To think about what we have read and analysed in English 112 what comes to mind is the Martin Luther King readings early in the semester. I personally read the "I Have A Dream" speech and his letters from the Birmingham City Jail. We started class with analysing the speech. It took me back in time to an era that was completely different then mine. Dr. Steve witnessed some of the civil rights movement first hand. It amazed me to start to understand how different life was back then. Dr. King was a master rhetorician. He had to ability to captivate his audience with his words. He delivered that speech in front of thousands that day in Washington D.C. Understand that Dr. King and all the african american population had been taken advantage of for too long. It was time for the civil rights movement to be seen by everyone. Just months before the speech Dr. King had been imprisoned in Birmingham Jail for marches in that city. He took his time to write letters to his fellow clergymen. Its amazing to think of Dr. King wanting the civil rights movement to be nonviolent he knew it was the only way it would work. If I was in the situiation I would be very angry. It would have been hard to hold that anger back. Dr. King had a different perspective and he tried to used his mastery of rhetoric and a brilliant mind to get what he needed. Instead of complaining about being wrongfully imprisoned he wrote a fairly long letter to the clergy explaining his movement and his dissappointment of some pastors speaking out against him. The letter goes on to give examples of how the african american population were treated unjustly. Segregatation laws were determined by elected officials. The African American people had no right to vote so there was no way their thoughts could be heard. We spent a good amount of class time discussing these two documents. We got into groups and held conversation about it. It was great to learn the whole story. It also made you understand how powerful words could be.
As for evaluating and synthesizing information from multiple sources. We evaluated Dr. King's speech and letters. The argument analysis we did was a great example of evaluation. Taking from a website we got information on a topic. We then synthesized information by writing a paper breaking down the argument into sections. What occurs in that process is a better understanding of a topic. The goal of learning is to know more about a topic than what you started with. Next we learned some life lessons by reading Ben Franklin's Autobiography. We learned about Franklin's time management schedule and adapted some of these to our lives by making a schedule. Franklin also kept track of his virtues to become a better person. We were asked to think about some virtues that were important to us. After evaluating my virtues it was important for me to maintain them. I keep a mental log of this and some of my virtues are a daily thought. Others have been forgotten. But learning this has made me more aware of what is important to my quality of life. A final evaluation and synthesizing information as what this portfolio letter is about. I have to evaluate my learning with evidence then analyse this evidence to synthesize a portfolio cover letter.
Determining the extent of information needed for constructing arguments and research papers is a daunting task. This portfolio is a prime example. It is both an argument and research paper. The amount of information I need is massive to show that I have done some work in this class. When arguing for a good grade I need to show excellent work. I have to post many documents to my blog as evidence. For it to be a research paper I have to cite my work with links to my evidence on the blog. All this information is combined into a cover letter for my portfolio. I have analyzed my course objectives. Then I determined what information I need to argue for an A. To finish I have written a letter to you with evidence of learning and evaluation of my learning. The extent of information determines my letter grade in the class.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Rhetorical Knowledge Draft
When thinking about rhetorical knowledge and things I have learned about it this semester. Many things come to mind such as the argument analysis we worked on early in the semester. Which is a claim and evidence analysis. Also the use of the rhetorical triangle and appeals triangle. English 112 was about writing for an academic audience and crafting the message that appealed to your academic audience. Which in this case is my teacher. Learning about how to write for an audience was important and will be even more so in the future. Understanding the rhetorical triangle is a valuable tool to use in the future. Your audience may change from time to time and you have to understand and adapt to your audience. If you don't adapt you may lose credibility and the respect of your audience. We all know how important your ethos is in your academic and professional career.
