1) I would describe my present writing process as one of discovery. I like to start writing and figure out what I want to say as I go along. Two suggestions I would definitely consider adding to my writing process are creating an outline before I start drafting, and talking with someone while I am writing my paper if I ever get stuck or have writers block. They would help me be more organized, speed up the writing process, and help eliminate some of the post-writing revision process by allowing a peer reviewer to catch some errors and add suggestions as I am writing it.
2) There are many advantages to outlining your ideas before writing a draft. An outline helps people see the organization of ideas before they begin to write. It also serves as the “skeleton or bare bones of the paper because it provides the internal structure that holds the paper together.” Outlines can help turn the writers full attention to writing once they are complete, will tell the writer what to do, and ultimately save time and reduce frustration while writing the actual paper.
3) This chapter lists three specific suggestions for revision. The first of these is looking at your draft as a whole. I could use this make sure I have a well written introduction, well supported body paragraphs, a good conclusion, and use transitions between points. The second suggestion is ask revision questions to help you locate other problems. I would use this to make sure I am clear and concise and do not ramble or loss focus from my points, and I have said all I want to cover and do not need to add any missing information. The final suggestion is check for final errors, and or adjust the title, and type or print your paper. I would use this to make sure I use proper grammar, such as the same tenses, and everything flows and makes logical sense.
4) The exploratory argument paper features the arguer identifying not just one position, but as many of the major positions on an issue as possible, both past and present, and explains them through summaries and an analysis of the overall rhetorical situation for the issue. It paves the way for a position paper because an exploratory paper will help you look at your issue from several angles, which will help you decide which position you prefer for the position paper.
5) There are many potential ways for conducting peer review. The first is providing each member of the three or four person group with a photocopy of your paper so that as you read the paper they can follow along and mark problem areas. Another way is participating in a round-robin reading session, in which group members read the papers silently and make notes before they discuss the papers one by one. A final way of conducting peer review is for pairs of students to exchange papers to take home and read before the next class. Peer reviews offers many advantages, such as allowing another reader to add suggestions that will likely make your paper better, and making the writing task more sociable and provide immediate feedback from a audience.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Carolina Reader p. 260, Ques. 4: Body Image
Body image is something that almost everyone is self-conscious and aware of. Most people will tell you that one of their greatest concerns is how they look, especially in the eyes of an ever-judging society like ours. It is also something that is perpetually changing generation to generation.
Body image is something in which we, as a society, determine what is or is not acceptable. In the last few decades alone the average body image has changed considerably. As more and more Americans suffer from obesity and being overweight, the mean body image has become slighty larger, even though the ideal body is still the skinny fashion runway model. We determine what it is acceptable to look like through outlets like the media. By showing the "beautiful" people on things like television and movies, society is culturally setting the standard for body image and how you should look. This propaganda also denies us of our own personal opinion of what is considered acceptable or good looking with regards to body image. Instead of looking in the mirror, or even looking at others, and thinking whether or not that person looks good the way they are, we use what society and our culture has trained us as a way to judge.
Body image is also one of the great paradoxes in society today as well. While there is an added emphasis on being skinnier, stronger, and tan, the obesity rate continues to rise. It appears as though the ideal body becomes more and more impressive as our culture falls to becoming out of shape. These are some of the ways that body image is culturally constructed.
Body image is something in which we, as a society, determine what is or is not acceptable. In the last few decades alone the average body image has changed considerably. As more and more Americans suffer from obesity and being overweight, the mean body image has become slighty larger, even though the ideal body is still the skinny fashion runway model. We determine what it is acceptable to look like through outlets like the media. By showing the "beautiful" people on things like television and movies, society is culturally setting the standard for body image and how you should look. This propaganda also denies us of our own personal opinion of what is considered acceptable or good looking with regards to body image. Instead of looking in the mirror, or even looking at others, and thinking whether or not that person looks good the way they are, we use what society and our culture has trained us as a way to judge.
