens who are too ignorant to realize the importance of diversity.
The essay that I chose to use for my rhetorical analysis is "Shades of Black". I chose this essay because it had more of an argument than that of "Welcome Candy, Sam & George: Immigrants Change Countries, and Their Names".
I. Introduction
II. Text
a. Essay
b. Argumentative
III. Reader/Audience
a. General Public
b. Readers of the Los Angeles Times
c. Those either supporting or interested in Barack Obama
d. More specifically, minorities
IV. Author
a. Louis Chude-Sokei
b. Associate Professor of literature at the University of California-Santa Cruz
c. Author of The Last ‘Darky’: Bert Williams, Black-on-Black Minstrelsy and the African Diaspora
V. Constraints
a. Because the author is a professor of African-American Studies, he has a first-hand look at African American prejudices.
b. He believes that white America looks down on native blacks as opposed to immigrant blacks.
c. Depending on who is reading it, these constraints can limit effectiveness of the essay, or create common ground.
i. Anyone who is racist can oppose any of the author’s views.
ii. Those who are racially tolerant will agree with the author and therefore accept the essay’s claims.
VI. Exigence
a. The essay was written because Barack Obama is running for presidency.
b. He is biracial, however, he is not considered white; black, but not African American; American but not African.
VII. Conclusion
Short Writing Assignment #5
In Mike White’s “Making a Killing”, the TRACE Method can be used to analyze the argument of the text, whether or not the gory movies had an influence on the outcome of the Virginia Tech Massacre. In this crisis, the killer, Seung-Hui Cho, initiated the mass murder of 32 people on a school campus in Virginia.
This argument is a newspaper article written for The New York Times that presents evidence that horror movies involving gruesome material and violent scenes may provoke mentally unstable individuals to irrationally avenge personal situations. This essay has allusions to many dramatic works ranging from horror movies to Shakespearean plays. The article is directed towards the public, in general, since it was published in a major newspaper, and is about an event that was widely publicized in media nationally. The anticipated outcome is to get the reader thinking about the effects of violent movies on young viewers, convincing them some people may let fantasy coincide with reality. The author is Mike White, a screenwriter who, as a teenager, let movies influence his personality and image, and questions whether other aspects of film-such as gory bloodbaths-can inspire some individuals to emulate the scenes. Readers emotionally involved in the event may perceive these movies as Cho’s motive for the massacre, and therefore create common ground between the reader and the author. The event that caused this argument was the Virginia Tech Massacre, which may have been inspired by a violent scene in a movie. It is obviously perceived as a problem, because many lives were lost in the tragedy.
This argument was written to examine the effects that sadistic movies have on young viewers. The author presented evidence to the audience to persuade them that Americans need to consider the messages being sent through these entertaining yet brutal movies.
This argument is a newspaper article written for The New York Times that presents evidence that horror movies involving gruesome material and violent scenes may provoke mentally unstable individuals to irrationally avenge personal situations. This essay has allusions to many dramatic works ranging from horror movies to Shakespearean plays. The article is directed towards the public, in general, since it was published in a major newspaper, and is about an event that was widely publicized in media nationally. The anticipated outcome is to get the reader thinking about the effects of violent movies on young viewers, convincing them some people may let fantasy coincide with reality. The author is Mike White, a screenwriter who, as a teenager, let movies influence his personality and image, and questions whether other aspects of film-such as gory bloodbaths-can inspire some individuals to emulate the scenes. Readers emotionally involved in the event may perceive these movies as Cho’s motive for the massacre, and therefore create common ground between the reader and the author. The event that caused this argument was the Virginia Tech Massacre, which may have been inspired by a violent scene in a movie. It is obviously perceived as a problem, because many lives were lost in the tragedy.
This argument was written to examine the effects that sadistic movies have on young viewers. The author presented evidence to the audience to persuade them that Americans need to consider the messages being sent through these entertaining yet brutal movies.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Short Writing Assignment #4
After analyzing the two blogs on the different forums using the TRACE method, I found a distinct difference between David Friedman’s blog and the blog I found on Facebook. Friedman’s blog is written to discuss the irony created by inexpensive hotel costs that include free internet service and pricier hotels that charge an extra fee for it. The blog posted on Facebook is written by a newlywed questioning why things change in the first year of marriage.