In our first writing assignment of argument analysis we had to search the internet for an opinion article of something that interested us. I found an article about technology and how it was causing children to be less social. This opinion article was a claim and evidence based article. We were given a worksheet for analyzing this article. What we wanted to do was break this opinion piece into sections of claims. A claim is something the author states and then provides a reason and evidence to back it up. We also analyzed further to understand the appeals triangle. Every claim uses an appeal from the appeals triangle. Logos uses facts and numbers to back a claim up. Ethos is using your reputation to solidify a claim. Finally, Pathos uses emotion to spark attention to a claim. By breaking an article up into sections utilized prewriting of the writing process. It made writing the actual paper very easy. After using this worksheet the basis of writing an effective argument became very clear. You make your major claim. Then you provide your evidence as to why your claim is correct. You also understand what type of appeal can be used to be effective. I found that Pathos appeal were most effective to me. This assignment gave me valuable knowledge of the appeals triangle and how to understand an argument. By analyzing this argument it also made me aware how to make a valid argument myself. In order to understand and make a valid argument I also need to know my opinions aren’t necessarily right or good I need to understand the other side of the argument. Whether your argument is right or wrong the most valuable thing is that I learn more information about a certain topic.
Glancing at some of my notes I noticed alot of this semester was about understanding our academic audience. I’m the author and I have to craft my message to my specific audience. This is the rhetorical triangle at work. Understanding who my audience is going to be and what my audience wants to hear is important. I can make an example of this paper. You the teacher are trying to understand what I learned. The teacher being my audience gives me details about how this paper needs to be written. I take that information and began to craft my message. After publishing my message which would be this portfolio paper my audience gives me feedback. In this case feedback comes in the form of a grade. That is the rhetorical triangle it is a revolving process and comes full circle back to the author. Understanding how to craft the message for my audience is where the work is involved.
In our first writing assignment of argument analysis we had to search the internet for an opinion article of something that interested us. I found an article about technology and how it was causing children to be less social. This opinion article was a claim and evidence based article. We were given a worksheet for analyzing this article. What we wanted to do was break this opinion piece into sections of claims. A claim is something the author states and then provides a reason and evidence to back it up. We also analyzed further to understand the appeals triangle. Every claim uses an appeal from the appeals triangle. Logos uses facts and numbers to back a claim up. Ethos is using your reputation to solidify a claim. Finally, Pathos uses emotion to spark attention to a claim. By breaking an article up into sections utilized prewriting of the writing process. It made writing the actual paper very easy. After using this worksheet the basis of writing an effective argument became very clear. You make your major claim. Then you provide your evidence as to why your claim is correct. You also understand what type of appeal can be used to be effective. I found that Pathos appeal were most effective to me. This assignment gave me valuable knowledge of the appeals triangle and how to understand an argument. By analyzing this argument it also made me aware how to make a valid argument myself. In order to understand and make a valid argument I also need to know my opinions aren’t necessarily right or good I need to understand the other side of the argument. Whether your argument is right or wrong the most valuable thing is that I learn more information about a certain topic.
Glancing at some of my notes I noticed alot of this semester was about understanding our academic audience. I’m the author and I have to craft my message to my specific audience. This is the rhetorical triangle at work. Understanding who my audience is going to be and what my audience wants to hear is important. I can make an example of this paper. You the teacher are trying to understand what I learned. The teacher being my audience gives me details about how this paper needs to be written. I take that information and began to craft my message. After publishing my message which would be this portfolio paper my audience gives me feedback. In this case feedback comes in the form of a grade. That is the rhetorical triangle it is a revolving process and comes full circle back to the author. Understanding how to craft the message for my audience is where the work is involved.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Digital technologies section draft(I could use help editing this document)
Digital Technologies Draft
In English 112 we were asked to understand how to use digital technology to our advantage in becoming a better student. Some of the ways we have learned to do this is to take research notes using information from the internet, adapting the writing process using word processing equipment such as google docs and then publishing this information with the blogger, and creating a blog for a place to share and help each other understand texts. Digital technology plays an important role in writing. Our use of the technology through tools such as the blog has made this class more accessible and simple. Using these tools has helped me understand our use of digital technology more thoroughly.
