References
“All men are created equal” - Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address, I Have a Dream - King Jr., Martin Luther
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_men_are_created_equal
Article 5 - California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/ AIDS Prevention Education Act - Education Code Section 51938
http://crahd.phi.org/sb71overview.pdf
Bill of Rights
http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1
California Constitution Article 1 Declaration of Rights - Section 7.5
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=edc&group=51001-52000&file=51890-51891
Declaration of Independence Transcript: The National Achieves Experience
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
Education Code Section 51930-51932
http://www.sdcoe.net/lret2/hpe/pdf/ED%20Code%2051930-51939.pdf
Let California Ring - Facts - Equality California Institute - Copyright 2009
http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/site/c.ltJTJ6MQIuE/b.3348081/k.B080/Facts.htm
Pascoe, Peggy - “Why the Ugly Rhetoric Against Gay Marriage Is Familiar to this Historian of Miscegenation” - 2004 - History of Interracial Marriage
http://hnn.us/articles/4708.html
Prop 8 - Pros & Cons to Same-Sex Marriage - Created for Nov. 2008 Election
http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/state/prop/8/
SB 71 Fact Sheet - California Comprehensive Sexual Health Education LAW - SB 71 (Senate Bill 71) - Law as of 1/1/2004
http://www.gsanetwork.org/resources/pdf/SB71FactSheet2.pdf
Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_partnership
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
"Is This Truly The Land of the Free Where All Men and Women Are Equal? - Persuasive Essay
Is This Truly The Land of the Free Where All Men and Women Are Equal?
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men all created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (United States Declaration of Independence).
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln).
“I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal” (“I Have a Dream”, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Those famous quotes taken from documents and speeches throughout the history of America were used in attempt to make this country a place of freedom, where all men and women are truly equal. I believe in what this country stands for which is freedom and equality. The United States of America is known best as The Land of the Free! I believe that all Americans should have the right to marry; this includes same-sex couples. If we exclude these rights from certain individuals, such as same-sex couples then we are going against what we, as Americans, stand for. I believe that it was wrong that during the years of 1664 to 1967, interracial marriages were illegal (Pascoe), just like I now think it is wrong that same-sex marriages are not legal. Discrimination is no different when directed at race or a person’s sexuality. It is still discrimination, and therefore, wrong.
When I first gained a definite opinion about this issue was during 2008, when Proposition 8 was written. Prop-8 was based on whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in the state of California. The California Supreme Court had over-turned a previous vote of the people and legalized same-sex marriages in May of 2008, deeming it was unconstitutional to prevent same-sex marriages. Prop 8 was written to over-turn that Supreme Court ruling, and in November of 2008, the people voted YES on Prop 8. The YES vote now means that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California (California Constitution Article 1 Declaration of Rights Section 7.5). Personally, I voted no on Prop 8 for several different reasons. One of those reasons is close to my heart for two of my best friends are homosexuals. I believe that they deserve the same rights as everyone else. Both of them should be able to marry and reap the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. I do not believe they should be treated differently in any way because of their sexual orientation.
The most common concerns here in California with those that were and are against same-sex marriages are heterosexuals and religious establishments wanting to preserve the meaning of marriage as between a man and a woman and parents not wanting same-sex marriage to be taught in schools. Prop 8 supporters were using, what I believed to be scare tactics, such as saying that fairy tales would be read in schools about Kings and Kings to young children. There was also a story about children being taken to a same-sex marriage ceremony for a school field trip. Opinions were and are that homosexuals don’t need to marry because they are offered domestic partnerships; which give the same benefits as marriage without the title. And, of course, many disagree with same-sex marriage based on their religious beliefs (Prop 8 - Smart Voter).
Homosexuality is apart of our society today, regardless if you agree with it or not. Children are going to be curious and ask about same-sex couples whether or not they are allowed to marry. With that being said, Senate Bill 71, the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act of 2004, went into law on January 1, 2004. This law is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be protected against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. It is also suppose to educate the students about being healthy, adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family (SB 71 Fact Sheet). This law also requires that schools notify parents at the beginning of year about these classes. All parents have the right to “opt out” and not have their child participate in these classes. Education Code Section 51938 shows that it is a parent’s right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual education (Article 5). So, if one is concerned with a child learning about homosexuality or same-sex marriage in their school, it is within a parent’s rights to remove their child from those health or sex education classes.