Body image is also one of the great paradoxes in society today as well. While there is an added emphasis on being skinnier, stronger, and tan, the obesity rate continues to rise. It appears as though the ideal body becomes more and more impressive as our culture falls to becoming out of shape. These are some of the ways that body image is culturally constructed.
Annotated Bibliography
Ansary, Tamim. “Have Sports Records Become Unbreakable?” MSN Encarta. 15 October 2007. http://encarta.msn.com/column_sportsrecordsmain_Tamimhome/Have_Sports_Records_Become_Unbreakable.html
This article is an opinion editorial from the author about how steroids have negatively impacted sports. His main point is how records have in a sense become “unbreakable” and there seems to be no end to where certain records will stop. There is clear bias in this piece because it is the author’s opinion. Even though it is based on facts, it lacks the credibility of other sources. Never the less, it gives examples of how many records are falling with more and more frequency, and how many can be tied to steroid use.
“MLB Steroid Law 'Minimum' Standard.” CBS News. 17 November 2005. 15 October 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/17/sportsline/main1054280.shtml
This article from CBS News, a very credible and well-respected source for news, discusses Major League Baseball’s new policy regarding steroid use. It discusses how after months of deliberating, the League has finally determined a disciplinary system for players who abuse supplements such as steroids. This source will give a good idea about the legal repercussions that come from using steroids, a different approach from the physical and psychological effects. This article, though heavily based on policy, still can be used in a basic exploration of steroids.
Nagel, Rob. "Athletes and Anabolic Steroids." Body by Design: From the Digestive System to the Skeleton. Betz Des Chenes, Editor. Farmington Hills, Mich.: UXL, 2000.
This piece discusses how steroids work, and why athletes have resorted to exploiting them in the past half century. It comes from a credible, published source whose main focus is characteristics of the human body. This article is fact based, and strictly sticks to how the drug works and how it can increase athletic performance. It too gives examples of the side effects from excessive use. This source gives a good overview of the history and effects of steroids.
“Steroids.” ThinkQuest. 15 October 2007. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112390/steroids.htm
In this website, the author offers a basic introduction to steroids and the dangers associated with using them. The article mostly deals with real life instances where steroids had a severe impact on people’s lives. This includes examples ranging from Olympic athletes to teenage boys. Though the ThinkQuest source is credible, the website appears a little immature and not as professional as others. Likewise, some of the examples used only mention the boy’s first names, taking away from their credibility. These problems aside, the website still has valid examples that can be used to describe the consequences of steroid use.
Wells, Ken R. "Anabolic Steroid Use." The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Third Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2006.
This article talks about the science behind steroids, what happens when they are used, and the effects of using them. It comes from a very credible medical encyclopedia, and contains very useful information about the topic. There is no bias coming from the author; all the information is based on scientific facts. This is a very useful source because it goes into detail about how steroids work inside of the body, and the multiple side effects that comes from usage.
This article is an opinion editorial from the author about how steroids have negatively impacted sports. His main point is how records have in a sense become “unbreakable” and there seems to be no end to where certain records will stop. There is clear bias in this piece because it is the author’s opinion. Even though it is based on facts, it lacks the credibility of other sources. Never the less, it gives examples of how many records are falling with more and more frequency, and how many can be tied to steroid use.
“MLB Steroid Law 'Minimum' Standard.” CBS News. 17 November 2005. 15 October 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/17/sportsline/main1054280.shtml
This article from CBS News, a very credible and well-respected source for news, discusses Major League Baseball’s new policy regarding steroid use. It discusses how after months of deliberating, the League has finally determined a disciplinary system for players who abuse supplements such as steroids. This source will give a good idea about the legal repercussions that come from using steroids, a different approach from the physical and psychological effects. This article, though heavily based on policy, still can be used in a basic exploration of steroids.
Nagel, Rob. "Athletes and Anabolic Steroids." Body by Design: From the Digestive System to the Skeleton. Betz Des Chenes, Editor. Farmington Hills, Mich.: UXL, 2000.