Both Friedman’s text and the text found on Facebook are written in a “web log” style, but Friedman’s blog is an informative piece posted online to inform the public about price discrimination dealing with hotels and internet service, while the blog on Facebook is written in an inquisitive form by a recently married woman, unsure of where her marriage is headed. Friedman’s blog is directed towards the general public, more specifically to those interested in economics, who can more easily relate to the issue. The targeted audience of the Facebook blog, on the other hand, is the group of friends close to the author, because these are the people she trusts most with her problems, and can give her the best advice. The author of Friedman’s blog is obviously David Friedman, who had probably traveled to many cities, and stayed in several places, ranging from inexpensive motels with free internet service to high priced hotels that charge extra for the service. The author of the Facebook blog is a young woman that has only been married for 3 months, and has therefore had little experience with marriage, and seeking help from her friends. A constraint found in Friedman’s blog could be that a reader is a manager of a hotel who understands why there is price discrimination in the situation. The Facebook blog’s author is constrained by the belief that people have high expectations of marriage, and that it creates problems. Exigence in Friedman’s blog is that he traveled to different hotels and was confused as to why internet service was or was not free in “cheap” or “expensive hotels, respectively. The Facebook blog was written because the author hit a rocky patch in her marriage and felt as though she was abandoned by her husband.
The similarities and differences in the two forums were created because Friedman’s blog was a more professional entry, open for anyone to read, while the newlywed’s blog was a less formal piece asking for advice from her friends.
Both Friedman’s text and the text found on Facebook are written in a “web log” style, but Friedman’s blog is an informative piece posted online to inform the public about price discrimination dealing with hotels and internet service, while the blog on Facebook is written in an inquisitive form by a recently married woman, unsure of where her marriage is headed. Friedman’s blog is directed towards the general public, more specifically to those interested in economics, who can more easily relate to the issue. The targeted audience of the Facebook blog, on the other hand, is the group of friends close to the author, because these are the people she trusts most with her problems, and can give her the best advice. The author of Friedman’s blog is obviously David Friedman, who had probably traveled to many cities, and stayed in several places, ranging from inexpensive motels with free internet service to high priced hotels that charge extra for the service. The author of the Facebook blog is a young woman that has only been married for 3 months, and has therefore had little experience with marriage, and seeking help from her friends. A constraint found in Friedman’s blog could be that a reader is a manager of a hotel who understands why there is price discrimination in the situation. The Facebook blog’s author is constrained by the belief that people have high expectations of marriage, and that it creates problems. Exigence in Friedman’s blog is that he traveled to different hotels and was confused as to why internet service was or was not free in “cheap” or “expensive hotels, respectively. The Facebook blog was written because the author hit a rocky patch in her marriage and felt as though she was abandoned by her husband.
The similarities and differences in the two forums were created because Friedman’s blog was a more professional entry, open for anyone to read, while the newlywed’s blog was a less formal piece asking for advice from her friends.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Short Writing Assignment #3
After completing the analysis, I found that I had checked items in both columns, consensual and adversarial; however, I feel that I am more of a consensual arguer. When bringing up an issue to another person or group, I tend to be indirect in my approach. I always try to back my opinion with logical reasoning, as to try to get the opposing party to see my views. I prefer cooperation; if I am in a group discussion, I like rational conversation as opposed to all-out war, with both parties competing to force the other to see their views. I usually try to avoid confrontation, because I am intimidated by others’ opinions and aggressive nature. I can easily see more than one view in an argument, so it is also easy for me to see logic in another person’s opinion. Most of what I argue about comes from a logical perspective, as well as emotional. If I feel that what is being argued crosses a line, perhaps attacking people’s morals, I tend to fight on more of an emotional level. I prefer negotiation over winning, because a compromise is a victory for both parties, and prevents further dispute.
