Poole, Sheila M. "Controversy over Birth Control Mandate Isn't Going Away." The Atlanta Journal Constitution. 24 Feb. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. http://www.ajc.com/news/controversy-over-birth-control-1361747.html.
The object of this article published in an online newspaper in Atlanta is to inform the public about reactions of the Catholic community in the Atlanta area to a mandate in Obamacare. The mandate calls for the insurers of all (including faith-based) employers to provide health care coverage for birth control. The article uses direct quotes from a principal of a Catholic high school and other Catholics in the Atlanta area to show the opinions on the mandate. Seeing as how most Catholics do no believe in using birth control, most are against the mandate and many are outspoken in their oppostion. The author, Sheila Poole, is trying to prove that the mandate is too controversial to stop recieving attention any time soon. She is also bringing attention to just one group's reaction to the birth control mandate. From this article I got to see one view of the mandate outlined in Obamacare on birth control. This will be usefu in my paper because it clearly illustrates one view of the controversial law.
"Public Divided Over Birth Control Insurance Mandate." Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. Pew Research Center, 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. http://www.people-press.org/2012/02/14/public-divided-over-birth-control-insurance-mandate/?src=prc-headline.
This is an article that acts as a summary of research conducted on the public's view of the birth control mandate. The survey was conducted by interviewers at Princeton Data Source under the direction of Princeton Survey Research Associates International. In the article, different opinions and percentages of approval/disapproval from different groups are shown. The survey showed results from republicans, democrats, and independents, along with Catholics. This article is very beneficial because it shows that the issue of religious groups having to follow this mandate is an issue that has sides that are divided almost 50/50. This will be beneficial to my paper because it shows different views on the mandate besides the view of Catholics.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
SWA #15 Researching Issues 2/27/12
1. The use of contraceptives/birth control: A lot of information can be found on this topic. A big reason for that is because it is a big issue among the presidential candidates that are currently running and campaigning for office. When I searched "birth control controversy" into google, I got almost 6 million results. This is a topic that interests me and I could research the reasons people are against contraceptives and the reasons people are for them. I think my opinion on the subject is strong, but not overly strong. This is the issue I want to do my research on.
2. Environmental conservation: This is a global issue that has been around for a long time. When searching for environmental issues, most of the results discussed the conservation of the environment and naturally occuring goods we are using up on a day to day basis. There is a lot of information of the ways to conserve the environments, but this issue doesn't really have two opposing viewpoints. Most people are not going to argue that the environment does not need to be conserved.
3. Illegal Immigrant crime in border states: The border states are said to have more illegal immigrant crime. There are many new articles about this online, however there is not as many articles on this as the other topics. Many of the articles are only reports of the crimes as well, instead of talking about the subject of immigrant crime in general.
2. Environmental conservation: This is a global issue that has been around for a long time. When searching for environmental issues, most of the results discussed the conservation of the environment and naturally occuring goods we are using up on a day to day basis. There is a lot of information of the ways to conserve the environments, but this issue doesn't really have two opposing viewpoints. Most people are not going to argue that the environment does not need to be conserved.
3. Illegal Immigrant crime in border states: The border states are said to have more illegal immigrant crime. There are many new articles about this online, however there is not as many articles on this as the other topics. Many of the articles are only reports of the crimes as well, instead of talking about the subject of immigrant crime in general.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
SWA #13 Controversial Issues
1. Illegal immigration
- What makes it controversial: They have access to many of the same social services as the citizens of the country who pay taxes and abide by the law. However, the illegal immigrants often do not disturb other legal citizens and they take a lot of unwanted jobs.
- Where I stand: I think that if illegal immigrants continue to be allowed to stay in America, more and more will come. It is not fair for tax paying citizens who pay for public health/other services to share those services with illegal citizens who do not pay tax. The country has to stop letting people into it who do not have visas/or who do not attempt to gain citizenship.
- What I'd like to learn: How can illegal immigration be stopped peacefully?
2. Gay Marriage
- What makes it controversial: Against the religious beliefs of many people. However, gay people have the same rights as everyone else.
- Where I stand: I am a Christian and because of that I don't think being gay is right, but everyone has the right to be happy. And if getting married lets them be happy, let them do it.