When I heard people talking about teachers reading students fairy tales about Kings and Kings, I thought that was a fallacy; a false claim to put fear in people. I do not remember any fairy tale stories being a part of grammar school curriculum and neither does anyone I know. I do not remember learning about heterosexual or homosexual marriage either. Another story that I believe to be false is the one I mentioned previously about students being taken to a same-sex marriage ceremony for a school field trip. As I remember, Kindergarten through 12th grade, no matter what field trip you went on with your school, it required a parental permission slip. Again, I believe this was only a scare tactic used to persuade people to vote against homosexual marriages.
Same-sex couples in the state of California, in certain cities, are offered the opinion to become domestic partners. A domestic partnership is defined as a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by marriage nor a civil union (Wikipedia). Many people think that same-sex couples do not need to get married because they are offered domestic partnerships. People tend to think that they are one in the same, but with a little research you will find that they are quite different. A few of those differences are, for example, as a married couple you have more than 1,000 federal rights and benefits, you are allowed to make medical decisions for your spouse, visit them in the hospital as immediate family, and are recognized universally as a married couple. As a domestic partner, there are no federal protections, you may not be able to make medical decisions for your partner or get recognized as immediate family to visit them in the hospital, and you are not universally seen as a united couple on the same level as a marriage. Also, in a marriage you are able to file your taxes jointly, except an inheritance from your spouse, allowed to change your name and eligible for Social Security Insurance. While as a domestic partner you can only file federal taxes separately, and if you are left an inheritance from your partner, there will be a tax penalty which is the same as if a stranger left someone an inheritance. As a domestic partner, you may only change your name with a court order and you are not eligible for Social Security Insurance. So, as you can see when comparing marriage to a domestic partnership, they are not the same. Domestic partnerships do not come with nearly as many benefits as married couples do.
The last opposition I want to address is the fact that people do not think same-sex marriages should be legalized because of their religious beliefs. I do not want to discuss what each religion and their materials say because I believe it is all up for interpretation. I do understand that all religions disapprove of homosexuality, but I think whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry should be based on state, not church. Just like the Bill of Rights First Amendment (freedom of religion, press and expression) states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (Bill of Rights).
In this country, there is a separation of church and state. If a law would pass stating same-sex couples would be allowed to marry, that would not force religions to change their beliefs. I look at these as two separate entities. Religions can continue preaching as they wish regarding homosexuality. Same-sex couples will probably never be allowed to marry in churches, so that is religion’s way of not putting their stamp of approval on something they disagree with. Same-sex marriage does not dictate what a religion can and can not believe in, it just gives same-sex couples equal marital rights on a state level.
The world we live in is forever changing, so I think we should keep an open mind and roll with the punches so to speak. I am not asking you to change whether or not you believe in homosexuality; all I am asking is that you remember America is The Land of the Free and is about equality for all. If you believe that homosexuality is wrong, you are free to believe that. Changing ones mind on whether or not homosexuality is right or wrong was not the goal of Prop 8, nor is it my goal. I just want fellow Americans to see that marriage should not be discriminated against no matter heterosexual or homosexual in the eyes of the state.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men all created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (United States Declaration of Independence).
“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal” (Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln).
“I have a dream, that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal” (“I Have a Dream”, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)
Those famous quotes taken from documents and speeches throughout the history of America were used in attempt to make this country a place of freedom, where all men and women are truly equal. I believe in what this country stands for which is freedom and equality. The United States of America is known best as The Land of the Free! I believe that all Americans should have the right to marry; this includes same-sex couples. If we exclude these rights from certain individuals, such as same-sex couples then we are going against what we, as Americans, stand for. I believe that it was wrong that during the years of 1664 to 1967, interracial marriages were illegal (Pascoe), just like I now think it is wrong that same-sex marriages are not legal. Discrimination is no different when directed at race or a person’s sexuality. It is still discrimination, and therefore, wrong.