The blog we were asked to create would prove to be one of the most powerful tools we possessed. We would first process our information in Google Docs then publish it online with the blogger. The blogger would ultimately be used to show evidence of our work for our portfolio essay. One thing this taught me that if a class made an effort we could help each other succeed in the class. This blog is a place we can share our papers, ideas, and thoughts. With this tool we could adapt the writing process digitally by sharing our ideas with each other. We took the time to implement this idea by finding sources for other students research topics. The idea of the blog was definitely original to me because I have never thought an online blog could be so useful. The blog is an awesome tool for academic learning.The writing process I never really used before but the way it was taught in Eng 112 made it easy to pick up and use. We learned to write our papers in sections. Using one topic we created a draft. The next topic we created another draft. These different drafts came together to be one paper. All of these drafts would be stored on Google Docs and then combined. We could then use our peers to revise by asking for input on our blog. After revision many different people could review my work by publishing my draft and any editing could be done after revision. After all this I could submit it on my blog. Once again the blogger became a valuable tool in this process.
Using the internet for research was something that I was taught. My skills to identify credible sources also improved. The most important thing I learned was how to take research notes. I came up with a research topic question. I simply searched google using that question. After finding credible sources I began to take notes. I either paraphrased or took a direct quote from the source. Following my notes, I would put a link for the site and also the date which I took the note. With new information from my search I developed a different research question. I would then search google with this new question gathering more information. This process makes research easier and it also gives you plenty of information to work with. I used the blog to get the perspective of my other classmates. They helped with research by finding me more sources and posting them to my blog. Using all these tools to research a topic was very helpful. I found more than enough information on my topic using technology.
In conclusion, I have learned a great deal about using digital technologies to take research notes, to adapt the writing process, and how useful a blog site can be if utilized properly. If I use these tools writing will be much easier in the future. The blog seems to be very important as long as there is class participation. It puts a lot of resources into one area for you to use. The blog makes research, the writing process, and accessing documents simple. It is a tool I will use in future classes hopefully.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Course Evaluation Draft
Michael Talbott
Dr. Steven Brandon
English 112 – 08PR
24 February 2012
Midterm Review
When asked to write about what we have learned thus far in Dr. Steve’s English 112 class, I thought it was going to be a difficult task. Dr. Steve’s class isn’t your conventional college course. We have no graded work so far. We have written one paper. He has a different approach to teaching than other teachers. This might lead you to believe that Dr. Steve doesn’t do a good job teaching. This is not the case Dr. Steve actually cares whether his students learn. His style of teaching has been very effective for me. He has taught us many things that you can take out of the classroom and incorporate into your life. Things such as creating a schedule to manage your time, the art of holding a conversation, taking notes during lecture, and how to use rhetoric to your benefit in interactions with others. All these add up to more valuable lessons than your run of the mill homework assignments.
The first day of class we were asked to take notes during lecture. This is something I don’t normally do. I took the suggestion and began taking notes with every lecture. By taking notes it makes you aware of what is being taught. It gets you involved in discussions and makes you feel part of class instead of being simply lectured to. Taking notes is probably one of the most valuable lessons I have learned in the class. I have not had much trouble making great grades so far in my college career. I haven’t had to try very hard. In the future with a tougher schedule taking notes will be invaluable to my success in the class. The notes I have taken in class has helped me to write this paper.
The next topic we learned was holding a conversation. I learned how to include people into conversation and ask questions to spark conversation. I also tried to be an active listener instead of thinking what I was going to say in conversation. We formed into groups and were asked to discuss the Martin Luther King Jr. writings from Birmingham jail and his famous I have a dream speech. I thought I had a good understanding of the piece before our conversation. I gained a lot of knowledge from the others in my group. Learning other people’s perspectives on a topic in conversation is another important lesson that I have learned. By having conversation in our group, I began making connections with some of my classmates. This makes class more enjoyable and could also to lead to friendship in the future.