- What I'd like to learn: Where have same-sex marriages been legally recognized?
3. Death Penalty
- What makes it controversial: Do humans have the right to kill another human even if that person has commited a terrible crime?
- Where I stand: Killing criminals makes criminals out of innocent people that do the killing. It is morally wrong to kill another living being, regardless of their actions.
- What are other options for containing dangerous criminals?
SWA #12 2/20/12 Annotation and Promts
Waters, Alice. A Healthy Constitution. The Nation. 2009. Print.
In Waters' essay, she points outs the need for schools to focus more on healthier meals to serve to students. She describes a high school that has incorporated this "edible education" by letting students plant, garden, and cook the food they eat while at school. Waters' essay is aimed at other school officials, teachers, and parents that are concerned with what their child eats at school. Waters concludes that by letting students keep gardens and cook, they learn about democracy and helping their communities. This makes them more well-rounded individuals in society. Her argument was convincing, however she only used evidence from one case study, not enough to convince me fully she was right about her theory on edible education.
Waters says that the process of learning about food will helped teach values of democracy by giving students responsibilities of their own. Not only do the students help in the school garden and kitchen, they also are educated on the important values of citizenship through sharing and stewardship. Waters says that the children learn how farmers depend on land, we depend on farmer, and the country depends on all of it's citizens. She links healthy food to learning through sharing the success of this program at the Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin. She links healthy food choices and educationg children on healthy foods to teaching students values of democracy. As evidence, she quotes what three students have learned from their experience at the high school. More quotes, and evidence, would have strengthened her argument, however.
In Waters' essay, she points outs the need for schools to focus more on healthier meals to serve to students. She describes a high school that has incorporated this "edible education" by letting students plant, garden, and cook the food they eat while at school. Waters' essay is aimed at other school officials, teachers, and parents that are concerned with what their child eats at school. Waters concludes that by letting students keep gardens and cook, they learn about democracy and helping their communities. This makes them more well-rounded individuals in society. Her argument was convincing, however she only used evidence from one case study, not enough to convince me fully she was right about her theory on edible education.
Waters says that the process of learning about food will helped teach values of democracy by giving students responsibilities of their own. Not only do the students help in the school garden and kitchen, they also are educated on the important values of citizenship through sharing and stewardship. Waters says that the children learn how farmers depend on land, we depend on farmer, and the country depends on all of it's citizens. She links healthy food to learning through sharing the success of this program at the Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin. She links healthy food choices and educationg children on healthy foods to teaching students values of democracy. As evidence, she quotes what three students have learned from their experience at the high school. More quotes, and evidence, would have strengthened her argument, however.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
SWA #11 2/15/12
Amanda Youngblood
English 102-111
15 February 2012
In Bittman’s essay, the use of statistical information can be identified throughout the majority of the text. He uses this information as a way to persuade the reader to believe that there should be a tax on unhealthy foods. A lot of his data revolves around how much soda and other unhealthy beverage or food items are consumed in America. Many people reading this essay do not realize how much of something they consume, but seeing that the average American consumes 44.7 gallons of soft drinks a year makes them take a second look. Bittman knows that his audience will pay attention to this and reconsider their eating habits and whether a tax might be a beneficial addition to things like soda. He also brings up the fact that one third of Americans have diabetes and that most of the people that do have diabetes have Type 2, which is acquired through bad eating habits. This brings about a serious topic for the audience to contemplate. The type of data Bittman uses the most is financial data. He has to explain how the tax would work through numbers and statistics along with other financial information. He writes about how much the fast food industry spends on just advertising, an amount close to $4 billion. He also discusses health-related obesity costs projected in 2018, which is $344 billion. Both of these numbers are staggering and can really draw in the attention of a reader.
English 102-111
15 February 2012
In Bittman’s essay, the use of statistical information can be identified throughout the majority of the text. He uses this information as a way to persuade the reader to believe that there should be a tax on unhealthy foods. A lot of his data revolves around how much soda and other unhealthy beverage or food items are consumed in America. Many people reading this essay do not realize how much of something they consume, but seeing that the average American consumes 44.7 gallons of soft drinks a year makes them take a second look. Bittman knows that his audience will pay attention to this and reconsider their eating habits and whether a tax might be a beneficial addition to things like soda. He also brings up the fact that one third of Americans have diabetes and that most of the people that do have diabetes have Type 2, which is acquired through bad eating habits. This brings about a serious topic for the audience to contemplate. The type of data Bittman uses the most is financial data. He has to explain how the tax would work through numbers and statistics along with other financial information. He writes about how much the fast food industry spends on just advertising, an amount close to $4 billion. He also discusses health-related obesity costs projected in 2018, which is $344 billion. Both of these numbers are staggering and can really draw in the attention of a reader.
