Reading Response #5

In my argument essay I explored the role of the fast food industry in the recent obesity epidemic. Currently, over half of the American population is overweight or obese. In fact, Schlosser, the author of Fast Food Nation, writes that, “we are a nation literally eating itself to death.” With the alarming rise obesity rates, some people are turning toward the fast food industry to lay blame. Its no secret that fast food restaurants can be seen everywhere today. With the high pace lifestyle of Americans, fast food restaurants are in high demand because they provide a quick and inexpensive meal for those always on the go.  In fact, 40% of American meals are eaten outside of the home. However, many people are not aware of the hidden dangers of fast food. Though fast food meals offer large portions of food for your buck, they are low in nutritional value and high in fat. On one hand, arguments have been made for the addictiveness of fast food. Foods high in fat can actually stimulate opioids or 'pleasure chemicals' in the brain, which can cause people to become overly dependent upon it. The consumption of fast food, though, is still largely a matter of personal choice. In my paper, my main argument is not to defend the fast food industry, but to point out that there many other factors that are influencing the nation’s weight. People are increasingly grabbing meals on the run to accommodate busy lifestyles and are missing out on the nutritional value that home cooked meals offer. Also, people today have become increasingly sedentary-driving to work instead of walking, performing little manual labor, driving to do errands, watching television, playing video games, and using a computer instead of exercising. It is clear that the nation less physically active than it was just a few years ago. Budget cuts have also limited the amount of physical activity students get at schools. In fact, 50 percent of teens get no vigorous exercise on a regular basis. In conclusion, obesity is not a direct result of the wide availability and convenience of fast food restaurants, but a culmination of many other factors of the American lifestyle. If America wants to loose weight, we must take responsibility for our own decisions instead of pointing fingers at the fast food industry.

There are many factors that go into creating an effective argument. As we discussed in class, the rhetorical situation explains that there is a dynamic relationship between the writer, reader, and subject of a writing situation. As Ballenger writes, good writing is not just a matter of following grammatical rules, but learning that different writing situations require something different. For example, a text message to a friend and a formal research paper vary greatly in the type of writing styles they convey. It is also important to understand your own purpose for writing the paper and the people for whom you are writing for. In persuasive writing, it is especially important to understand your audience. By doing so, you can create strong and highly effective arguments. In my argument essay specifically, I was writing largely to inform the general American public of the problems associated with obesity and to inspire them to make healthier lifestyle changes. Because my paper was written in an academic setting, it was also highly formal in tone.

Different mediums for your argument, such as commercials, billboard ads, or magazine ads, can also effect how you express your opinions. Ballenger writes that using text and images can actually be a powerful way to present an argument. In these types of ads, understanding your audience is still of importance, but it is also necessary to evaluate the sensory aspects of your visual. For example, the use of bright colors and different font styles can draw readers to the main focus of your ad.  Also, placing the main image of the ad in the center of the page can help readers focus on the central argument being made.

To revise my argument for a new medium and audience, I have decided to create a magazine ad that promotes a healthier lifestyle for college students. Because I will be presenting my ad to the class, I wanted to find a way to relate my essay to my classmates own lives specifically. Since fast food is convenient and cheap, it is a large part of the typical college life. Schlosser writes in his book that the typical American now consumes approximately three hamburgers and four orders of French fries every week and that the typical college student probably eats twice as many. Students going away to college are pre-warned about gaining the infamous “freshman 15,” as they very well should be. College students nowadays spend more of their leisure time indoors: playing video games, watching movies and TV. They are much less physically active than previous generations of students. They are also increasingly grabbing meals on the run from fast food restaurants to accommodate busy lifestyles. Breaking the fast food addiction can be hard, but I want to inspire college students to adopt healthier habits with my ad. I am not quite sure what my ad will be composed of specifically yet, but I do have some rough ideas. I want to show a picture of a student before they enter college, at a healthy weight and holding perhaps a carrot and a basketball, and then in comparison a picture of an obese college student playing video games and eating fast food. I want these images to be mostly black on a white background, except for maybe the carrot and the fast food, so they stand out to my audience. I will also use text to persuade my audience. Somewhere in the ad I will include some variation of the phrase “Stop Fattening America.” Through the use of text, images, and color, I hope to effectively present my argument to a new audience.

