paragraph coherence exercise

Online chat rooms have become a great source of communication to use inside and outside the classroom. One example of how chat rooms are effective resources inside the classroom is they have allowed me to converse with other members of my Biology class to discuss the lectures and labs. A lot of classes have the chat rooms set up privately for only the students registered in that class. This is a security device that makes sure people who do not belong to a particular class do not gain access to the room. However, outside the classroom, chat rooms can also provide a break from the school environment, a stress release, and allow a place to meet new people.

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 rescues involving human lives performed by police canines. For instance, Dogs served as the preferred alternative around housing developments off campus for students attending the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Canines were first introduced there in 1979 to aid University officers in protecting the safety of students from nearby gangs. From this case and others, 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 force" (Savage para 12).

Kitman says that hybrid cars are not really all they're really cracked up to be. Although, the cars do have so much publicity as the environmental car, Kitman disagrees and believes that they really aren't that much better than normal cars. Kitman seems like he could be a little bias about the situation because he seems to be all about cars. For instance, he is the bureau chief for Automobile Magazine. To me this means that he is a fan of gasoline cars and isn't really intro changing the face of the automobile industry. He wants to convince his readers that the Prius, the first hybrid, is only environmentally healthy when driving around town, not when it needs to be driven on the highway. He also says that the battery pack that is used takes away from cargo space and therefore, takes aways the ability to carpool.
Moore, is as well trying to promote a view that is less accepted. Many people are against nuclear weaponry, but Moore writes to show that it isn't necessarily the wrong way to go. The article is based on the fact that the use of fossil fuels needs to be drastically reduced. The author narrows down the only available option to nuclear power by slowly refuting all other means, such as solar power, wind power, natural gas, and hydroelectric power.

THESIS
There are three different views on this topic that are most prevalent in society. They are, one, that all methods of assisted death should be legalized, two, that only some methods of should be legalized and three, that there shouldn’t be any legal means of committing suicide.
PARAGRAPH 1 TS
The legalization of assisted suicide is, at this time, up to state jurisdiction.
PARAGRAPH 2 TS
In order to fully understand the viewpoints of different parties, it is necessary to be familiar with the different methods that have been discovered.
PARAGRAPH 3 TS
People in favor of allowing all types of assisted death feel that it is the right of a person to govern his/her own life, no matter what the circumstances are.
PARAGRAPH 4 TS
Any forms of assisted death are morally unsupported by some religious groups. The main reason for this opinion is the interpretation that there isn’t a vast difference separating murder and suicide from assisted death.

I will be doing a proposal paper on assisted death. I want to prove why one view on the issue should be executed and prove why the other two views are invalid. *I believe that it is the right of the person to choose whether or not he/she continues a life of suffering, or decides to participate in an assisted death. @Moreover@, [I will be proving the fact that all methods of assisted death should be legalized, whether it be simply allowing family members to take a patient off of life support, or giving doctors the administer a lethal dose of medication.]* People should be able to have the choice and can then, individually decide if it is moral or not. In most states, it is currently illegal to perform assisted suicide. @In other words@, [a physician cannot use any methods to assist in death, including a determined overdose and discontinuing life support.] The only exception is Oregon, where both ways are legal. @Also@, [I plan to discuss the constitutional rights that all individuals have to life and death.] I want to explain the importance of allowing people to decide their own morals, and the fact that they differ from person to person. The law should acknowledge personal liberties. My paper will include examples of different cases of people who have been assisted in death and those that wish to, as well as responding to any counter arguments.
I want this paper to be read by my classmates and teacher and I anticipate that many will feel strongly against my proposal. @This is because@, [death in general is a very controversial and possibly sensitive topic.] @Furthermore@, [I hope to really appeal to the emotions of my readers and open them up to both sides of the case.] I will need to perform more research to find specific cases. @Other than that@, I have enough information supporting my claim as well as enough information to counter any other opposing claims.
I found this exercise very useful. I feel that I received the most out of it possible.

Freewrite

I didn't know about this tradition until this morning, so it really isn't that important to me, but my initial response is that they shouldn't really be burning anything anyway. Before I read about the reason for cancelling the ceremony, I assumed that they had just realized that maybe the act could be related to the KKK burning non-white people on the cross. In fact, the picture in the newspaper immediately reminded me of that act. I find it kind of offensive, especially since through some of my experiences here, I have already found that there is racism here. If they hadn't mentioned the actual reason for cancelling the event, I wouldn't have even related it to that.