SWA#10 Essay 2 Worksheet 2/15/12
Title: Rhetorical Analysis of Bad Food? Tax It
Thesis: The author of this essay, Mark Bittman, persuades his audience to believe unhealthy food and drinks should be taxed by using sufficient and accurate data, knowing what audience he is writing for, and making his argument seem reasonable and his overall goal easy to reach.
I. Sufficient and accurate data
A. Statistics about consumption of unhealthy foods
B. Diabetes in America
C. Money that would be save
D. Appealing to logos and ethos
II. Knowing his audience
A. Article published in the New York Times
B. Current social/health/economic issues covered by the topic
C. Kairos
III. Reasonable argument and easily reachable goal
A. Section of essay called "Justifying a Tax"
B. 30 cities/states have considered the tax
C. Education is no match for marketing dollars that push the foods that are worst for health
D. Ethos and pathos
Conclusion: The audience is persuaded to support a tax on unhealthy food by Bittman's use of sufficient and accurate data, his ability to relate to his audience, and making his argument reasonable and his goal seem easy to reach.
Thesis: The author of this essay, Mark Bittman, persuades his audience to believe unhealthy food and drinks should be taxed by using sufficient and accurate data, knowing what audience he is writing for, and making his argument seem reasonable and his overall goal easy to reach.
I. Sufficient and accurate data
A. Statistics about consumption of unhealthy foods
B. Diabetes in America
C. Money that would be save
D. Appealing to logos and ethos
II. Knowing his audience
A. Article published in the New York Times
B. Current social/health/economic issues covered by the topic
C. Kairos
III. Reasonable argument and easily reachable goal
A. Section of essay called "Justifying a Tax"
B. 30 cities/states have considered the tax
C. Education is no match for marketing dollars that push the foods that are worst for health
D. Ethos and pathos
Conclusion: The audience is persuaded to support a tax on unhealthy food by Bittman's use of sufficient and accurate data, his ability to relate to his audience, and making his argument reasonable and his goal seem easy to reach.
Monday, February 13, 2012
SWA #8 2/13/12
Fear Factories
p.364
1. Scully builds his point that the topic of animal cruelty should be a conservative issue by continuing to build on the point that the conservative party bases most of it's views on moral standards. He says that animal rights are a question of our moral standard and that conservatives are not scared to form a law from their moral standards. He also mentions that conservatives have certain "obligations" to deal with moral issues.
2. I think Scully means that since animals do not have the power to defend themselves, it must be our duty to speak for them. Our morals are what able us to have views on things. Animals can't express how they feel about being mistreated. Humans have morals for a reason, and if we think something is wrong we shoud fix it. If we do not, we just look like a bunch of uncivilized animals ourselves.
The different views represented by Scully is the view of how conservatives actually feel about the topic of animal cruelty and the way, based on their ideals, they should feel about animal cruelty. Scully says that "Conservatives have a way of dismissing the subject..." However he also discusses how the Conservatives "aren't shy about discoursing on moral standards." Conservatives do not feel they should get involved in the rights of animals and the treatment of them on factory farms. Scully identifies this as one view, the view point of the Conservatives. But by pointing out their prominant involvement in other issues because of "morals", Scully is expressing the what the Conservative party should feel about the issue. He is saying if Conservatives want to prove to the public their choices are right because they are based on good morals, they should help animals who are suffering because of our own selfish wants.
p.364
1. Scully builds his point that the topic of animal cruelty should be a conservative issue by continuing to build on the point that the conservative party bases most of it's views on moral standards. He says that animal rights are a question of our moral standard and that conservatives are not scared to form a law from their moral standards. He also mentions that conservatives have certain "obligations" to deal with moral issues.