We went on to analyzing and understanding an argument. This was going to be our first paper in the class. The best part about this was adapting the writing process to this paper. It made writing the actual paper easy. We were asked to find an opinion article on any subject that interested us. Then we formed groups to discuss our articles. I listened to other classmates opinions of my article. It helped me gain a better understanding of the topic. We were assigned the worksheet for analyzing arguments. With the worksheet, I was able to identify the major claim of the argument and each individual reason the author gave for their claim. This was the pre-writing of the writing process. We were asked to understand the appeals rhetorical triangle. This is how the author uses logos, ethos, and pathos to strengthen their argument. By understanding and analyzing my argument, it helped me understand how to make a strong argument. We then drafted, revised, and published our paper. The writing process made this paper simple to write. When you actually implement the writing process and take the time to prepare for writing it makes everything so much easier.
We were handed Ben Franklin’s autobiography and asked to read it. Franklin had a schedule he maintained that was written out for every day of the week. The class was asked to make a schedule for every day of the week. The importance of time management in a college setting is very important. To make a schedule is one thing; to keep it is something completely different. When you write a weekly schedule you can become aware of how you’re managing your time. You can see where you need improvement and make changes to become more efficient. I have learned that maintaining a schedule makes me feel better personally. Simple things such as the right amount of sleep and planning meals for certain times make your quality of life that much better. Franklin also had a list of values to live by. Something like his moral code. We were asked to consider what values were important to us. We were told to consider these values on a day to day basis. If I didn’t maintain them I was supposed to make note of it. This teaches you to uphold your values consistently. These exercises if I choose to do them are designed to make my quality of life better and to make me feel better about myself. It isn’t something I have to do for a good grade. It’s more important than grades.
In conclusion, all these lessons learned have made me a better student and person. I have learned that taking notes can be the key to success in the class room. I have learned how important it is to listen to someone rather than think of what I’m going to say in response. I have learned how to use rhetoric in conversation and how important proper conversation can be. I have learned how to make a strong argument with my words. I have learned how important managing my time and making a schedule can be. If I incorporate this knowledge into my daily life I will be successful. I think that is what Dr. Steve is trying to make me learn. I can be a better all-around person if I take advantage of the knowledge he is giving us. This hasn’t been a conventional english class and that is appreciated.
Dr. Steven Brandon
English 112 – 08PR
24 February 2012
Midterm Review
When asked to write about what we have learned thus far in Dr. Steve’s English 112 class, I thought it was going to be a difficult task. Dr. Steve’s class isn’t your conventional college course. We have no graded work so far. We have written one paper. He has a different approach to teaching than other teachers. This might lead you to believe that Dr. Steve doesn’t do a good job teaching. This is not the case Dr. Steve actually cares whether his students learn. His style of teaching has been very effective for me. He has taught us many things that you can take out of the classroom and incorporate into your life. Things such as creating a schedule to manage your time, the art of holding a conversation, taking notes during lecture, and how to use rhetoric to your benefit in interactions with others. All these add up to more valuable lessons than your run of the mill homework assignments.
The first day of class we were asked to take notes during lecture. This is something I don’t normally do. I took the suggestion and began taking notes with every lecture. By taking notes it makes you aware of what is being taught. It gets you involved in discussions and makes you feel part of class instead of being simply lectured to. Taking notes is probably one of the most valuable lessons I have learned in the class. I have not had much trouble making great grades so far in my college career. I haven’t had to try very hard. In the future with a tougher schedule taking notes will be invaluable to my success in the class. The notes I have taken in class has helped me to write this paper.
The next topic we learned was holding a conversation. I learned how to include people into conversation and ask questions to spark conversation. I also tried to be an active listener instead of thinking what I was going to say in conversation. We formed into groups and were asked to discuss the Martin Luther King Jr. writings from Birmingham jail and his famous I have a dream speech. I thought I had a good understanding of the piece before our conversation. I gained a lot of knowledge from the others in my group. Learning other people’s perspectives on a topic in conversation is another important lesson that I have learned. By having conversation in our group, I began making connections with some of my classmates. This makes class more enjoyable and could also to lead to friendship in the future.
