1. The setup in the second paragraph was done well, but I feel as if the last sentence in the paragraph does not fit. The writer talks about two aspects; how to do it and how to prevent it throughout the paragraph. The last sentence brings up an entirely different topic that doesn't lead into the next paragraph.
2. I think maybe the writer could set up their paper differently, by rearranging the paragraphs. The paragraphs are fine for the most part, but it may be easier to understand if they switched the third and fourth paragraphs. I think the last sentence in the second paragraph would transition better with the fourth paragraph. The third paragraph ends with "instructors," and the fourth paragraph begins with "instructors." The transition betweent he two paragraphs would look better and make more sense this way.
3. In the third paragraph the author starts the paragraph out with, "There are several ways to plagiarize.." although what are these ways? I think they need to give more detail on the different ways a student can plagiarize.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Logic of Baldwin's Argument
James Baldwin is a credible author in the short story, “If Black English Isn’t a Language, then Tell Me, What is?” because of his background of being involved in the Civil Rights Movement. He has also lived outside the United States; In France, where he has learned and experienced another’s way of living.
James argues the many classifications of language. Breaking language down into specific categories such as control, confronting life, political means of proof, and passion. He argues that the status or reality of Black English is not in fact the language itself, but the role it plays in revealing the speaker. There are about 7,330 languages that exist today. Each language has its own different interpretations that can be controlled. Although, there are many languages that make sure their language is not destroyed such as the Basque countries, and Wales. I find this interesting because I am Basque, and I know this is an extremely hard language to speak.
James is trying to prove that the Black language does in fact exist, and that it has helped to create white Americans language through passion, skill, intelligence, music, and achievement. He then makes a counter argument stating: “if this absolutely unprecedented journey does not indicate that Black English is a language, then I am curious to know what definition of language is to be trusted.” Who is to decide what definition of language is to be trusted? This is a very strong argument that supports his facts and causes the audience to stop and think before continuing to read on. He draws his audience in, to believe his argument. To James, this is an issue; White Americans are looking past this and taking the credibility. He claims the standards are “untrustworthy.” Black Americans are no different than white Americans and they deserve the same credibility. Black’s should not feel that they have nothing to learn from the people of a “country that has managed to learn so little.”
James argues the many classifications of language. Breaking language down into specific categories such as control, confronting life, political means of proof, and passion. He argues that the status or reality of Black English is not in fact the language itself, but the role it plays in revealing the speaker. There are about 7,330 languages that exist today. Each language has its own different interpretations that can be controlled. Although, there are many languages that make sure their language is not destroyed such as the Basque countries, and Wales. I find this interesting because I am Basque, and I know this is an extremely hard language to speak.
James is trying to prove that the Black language does in fact exist, and that it has helped to create white Americans language through passion, skill, intelligence, music, and achievement. He then makes a counter argument stating: “if this absolutely unprecedented journey does not indicate that Black English is a language, then I am curious to know what definition of language is to be trusted.” Who is to decide what definition of language is to be trusted? This is a very strong argument that supports his facts and causes the audience to stop and think before continuing to read on. He draws his audience in, to believe his argument. To James, this is an issue; White Americans are looking past this and taking the credibility. He claims the standards are “untrustworthy.” Black Americans are no different than white Americans and they deserve the same credibility. Black’s should not feel that they have nothing to learn from the people of a “country that has managed to learn so little.”
Friday, March 21, 2008
"Will Anyone Ever Be Happy with Their Insurance?"
Palmer, John. "Will Anyone Ever Be Happy With Their Insurance?" Canadian Press 24 May
2005.