Word Count: 982

 

Reading Response #4

In their essays, Mangu-Ward, Joh, and Quarmby rely on various types of research and multiple perspectives to support their claims about the expectations of privacy outlined in the Fourth Amendment.

All of the author’s explore different topics in the popular Fourth Amendment debate, but their essays do share a common structure. In “The Curious Writer,” Ballenger states that, “ the best argument essays make a clear claim, but they do it by bowing respectfully to the complexity of the subject” (273). Ballenger explains this writing style as one of discovery, where “initially withholding judgment and asking questions” can lead to a central argument (272). Mangu-Ward, Joh, and Quarmby each use this technique to help guide their research. For example, Joh poses various questions about the use of abandoned DNA throughout her paper. She begins by asking in her introduction, “What are the consequences of allowing this investigative method to remain unregulated?” (30) As the paper develops, she proposes more questions, such as, “what should happen to samples of abandoned DNA? And To what uses could the samples be put? “ (33).  These questions help her to eventually build her central claim which appears fully in her conclusion when she writes that DNA data banking itself is not bad, but that it has arisen “without general public awareness and without discussion of how it may be regulated against abuse” (36).  In his essay, Quarmby’s main argument is that the Fourth amendment does not necessarily protect citizens from the futuristic idea of national identification cards.  To support this claim, he draws on more than one side of the controversial topic. At one point, he quotes a Harvard law Professor who argues that, “the state should create a “near foolproof system of identification using fingerprints, or for even greater accuracy, DNA information” to improve national security (38). He then turns right around and explains the opponents’ argument, writing that, “that the scope of the suggested DNA identification system should be limited” (38). Mangu-Ward does much of the same in her essay, which examines the constitutionality of surveillance cameras in regards to the Fourth Amendment. She claims that “debate about the use and abuse of surveillance cameras is worthwhile,” but that giving up some privacy creates many security benefits” (11).  In her paper, she points out both the negative side of camera surveillance, such as the several cases of video camera abuse in courts today (12), and also the positive side, including citizen protection from police misbehavior, (13) to create her argument. The common “discovery” technique that Quarmby, Magnu-Ward, and Joh use in their writing is highly effective. By exploring multiple perspectives, all three authors do not just make claims, but examine the assumptions and reasons behind their claims. This allows them to create convincing and unbiased arguments.

Each of the three authors uses a different source of research to support their central claims, all of which, I think, are equally effective. Mangu-Ward’s essay is unique in that she draws on personal experience as evidence by occasionally adding her own opinion throughout the paper. In regards to the extensive amounts of records authority have access to, she writes, “My credit card company has long known where I buy underwear, but I don’t lay awake nights worried that prosecutors might demand knowledge of my preferences in skivvies” (12).  This technique is somewhat humorous and also effective because it adds yet another perspective to the essay. Joh’s essay, on the other hand, employs mostly primary research. She is a law professor at the University of California at Davis and conducts research in the areas of criminal law and procedure (36). She occasionally makes reference to secondary sources, but much of the research is her own. Her evidence, though, is still made up facts, which provides the reader with hard evidence of her opinion. Finally, the majority of Quarmby’s evidence comes from secondary research. He relies on outside sources to back up the claims he is making. His reference to other sources makes his claims appear more legitimate and less like an opinion. Though each essay contains different types research, each author uses the variety of sources in an effective and convincing manner.

My own beliefs and values do have some effect on how I read these essays. I have heard about these topics before, and therefore, approach the articles with somewhat of a bias. I am already firm in my beliefs and am less willing, therefore, to accept new ideas. This presents a challenge to the author because it is more difficult for him/her to persuade me of the claim they are making.