This piece discusses how steroids work, and why athletes have resorted to exploiting them in the past half century. It comes from a credible, published source whose main focus is characteristics of the human body. This article is fact based, and strictly sticks to how the drug works and how it can increase athletic performance. It too gives examples of the side effects from excessive use. This source gives a good overview of the history and effects of steroids.
“Steroids.” ThinkQuest. 15 October 2007. http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112390/steroids.htm
In this website, the author offers a basic introduction to steroids and the dangers associated with using them. The article mostly deals with real life instances where steroids had a severe impact on people’s lives. This includes examples ranging from Olympic athletes to teenage boys. Though the ThinkQuest source is credible, the website appears a little immature and not as professional as others. Likewise, some of the examples used only mention the boy’s first names, taking away from their credibility. These problems aside, the website still has valid examples that can be used to describe the consequences of steroid use.
Wells, Ken R. "Anabolic Steroid Use." The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Third Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2006.
This article talks about the science behind steroids, what happens when they are used, and the effects of using them. It comes from a very credible medical encyclopedia, and contains very useful information about the topic. There is no bias coming from the author; all the information is based on scientific facts. This is a very useful source because it goes into detail about how steroids work inside of the body, and the multiple side effects that comes from usage.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
SWA 8: College Changes
One of the few consistent things about life is change is always taking place. No matter the circumstances or criteria, society is universally shifting viewpoints and ideals from those in the past. One such faction of society undergoing change is college campuses. In the last few decades, the college population has undergone changes in matters of faith, political orientation, and class. In their essays, authors Alan Finder, Richard Just, and David Leonhardt discuss these changes, and the reasons why they are taking place.
In his essay “Matters of Faith Find a New Prominence on Campus,” author Alan Finder writes about how religious affiliations are increasing across campuses. One interviewed professor estimates a “more active religious life than there has been in 100 years” (75). Finder attributes this to a number of factors. One of these is the rise of the religious right in politics, which “has made questions of faith more talked about generally” (68). There is also an increase of religion on world affairs, making it more in the spotlight. A final reason for this religious boom is due to how parents, in an effort not to force religion on their children as their baby boomer parents did to them, have allowed their children to find religious experiences on their own. Once in college, they have decided to pursue religion.
A second change among college campuses has been the political orientation among students. Author Richard Just, in his essay “Schools of Thought: The Liberal-Conservative Divide on College Campuses” examines this change. Just claims that conservative beliefs are on the rise on college campuses. He attributes this to a rise in conservative student organizations, such as newspapers. In many instances, certain liberal student groups tend to be too radical or extreme. Many students do not like this and would rather pursue a more open and welcoming environment more and more conservative groups are promoting. While liberals still have the majority on college campuses, the gap between them and conservatives have narrowed compared with years past.
The third major change discussed in these essays is the increasingly high college dropout rate. In his essay “The College Dropout Boom,” author David Leonhardt examines this growing trend among students. Leonhardt writes that many students would rather start working right out of high school for a salary than go to a high priced college. The average college graduate is coming from a more wealthy and affluent family and area. Many students from rural towns do not have aspirations to look towards higher education and leave town. Some are happy where they are and getting on with their lives.
These are some of the major changes occurring across college campuses throughout the country. As supported by all of their authors claims, the increase in religion, conservative morals, and college dropout rate have all become trademark changes among college campuses in recent years.
In his essay “Matters of Faith Find a New Prominence on Campus,” author Alan Finder writes about how religious affiliations are increasing across campuses. One interviewed professor estimates a “more active religious life than there has been in 100 years” (75). Finder attributes this to a number of factors. One of these is the rise of the religious right in politics, which “has made questions of faith more talked about generally” (68). There is also an increase of religion on world affairs, making it more in the spotlight. A final reason for this religious boom is due to how parents, in an effort not to force religion on their children as their baby boomer parents did to them, have allowed their children to find religious experiences on their own. Once in college, they have decided to pursue religion.