The article I chose to site and evaluate is called “Will Anyone Ever Be Happy with Their Insurance?” The title sums up the entire argument of the article. It argues the changes in insurance in the Newfoundland. Insurance companies in Newfoundland will no longer base their auto insurance on age, gender, or marital status. Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen argues that many young drivers cannot afford to drive because the prices are so high. She also argues that it is unfair to make young drivers pay higher insurance rates when they are not causing accidents. The other side; Eclectic Econoclast argue that the insurance companies need their money, and it is unfair to make everyone pay more based on the new changes in Newfoundland. It is an interesting topic that has biased opinions, and these opinions change based on the age of the person. Obviously, young drivers as well as their parents want insurance rates to match everyone else’s, while older folks don’t want to have to pay more to balance out the insurance. Who is to decide at what age you’re a bad driver, and is this considered discrimination?
The website lists statistics, as well as relevant information that are of key importance to the argument of the article. It was published within the last two years, and has been updated since then. Also, it was published in the Canadian Press, which lets me know its correct information that would be applicable to use in my argument paper as well as anything else I might need it for. The article uses valuable individuals such as the Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen. Not only does the article involve valuable people, but it also gives quotes that were directly spoken. The purpose is clear, and that is to understand the argument of car insurance and the opinion of tow opposing parties. The article is targeted to people of all ages to inform them of the controversy, and also so they are aware that in some areas of the country, actions are being taken. Both sides of the argument have a good stand on their opinion and it’s very easy to understand and read.
2005.
The article I chose to site and evaluate is called “Will Anyone Ever Be Happy with Their Insurance?” The title sums up the entire argument of the article. It argues the changes in insurance in the Newfoundland. Insurance companies in Newfoundland will no longer base their auto insurance on age, gender, or marital status. Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen argues that many young drivers cannot afford to drive because the prices are so high. She also argues that it is unfair to make young drivers pay higher insurance rates when they are not causing accidents. The other side; Eclectic Econoclast argue that the insurance companies need their money, and it is unfair to make everyone pay more based on the new changes in Newfoundland. It is an interesting topic that has biased opinions, and these opinions change based on the age of the person. Obviously, young drivers as well as their parents want insurance rates to match everyone else’s, while older folks don’t want to have to pay more to balance out the insurance. Who is to decide at what age you’re a bad driver, and is this considered discrimination?
The website lists statistics, as well as relevant information that are of key importance to the argument of the article. It was published within the last two years, and has been updated since then. Also, it was published in the Canadian Press, which lets me know its correct information that would be applicable to use in my argument paper as well as anything else I might need it for. The article uses valuable individuals such as the Government Services Minister Dianne Whalen. Not only does the article involve valuable people, but it also gives quotes that were directly spoken. The purpose is clear, and that is to understand the argument of car insurance and the opinion of tow opposing parties. The article is targeted to people of all ages to inform them of the controversy, and also so they are aware that in some areas of the country, actions are being taken. Both sides of the argument have a good stand on their opinion and it’s very easy to understand and read.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
"Right To Fail"
“Maybe we are learning again to cherish this right of every person to succeed on his own terms and to fail as often as necessary along the way.” The essay ends with this quote, but it caught my attention and seemed to sum up everything I had just read. I think the quote is meaningful, but do we really think in that respect, or is that just the way we should be thinking?
Today, it seems the younger generation is afraid of failure. They view the lives of their successful parents and hope that they will one day be just as successful, if not more. This is the case with me. I come from a very successful family who has always been hard workers. My mom has never been a stay at home mom, she has always worked. In fact she is a high manager at Hewlet Packard. My dad has worked his way up from being a commercial real estate banker, to opening up his own bank in Idaho, and is now president and CEO of his bank. He has also been very successful real estate (land) on the side. On top of my parents being successful, my brother is very bright. He just graduated with a 3.9 and a double major is accounting and finance, and was recently hired by a very big firm who hasn’t hired anyone in ten years. With everyone being so successful in my family, I often become stressed and worried. I am scared to fail and not be as successful as my parents and brother. I feel like I have extremely high standards to live up to. My dad has always told me, “no matter what you do, in my eyes you will never fail.” He knows the pressure I feel and has always made it clear to me that no matter what I do he is proud. I have noticed this the most now that I am in college and trying my hardest to have success in the near future.