When I first gained a definite opinion about this issue was during 2008, when Proposition 8 was written. Prop-8 was based on whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry in the state of California. The California Supreme Court had over-turned a previous vote of the people and legalized same-sex marriages in May of 2008, deeming it was unconstitutional to prevent same-sex marriages. Prop 8 was written to over-turn that Supreme Court ruling, and in November of 2008, the people voted YES on Prop 8. The YES vote now means that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California (California Constitution Article 1 Declaration of Rights Section 7.5). Personally, I voted no on Prop 8 for several different reasons. One of those reasons is close to my heart for two of my best friends are homosexuals. I believe that they deserve the same rights as everyone else. Both of them should be able to marry and reap the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. I do not believe they should be treated differently in any way because of their sexual orientation.
The most common concerns here in California with those that were and are against same-sex marriages are heterosexuals and religious establishments wanting to preserve the meaning of marriage as between a man and a woman and parents not wanting same-sex marriage to be taught in schools. Prop 8 supporters were using, what I believed to be scare tactics, such as saying that fairy tales would be read in schools about Kings and Kings to young children. There was also a story about children being taken to a same-sex marriage ceremony for a school field trip. Opinions were and are that homosexuals don’t need to marry because they are offered domestic partnerships; which give the same benefits as marriage without the title. And, of course, many disagree with same-sex marriage based on their religious beliefs (Prop 8 - Smart Voter).
Homosexuality is apart of our society today, regardless if you agree with it or not. Children are going to be curious and ask about same-sex couples whether or not they are allowed to marry. With that being said, Senate Bill 71, the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Act of 2004, went into law on January 1, 2004. This law is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be protected against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. It is also suppose to educate the students about being healthy, adolescent growth and development, body image, gender roles, sexual orientation, dating, marriage, and family (SB 71 Fact Sheet). This law also requires that schools notify parents at the beginning of year about these classes. All parents have the right to “opt out” and not have their child participate in these classes. Education Code Section 51938 shows that it is a parent’s right to excuse their child from all or part of comprehensive sexual education (Article 5). So, if one is concerned with a child learning about homosexuality or same-sex marriage in their school, it is within a parent’s rights to remove their child from those health or sex education classes.
When I heard people talking about teachers reading students fairy tales about Kings and Kings, I thought that was a fallacy; a false claim to put fear in people. I do not remember any fairy tale stories being a part of grammar school curriculum and neither does anyone I know. I do not remember learning about heterosexual or homosexual marriage either. Another story that I believe to be false is the one I mentioned previously about students being taken to a same-sex marriage ceremony for a school field trip. As I remember, Kindergarten through 12th grade, no matter what field trip you went on with your school, it required a parental permission slip. Again, I believe this was only a scare tactic used to persuade people to vote against homosexual marriages.
Same-sex couples in the state of California, in certain cities, are offered the opinion to become domestic partners. A domestic partnership is defined as a legal or personal relationship between two individuals who live together and share a common domestic life but are neither joined by marriage nor a civil union (Wikipedia). Many people think that same-sex couples do not need to get married because they are offered domestic partnerships. People tend to think that they are one in the same, but with a little research you will find that they are quite different. A few of those differences are, for example, as a married couple you have more than 1,000 federal rights and benefits, you are allowed to make medical decisions for your spouse, visit them in the hospital as immediate family, and are recognized universally as a married couple. As a domestic partner, there are no federal protections, you may not be able to make medical decisions for your partner or get recognized as immediate family to visit them in the hospital, and you are not universally seen as a united couple on the same level as a marriage. Also, in a marriage you are able to file your taxes jointly, except an inheritance from your spouse, allowed to change your name and eligible for Social Security Insurance. While as a domestic partner you can only file federal taxes separately, and if you are left an inheritance from your partner, there will be a tax penalty which is the same as if a stranger left someone an inheritance. As a domestic partner, you may only change your name with a court order and you are not eligible for Social Security Insurance. So, as you can see when comparing marriage to a domestic partnership, they are not the same. Domestic partnerships do not come with nearly as many benefits as married couples do.
The last opposition I want to address is the fact that people do not think same-sex marriages should be legalized because of their religious beliefs. I do not want to discuss what each religion and their materials say because I believe it is all up for interpretation. I do understand that all religions disapprove of homosexuality, but I think whether or not same-sex couples should be allowed to marry should be based on state, not church. Just like the Bill of Rights First Amendment (freedom of religion, press and expression) states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances” (Bill of Rights).