Most of my argumentative style comes from my parents. Although they have strong opinions involving my upbringing, expenses, and politics, they always came to a compromise in arguments. If I went out with my friends, and they gave me an eleven o’clock curfew, but I wanted to be home at midnight, we would agree that I should be home at eleven-thirty, to avoid yelling and bickering. Disagreements over similar issues involving expenses, politics, etc. normally end in a consensus between the two of them. Also, another aspect of my consensual style comes from my gender. A lot of emotions are involved with the decisions I make, because I try to take other people’s feelings into account, which is another reason I like to reach a compromise, to avoid conflict.
Although I have qualities of both consensual and adversarial arguers, I tend to have more of a consensual style of argument. I would be more likely to resolve an argument than to provoke one. This form of argument was brought on by my parents, as well as my compassionate nature, being a girl.
Most of my argumentative style comes from my parents. Although they have strong opinions involving my upbringing, expenses, and politics, they always came to a compromise in arguments. If I went out with my friends, and they gave me an eleven o’clock curfew, but I wanted to be home at midnight, we would agree that I should be home at eleven-thirty, to avoid yelling and bickering. Disagreements over similar issues involving expenses, politics, etc. normally end in a consensus between the two of them. Also, another aspect of my consensual style comes from my gender. A lot of emotions are involved with the decisions I make, because I try to take other people’s feelings into account, which is another reason I like to reach a compromise, to avoid conflict.
Although I have qualities of both consensual and adversarial arguers, I tend to have more of a consensual style of argument. I would be more likely to resolve an argument than to provoke one. This form of argument was brought on by my parents, as well as my compassionate nature, being a girl.
Short Writing Assignment #2
Kathleen Parker’s article, “Seeking Balance in an Either-Or World” describes to the reader her take on liberal and conservative extremes. Although she can easily pick a side, she often finds herself straddling the fence when it comes to issues such as abortion. First, she relates that as a columnist, many people expect her to choose a particular political view, because “It depends” shows and indecisive nature. She continues about the nation’s abortion policy, pushing for a pro-life position, but later returning to the unjust policy of motherhood forced by the government. Parker discusses many people’s desire to compromise these issues, stating that the country needs more practical education standards, teaching students the advantages and disadvantages of abortion as effective birth control. She conveys her disgruntled attitude towards the population caught in the boundaries, because unlike her, they have a clear opinion. Parker introduces new voice for those wandering down the middle path, John. P. Avlon. Avlon has presented centrism, the idea that discards both ends of a concern, and instead supports concepts such as motive, civility, and a practical standpoint. Parker articulates that extremist have been in control of the country long enough, and that Independents are gaining more support across the nation.
Parker’s assessment is one of a strong voice, and she had many valid points, especially for a person who cannot choose a particular side in a political situation. She brings forth many aspects of the abortion topic; however, she never seemed fully back her opinion, whether it be from a pro-life or pro-choice standpoint. By presenting centrism into the text, Parker engaged the reader with the idea that many Americans are, like her, straddling both sides, and therefore representing the “moderate” half of the United States population. Avlon’s claim that the inflexibility of the extremists creates a deadlock or causes irrelevance convey to the audience that although a person may not choose particular sides, their open-minded angle is still a means for opposition.
In my experiences, I have found many of Parker’s claims to be true. I have never been a person to choose a side in a debate, because I could find reasons for both sides to be true. I have always wandered down the middle path, and until now, I had never heard of centrist ideals. I always assumed that everyone had always been on either side, defined in black and white. Although extremists will object to centrism as being patriotic, I believe that being able to see both sides can enable you to appreciate the morals of any political figure, and also make decisions for the best outcome, rather than being set in one frame of mind that may not always be the right path.
Parker’s assessment is one of a strong voice, and she had many valid points, especially for a person who cannot choose a particular side in a political situation. She brings forth many aspects of the abortion topic; however, she never seemed fully back her opinion, whether it be from a pro-life or pro-choice standpoint. By presenting centrism into the text, Parker engaged the reader with the idea that many Americans are, like her, straddling both sides, and therefore representing the “moderate” half of the United States population. Avlon’s claim that the inflexibility of the extremists creates a deadlock or causes irrelevance convey to the audience that although a person may not choose particular sides, their open-minded angle is still a means for opposition.