Do we choose our own success, or follow the paths of the ones closest to us? If I chose to follow the path of my family will I ever be happy and successful? This refers back to the quote I stated at the beginning of my blog, I believe the right thing to do is cherish the right of every person to succeed on his own terms.
Today, it seems the younger generation is afraid of failure. They view the lives of their successful parents and hope that they will one day be just as successful, if not more. This is the case with me. I come from a very successful family who has always been hard workers. My mom has never been a stay at home mom, she has always worked. In fact she is a high manager at Hewlet Packard. My dad has worked his way up from being a commercial real estate banker, to opening up his own bank in Idaho, and is now president and CEO of his bank. He has also been very successful real estate (land) on the side. On top of my parents being successful, my brother is very bright. He just graduated with a 3.9 and a double major is accounting and finance, and was recently hired by a very big firm who hasn’t hired anyone in ten years. With everyone being so successful in my family, I often become stressed and worried. I am scared to fail and not be as successful as my parents and brother. I feel like I have extremely high standards to live up to. My dad has always told me, “no matter what you do, in my eyes you will never fail.” He knows the pressure I feel and has always made it clear to me that no matter what I do he is proud. I have noticed this the most now that I am in college and trying my hardest to have success in the near future.
Do we choose our own success, or follow the paths of the ones closest to us? If I chose to follow the path of my family will I ever be happy and successful? This refers back to the quote I stated at the beginning of my blog, I believe the right thing to do is cherish the right of every person to succeed on his own terms.
CRAAP TEST
http://www.martinlutherking.org/
The website I chose to analyze is Martin Luther King. This is obvious by the title of the website as well as the moment you encounter the page. The first thing that caught my eye was the big picture of him in the center of the page. They currency of the page has not been kept up. The most recent information posted is from 1998. It appears the information has not been revised or updated, and is considered out of date. Although, the links to the right side of the page, are functional and provide a lot of different information. Some of the other links are irrelevant. There seems to be many different sources used to make this website and many of them are questionable based on the content of the writing.
Some, but not all of the information is relevant to the information one might need to find when researching Martin Luther King. For example the link: “Rap Lyrics.” I think this is unnecessary and shouldn’t be on the site. The audience for this website is students, for the purpose of educating them about Martin Luther King. I know this because of the link at the bottom of the page providing flyers to print out and post around school. I would not use this source for a research paper.
This website was hosted by Stormfront, which is a broadcasting company. This host doesn’t seem very professional or accurate with their information. When you click on the link below they include a listing of the number of their radio station, and what caught me off guard the most was the fact that they are a white nationalist community, yet they have posted and provided this information on Martin Luther King. The URL reveals that the author isn’t a very good source because it ends in “org.”
The information comes from many sources and not a lot of it is supported by evidence. The tone is biased by stating “The King holiday should be repealed.” This is Stormfronts own opinion. Also it seems that the information hasn’t been reviewed for a really long time, and it also hasn’t been referred.
The purpose of the information is to inform people about Martin Luther King. There seems to be a personal bias against him by the things they have posted. For example: “…including kings cries of I’m f---ing for God and I’m not Negro tonight!” I think this is very inappropriate and makes him look like a bad character. I wouldn’t ever use this source for a research paper. The information is not accurate and bias.
The website I chose to analyze is Martin Luther King. This is obvious by the title of the website as well as the moment you encounter the page. The first thing that caught my eye was the big picture of him in the center of the page. They currency of the page has not been kept up. The most recent information posted is from 1998. It appears the information has not been revised or updated, and is considered out of date. Although, the links to the right side of the page, are functional and provide a lot of different information. Some of the other links are irrelevant. There seems to be many different sources used to make this website and many of them are questionable based on the content of the writing.