A second change among college campuses has been the political orientation among students. Author Richard Just, in his essay “Schools of Thought: The Liberal-Conservative Divide on College Campuses” examines this change. Just claims that conservative beliefs are on the rise on college campuses. He attributes this to a rise in conservative student organizations, such as newspapers. In many instances, certain liberal student groups tend to be too radical or extreme. Many students do not like this and would rather pursue a more open and welcoming environment more and more conservative groups are promoting. While liberals still have the majority on college campuses, the gap between them and conservatives have narrowed compared with years past.
The third major change discussed in these essays is the increasingly high college dropout rate. In his essay “The College Dropout Boom,” author David Leonhardt examines this growing trend among students. Leonhardt writes that many students would rather start working right out of high school for a salary than go to a high priced college. The average college graduate is coming from a more wealthy and affluent family and area. Many students from rural towns do not have aspirations to look towards higher education and leave town. Some are happy where they are and getting on with their lives.
These are some of the major changes occurring across college campuses throughout the country. As supported by all of their authors claims, the increase in religion, conservative morals, and college dropout rate have all become trademark changes among college campuses in recent years.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Exploratory Paper
Steroids and their Detrimental Impact on Sports
It seems as though every time we open up the newspaper to the sports section, another extremely admirable sports record has fallen. Sports such as baseball and track and field have had their record books rewritten multiple times in the last ten years. Likewise, the controversy about athletes using performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids has also exponentially increased as more and more media attention is focused on these new athletic feats. What exactly is the advantage of using these substances and how can they increase athletic performance? Why should things like steroids be banned from both professional and amateur?
My paper will first explore the assets of taking substances like steroids. It will then address the detrimental side effects that come from steroid use, and the impact they have on athletes in the long run. I will then discuss the increase in athletic performances, and how more historically long-standing records are fallings faster than ever. This includes some of the more recent scandals and controversies surrounding sports such as baseball and track and field. My paper will end with possible solutions for this problem, and what can and should be done to preserve the honor that comes from athletic competition.
I plan on using a wide variety of supporting materials for my paper. First I will use a well-respected medical database or website to find the scientific effects of steroids on the body, and the side effects that comes with there use. I will also cite numerous athletic scandals related to performance enhancing drugs. These can be found in most major sporting newspapers and magazines.
My papers main purpose will be to inform readers about the problems of steroids in sports, and then to convince them why there should be stricter testing and enforcing of anti-doping rules. My audience will be my peers and classmates, many of whom have participated in some sort of competitive sports and have knowledge of the steroid controversy. My goal is to write a paper that will inform the audience of new information, and to address what should be done about this problem.
Nagel, Rob. "Athletes and Anabolic Steroids." Body by Design: From the Digestive System to the Skeleton. Betz Des Chenes, Editor. Farmington Hills, Mich.: UXL, 2000.
Wells, Ken R. "Anabolic Steroid Use." The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Third Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2006.
“Steroids.” http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112390/steroids.htm
“MLB Steroid Law 'Minimum' Standard.” CBS News. 17 November 2005. 15 October 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/17/sportsline/main1054280.shtml
Ansary, Tamim. “Have Sports Records Become Unbreakable?” MSN Encarta. 15 October 2007. http://encarta.msn.com/column_sportsrecordsmain_Tamimhome/Have_Sports_Records_Become_Unbreakable.html
It seems as though every time we open up the newspaper to the sports section, another extremely admirable sports record has fallen. Sports such as baseball and track and field have had their record books rewritten multiple times in the last ten years. Likewise, the controversy about athletes using performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids has also exponentially increased as more and more media attention is focused on these new athletic feats. What exactly is the advantage of using these substances and how can they increase athletic performance? Why should things like steroids be banned from both professional and amateur?