1. a. All forms of Assisted Suicide should be legalized
b. only some forms should be legalized
c. All forms are immoral and should be illegal
2. The perspective that all forms of Assisted suicide should be legalized is dominant over the others in my paper because for one reason it is my opinion and for a second reason, I found the most information supporting it. The explanation includes the fact that people should have the right to choose the paths of their own lives and that there are many cases through the years where it was necessary to use on eof the forbidden methods of assisted death.
3. I think the perspective that is dominant needs to be dominant.
4. My perspective can be enforced by making all methods legal, but of course taking a lot of measures to make sure no fraud or crimes also take place. There should be required distinct steps to take before going through with the act.

Question 4 Chapter 7

Both Lindzen and Kluger use the large amount of CO2 emission as the main source of global warming. Both writers have the same claim; global warming does exist and needs to be addressed. I feel that Kluger uses a more effective writing style for the audience he is speaking to. He uses a lot of opinionated and to the point statements that can be easily understood by those who are not familiar with the topic. Kluger writes, "Global warming, even more skeptics have concluded, is the real deal, and human activity has been causing it." (270) He states exactly what he's trying to get across throughout the entire essay. There is no question about how he feels about the issue.
Both authors make a strong connection between CO2 emission and natural disasters that have been occurring recently. Kluger mentions El Nino, wild fires in Indonesia, US, and Alaska, and that "warmer water is like rocket fuel for typhoons and hurricanes." (275) Lindzen uses the examples of the droughts in Paris and the "heavy snows in Buffalo." (278) Both articles use good sources and are very well written, but Kluger seems to appeal to his audience much better.

Topic Proposal Paper

I will be doing a proposal paper on assisted death. I want to prove why one view on the issue should be executed and prove why the other two views are invalid. I believe that it is the right of the person to choose whether or not he/she continues a life of suffering, or decides to participate in an assisted death. People should be able to have the choice and can then, individually decide if it is moral or not. In the most states, it is currently illegal to perform assisted suicide. This includes through a determined overdose or simply discontinuing life support. The two exceptions are Oregon, where both are legal, and Washington, where only suicide is legal. I plan to discuss the constitutional rights that all individuals have to life and death. I also want to explain the importance of allowing people to decide their own morals, and the fact that they differ from person to person. The law should acknowledge personal liberties. My paper will include examples of different cases of people who have been assisted in death and those that wish to, as well as responding to any counter arguments.
I want this paper to be read by my classmates and teacher and I anticipate that many will feel strongly against my proposal. This is a very controversial and possibly sensitive topic and I hope to really appeal to the emotions of my readers and open them up to both sides of the case. I will need to perform more research to find specific cases. Other than that I have enough information supporting my claim as well as enough information to counter any other opposing claims.

1. The policy that needs to be changed is the parking situation. There is not enough free parking on campus. This is a problem especially for those who live off campus because they don't need to buy a parking pass for all day and night for the whole semester because they only need to park during class. Seriously, where are we supposed to park!
2. All college campuses have parking problems. USC is trying to make people take the shuttles or walk a little more. The policy has not been changed yet because people are still buying the parking passes and the university is making a very large revenue from parking.

1. a. All forms of Assisted Suicide should be legalized
b. only some forms should be legalized
c. All forms are immoral and should be illegal
2. The perspective that all forms of Assisted suicide should be legalized is dominant over the others in my paper because for one reason it is my opinion and for a second reason, I found the most information supporting it. The explanation includes the fact that people should have the right to choose the paths of their own lives and that there are many cases through the years where it was necessary to use on eof the forbidden methods of assisted death.
3. I think the perspective that is dominant needs to be dominant.
4. My perspective can be enforced by making all methods legal, but of course taking a lot of measures to make sure no fraud or crimes also take place. There should be required distinct steps to take before going through with the act.

Free write

When I was younger I was taught to believe that all drugs are bad. No matter what: all drugs are bad. This was not taught to me by my parents, but by my teachers, administration and the DARE program (the anti-drug program). I, therefore, thought that all drugs are immoral and of course all people who use them are also immoral. However, I have now come to the conclusion that not all drugs are terrible things. I came to this belief quite long ago, maybe 8th or 9th grade, when I learned that a family friend was prescribed medicinal marijuana for issues with breast cancer. I then researched the drug and learned that cannabis can be used for many other medical complications, especially pain. Although, I don't believe that all drugs are good or should at all be overused, there are certain circumstances that I feel that drugs are necessary.