Some, but not all of the information is relevant to the information one might need to find when researching Martin Luther King. For example the link: “Rap Lyrics.” I think this is unnecessary and shouldn’t be on the site. The audience for this website is students, for the purpose of educating them about Martin Luther King. I know this because of the link at the bottom of the page providing flyers to print out and post around school. I would not use this source for a research paper.
This website was hosted by Stormfront, which is a broadcasting company. This host doesn’t seem very professional or accurate with their information. When you click on the link below they include a listing of the number of their radio station, and what caught me off guard the most was the fact that they are a white nationalist community, yet they have posted and provided this information on Martin Luther King. The URL reveals that the author isn’t a very good source because it ends in “org.”
The information comes from many sources and not a lot of it is supported by evidence. The tone is biased by stating “The King holiday should be repealed.” This is Stormfronts own opinion. Also it seems that the information hasn’t been reviewed for a really long time, and it also hasn’t been referred.
The purpose of the information is to inform people about Martin Luther King. There seems to be a personal bias against him by the things they have posted. For example: “…including kings cries of I’m f---ing for God and I’m not Negro tonight!” I think this is very inappropriate and makes him look like a bad character. I wouldn’t ever use this source for a research paper. The information is not accurate and bias.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Underage Drinking Not the Problem
The article I chose is about underage drinking. It argues many facts in hope to convince the reader that alcohol among minors is not a problem. The problematic situation according to the article is over consumption within our society. The author argues that many Western democracies have set their drinking age to 16, or 18 giving them an advantage to become more aware and educated about alcohol. The opposing argument states that Americans frown upon the act of underage drinking and consider it unacceptable. Instead of showing the activity of drinking done responsibly, children are exposed to horrific pictures and terror stories to become “educated.” Should children be exposed to alcohol early to be more aware of their actions and the difference between right and wrong, or should they drink illegally and irresponsibly because of poor education?
The author uses overgeneralization in the first paragraph. He states “Underage drinking is not a problem. The problematic situation here is over-consumption — a result of our society’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol.” This is an extremely broad statement to start the article out with. He then makes the mistake of not backing up the facts of the sentence. He gives no reason as to why the problematic situation is over consumption and not underage drinking.
The author also uses the bandwagon approach when he states that all of society frowns upon underage drinking. This is not a true statement because he does not back it up with facts, and also everyone has a different opinion about underage drinking, not “everyone” frowns upon it. He states: “Binge drinking is a direct result of the necessity for underage drinkers to consume alcohol before they go out.” This is false analogy. The author assumes the characteristics of underage drinking and binge drinking is based on “going out,” and “exciting.” Who is he to judge how many people binge drink to go out and have fun? He doesn’t have any facts to back this up. “Why do we trust young adults to choose the future leaders of our nation before we allow them to make a choice on what they can drink with their friends?” The author uses the patriotic approach by bringing in patriotism into his argument. He brings up a good point although he only states it in the article without supporting facts as to why this is the case.
This article contains numerous logical fallacies. The author has relied more on the techniques of appeal rather than fact. I concluded after reading the article that there is a lot of overgeneralization and oversimplification. This makes it hard to persuade the audience, as well as argue your topic. His arguments are broad, not containing reasoning behind his facts. He gives no evidence of why underage drinking is a law compared to why it is not in Western countries. Who defines what is considered “appropriate education,” for underage drinking?
The author uses overgeneralization in the first paragraph. He states “Underage drinking is not a problem. The problematic situation here is over-consumption — a result of our society’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol.” This is an extremely broad statement to start the article out with. He then makes the mistake of not backing up the facts of the sentence. He gives no reason as to why the problematic situation is over consumption and not underage drinking.