In this country, there is a separation of church and state. If a law would pass stating same-sex couples would be allowed to marry, that would not force religions to change their beliefs. I look at these as two separate entities. Religions can continue preaching as they wish regarding homosexuality. Same-sex couples will probably never be allowed to marry in churches, so that is religion’s way of not putting their stamp of approval on something they disagree with. Same-sex marriage does not dictate what a religion can and can not believe in, it just gives same-sex couples equal marital rights on a state level.
The world we live in is forever changing, so I think we should keep an open mind and roll with the punches so to speak. I am not asking you to change whether or not you believe in homosexuality; all I am asking is that you remember America is The Land of the Free and is about equality for all. If you believe that homosexuality is wrong, you are free to believe that. Changing ones mind on whether or not homosexuality is right or wrong was not the goal of Prop 8, nor is it my goal. I just want fellow Americans to see that marriage should not be discriminated against no matter heterosexual or homosexual in the eyes of the state.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Journal Entry
Today I will start the research I need to do for my persuasive essay that is due within the next couple of weeks. I hope that I can find a way to bring it all together in a clear, persuading way. I know this topic has so many different avenues. I think I will only focus on a few. Really, I want to focus on the topic I see it in my mind. We will see how it turns out.
Chapter 19 - Persuading Readers to Act - Exercise
Chapter 19: Persuading Readers to Act - Exercise
Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time - Pages 288 - 290 - Reading for Better Writing Exercise:
1. What is the writer arguing for and against? What does he want readers to do? Look at the question in the opening paragraph. What answer does Loeb present?
The writer is arguing for public participation. He wants the readers to be more active in speaking out and making this country and the world a better place for us and for our grandchildren to come. Loeb answers his question in paragraph one by telling the reader to stand up for what they believe in. He wants to the reader to understand that your voice/ opinion can matter. And he shows the reader some examples of how a person he knows and people from history have made a difference. He shows us how, in fact, people in history spent more time than you think in the causes for which they believed in.
2. What efforts does Loeb make to address readers’ questions, concerns, and opposing arguments? Are these efforts successful? Explain.
I think that Loeb points out in this essay how most people think that their voice does not matter or would never be heard no matter what they did or do. But he addresses this concern with his examples; showing how the people in these examples kept pushing and working towards the changes they believed in. With all their hard work it paid off for them in the end. Changes were made in favor of what they believed in.
3. Consider the examples Loeb offers: Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks. Do these examples work as support for the writer’s claims? Why or why not?
I believe these examples do work in favor of the writer’s claims. He shows the reader how these people; Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks kept working towards what they believed in. He showed how these individuals kept letting their voices be heard over and over again. He showed how maybe at first it seemed as though their claims went unnoticed or at first nothing changed. But with persistence, changes were made.
4. Broadly speaking, what is the author’s view of life, and how does that perspective come through in this essay?
I believe that the author’s view of life is that we, as human beings are not caring as much about the world around us. He believes that we are not thinking about the future of this world. We allow some to starve as others live with many riches. I believe the author thinks that we, as human begins, are not acting in a way that we should be. We allow extraordinary imbalances to take place. And most of all, we do not speak up about anything. We all kind of jut live in our own little bubbles. I think the author gives you something to think about when you read this essay. He makes you think of how you can change yourself to make a different in this world.
Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in a Cynical Time - Pages 288 - 290 - Reading for Better Writing Exercise:
1. What is the writer arguing for and against? What does he want readers to do? Look at the question in the opening paragraph. What answer does Loeb present?
The writer is arguing for public participation. He wants the readers to be more active in speaking out and making this country and the world a better place for us and for our grandchildren to come. Loeb answers his question in paragraph one by telling the reader to stand up for what they believe in. He wants to the reader to understand that your voice/ opinion can matter. And he shows the reader some examples of how a person he knows and people from history have made a difference. He shows us how, in fact, people in history spent more time than you think in the causes for which they believed in.
2. What efforts does Loeb make to address readers’ questions, concerns, and opposing arguments? Are these efforts successful? Explain.