We went on to analyzing and understanding an argument. This was going to be our first paper in the class. The best part about this was adapting the writing process to this paper. It made writing the actual paper easy. We were asked to find an opinion article on any subject that interested us. Then we formed groups to discuss our articles. I listened to other classmates opinions of my article. It helped me gain a better understanding of the topic. We were assigned the worksheet for analyzing arguments. With the worksheet, I was able to identify the major claim of the argument and each individual reason the author gave for their claim. This was the pre-writing of the writing process. We were asked to understand the appeals rhetorical triangle. This is how the author uses logos, ethos, and pathos to strengthen their argument. By understanding and analyzing my argument, it helped me understand how to make a strong argument. We then drafted, revised, and published our paper. The writing process made this paper simple to write. When you actually implement the writing process and take the time to prepare for writing it makes everything so much easier.
We were handed Ben Franklin’s autobiography and asked to read it. Franklin had a schedule he maintained that was written out for every day of the week. The class was asked to make a schedule for every day of the week. The importance of time management in a college setting is very important. To make a schedule is one thing; to keep it is something completely different. When you write a weekly schedule you can become aware of how you’re managing your time. You can see where you need improvement and make changes to become more efficient. I have learned that maintaining a schedule makes me feel better personally. Simple things such as the right amount of sleep and planning meals for certain times make your quality of life that much better. Franklin also had a list of values to live by. Something like his moral code. We were asked to consider what values were important to us. We were told to consider these values on a day to day basis. If I didn’t maintain them I was supposed to make note of it. This teaches you to uphold your values consistently. These exercises if I choose to do them are designed to make my quality of life better and to make me feel better about myself. It isn’t something I have to do for a good grade. It’s more important than grades.
In conclusion, all these lessons learned have made me a better student and person. I have learned that taking notes can be the key to success in the class room. I have learned how important it is to listen to someone rather than think of what I’m going to say in response. I have learned how to use rhetoric in conversation and how important proper conversation can be. I have learned how to make a strong argument with my words. I have learned how important managing my time and making a schedule can be. If I incorporate this knowledge into my daily life I will be successful. I think that is what Dr. Steve is trying to make me learn. I can be a better all-around person if I take advantage of the knowledge he is giving us. This hasn’t been a conventional english class and that is appreciated.
English 112 Sample Research Notes
Research Notes
Research Topic: Health risks from smoking
Research Question:
1. Why are cigarettes harmful?
Disease
Direct quote from livestrong.com
Of all the deaths caused by cancer, 30 percent are due to smoking. The most common cancer caused by smoking is lung cancer, which is also one of the hardest cancers to treat, says the American Cancer Society. Even worse, smoking has been linked to several other cancers, including cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney and bladder, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/264458-facts-about-why-smoking-cigarettes-is-harmful/
4/5/12
Other Health Problems
Paraphrased from cancer.org
Smoking plays a major role in causing heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema, and stroke. Smoking can weaken blood flow to the arms and legs this is called peripheral vascular disease or PVD.
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/CigaretteSmoking/cigarette-smoking-who-and-how-affects-health
4/5/12
Paraphrased from livestrong.com
Cigarettes are harmful because they are addictive. According to the surgeon general nicotine addiction is as addictive as heroin and other drugs. Trying to stop causes withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are described by the National Cancer institute as depression, anxiety, restlessness, and weight gain.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/264458-facts-about-why-smoking-cigarettes-is-harmful/
4/5/12
Direct quote from about.com
When the chemicals in cigarettes are inhaled, they put our bodies into a state of physical stress by sending literally thousands of poisons, toxic metals and carcinogens coursing through our bloodstream with every puff we take. And those chemicals affect everything from blood pressure and pulse rate to the health of our organs and immune system.