Word Count: 770

 

Reading Response #3

Casassa’s and Dudley’s ethnographies are unique, however, they both use many of the methods presented by Ballenger to explore different subcultures in their essays. Ballenger states that the purpose of an ethnographic work is to “inquiry into a culture to expose the web in which members of a group are enmeshed” (371).  In “The Coffee Shop” and “The Dope on Head Shops,” Casassa and Dudley analyze the essential qualities of two different places to discover how a specific group of people identifies with them. While discussing possible subjects for an ethnography, Ballenger writes that there probably is not a distinct coffeehouse culture, but I believe Casassa proves him wrong with her essay. Through her research, she explains that the regulars at the Gourmet are not just coffee addicts, but “creatures of habit” who are “living rhythmic lives” (B36). The personal and familiar atmosphere of the shop keeps the customers returning somewhat religiously, and creates a unique counterculture among the regulars. Besides being a source of consistency in people’s lives, Casassa writes that the “small coffee shop creates a sense of family not often found in commercialized chains” (B35). To effectively explain this subculture of the Gourmet, she relies on observations and interviews for evidence, both of which are research methods introduced by Ballenger. As many ethnographers do, Casassa spends time in the natural setting of the subculture observing the activities of its group members. She is no outsider, though. Her observation is rather personal and comes from the time she spent as an employee at the shop. I think her own experience reinforces the idea of the common bond the Gourmet creates for people. Reflecting on her typical workday, Casassa describes it as, “hectic, exhausting, comfortable, familiar…just right” (B35).  Her interview with one of the regulars, Dennis, also helps define the subculture. Dennis comments that, “there exists a certain ritualism here. Everyone has their own little niche” (B36). According to Ballenger, rituals, like the one Denis describes here, are an important part of defining a subculture. Overall, I believe that Casassa’s essay is largely subjective. Even though Ballenger recommends that ethnographers “overcome the potential screen of subjectivity” (374), I think Casassa’s personal connections with the Gourmet are, however, vital in helping explain the significance of the shop to its loyal customers.

In “The Dope on the Slope,” Dudley does not have a personal tie with his subject like Casassa, but his essay still fits Ballenger’s definition of an ethnography. Ballenger explains that in certain subcultures, members of the group have their own personal beliefs but can still identify with the group indirectly (373).  Dudley writes that the Hempest appeals to a “diverse range of customers,” from the “legalization activist, to the vegetarian naturalist, to the counter culturally fashionable teenager” (B41, B42). Though they may have different motives, each of these customers has a common interest in hemp products. In contrast to “The Coffee Shop,” Dudley’s essay is mostly objective and also uses secondary research to explain his subject. Dudley spends less time than Casassa describing the behaviors of the customers who enter the two shops. He does, however, explain that, “customers frequent the shop for a variety of reasons, including the desire to show political and economic support for both hemp products and for marijuana” (B41). To back this claim up, he relies quotes in the Boston Globe from some of the Hempest’s regular customers about their attraction to hemp products. Throughout the essay, Dudley also uses secondary sources to provide the background, history and controversies surrounding hemp products. For example, Dudley quotes a Rolling Stone magazine to explain how hemp stores were created as “a store that would sell anything an acid head might be interested in” (B39).  I think that the objectiveness of his essay is not as effective in comparison to Casassa’s essay. Dudley does not have a personal connection with his topic, which makes it difficult for me to understand how customers of the Hempest identify themselves as group members.

Trying to find a balance between subjective writing and objective writing in my paper will be a challenge. During my research, I want to be objective so I can see the subculture as a group member would see it. However, I do not want to be too much of an outsider like Dudley. I want to be able to find a way to connect to the counterculture I choose, and find a way that their values, beliefs, or rituals can have meaning in my own life.

 

Word Count: 757 

Research Essay Topic

I am having a really difficult time figuring out my topic for my paper. One of the things I am really interested in is health and fitness, so I have been trying to come up with some ideas in that realm. I have two ideas so far, and they are sort of random, but oh well. I was thinking of writing about chocolate and how it affects your mood and has some health benefits. My other idea is laughter. I have found some studies that show that there are a lot of health benefits to laughter and I think thats pretty cool because i love to laugh!! I want to tie my own personal experiences in my paper and I am not sure how to do that with these topics, which is why i am unsure about them. I may not end up writing about either of these, though, but they've got me brainstorming!