I think that Loeb points out in this essay how most people think that their voice does not matter or would never be heard no matter what they did or do. But he addresses this concern with his examples; showing how the people in these examples kept pushing and working towards the changes they believed in. With all their hard work it paid off for them in the end. Changes were made in favor of what they believed in.
3. Consider the examples Loeb offers: Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks. Do these examples work as support for the writer’s claims? Why or why not?
I believe these examples do work in favor of the writer’s claims. He shows the reader how these people; Pete Knutson and Rosa Parks kept working towards what they believed in. He showed how these individuals kept letting their voices be heard over and over again. He showed how maybe at first it seemed as though their claims went unnoticed or at first nothing changed. But with persistence, changes were made.
4. Broadly speaking, what is the author’s view of life, and how does that perspective come through in this essay?
I believe that the author’s view of life is that we, as human beings are not caring as much about the world around us. He believes that we are not thinking about the future of this world. We allow some to starve as others live with many riches. I believe the author thinks that we, as human begins, are not acting in a way that we should be. We allow extraordinary imbalances to take place. And most of all, we do not speak up about anything. We all kind of jut live in our own little bubbles. I think the author gives you something to think about when you read this essay. He makes you think of how you can change yourself to make a different in this world.
Chapter 19 - Persuading Readers to Act - Summary
Chapter 19: Persuading Readers to Act - Summary
This chapter is all about how to write a persuasive paper and getting the reader to change their behavior, thinking or act upon something in a certain way. In choosing a topic for this essay, this chapter recommends choosing a topic that you are passionate about. Maybe your topic will be related to a personal experience you have had that raised some questions or a personal idea, some thought or fear that you think of often. Maybe your topic will have to do with a concern of the community, national or international affairs, or something you may not have an opinion on now, but would like to have a stance on. Regardless of what your topic is, make sure that it is debatable and that you are trying to persuade your reader, not to manipulate them. You want to make sure that your voice in your paper is passionate, thoughtful and sincere. When writing a persuasive paper you need to address both sides to the argument; your side and then the opposing side. I think the biggest thing I learned in this chapter is that when writing a persuasive paper, you need to think about whether you want to write on the whole issue or just one aspect of it. I think when writing my persuasive paper, I will need to keep this in mind. I think with any issue really, you can go down so many different avenues with it. I think I will look at my issue in its entirety and then try to just choose one aspect of it to write about.
This chapter is all about how to write a persuasive paper and getting the reader to change their behavior, thinking or act upon something in a certain way. In choosing a topic for this essay, this chapter recommends choosing a topic that you are passionate about. Maybe your topic will be related to a personal experience you have had that raised some questions or a personal idea, some thought or fear that you think of often. Maybe your topic will have to do with a concern of the community, national or international affairs, or something you may not have an opinion on now, but would like to have a stance on. Regardless of what your topic is, make sure that it is debatable and that you are trying to persuade your reader, not to manipulate them. You want to make sure that your voice in your paper is passionate, thoughtful and sincere. When writing a persuasive paper you need to address both sides to the argument; your side and then the opposing side. I think the biggest thing I learned in this chapter is that when writing a persuasive paper, you need to think about whether you want to write on the whole issue or just one aspect of it. I think when writing my persuasive paper, I will need to keep this in mind. I think with any issue really, you can go down so many different avenues with it. I think I will look at my issue in its entirety and then try to just choose one aspect of it to write about.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Exercise
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Exercise
Reading for Better Writing - “An Apology for the Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll”
Pages 265 - 266 - Exercise:
1. The word apology can mean defense, as well as a statement of regret for wrongdoing. Is the use of the word fitting in the title? Why or why not?
I don’t really think that the word apology in the title of this article is fitting. I think that the use of that word in the title gives a tone of sarcasm to the article. I can see how the author uses the word apology in the title as more of a defense to the Barbie doll, but I am not sure if I’d use that word. I think I would have a title more along the lines of, “The Misjudged Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll.”
2. This essay is a counterargument that replies heavily on logic and personal experience for support. How does the writer treat the original source? How do concessions and rebuttals function in this argument?
I think the reader treats the original source with a great deal of insult. Almost as if this author feels the original source has no clue what they were talking about. I think that the idea to a good argumentative or persuasive paper is not to bash the opposing side, but to have an open mind and gently make rebuttals to it. I feel this author was offended deeply by the original source.
