P#3 and P#2 Reflection

Writing the analysis paper was a lot different than writing the persuasive paper. For me, the analysis paper was a lot more fun. Being able to break things down and analyze them is a fun challenge, and it didn’t involve scrambling to cite sources. To be fair, the topic I picked for my argumentative essay is a pretty serious one. I wish i had picked something a little lighter. It was a lot more work coming up with arguments and explaining myself clearly for the third paper. I did enjoy doing research on my topic though, it is an issue I have a personal opinion on, and I was glad this gave me an excuse to look more into it. Finding all the facts forced me to re-examine my opinion, and it was a good experience for me.

I think because I enjoyed the analysis paper more, I was able to do better work on it. I spent a really long time re-reading it and messing with the formatting to make sure it was perfect, while with this paper I’m much less perfectionist about. That could also just be that it’s the end of the quarter. Either way, I think both papers helped me gain more writing experience. Organizing my thoughts into words in a way that sounds good is something I struggle with, and having to talk about a sensitive topic made me work to practice that skill. The analysis paper helped me do this by forcing me to order my thoughts about each ad in a way that made sense. Both these papers were awesome to write, and I’m glad I got the experience I did from them.

In Class Lab 12/1 Paper #3 Peer Analysis

Paper #1

1.       What is the claim?

a.       The main point of this essay is to convince readers that abortion is a crime, and is not okay.

b.      The introduction does not clearly state the thesis, and it would be helpful to the paper if it did, I think. You can still see what the paper is trying to say through the first couple paragraphs.

2.       What support does the writer offer for the claim?

a.       One reason is that abortions can still be done after the baby is mostly developed. Another is an ethical appeal that abortion is just plain wrong. Also the author offers alternatives like contraceptives and giving up the baby for adoption.

b.      The only real hard stats is the information about the restriction on abortion timelines in different states.

c.       Yes, the reasons make sense, but I think they could be stated more clearly and backed up with more information.

3.       How evenhandedly does the writer present the issues?

a.       Yes there are mentions of counterarguments. They are explained well, and the refuting of the counter arguments is done well.

b.      Yes they are responded to reasonably.

c.       The other sides are respected, and taken into account.

d.      A lot of the paper’s reasons are backed up with I statements; how the author believes you should feel about it.

4.       What authorities or sources of outside information does the writer use?

a.       There are a few spaces left purposely for in text citations for some facts.   

b.      n/a

c.       n/a

5.       How does the writer address you as a reader?

a.       Yes, it is assumed that the reader knows something about what abortion is/how it’s done etc.

b.      A lot of the paper is almost ethically calling out the reader, such as “How can you not call this a crime?” “We” is also used in some cases, telling the readers that “we” together need to do something.

c.       I think that the author and I do share some beliefs about women’s rights, but mostly on this topic we don’t. As a person on the opposite side of the argument in this paper, I did not feel insulted when she addressed her counter arguments. She didn’t convince me, but did give me a better understanding of the other perspective.

Paper #2

6.       What is the claim?

a.       Video games do not cause violence in teens.

b.      Yes, the thesis is very firmly stated in the first paragraph.

7.       What support does the writer offer for the claim?

a.       The writer offers the reasons that many of the supposed negative impacts video games have can be caused by other factors, as well as games and murders not being correlated, and talking about the psychology of games, how they actually should be helping reduce violence.

b.      There are statistics, quotes from articles, and personal experience as evidence to back up these reasons. The graph included is especially good at illustrating the point.

c.       Yes, the reasons make sense to me.

8.       How evenhandedly does the writer present the issues?

a.       Yes, counterarguments are mentioned throughout the piece, and dealt with individually.

b.      They are explained and then refuted in a respectful way.

c.       Yes, the arguments used each seem clear and focused.

9.       What authorities or sources of outside information does the writer use?

a.       The statistics and quotes are used as evidence to support the argument in the writing.

b.      Most of the sources seem pretty credible, however for some of the quotes it might be helpful to explain why the person who said it is qualified to talk about it.

c.       Yes they are current, from the bibliography you can see they are from within the past couple years.

10.   How does the writer address you as a reader?

a.       For the most part, all relevant information is explained well, and you don’t need prior knowledge to understand it.

b.      The opening uses “we” as an inclusion. When talking about counter arguments, the author also says they understand the other side.

c.       Yes, I totally agree with the author on this topic, and this essay was fun to read because I didn’t know how much this could actually be supported.

Essay #3 Rough Draft

Planned Parenthood is an organization that has faced a fair amount of prejudice and controversy; controversy that has only been growing. The organization has come under a lot of pressure due to recent federal funding disputes, and activists on both sides of this issue are shouting their positions to anyone and everyone who might hear them. The fact is, the heart of this ideological debate on abortion doesn’t matter as much as preserving the many other healthcare services this organization provides to women.