http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chemicalsinsmoke/a/chemicalshub.htm
4/5/12
Research Question
2. What chemicals are in cigarettes?
Direct Quote from stop-smoking-programs.org
The chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco smoke make smoking harmful. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals.At least 50 are known carcinogens (cause cancer in humans) and many are poisonous.
http://www.stop-smoking-programs.org/chemicals-in-cigarettes.html
4/5/12
List of some harmful chemicals from stop-smoking-programs.org
http://www.stop-smoking-programs.org/chemicals-in-cigarettes.html
4/5/12
Research Question
3. How many deaths a year are attributed to smoking?
Paraphrased from cdc.gov
There are estimated to be 443,000 deaths attributed to smoking. This includes second hand smoke. This is just in the USA. I could not find any credible facts on what this figure would be worldwide.
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/osh.htm
4/5/12
Direct quote from cdc.gov
Exposure to secondhand smoke—sometimes called environmental tobacco smoke—causes nearly 50,000 deaths each year among adults in the United States.Secondhand smoke causes 3,400 annual deaths from lung cancer.Secondhand smoke causes 46,000 annual deaths from heart disease.
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/
4/5/12
Direct quote from cdc.gov
Coupled with this enormous health toll is the significant economic burden of tobacco use—more than $96 billion a year in medical costs and another $97 billion a year from lost productivity.
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/osh.htm
4/5/12
Research Question
4. What is being done to prevent smoking?
Paraphrased from smoking-quit.info
President Obama raised the taxes on cigarettes to try to discourage people to continue to buy cigarettes.
http://smoking-quit.info/what-is-being-done-to-reduce-tobacco-use
4/5/12
Direct Quote from smoking-quit.info
Obama signed the strictest anti-tobacco law to date in the U.S., the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. It gives the FDA greater authority to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products, severely restricts marketing campaigns, and calls for more explicit warnings.
http://smoking-quit.info/what-is-being-done-to-reduce-tobacco-use
4/5/12
Research Topic: Health risks from smoking
Research Question:
1. Why are cigarettes harmful?
Disease
Direct quote from livestrong.com
Of all the deaths caused by cancer, 30 percent are due to smoking. The most common cancer caused by smoking is lung cancer, which is also one of the hardest cancers to treat, says the American Cancer Society. Even worse, smoking has been linked to several other cancers, including cancers of the larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney and bladder, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/264458-facts-about-why-smoking-cigarettes-is-harmful/
4/5/12
Other Health Problems
Paraphrased from cancer.org
Smoking plays a major role in causing heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema, and stroke. Smoking can weaken blood flow to the arms and legs this is called peripheral vascular disease or PVD.
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/TobaccoCancer/CigaretteSmoking/cigarette-smoking-who-and-how-affects-health
4/5/12
Paraphrased from livestrong.com
Cigarettes are harmful because they are addictive. According to the surgeon general nicotine addiction is as addictive as heroin and other drugs. Trying to stop causes withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are described by the National Cancer institute as depression, anxiety, restlessness, and weight gain.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/264458-facts-about-why-smoking-cigarettes-is-harmful/
4/5/12
Direct quote from about.com
When the chemicals in cigarettes are inhaled, they put our bodies into a state of physical stress by sending literally thousands of poisons, toxic metals and carcinogens coursing through our bloodstream with every puff we take. And those chemicals affect everything from blood pressure and pulse rate to the health of our organs and immune system.
http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/chemicalsinsmoke/a/chemicalshub.htm
4/5/12
Research Question
2. What chemicals are in cigarettes?
Direct Quote from stop-smoking-programs.org
The chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco smoke make smoking harmful. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals.At least 50 are known carcinogens (cause cancer in humans) and many are poisonous.
http://www.stop-smoking-programs.org/chemicals-in-cigarettes.html
4/5/12
List of some harmful chemicals from stop-smoking-programs.org
| Benzene (petrol additive) |
|
(embalming fluid) |
|
(toilet cleaner) |
|
(nail polish remover) |
|
| |
(insecticide/addictive drug) |
|
(car exhaust fumes) |
|
|
http://www.stop-smoking-programs.org/chemicals-in-cigarettes.html
4/5/12
Research Question
3. How many deaths a year are attributed to smoking?
Paraphrased from cdc.gov
There are estimated to be 443,000 deaths attributed to smoking. This includes second hand smoke. This is just in the USA. I could not find any credible facts on what this figure would be worldwide.