Reading for Better Writing - “An Apology for the Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll”
Pages 265 - 266 - Exercise:
1. The word apology can mean defense, as well as a statement of regret for wrongdoing. Is the use of the word fitting in the title? Why or why not?
I don’t really think that the word apology in the title of this article is fitting. I think that the use of that word in the title gives a tone of sarcasm to the article. I can see how the author uses the word apology in the title as more of a defense to the Barbie doll, but I am not sure if I’d use that word. I think I would have a title more along the lines of, “The Misjudged Life of Ms. Barbie D. Doll.”
2. This essay is a counterargument that replies heavily on logic and personal experience for support. How does the writer treat the original source? How do concessions and rebuttals function in this argument?
I think the reader treats the original source with a great deal of insult. Almost as if this author feels the original source has no clue what they were talking about. I think that the idea to a good argumentative or persuasive paper is not to bash the opposing side, but to have an open mind and gently make rebuttals to it. I feel this author was offended deeply by the original source.
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Summary
Chapter 18 - Taking a Position Summary
This chapter really focuses on teaching the reader how to take a stand on a topic and write a persuasive paper on that stand. There are guidelines that you need to follow in order to make this happen. The first step is to select and narrow a topic. You need to choose a topic that you care about and then decide which angle you would like to use to explain the topic. Before you start writing you need to make sure that you have a stance on your beliefs when it comes to the topic you chose. Then you want to build your position to be defendable. You need to make sure you understand all possible positions that are out there regarding your topic. You need to do some research, find pros and cons, statistics, analysis, experiences, observations, and/ or expert testimony on your subject. Make sure that you watch out for fallacies. You don’t want your writing to have any slanted language, generalizations, oversimplifications, or have either/ or thinking. Once you have researched your topic, you need to refine your position. In the chapter, they give you a formula to use, which is, “I believe this to be true about…” Then you can choose your organization method you wish to use for your essay. There are a few different types outlined in this chapter. These different methods are traditional pattern, blatant confessions, delayed gratification, changed mind or winning over. Once you decide how to organize your essay, you can write your first draft. You want to be sure to grab the reader’s attention, clarify and support your position, stress your position or ask the reader for action, and make sure to choose a bold title that offers a glimpse into your stance. Then you will want to get feedback, revise your writing, edit & proofread your essay and then publish it. When reading this chapter and looking over the guidelines outlined in this chapter for taking a position and writing a persuasive essay, I was thinking about my upcoming essay. I was thinking about what form of organization I would use. I think my plan right now is to use the traditional method of organization. This method has you introduce your issue, state your position, support it, address and refute the opposition and then restate your issue to close. I think this method will work best for me. Who knows, maybe once I start my research, my organization method of my upcoming essay will change. We will have to see.
This chapter really focuses on teaching the reader how to take a stand on a topic and write a persuasive paper on that stand. There are guidelines that you need to follow in order to make this happen. The first step is to select and narrow a topic. You need to choose a topic that you care about and then decide which angle you would like to use to explain the topic. Before you start writing you need to make sure that you have a stance on your beliefs when it comes to the topic you chose. Then you want to build your position to be defendable. You need to make sure you understand all possible positions that are out there regarding your topic. You need to do some research, find pros and cons, statistics, analysis, experiences, observations, and/ or expert testimony on your subject. Make sure that you watch out for fallacies. You don’t want your writing to have any slanted language, generalizations, oversimplifications, or have either/ or thinking. Once you have researched your topic, you need to refine your position. In the chapter, they give you a formula to use, which is, “I believe this to be true about…” Then you can choose your organization method you wish to use for your essay. There are a few different types outlined in this chapter. These different methods are traditional pattern, blatant confessions, delayed gratification, changed mind or winning over. Once you decide how to organize your essay, you can write your first draft. You want to be sure to grab the reader’s attention, clarify and support your position, stress your position or ask the reader for action, and make sure to choose a bold title that offers a glimpse into your stance. Then you will want to get feedback, revise your writing, edit & proofread your essay and then publish it. When reading this chapter and looking over the guidelines outlined in this chapter for taking a position and writing a persuasive essay, I was thinking about my upcoming essay. I was thinking about what form of organization I would use. I think my plan right now is to use the traditional method of organization. This method has you introduce your issue, state your position, support it, address and refute the opposition and then restate your issue to close. I think this method will work best for me. Who knows, maybe once I start my research, my organization method of my upcoming essay will change. We will have to see.