The author also uses the bandwagon approach when he states that all of society frowns upon underage drinking. This is not a true statement because he does not back it up with facts, and also everyone has a different opinion about underage drinking, not “everyone” frowns upon it. He states: “Binge drinking is a direct result of the necessity for underage drinkers to consume alcohol before they go out.” This is false analogy. The author assumes the characteristics of underage drinking and binge drinking is based on “going out,” and “exciting.” Who is he to judge how many people binge drink to go out and have fun? He doesn’t have any facts to back this up. “Why do we trust young adults to choose the future leaders of our nation before we allow them to make a choice on what they can drink with their friends?” The author uses the patriotic approach by bringing in patriotism into his argument. He brings up a good point although he only states it in the article without supporting facts as to why this is the case.
This article contains numerous logical fallacies. The author has relied more on the techniques of appeal rather than fact. I concluded after reading the article that there is a lot of overgeneralization and oversimplification. This makes it hard to persuade the audience, as well as argue your topic. His arguments are broad, not containing reasoning behind his facts. He gives no evidence of why underage drinking is a law compared to why it is not in Western countries. Who defines what is considered “appropriate education,” for underage drinking?
Monday, March 3, 2008
"Middle-Schoolers Get the Pill"
Should middle schoolers be able to receive the contraceptive pill and patches from the student health center without their parents knowing? Realists as well as Margery Eagan argue some students are already having sex, and by taking actions such as these we are keeping students “as safe as possible.” The district is trying to make the same health care available to lower class girls who cannot afford a gynecologist. The nurses at the health center also inform girls who go to receive the pill the many risks of underage sex and the urge to talk to their parents. This provides girls with knowledge and maybe even persuasion to stop them from having sex. Although, the opposing side which involves Charles Sykes, states that middle school girls are too young to be having sex and that they should wait to have sex until they understand their hormones. If we look at this issue logically we might see that the evidence is urging kids to delay sex, or helping them to avoid getting pregnant or a sexually transmitted disease.
The opposing argument is that no one thinks it’s a good idea for 11-year-olds to be having sex. This argument was presented to challenge the argument of 11-year-olds having ability and choice of sex. The age of eleven is so young, and they have not yet realized the danger is having underage sex. They need to wait until they are informed about the risks of sex in order to make decisions they are comfortable with. This is in hopes girls will delay having sex. The only argument with this, is girls are already having sex at this age, and for those that are sexually active, they have a place to go in which they trust. It is a form of protection that makes them feel secure. They know it is private, and it’s a way for them to be able to make their own decisions without the consent of their parents, and also knowing they are being safe.
The article covered two main perspectives. They included the perspective of urging kids to delay sex, or helping them to avoid getting pregnant or a sexually transmitted disease. I think an issue that was highly overlooked was the concern of a parent, and their feelings toward their daughter receiving the pill without their knowledge. I think this is a major concern parents have, and it’s something they want to be able to inform their children about themselves. This brings up the concern again that: “Nobody thinks it’s a good idea for 11-year-olds to have sex,” (Eagan 1). If this is the case then why is it being overlooked and how come parents aren’t stepping up to take action to change this issue?
The opposing argument is that no one thinks it’s a good idea for 11-year-olds to be having sex. This argument was presented to challenge the argument of 11-year-olds having ability and choice of sex. The age of eleven is so young, and they have not yet realized the danger is having underage sex. They need to wait until they are informed about the risks of sex in order to make decisions they are comfortable with. This is in hopes girls will delay having sex. The only argument with this, is girls are already having sex at this age, and for those that are sexually active, they have a place to go in which they trust. It is a form of protection that makes them feel secure. They know it is private, and it’s a way for them to be able to make their own decisions without the consent of their parents, and also knowing they are being safe.
The article covered two main perspectives. They included the perspective of urging kids to delay sex, or helping them to avoid getting pregnant or a sexually transmitted disease. I think an issue that was highly overlooked was the concern of a parent, and their feelings toward their daughter receiving the pill without their knowledge. I think this is a major concern parents have, and it’s something they want to be able to inform their children about themselves. This brings up the concern again that: “Nobody thinks it’s a good idea for 11-year-olds to have sex,” (Eagan 1). If this is the case then why is it being overlooked and how come parents aren’t stepping up to take action to change this issue?
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