Reading Response #2

In “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan,” Holmquist and Garrett-Brown use many of the writing techniques described by Ballenger to form discovery essays rather than traditional research papers. 

One of the first typical features of discovery essays that the writers demonstrate is the source of inspiration for their writing. Ballenger states that in discovery essays the topic should be “driven by questions, rather than answers” and that the authors should write with an intention “not to prove but to discover” (432, 430).  Holmquist and Garret-Brown use this idea of personal inquiry as they rely on their own experiences to guide not only the direction of their research but the development of their papers as well. In “Why Do People Tan?” Garret-Brown bluntly remarks about the origin of her paper stating, “This started as a simple question spurred by one of my occasional ‘people are so stupid rants’” (459).  She uses her own inquisitiveness and desire for self-evaluation to properly guide her research. The topic of Holmquist’s essay also stems from a personal experience. After a grueling debate with his friends, Holmquist becomes curious to discover “what would make these people feel so passionately about their pro- or anti-drug views” (B24).

Another reason Holmquist and Garrett-Brown’s works are considered to be discovery essays is that each author uses their own voice in the presentation of their research. In “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan?” both authors mix accounts of their personal stories and emotions with the research they have conducted. They are constantly shifting back and forth between citied research and their own commentary. One example of that is when Holmquist combines information from an academic source with his own knowledge writing, “In a recent survey, 51 percent of twelfth graders could easily get MDMA…and I know LSD and GHB are a lot easier to get” (B25). In one part of “Why Do People Tan?” Garrett-Brown relies on statistics from Seventeen magazine to help her better understand her own reasoning for tanning (460). She is unsure of her own intentions, and her use of statistics on the purpose of tanning helps her to explore possible reasons why.  Both authors’ clearly follow Ballenger’s idea that research should be “used in the service of what their writings are trying to say about their topics” (433).

Holmquist and Garret-Brown also employ many of the conventions described by Ballenger as typical of research essays in their writing. These techniques include the citation of sources, using multiple types of sources, and having a clearly defined thesis (Ballenger 433).  In both of the essays, the authors include a works cited page at the end of the paper to give proper credit to their sources. The two essays do not rely strictly on these academic sources, though. Holmquist and Garrett-Brown also use their own perspectives to explore their topics further. In “An Experience in Acronyms,” Holmquist uses his experiences with LSD to expand his research. After describing the hallucinogen nature of the drug with research, he compares his findings to his own experience with LSD in which he could “hear music throughout his whole body” and “move objects around with the power of his mind” (B25).  Garret-Brown also includes her own opinion in her essay. After discussing possible reasons people tan, she describes her own intentions behind tanning by explaining that she feels better when she is “not so starkly white” (460).  Lastly, both Holmquist and Garrett-Brown have a clearly stated thesis that helps them organize their research and maintain focus on their central questions. Like many discovery essay’s Holmquist’s thesis comes at the end of the paper. Holmquist writes, “I have my whole life ahead of me still and I don’t want to end up as another statistic or have one of my friends write a paper like this because of me” (B29). His paper begins with his question about the effects of different drugs on the human body and through his research and reflection on his own experiences, ends with his discovery that the world of drugs was not for him. Garrett-Brown’s own personal discovery and thesis about the truth of sun tanning comes at the end of her essay as well when she writes, “I’m not condoning the 1976 ‘Savage Tan’ or complete ignorance of the dangers of a depleted ozone and proof that severe sunburns lead to cancers, but I think there must be some middle ground” (460). She began her essay by second guessing her own reasons for tanning and came to the conclusion that even though there are many negative side effects to it, tanning is not all bad.