    One of Planned Parenthood’s main goals is to provide access to safe, affordable medical aid to men, women, and teenagers. According to their website, they have skilled healthcare professionals, “dedicated to offering men, women, and teens high-quality, affordable medical care.” The primary services they provide are preventative; preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases through contraceptives. In a statement the organization’s president gave CNN, Planned Parenthood provides 830,000 breast exams, 1 million cervical cancer screenings, half a million HIV tests and birth control to 2.5 million patients every year. Planned Parenthood receives about one third of its annual budget from federal funding, with the majority of this from Medicaid, a federal program designed to help low-income citizens. (LA Times) If the Defund Planned Parenthood Act was to take affect, Planned Parenthood’s clients would no longer receive Medicare reimbursement for any services. For a lot of low income citizens, this would mean they wouldn’t have access to these services at all. The CBO estimated that anywhere between 5% and 25% of the 2.5 million clients would lose some or all of their access to healthcare. Planned Parenthood needs that funding to continue providing care to those in need.

    Another of Planned Parenthood’s primary goals is to educate the public about reproductive and sexual health. In ninth grade, my biology class was visited for several class periods by a Planned Parenthood representative. A classroom full of high school freshman is much more inclined to giggle and cringe at sex ed than actually learn, but the teacher Planned Parenthood sent took the time and care needed to get through to us. Every question, as silly as some were, was taken and answered seriously. Not only did this presentation educate us about methods of contraception, but they gave healthy relationship advice, giving us resources if we ever needed help. I could tell that our guest wanted us to have the knowledgeable necessary to take care of ourselves properly. Me and my classmates were lucky, for many schools are mandated to teach Abstinence-Only programs. These programs are not allowed to instruct students on the proper use of contraceptives to prevent STDs and pregnancy. (Advocates for Youth) Planned Parenthood is helping to break that trend, providing the education many teens will need as they get older, and become sexually active.

    Planned Parenthood is also an active part of the fight for women’s health and rights. The Planned Parenthood Action website clearly outlines their goals; the right to access health care and sexual education, regardless of race, social status, religion, or politics. The action group organizes support rallies and other events, as well as raising and donating money to causes dedicated to health care and women’s rights. They have several advisory boards and initiatives meant to reach out and further their values in specific groups, like the Latino Outreach Initiative, as well as LGBTQA rights.

    The House of Representatives, though shot down by the Senate, recently passed a bill stripping Planned Parenthood of its federal funding for a year, and many of the conservative representatives want to strip their funding forever. Many people have strong opinions on the issue of abortion, and have issues with Planned Parenthood because of that. However, since the 70’s no clinic has been allowed to use federal funding for abortions, and only 3% of the services they provide are abortions. (CNN) One of the main reasons this issue has come under scrutiny recently is a video put together and released by David Daleiden. The video shows what appears to be graphic images of two aborted fetuses, and a Planned Parenthood representative supposedly discussing the selling price of fetal tissue. In an interview with CNN, David Daleiden admitted that the image he described as an aborted fetus was actually an image taken off the internet of a stillborn child. He also confessed that he had no idea where the other graphic image he used came from, or even if it was taken at a Planned Parenthood facility. The other issue the video brought up was allegations of the selling of fetal tissue.

Fetal tissue has been used in scientific research since the 1930’s, and can help create vaccines, stem cell research and degenerative disease treatments. The donation of fetal tissue is heavily regulated; clinics are not allowed to ask women if they want to donate until after they have decided to have an abortion, and the researchers cannot pay for any tissue donated. (CNN) However, it is legal for the researchers to reimburse the clinics for costs like shipping. The organization’s President, in a letter to the director of the National Institutes of Health, was quick to explain that this was the case, and the video put out by Daleiden was edited, manipulated, and taken out of context in a way designed to mislead. She also announced that her organization, “in order to take away any basis for attacking Planned Parenthood,” is taking on a new policy to no longer accept this reimbursement. Many states have investigated their Planned Parenthood clinics since this video was released. As posted on The Spokesman Review, “Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he assigned two of his attorneys to investigate their concerns about the organization after national reports of “trafficking in human body parts.” They found no evidence that any Planned Parenthood in Washington had engaged in any of the actions accused of them.  

    Abortion, one of the services that can be provided by Planned Parenthood, is a heavily controversial topic. Especially with the 2017 election looming in our future, abortion has become too much a discussion about politics, instead of the actual lives affected by access to legal abortion in our nation. Deciding whether or not to have a child is a highly personal decision, one that will change a woman’s entire future. A close family member of mine agreed to talk to me about her experience with this decision, and her experience with Planned Parenthood. As a first year college student with little money and no medical insurance, she said Planned Parenthood was the way she got access to standard women's healthcare. Aside from birth control, the organization provided services like an annual pap-smear (a test for cervical cancer) and other screenings. When she was forced to make the decision to have an abortion, Planned Parenthood never treated her with anything less than respect and dignity. She stated that her decision was, “the best for my life, and all other parties involved.” She is grateful that she had the right to make her choice, and continues to support Planned Parenthood in the hope that all women, if they have to, are able to make that decision for themselves.