Freewrite

Softball and home have completely occupied any open space in my mind. I have practice everyday for 3 to 4 hours. I'm constantly thinking of what I can do to improve my game and please my coach. Although I am not proud of it, it is what is in my head. It can be quite tiring to have something that can be so stressful occupying my life so completely. Of course, I love the game, but by the end of the week it just seems like too much. I always thik of how different my life would be if I was at home going to Santa Barbara City College and living with my best friend. The only way softball would be a part of my life, would be watching my sister play with her team, when I would go home every few weeks. That's another thing: HOME. I never really thought I would be this homesick. I wasn't even planning on going home for Thanksgiving and that thought is completely unimaginable at this point. I don't know if this is what you wanted us to write about, but I couldn't think of anything that is occupying my thoughts more.

I have to formulate a better claim, because mine isn't really complete. I underlined parts that might make up the idea of the claim, but it is not all in one sentence.

If you could help me think of a different third perspective other than those who support only some methods of assisted suicide.

1. I think of the main idea of my paper, a few subtopics to be the subject of each paragraph, and then I begin writing down anything that comes to mind. One technique I might use is to make a list or outline to guide my writing. This helps my papers have a lot more structure.
2. Outlining ideas before writing a draft keeps the paper organized, structured and allows the writer to have a flow when writing, without having to stop to think of more ideas.
3. One strategy for revision is to look at your draft as a whole. There should be a main idea for each paragraph and for the entire paper. After writing I can look at each paragraph and write out a short summary of each paragraph to make sure all the facts apply and flow together. Another strategy is to ask questions. It is necessary to question the clarity, completeness, length, variety, and type of language used. Lastly, do a final check for errors, finalize the title, and make the paper presentable. This tip includes thoroughly checking for spelling errors beyond spell check. Also, the title should give the reader some idea of what the paper is about. And, of course, it should be in MLA format.
4. Providing three different viewpoints in the Exploratory Paper helps for the future opinion paper because you have plenty of facts to counter. Disproving the counter-arguments is the most effective way to write an argumentative paper.
5. One peer editing strategy is to give a small group of peers a copy of the essay being reviewed, and read the paper aloud as the editors make notes of problem areas to be discussed later. Another strategy is to have each person read the paper individually and make corrections, a sort of round robin technique. Revising in a group can make the assignment more entertaining and fun, as well as provide feedback for the author right away.

annotated bibliography

Couric, Katie. “Issues That Divide: Assisted Death” CBS Evening News. 24 November 2004.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/24/eveningnews/main657749.shtml
I will use this site as a specific case of assisted death. This can help me to explore the future risks of having it legalized. The article reviews a case from over 4 years ago, when a woman, who was terminally ill, was assisted to death through medications. This news story is probably very widespread and most likely takes a mostly unbiased stance towards the topic. This article didn’t alter my viewpoint because it doesn’t completely take a stance.

Braddock, Clarence. “Physician-Assisted Suicide.” Ethics in Medecine. University of Washington School of Medecine (1998)
http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pas.html
This site will help me become more familiar with terminology and different aspects of my topic. I will most likely not use quotes from it, but I can use for my knowledge. Specifically it contains the definition of the topic, my topic compared to euthanasia, and arguments in favor and against the topic. This should help me learn basic facts about the issue that I didn’t know before.

Humphry, Derek. “Tread Carefully When You Help to Die.” World Right-to-Die Newsletter #41, June 2002
http://assistedsuicide.org/suicide_laws.html
This site covers the details of a case. This site will be very useful because it views the issue in a different side than the stance then I plan to take so it will help me find arguments to counter. It is the story of an 85 years old woman who had a painful and terminal disease. This story ultimately leads to a court case involving her family who had aided in the death. This leads to the issue of legality and constitutional rights.

Miller, Franklin; Meier, Diane. “Voluntary Death.” Annals of Internal Medecine.128.7 (1998) (559-562)
http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/128/7/559
This site explains a method of assisted suicide, in which the patient in theory controls his/her own death. It compares and contrasts assisted suicide to terminal dehydration. I would use this information to explain the potential risks and benefits or assisted suicide, by comparing it to another method. The target audience is other doctors. Therefore the information is most likely very detailed and factual rather then opinionated and unclear.