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/osh.htm
4/5/12
Direct quote from cdc.gov
Exposure to secondhand smoke—sometimes called environmental tobacco smoke—causes nearly 50,000 deaths each year among adults in the United States.Secondhand smoke causes 3,400 annual deaths from lung cancer.Secondhand smoke causes 46,000 annual deaths from heart disease.
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/
4/5/12
Direct quote from cdc.gov
Coupled with this enormous health toll is the significant economic burden of tobacco use—more than $96 billion a year in medical costs and another $97 billion a year from lost productivity.
http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/AAG/osh.htm
4/5/12
Research Question
4. What is being done to prevent smoking?
Paraphrased from smoking-quit.info
President Obama raised the taxes on cigarettes to try to discourage people to continue to buy cigarettes.
http://smoking-quit.info/what-is-being-done-to-reduce-tobacco-use
4/5/12
Direct Quote from smoking-quit.info
Obama signed the strictest anti-tobacco law to date in the U.S., the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. It gives the FDA greater authority to regulate the ingredients in tobacco products, severely restricts marketing campaigns, and calls for more explicit warnings.
http://smoking-quit.info/what-is-being-done-to-reduce-tobacco-use
4/5/12
Sunday, April 1, 2012
My Argument Analysis
Michael Talbott
Dr. Steven Brandon
English 112 – 08PR
24 February 2012
Argument Analysis
In the opinion piece, “Technology: Good or Bad for Today’s Youth?”, taken from a blog on the website www.teenink.com, the author argues that technology is becoming the only way to communicate with today’s youth and that it is having a negative effect on social interactions. The author named Amie has an effective argument. She gives many reasons for her argument and uses the pathos appeal well in her argument. I identify with many of the reasons she gives in the piece. I agree with her opinion that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. The art of conversation has been lost to computer and phone interaction.
Her first reason is, “Internet users spend thirty four minutes less than non-internet users with friends and family.” This is her use of Logos. She has taken facts found from a poll that has been conducted. I believe this is her weakest use of the rhetorical appeals. Thirty four minutes is not a lot of time. I believe the better way to prove her argument would be from phone records. Look at minutes used actually talking to someone and then look at how many text messages have been sent. She doesn’t use logos to her advantage in this article. She gives us weak facts found from a poll. Her use of logos is not convincing.
The next reason she uses is much more effective. Amie claims, “Teens text while talking to someone else, at the dinner table, in the car if driving or not, at the movies, and worst of all church.” Her use of pathos drives home her argument. She uses emotional appeal very well. This simple statement is going to spark an emotional response with various types of readers. It’s offensive for a person to play with their phone in the middle of conversation. Even more offensive for someone to put lives in danger by texting while driving. Her use of religion in the topic is very effective. It brings the religious community into her argument. She will have their support because she makes a legitimate claim of technology taking away from the “word of God”. Her use of ethos is her most powerful argument. It worked on me. I can identify with the author because I have been in conversations with someone on their phone it is very offensive. Her claims using ethos are powerful because she makes you identify with them.
Another thing to consider would be the ethos appeal of her argument. Her argument is posted on a blog. Anyone can post on this blog. Her structure and spelling are not the best. The simple fact is that because of these small errors some people will not read this argument. They would feel that it is not an academic or professional writing. This takes away from her reputation and credibility. If you care about sentence structure and grammar as some people do, then this argument would be disregarded by those people. It is not an academic writing.