Chapter 17 - Strategies for Argumentation and Persuasion Summary
Chapter 17 - Strategies for Argumentation and Persuasion Summary
In this chapter you learn about strategies of argument and persuasion. In a persuasive argument you are trying to get a person (your reader or listener) to think or feel a certain way or to act on something. In order to build a persuasive argument, there are some necessary steps to take. First you must prepare your argument. You need to know who your audience is and know your goal. You also need to gather evidence and ideas that support your argument and develop reasoning. You must make and qualify your claim by drawing conclusions based on the evidence that you gathered. You need to add qualifiers into your argument. Some examples listed in the chapter are words like, typically, sometimes, almost and often. You should try to avoid making all or nothing claims or extreme claims. So, stay clear of words like, all, best, never or worst. And avoid obvious or unsupported claims as well. Next you want to support your claim. To support your claim you will need evidence. A few examples of evidence that you can use would be observations, statistics, analogies, and predictions. Make sure all of your evidence is accurate, complete, relevant, current, authoritative and appealing. While showing the evidence you gathered, use patterns of inductive or deductive logic. I also learned that you need to identify fallacies. There are several different types of fallacies that can be within an argument. Some of these types of fallacies are trying to distort the issue, sabotage the argument, draw faulty conclusions, misuse evidence, or misuse language. Also, when building a persuasive argument, you want to make sure to engage the opposing side. You do so by acknowledging the opposition and develop rebuttals to it as well. In this chapter I learned there are three types of claims you can make in an argument. These types of claims are claims of truth, claims of value, and claims of policy. Claims of truth state whether something is or is not the case. Claims of value show whether something does or does not have worth. And claims of policy show what ought to be or ought not to be. I also learned that in an argument you need to be able to distinguish a claim from fact and/ or opinion. A claim is a conclusion in which was drawn from logical thought and reliable evidence. A fact is a statement that can be checked for accuracy and an opinion is a personal attitude toward something. I think for myself, the rule in building a persuasive argument that stuck out for me was to have a rebuttal for the opposing side. I believe that really can make your argument whole or complete.
In this chapter you learn about strategies of argument and persuasion. In a persuasive argument you are trying to get a person (your reader or listener) to think or feel a certain way or to act on something. In order to build a persuasive argument, there are some necessary steps to take. First you must prepare your argument. You need to know who your audience is and know your goal. You also need to gather evidence and ideas that support your argument and develop reasoning. You must make and qualify your claim by drawing conclusions based on the evidence that you gathered. You need to add qualifiers into your argument. Some examples listed in the chapter are words like, typically, sometimes, almost and often. You should try to avoid making all or nothing claims or extreme claims. So, stay clear of words like, all, best, never or worst. And avoid obvious or unsupported claims as well. Next you want to support your claim. To support your claim you will need evidence. A few examples of evidence that you can use would be observations, statistics, analogies, and predictions. Make sure all of your evidence is accurate, complete, relevant, current, authoritative and appealing. While showing the evidence you gathered, use patterns of inductive or deductive logic. I also learned that you need to identify fallacies. There are several different types of fallacies that can be within an argument. Some of these types of fallacies are trying to distort the issue, sabotage the argument, draw faulty conclusions, misuse evidence, or misuse language. Also, when building a persuasive argument, you want to make sure to engage the opposing side. You do so by acknowledging the opposition and develop rebuttals to it as well. In this chapter I learned there are three types of claims you can make in an argument. These types of claims are claims of truth, claims of value, and claims of policy. Claims of truth state whether something is or is not the case. Claims of value show whether something does or does not have worth. And claims of policy show what ought to be or ought not to be. I also learned that in an argument you need to be able to distinguish a claim from fact and/ or opinion. A claim is a conclusion in which was drawn from logical thought and reliable evidence. A fact is a statement that can be checked for accuracy and an opinion is a personal attitude toward something. I think for myself, the rule in building a persuasive argument that stuck out for me was to have a rebuttal for the opposing side. I believe that really can make your argument whole or complete.
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