Ontario Consultants. “Physician Assisted Suicide.” Religious Tolerance. 2007 http://www.religioustolerance.org/euth_us3.htm
This website article will be very helpful for my paper. It goes in detail about the actual court case that took place in regard to my topic; it explains the Pain- Relief Promotion Act and other acts pertaining to the topic and lastly, statistics about what physicians would do when put in potential assisted death situations. The last set of information would really help to show that the act would either be taking place anyway or on the other hand, that not one doctor would actual do it.

Board of Directors. “Physician Assisted Death.” American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. February 14, 2007
http://www.aahpm.org/positions/suicide.html
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) believes in continuing treatment of an illness, until a patient desires to end his/her life or until he/she can take the pill by his/her own hand. This is clearly a biased article, which I could not use for facts but rather reasoning towards one side. The essay is displayed on the site of an organization which provides people with the resources for obtaining PAS. Therefore, the target audience is most likely those who are for legalizing PAS.

Quill TE, Battin MP.eds. “Physician-Assisted Dying, The Case for Palliative Care and Patient Choice.” Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2004.
This article explores the right for patient choice. It explains the actual legal rights and compares it to the constitution and present laws that are in place. The target audience is potentially those who are trying to read up on specifics about the law because it provides mostly legal facts. This article would be useful for listing facts because it doesn’t seem to be biased in way; rather it simply displays the facts. This would be useful to me when describing the issue in my first essay.

Robinson, Bruce. “Physician Assisted Suicide: Court Activity, Recent US Developments.” Religious Tolerance .org (1997)
http://www.religioustolerance.org/euth_us3.htm
This online essay provides a bias opinion towards assisted death. The site is that of a religious group that believes that PAS shouldn’t be legalized for moral reasons. This would be useful to either sway my opinion in the future, or provide arguments to counter. The target audience is probably those that are part of the religious group and want more information about the topic, or for people who want to get advice on whether or not it would be morally right to carry out this act on a loved one or self.

How is body-image culturally constructed?

Body-image is constructed based on the media. In regard to the youth, girls and occasionally boys feel the need to have the same bodies as those that are considered beautiful and healthy. Although this creates terrible issues with eating disorders such as anorexia and bolimia, there is also a flip side to the situation. Business owners and the media have so much control over what the public sees, what they want, and what is available. And because professions that take advantage of the obesity issue make so much money, many people are coming out and saying that it's okay to be obese and that loving your body will counter any negative aspects, just so the market will continue.
On a smaller cultural level, for instance, within social groups, individuals can sometimes be bias towards others of different body composition. I feel that many do not want to associate themsleves with those that are obese. I don't really have a reason for why this is true, but I'm sure that the feeling does exist.

SWA 7

The two articles “Matters of Faith Find a New Prominence on Campus” written by Alan Finder and “Schools of Thought: The Liberal-Conservative Divide on College Campuses” written by Richard Lust, both ultimately argue that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in religious and conservative views across college campuses in the United States. Each author uses statistics, personal opinion and other researchers’ opinions to emphasize his points. Both arguments are very similar, minus the fact that Just acknowledges the fact that most statistics show that religious and conservative groups are still the minority at most schools. Also, Finder focuses on a wider range of spirituality, not just Christianity and Catholicism, but also Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism and just a basic presence of faith. I feel that the case Finder is arguing and the argument he puts forth is more effective and supported than Just’s.
Just and Finder use examples of students reaching out to their peers and trying to spread their views. Basically, more and more minorities are trying to show their beliefs and show universities that there are students who are active minorities on campus. Finder used the research of many professors on college campuses to support his claim. They all said that there is an evident increase in spirituality and that all statistics also point towards that statement. On the other hand, Just more frequently uses his personal opinions as evidence. This is however much less effective to the audience because there isn’t any information displayed about the validity of the author’s opinion.