Amie also identifies her counterargument and makes a concession in her article. She names many ways in which technology is useful. She makes the argument that technology is a great way to stay in touch with old friends. By hearing the other side of the argument it makes her argument more effective. She concedes to the qualities of technology. But the negative effect it is having on today’s youth is apparent. The upside of technology does not do anything to lessen the strength of the argument that technology has become the most common way kids communicate.
In conclusion, Amie has made a strong argument on the negative effects of technology on today’s youth. Her use of the ethos appeal is powerful. It makes the reader identify with her frustrations. I have sided with her on this argument. She has convinced me by making me identify with her. Although the article is short and not well written it is still very effective. I am convinced that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. I believe that my generation and even more so the generation behind me has become socially awkward. Amie has made a valid and strong argument.
Dr. Steven Brandon
English 112 – 08PR
24 February 2012
Argument Analysis
In the opinion piece, “Technology: Good or Bad for Today’s Youth?”, taken from a blog on the website www.teenink.com, the author argues that technology is becoming the only way to communicate with today’s youth and that it is having a negative effect on social interactions. The author named Amie has an effective argument. She gives many reasons for her argument and uses the pathos appeal well in her argument. I identify with many of the reasons she gives in the piece. I agree with her opinion that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. The art of conversation has been lost to computer and phone interaction.
Her first reason is, “Internet users spend thirty four minutes less than non-internet users with friends and family.” This is her use of Logos. She has taken facts found from a poll that has been conducted. I believe this is her weakest use of the rhetorical appeals. Thirty four minutes is not a lot of time. I believe the better way to prove her argument would be from phone records. Look at minutes used actually talking to someone and then look at how many text messages have been sent. She doesn’t use logos to her advantage in this article. She gives us weak facts found from a poll. Her use of logos is not convincing.
The next reason she uses is much more effective. Amie claims, “Teens text while talking to someone else, at the dinner table, in the car if driving or not, at the movies, and worst of all church.” Her use of pathos drives home her argument. She uses emotional appeal very well. This simple statement is going to spark an emotional response with various types of readers. It’s offensive for a person to play with their phone in the middle of conversation. Even more offensive for someone to put lives in danger by texting while driving. Her use of religion in the topic is very effective. It brings the religious community into her argument. She will have their support because she makes a legitimate claim of technology taking away from the “word of God”. Her use of ethos is her most powerful argument. It worked on me. I can identify with the author because I have been in conversations with someone on their phone it is very offensive. Her claims using ethos are powerful because she makes you identify with them.
Another thing to consider would be the ethos appeal of her argument. Her argument is posted on a blog. Anyone can post on this blog. Her structure and spelling are not the best. The simple fact is that because of these small errors some people will not read this argument. They would feel that it is not an academic or professional writing. This takes away from her reputation and credibility. If you care about sentence structure and grammar as some people do, then this argument would be disregarded by those people. It is not an academic writing.
Amie also identifies her counterargument and makes a concession in her article. She names many ways in which technology is useful. She makes the argument that technology is a great way to stay in touch with old friends. By hearing the other side of the argument it makes her argument more effective. She concedes to the qualities of technology. But the negative effect it is having on today’s youth is apparent. The upside of technology does not do anything to lessen the strength of the argument that technology has become the most common way kids communicate.
In conclusion, Amie has made a strong argument on the negative effects of technology on today’s youth. Her use of the ethos appeal is powerful. It makes the reader identify with her frustrations. I have sided with her on this argument. She has convinced me by making me identify with her. Although the article is short and not well written it is still very effective. I am convinced that technology has disconnected youth from social interaction. I believe that my generation and even more so the generation behind me has become socially awkward. Amie has made a valid and strong argument.
My Research Topic
Topic: Managing my time better
Question: How can I focus on my major goals and manage my time better with my busy schedule?
I am going to search about time management skills on google.
Also going to search about how to set priorities in my life.
Question: How can I focus on my major goals and manage my time better with my busy schedule?
I am going to search about time management skills on google.
Also going to search about how to set priorities in my life.
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