Holmquist and Garret-Brown adequately follow Ballenger’s guidelines for research essays, allowing for their own personal discovery and a clear message for their readers. Both “An Experience in Acronyms” and “Why Do People Tan?” have helped me brainstorm for my own research essay. Though I am still unsure of what my topic will be, I now have a better understanding of how to incorporate my own voice into my research.

Word Count: 810

Reading Response #1

Black and Hogg’s essays, “I’m a Believer” and “The Joy of Mud,” each describe a unique experience, however, they share many of the same conventions discussed by Ballenger as typical of many personal essays. The most obvious similarity between the two writings is that they are both written in the first person. The use of “I” allows the readers to see into the thoughts and feelings of the authors during each of their experiences. Both of the author’s also write with a “commonplace”, which Ballenger describes as an activity typical of everyday life, as their subject (94). Not everyone may share in Hogg’s obsession with the Monkees lead singer Davy, but most people have a favorite performer that they prefer over any musician. As for Black’s essay, the majority of people can relate to the idea of a town or city having a deeper meaning personally. Both Black and Hogg use a narrative method to write about their subjects. The essays tell the reader more than just the facts; they go deeper into the story and explore the actual thoughts of the authors. In “I’m a Believer” Hogg recounts the moment she realizes the truth about Davy by saying, “I accept, finally, that this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer, am just a fan” (B10). Hogg allows readers to see her own thought process in order to help them understand the meaning behind her essay. Hogg does occasionally deviate from the typical form of personal essays in her work, though, to write in a more informative style. Mixed in with her account of her obsession with Davy, is a lot of background and historical information on the Monkees themselves. However, much of the detail she provides is necessary for the reader to understand her heinous obsession with Davy. Unlike Hogg, Black uses mostly narrative to recount her experience. In “The Joy of Mud,” Black also lets the readers see into her head.  When Black first discovers the beauty of the Waiahole Valley she had always ignored growing up, she states that she was “stunned by the realization that this place has always existed” (B12). During her journey, Black undergoes a learning process that she allows her readers to watch develop. Another way Hogg and Black’s essays follow the typical pattern of personal essays described by Ballenger is the way they both acquire research for their topics. Since both authors relate their emotions directly to the readers, the majority of their essays rely on personal observation for information on their subject. Though Hogg’s “I’m a Believer” contains some technical information on the Monkees, most of the plot is developed through Hogg’s actual experience with Davy and the band. Both authors also employ the dialectical process to help them form their essays. Hogg and Black shift back and forth from the past and present and show what happened to them rather than just tell what did. In “ I’m a Believer” Hogg begins her story as a 15 year old and then later jumps ahead to her encounter with Davy as a 27 year old. As for Black, she begins her story in the present and then travels to the past to give the reader’s background information, and finally returns to the present for the conclusion of her essay. Also, Hogg and Black’s use of personal emotions allows them to develop their story, rather than just state the facts. Finally, Hogg and Black both introduce a vague thesis at the end of their essays, leaving much room for interpretation from readers. Personally, I believe the message Hogg is trying to relate to her readers is that sometimes people do not always know others as well as they thought they did. For instance, someone they idolize could turn out to be not as admirable once they really get to know him or her. This idea comes from one of Hogg’s final thoughts, “…this person I know so well I don’t really know at all, and I, the daydream believer am just a fan” (B10). Black’s thesis and message also comes at the end of her work. Black reflects on her day in the Waiahole Valley by saying, “I’ll have to admit that I’m only at the beginning of a path I never expected to travel” (B15).  Her discovery of her love for her hometown is an example of how people should not let places or experiences pass them by because they might miss the beauty in them. Hogg and Black’s use of first person, commonplace subjects, narrative, and emotion help them to develop meaningful and powerful personal essays.

Word Count: 760

Hey guys!! My name is Shelby Hart and I'm from Hutchinson, Kansas. I'm majoring in health and fitness and I want to be a personal trainer someday. I played tennis and pole vaulted for the track team in high school. I was also in our school's show choir and danced competitively at a studio. I am obsessed with The Hills, Gossip Girl, and So You Think You Can Dance. I love chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. And i love to laugh!