1. University of Washington, School of Medicine. “Physician Assisted Suicide.” http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/pas.html#ques3
2. Couric, Katie, CBS Evening News. “Issues that Divide.” http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/24/eveningnews/main657749.shtml
3. Miller, Franklin. Annals of Internal Medicine. “Voluntary Death.” http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/128/7/559
4. Ontario Consultants. Religious Tolerance. “Physician Assisted Suicide.” http://www.religioustolerance.org/euth_us3.htm
5. Board of Directors. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. “Physician Assisted Death.” http://www.aahpm.org/positions/suicide.html

Assisted Suicide Should be a Personal Choice

Those with terminal diseases, sustaining permanent brain damage, in a coma and sick with various other incurable health problems believe that they should have the right to choose to continue living or to finish their life in a dignified, painless manner. They believe that decisions about life and death are personal. However, many others disagree and believe that there is sanctity of life that needs to be respected. They say that there is a difference between killing and passively letting die, when referring to those with terminal illnesses who refuse treatment. The question is whether or not it is constitutionally correct to restrict these personal rights. Should people be able to decide the path of their own lives, or is it not their decision or right to choose?
I believe that it is the right of the person to choose whether or not he/she continues a life of suffering, or decides to participate in an assisted death. People should be able to have the choice and can then, individually decide if it is moral or not. In the most states, it is currently illegal to aide in a death or to commit suicide. The two exceptions are Oregon, where both are legal, and Washington, where only suicide is legal. I plan to discuss the constitutional rights that all individuals have to life and death. I also want to explain the importance of allowing people to decide their own morals, and the fact that they differ from person to person. The law should acknowledge personal liberties. My paper will include examples of different cases of people who have been assisted in death and those that wish to, as well as responding to any counter arguments.
I want this paper to be read by my classmates and teacher and I anticipate that many will feel very strongly against my decision. This is a very controversial and possible sensitive topic and I hope to really appeal to the emotions of my readers and open them up to both sides of the case.

Smoking Ban Brainstorming

health issues (cancer)
is tobacco a drug
second-hand smoke
smoking in public areas
social acceptance
sex appeal
addiction
family history
smoking age (not very controversial)
state/national laws

Postsecret

My postsecret card reads, "I'm in love with a stripper." Dividing the words is an image of a stripper dancing on a pole. I was trying to think of a secret that would stand out from my other classmates' secrets, something that would catch everyone's attention. I also wanted it to really look like a card that would be seen on the website. I tried to emphasize the word "stripper" because it is the highlight of my secret. It is written in a showy font, as well as is much larger than the other words. The other words are in plain, bold text, showing that the author is not embarrassed, nor proud of his/her secret, but is indifferent. I drew the picture of the stripper because that best represents the point I was trying to get across. Everyone immediately knew what I was writing about and it probably caught attention. Some people referenced the card to the pop song that has the same lyrics, and said because of that they couldn't really take it seriously. I actually didn't even think of that song when I was creating my postsecret because I was writing as an older, maybe married man, that would most likely not even know the song.

postsecret

The author explicitly states that he/she (we'll call the author "she" from now on because gender is not determinable through the card) is happy that a certain person in her life exists. The writer implicitly implies that the individual is special to her. Also, because the creator can predict how the important person might react to the secret, "I know you might roll your eyes at this," it is inferred by the audience that the relationship between the two is close and probably long-term. The author is mostly speaking directly to the individual, but at the same time writes in a way to allow other readers to relate. It is easy to understand the words she uses and many feel something similar about special people in their lives. The nature of postsecret.com isn't to have a target audience or to even expect anyone to read the secret, but those who choose to read it, and in a way “set the creator free,” become the target audience. As for visual claims, the leaf could possibly represent the person that is being written to. The yellow leaf is amazing for its color and is seen as significant for its centered placement on the card. It is the highlight of the artwork, as the person is the highlight of the text. Overall, the entire layout is engaging and appealing.

http://www.hemmy.net/2006/10/15/creative-advertisements-around-the-world/

This ad is unique and visually appealing. It is intended for any audience and easily gets the point across. The claim is possibly that if one goes to the Yoga Center, she will become flexible and healthy, like the person on the straw. It is very simple, and doesn't really show evidence, but it does remotely imply a warrant that people want to look like the woman on the straw. The most effective aspect of this ad is that it uses a different type of medium that is eye-catching and strategically placed so that many people will see it.