In my experiences, I have found many of Parker’s claims to be true. I have never been a person to choose a side in a debate, because I could find reasons for both sides to be true. I have always wandered down the middle path, and until now, I had never heard of centrist ideals. I always assumed that everyone had always been on either side, defined in black and white. Although extremists will object to centrism as being patriotic, I believe that being able to see both sides can enable you to appreciate the morals of any political figure, and also make decisions for the best outcome, rather than being set in one frame of mind that may not always be the right path.
Short Writing Assignment #1
Many college professors are concerned with students’ lack of interest in literature. Although several high school graduates manage to receive their diplomas with more than a 3.5 GPA, some speculate that these students did not read much in high school, or that they have given up reading as they progressed to college.
Journalism professor Michael Skube notes that although students are able to identify well known authors, it is obvious when these students do not read for class or for leisure. When engaged in conversation or writing a paper, the students’ vocabulary falls short of college level, and sometimes even high school level. The students that are enrolled in college courses are the same students that cannot form a complete sentence, a concept taught in grade school. Because of this dilemma, many people question whether a high school diploma is worth what it is made out to be. Skube also speculates that while some students have GPAs well above 3.5, the students with high standardized test scores are those that are familiar with the English language and more likely to excel in a university.
In my classroom experience, much of what Skube stated is true. In my high school, the students in honors classes were very competitive, and most had high standardized test scores. However, because many students not taking the honors courses took the ‘easy’ way out by enrolling in the generic classes, their GPAs were sky-rocketed, and these pupils had GPAs comparable to those of students in Advanced Placement classes. The students in the honors classes were required to read many novels and passages throughout the school year, and this was reflected in our standardized test scores. Contrary to Skube’s assertions, however, many colleges to which I applied seemed to base a student’s acceptance on standardized test scores than high school GPAs.
Todd Hagstette’s “aggressive” reading may be of some help to those students described in Skube’s article; however, it may not be of any help at all. If these students read on a regular basis, but read for enjoyment rather than comprehension, learning to read aggressively could improve their vocabulary and conversation. On the contrary, if the students do not read at all, aggressive reading would not help them at all, unless they begin reading, and in the so-called “uncomfortable” manner.
According to Michael Skube, many students do not read, and it shows in their standardized test scores, as opposed to their excellent GPAs. This statement is proven in many schools, including the rankings in the high school from which I graduated. These students may benefit from aggressive reading, however, if they do not read in the first place, changing their reading strategies would not help them.
Journalism professor Michael Skube notes that although students are able to identify well known authors, it is obvious when these students do not read for class or for leisure. When engaged in conversation or writing a paper, the students’ vocabulary falls short of college level, and sometimes even high school level. The students that are enrolled in college courses are the same students that cannot form a complete sentence, a concept taught in grade school. Because of this dilemma, many people question whether a high school diploma is worth what it is made out to be. Skube also speculates that while some students have GPAs well above 3.5, the students with high standardized test scores are those that are familiar with the English language and more likely to excel in a university.
In my classroom experience, much of what Skube stated is true. In my high school, the students in honors classes were very competitive, and most had high standardized test scores. However, because many students not taking the honors courses took the ‘easy’ way out by enrolling in the generic classes, their GPAs were sky-rocketed, and these pupils had GPAs comparable to those of students in Advanced Placement classes. The students in the honors classes were required to read many novels and passages throughout the school year, and this was reflected in our standardized test scores. Contrary to Skube’s assertions, however, many colleges to which I applied seemed to base a student’s acceptance on standardized test scores than high school GPAs.
Todd Hagstette’s “aggressive” reading may be of some help to those students described in Skube’s article; however, it may not be of any help at all. If these students read on a regular basis, but read for enjoyment rather than comprehension, learning to read aggressively could improve their vocabulary and conversation. On the contrary, if the students do not read at all, aggressive reading would not help them at all, unless they begin reading, and in the so-called “uncomfortable” manner.
According to Michael Skube, many students do not read, and it shows in their standardized test scores, as opposed to their excellent GPAs. This statement is proven in many schools, including the rankings in the high school from which I graduated. These students may benefit from aggressive reading, however, if they do not read in the first place, changing their reading strategies would not help them.
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