2. I think Scully means that since animals do not have the power to defend themselves, it must be our duty to speak for them. Our morals are what able us to have views on things. Animals can't express how they feel about being mistreated. Humans have morals for a reason, and if we think something is wrong we shoud fix it. If we do not, we just look like a bunch of uncivilized animals ourselves.
The different views represented by Scully is the view of how conservatives actually feel about the topic of animal cruelty and the way, based on their ideals, they should feel about animal cruelty. Scully says that "Conservatives have a way of dismissing the subject..." However he also discusses how the Conservatives "aren't shy about discoursing on moral standards." Conservatives do not feel they should get involved in the rights of animals and the treatment of them on factory farms. Scully identifies this as one view, the view point of the Conservatives. But by pointing out their prominant involvement in other issues because of "morals", Scully is expressing the what the Conservative party should feel about the issue. He is saying if Conservatives want to prove to the public their choices are right because they are based on good morals, they should help animals who are suffering because of our own selfish wants.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
SWA #9 2/13/12
"Factory food artificially cheap, bad for your health" by Ethan Huff
This article's central claim is that small scale independent farms raise better quality meat than meat from large scale factory farms. Some reasons the article lists to support this claim are:
This article's central claim is that small scale independent farms raise better quality meat than meat from large scale factory farms. Some reasons the article lists to support this claim are:
- the cheap genetically modified food the animals eat at factory farms compared to the healthier diet of grass and bugs of the animals from small scale farms,
- the large waste disposal from factory farms
- a healty diet of the animals results in meat packed with vitamins and minerals
- the harsh conditions of the animals living on factory farms
Values about the treatment of animals and the respect for our nutrition and our bodies are brought to question. There are also concerns with money brought up. Meat from small farms is healthier, but at the same time it's more expensive. For a lot of families it is easier to just buy the cheaper meat and not think about where it comes from.
Unstated assumptions in this article are factory farms need to improve conditions or shut down and spending more money on healthier meat is worth it in the long run.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Comments on essay 1 draft 1
- I think one argument is stronger for one ad than the other
- Not an effective conclusion
- Didn't discuss values of the audience as much as I should have
- Some parts don't flow
- Transitions aren't good
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Amanda Youngblood
English 102 Section 111
2 February 2012
SWA#6
There is an advertisement for just about every marketable product available in the world. The advertisements vary in colors, styles and forms but all marketers have one goal. That goal is to sell their product to a specific target audience. For example, a developer of a new type of software wants to target computer users, or a cereal company that manufactures kid’s cereal wants to advertise to an audience of children. In two different advertisements for affordable designer lines available at Target, the message about the store carrying the brands is clear, however it is also clear who the audience is intended to be. The values of the ideal audience shows through in the ads by the design techniques of the advertisement, the purpose of the publication the advertisement is published in, who is depicted in the ad, and the product being advertised.
English 102 Section 111
2 February 2012
SWA#6
There is an advertisement for just about every marketable product available in the world. The advertisements vary in colors, styles and forms but all marketers have one goal. That goal is to sell their product to a specific target audience. For example, a developer of a new type of software wants to target computer users, or a cereal company that manufactures kid’s cereal wants to advertise to an audience of children. In two different advertisements for affordable designer lines available at Target, the message about the store carrying the brands is clear, however it is also clear who the audience is intended to be. The values of the ideal audience shows through in the ads by the design techniques of the advertisement, the purpose of the publication the advertisement is published in, who is depicted in the ad, and the product being advertised.
SWA #5 Wednesday 2/1/12
Ad #1:
- Us Weekly
- Covers latest trends in fashion, beauty and entertainment
- Adult working women (statista.com)
- Advertised are usually products such as clothing, makeup, movies and music
- The publisher assumes the readers of the magazine want to be informed of the latest trends. They are an audience that consume the latest products that are popular. The publisher also assumes the audience is an older audience who can afford the advertisements in the magazine.
Ad #2:
- Lucky Magazine
- Mostly covers all things shopping-including fashion and makeup
- Young college or professional women
- Advertised are shirts, dresses, pants, accessories and beauty products
- The publisher assumes the readers of this magazine care about their looks. The audience takes pride in their appearance and want to dress fashionably and look attractive so they can be happier.
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