In the article, "Gen Y's Ego Trip Takes a Bad Turn," Larry Gordon and Louis Sahagun claim that Gen Y is a more self-absorbed and egotistical generation than Gen X. They believe that college students show many signs of narcissism, and although it is not believed to be a clinical issue, it is still a prevalent and possibly problematic characteristic. Many studies have been performed over the years to prove this theory, and most results have supported the claim, yet despite the data there are also those who believe that the new found self-righteous attitude is a positive change in today’s generation.
A researcher, Jean Twenge, along with four other researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Georgia, and the University of South Alabama found that 2/3 of college students tested above average for signs of narcissism. The results were formulated from over 25 years of psychological surveys conducted by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. The writers make a warrant saying that youth is as a result destined “to have less interest in emotionally intimate bonds and can lash out when rejected or insulted.” Furthermore, the study “notes that nursery schools began to have children sing songs that proclaim: “I am special, I am special. Look at me,” showing how excessive self-esteem is being introduced to children at a very young and influential age. Entire generations are bound for social and personal problems.
Gordon and Sahagun took the time to refute the counter arguments, which stated that although there is an apparent shift in the egos of current college students, it is a positive change from previous generations. They say that, “students are more civic-minded and involved in volunteer activities than their predecessors.” Yet, Jean Twenge and her team insist that the increase in volunteering is only driven by the desire to become academically successful, not to better the community.

Charlie Hauck, in his article “My Plan to Save Network Television,” claims that certain network television show ratings are being threatened by the over abundance of adult viewers. He stresses the need to physically restrict mature audiences to only watching shows that were intended for them. Although he writes in a rather satirical fashion, the main point that is coming across is that certain shows that target young audiences should be watched by those viewers, for the sake of the advertisers and network ratings.
The claim made by Hauck is backed up by demographics taken over the last few decades. The Nielson ratings show that viewers ages 18-49 are the best targets because their buying habits are not yet determined. For instance, “people over 49 do not buy interesting products,” and don’t create “water cooler” shows like young audiences generally do. College age students will buy new and popular marketing products related to the shows they watch and will therefore further support advertiser’s efforts. There is no need to make shows for older generations because those shows will not make a sufficient amount of money. Of course, this claim is not accepted by all.
Some believe that a certain generation of older viewers, classified as “boomers,” shouldn’t be included in the excluded group of TV watchers. Perhaps these people are more in touch with contemporary culture and would contribute to sales just as much as the younger generations. Charlie Hauck counters this argument by comically stating that if one laughs at and understands the statement, “They combed out Ann Miller’s hair and found the Lindbergh baby,” he or she is unfit to watch television.

"The Secret Love Lives of Teenage Boys"
Author's Central Claim
"Not only do adolescent boys have hearts, but they're also the biggest romantics around." (205)
My Central Claim
"Peggy Giordano was determined to prove that teenage boys have a much larger romantic side to their sex life than previously understood by the public." (1)
My Revised Claim
Through her social science studies, Peggy Giordano is determined to disprove the public assumption that teenage boys can't love, in a romantic and truely loving way.

SWA 5-Analysis of Shootings

Shootings, written by Adam Gopnik, is an essay about the mass killings at Virginia Tech. The author wants to show his readers that this tragedy, and many other similar events, occurred because of the lack of citizen gun control. By analyzing the rhetorical situation, one can identify the type of writing, the target reader or audience, the desires and position of the author, the constraints on both the reader and the author, and finally the real-life situation or exigence that guides the writing.
Gopnik chose to write in essay form for this particular piece. He wrote in an organized and formal format, which shows that he wanted this to impact many people, with many different views. He was aiming for the attention of political leaders, government officials, and any other readers with the power to change gun control laws, as well as, normal citizens that could help support his claim.
The case that the author is attempting to get across is quite obvious. Gopnik believes that the expired ban on assault weapons should be lifted and on top of that made stricter. He states that, “although we can’t guarantee that someone won’t shoot people with a semi-automatic pistol, and that by controlling semi-automatic pistols we can’t reduce the chances of someone killing people with a rifle,” (126) there is still the matter of prevention. This statement can also tie into the constraints of the reader. He/she may believe in the ban on the gun control law because of the issue of self-protection. This is where Gopnik’s is trying to make his most impacting point. Showing people that there is no need for guns because throughout history they have only brought many hardships; hardships that happened in real-life dramatic situations all over the world.