Planned Parenthood is a needed provider of not only medical care for millions of women in our nation, but education and awareness of sexual health and rights. Every woman should have the right to make her own decisions about her body, and Planned Parenthood supports women in whatever choice they have to make. Political ideologies should not be affecting these women's’ right to the affordable, informative care they need.

Incorporating Sources, In Class Lab

Meats and Cancer

On the BBC website, one of the advisors of the WHO report, Dr. Teresa Norat advised, “People should limit consumption of red meat and avoid consuming processed meat, but they should also have a diet rich in fibre, from fruit and vegetables and maintain an adequate body weight throughout life and limit the consumption of alcohol and be physically active.”

In a written statement, American Cancer Society’s Susan Gapstur recommended trying to eat more plants, while cutting back on processed and red meat.

A key finding from a World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) analysis found that, “red meat and processed meat aren’t equally harmful: processed meat is more strongly linked to bowel cancer than red meat.” Cancer Research UK continues to recommend this advice on diet, “eat plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables; cut back on red and processed meat, and salt; and limit your alcohol intake.”

Works Cited

Gallagher, James. “Processed Meats Do Cause Cancer – WHO.” Health. BBC News. 26 Oct. 2015 Web. 11 Nov. 2015

Aubrey, Allison. “Bad Day For Bacon: Processed Meats Cause Cancer, WHO Says.” Eating and Health. National Public Radio. 29 Oct. 2015 Web. 11 Nov. 2015

Dunlop, Casey. “Processed Meat And Cancer- What You Need To Know.” Science Blog. Cancer Research UK. 26 Oct. 2015. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2015/10/26/processed-meat-and-cancer-what-you-need-to-know/

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/26/451211964/bad-day-for-bacon-processed-red-meats-cause-cancer-says-who

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34615621

In Class Collab. Spriggs Essay vs Short Articles

• take a position early, explain your position
• explain your topic’s relevance to the average reader’s real life
• present a few reasons, support your reasons with facts
• identify another point of view and respond to it
• identify real world applications/repercussions of your position
• explain important terms/ideas relevant to your topic, pictures can help
• personal experience is a powerful way to establish credibility
• providing background information also establishes authority over your subject
• use of statistics can be very convincing
• discrediting of opposing sides done carefully is good
• use of emotional persuasion is very dependant upon subject and audience
• author should be aware of pathos/logos/ethos and which will be most persuasive for their topic

pg 100 Spriggs Essay: Thinking About the Text Activity

1. Spriggs uses her cited information and her personal experience to invite readers to care about this topic. The personal stories about her childhood experiences with a local farmer show us how different farming has become over time. The author states many reasons buying local would be good for our local areas, and how the opposite is negatively impacting our world through adverse environmental affects.
2. Some of the other positions Spriggs mentions are that buying locally would be bad for national economy, bad for the environment, and it is more logical to buy food from where it grows best in the world. The author states that yes, trying to grow every type of fruit and vegetable everywhere is never going to happen, and suggests that buying locally isn't about buying everything you eat locally, just as much as you can. Spriggs explains that the idea of small farms being less resource efficient is a misconception around how you measure efficiency. The counterargument to small farms impacting national economy is that small farms would also be impacting local economy. The author admits that this specific subject is debatable, and cites a few opinions on it from reputable sources such as a professor of environmental economy.
3. A section of the essay I found particularly effective would be the section where she states that the author spent, "every summer on a 150-acre farm in rural Wisconsin." This personal experience gives the author a sense of authority over the topic. The way she describes the farmer she knew as a little girl makes the reader feel as though they also know him, and sympathize with his concerns for his local farm.
4. The photos are mostly helpful to her, as they illustrate a part of a system she describes. The figures depicting a monoculture and polyculutre farm I found particularlly helpful to see what the author is talking about when contrasting these two farming systems. Each photo has a good caption underneath that connects it to her essay.

pg 80 Activity: Analyze a Short Piece of Writing

This post on SF Gate's Healthy Eating website wants to inform us of why healthy eating is important. The author's explicit position is stated in the first sentence, "A nutritious, well balanced diet..is the foundation of good health." Information is provided for us about what healthy eating is, and other important factors in our health, such as exercise and smoking. The topic is deemed to matter to us because most people probably want to be healthy and disease free, as the article mentions are the benefits of healthy eating.  Advice is also offered to those just starting out, who may not be used to a fully healthy diet yet. The author cites many good reasons we should want to eat healthy, and reputable sources such as the Harvard School of Public Health, and the American Diabetes Association.  This article also includes a short survey for readers to take, asking what their diet is and what they want to include more in their diet. The page will then link them to articles relevant to their answers, for example when I answered that I wanted more veggies in my diet, and then that I liked carrots, it linked me to several articles about uses and benefits of carrots! Overall this is a solid, if informal article that takes a solid position by explaining their topic well and providing resources to readers.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/eating-healthy-important-7166.html