My paper will first explore the assets of taking substances like steroids. It will then address the detrimental side effects that come from steroid use, and the impact they have on athletes in the long run. I will then discuss the increase in athletic performances, and how more historically long-standing records are fallings faster than ever. This includes some of the more recent scandals and controversies surrounding sports such as baseball and track and field. My paper will end with possible solutions for this problem, and what can and should be done to preserve the honor that comes from athletic competition.
I plan on using a wide variety of supporting materials for my paper. First I will use a well-respected medical database or website to find the scientific effects of steroids on the body, and the side effects that comes with there use. I will also cite numerous athletic scandals related to performance enhancing drugs. These can be found in most major sporting newspapers and magazines.
My papers main purpose will be to inform readers about the problems of steroids in sports, and then to convince them why there should be stricter testing and enforcing of anti-doping rules. My audience will be my peers and classmates, many of whom have participated in some sort of competitive sports and have knowledge of the steroid controversy. My goal is to write a paper that will inform the audience of new information, and to address what should be done about this problem.
Nagel, Rob. "Athletes and Anabolic Steroids." Body by Design: From the Digestive System to the Skeleton. Betz Des Chenes, Editor. Farmington Hills, Mich.: UXL, 2000.
Wells, Ken R. "Anabolic Steroid Use." The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Third Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. 5 vols. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2006.
“Steroids.” http://library.thinkquest.org/J0112390/steroids.htm
“MLB Steroid Law 'Minimum' Standard.” CBS News. 17 November 2005. 15 October 2007. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/11/17/sportsline/main1054280.shtml
Ansary, Tamim. “Have Sports Records Become Unbreakable?” MSN Encarta. 15 October 2007. http://encarta.msn.com/column_sportsrecordsmain_Tamimhome/Have_Sports_Records_Become_Unbreakable.html
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Smoking Ban Brainstorming
Smoking Ban:
-Effects of smoking
-Effects of second hand smoke
-Human rights
-Rights in public
-Past cases of similar bans
-History of the popularity of smoking
-Lung cancer prevalence
-Court cases over smoking rights
-Effects of smoking
-Effects of second hand smoke
-Human rights
-Rights in public
-Past cases of similar bans
-History of the popularity of smoking
-Lung cancer prevalence
-Court cases over smoking rights
Post Secret Reflection
The post secret card I made features a famous scene from the movie The Sound of Music with the caption “When I can’t sleep at night…I listen to The Sound of Music soundtrack.” The message I was trying to get across was pretty straightforward and blunt. My post secret card was actually true, (though not for 4 plus years) so I really was not trying to trick or confuse the reader. The background and imagery was not too difficult to select because I wanted to choose an image that people easily related to that movie. My classmates all seemed to get the basic message. There was no subliminal message hidden in the card, and all of the content was in the text. No one saw beyond what I was trying to say because the message in the card was pretty direct, so there was not much else to dissect. I was intrigued to see that there were no surprised reactions to the card. I guess when compared with some of the other messages in the actual post secret cards, mine does not seem too crazy or out of the norm.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Post Secret
The Post Secret card that caught my attention was one with a plain white background except where the lone text on the page states, “I think they should make cards that say fuck you.” The last two words are emphasized because they are larger and outlined in red. The explicit verbal claim is pretty clear in this instance. The author of the card is explicitly upset that all Hallmark-like cards are cheerful and upbeat, and wishes they would make more negative cards, like ones that say, “fuck you.” There really is no implicit claim in this card. There are no subliminal messages hidden in the background or in the way the text is displayed; the author is very straightforward and blunt with his opinion in the text. The author can be anyone in this case, but probably would be someone who is or just finished going through a depressing or traumatic experience and is mad at the world. The intended audience is anyone willing to listen or hear the author’s plea. There is not one specific targeted group of people. The visual component works because by leaving the background blank, the text is emphasized and has nothing to distract the viewer from the message. Though it is one of the more “unoriginal” Post Secret cards, it still gets its point across and stirs up emotion in the reader.
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