SWA 4-Blogging

Blogs can be used for many different purposes. Some blog to sway the opinions of readers or express their viewpoints, others blog for more social and communicative reasons. Through analyzing the type of text, the intended target reader, the literary desires of the author, the constraints of both the author and the reader, and the exigence, or real-life situations related to the writing, one can discover the overall meaning of the text and the differences between various types of blogging. Davis Friedman and Carrie Boyle are two bloggers that use the internet community in very different ways.
On blogspot.com, Friedman frequently posts his viewpoints about controversial issues today. He writes with proper English, in essay form and each post varies in length. He has many readers who post comments to respond to both the post and to each others’ comments. Through his posts, it seems that Friedman hopes to gain and spread knowledge through the comments of his readers and the research he does for his posts. The subject is most likely based on topics he and his readers feel passionate about. They are both constrained by prior beliefs related to the subject matter and appropriateness of the topic.
Boyle has a face book as her main source of blogging. Facebook.com is a site where users can, most simply, create a profile, post pictures and comment on each other’s homepages. The writing is usually in fragment sentences, with many slang terms. Because the “wall posts” and inbox messages are personalized, it is usually difficult for an outsider to interpret the meaning of the text. Both the author and the reader are clearly defined by usernames and profile information. Some constraints could be the real-life relationship or event between the author and the reader.

SWA 3

All or Nothing

The method of arguing that a person uses can be based on several different factors. It can be based on religious beliefs, gender, or family background. I predominantly use an adversarial style of argumentation. I have strong opinions about certain things and in an argument; I intend to change the views of others. I see myself as a lawyer arguing in a court, using logic and evidence to back up all statements, rather than one conducting a group discussion or town meeting where a compromise is to be reached. I view confrontation as the solution to many group conflicts. By openly discussing any differences most problems can be resolved quickly and painlessly. A certain amount of openness helps to avoid hurt feelings.

On the other hand, I am always open to listening and acknowledging the points of my opposites, and can ultimately be swayed by a good argument. I usually try to seek out many views and read into all options before coming to a sturdy stance. I have been raised to accept the personal choices of everyone, whether I agree with them or not. The right to have an opinion should always be recognized.

SWA 2

Matt Miller’s paper, “ Is Persuasion Dead?” is about the dieing methods and effects of persuasive writing and speaking. He questions if it is even possible to sway the seemingly rock solid opinions of many Americans today. Miller believes that the public has no desire to be informed of the opposite side’s opinions, let alone be swayed to believe them. As a result, politicians do not even try to show a strong argument or debate that might make their voters unsure. The new world of persuasion is one of votes, popularity and entertainment. There are very few that can, in fact, change opinions of the hardheaded, and those people must stand up and fight for the preservation of influential speaking and writing. Of course, persuasion cannot only be brought back through the media. At home, parents must teach their children to be open to the opinions of others.

Miller wrote a strong paper on the need of persuasion in the media, yet he failed to mention the lack of openness in the minds of the youth. Children seem to be completely guided by the opinions of their parents. They have no regard for the opposing views and will surely never be openly influenced by them. It should be the responsibility of parents to raise their children with slight uncertainty. It is not necessary for them to have all of their views thought out and determined by the age of five.

Through my adolescence, I have learned that it is completely necessary to accept, yet not mindlessly adopt the views of others. If a time comes when one does find himself persuaded by the opposing side, it is not a shameful thing to succumb to those beliefs and embrace them as his own. My parents raised me to not judge others and to always keep an open mind towards other lifestyles, which is what I believe Matt Miller hopes will come from his writing.

SWA 1

Both Michael Skube and Todd Hagstette wrote essays based on their opinions of today’s students’ inability to read at an effective collegiate level. Based on my own experiences in the classroom and the evidence provided by these scholars, I find that opinion to be factual. Both men were able to provide specific examples and well thought out hypothesis of why this is true.

Skube believes that college students have not and do not read enough. He ties this fact to one thing, “kids don’t read for pleasure.” (14) Not one student in his class could name his/her favorite author; in fact, they couldn’t list any past or present authors. I find this theory to be quite true, for the simple fact that I know I myself do not read enough for pleasure, yet I have always been at the top of most of my classes. Of course, just reading more is not the only thing that helps students gain writing and reading skills.

Hagstette created a specific technique to more aggressive reading. If practiced, this method would in time help students, “read more carefully, engage with the text more thoroughly, and thus write more successfully.”(16) First, one must be uncomfortable. Reading for class is not the same as reading for pleasure. Next, one must focus on the reading. He cannot be side-tracked by outside distraction. Thirdly, read aggressively. For instance, prove that one knows the material. The last three are; challenging the opinions of the writer; redundancy, repetition and re-reading; and don’t be confused by the opportunity or advice to read passively. Always read aggresviely.