Toulmin
These are some arguments I have observed among friends and family.
Claim: Television is harmful to the education of children.
Reason: Television distracts children from studying.
Warrant: What distracts children from studying is harmful to their education.
Claim: The city of New Orleans should reinstitute a recycling program.
Reason: Recycling is beneficial to the environment.
Warrant: The city of New Orleans should support programs that are beneficial to the environment.
Claim: Child beauty pageants are unethical.
Reason: They teach little girls that appearance is all that matters and harms their self-esteem.
Warrant: What harms children’s self-esteems is unethical.
Claim: Eating meat is wrong.
Reason: Eating animals is cruel treatment.
Warrant: What is considered cruel treatment is wrong.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Topic Proposal for Essay 1: Is Scientology a Cult?
Claim: Scientology is a cult, not a religion.
Reasons: a cult is a “religious devotion directed toward a particular figure or object” and a group that society views to “impose excessive control over members” (The Concise Oxford English Dictionary), there is a large amount of devotion directed toward the group’s founder (science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the group brainwashes and controls its members, and it costs its members large sums of money.
Warrants: the reasons previously listed are characteristic of a cult.
This argument deserves attention because the organization of Scientology is becoming more and more powerful. They are starting to gain more members in general, but also more celebrity members such as Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and John Travolta. The “religion” seems to be becoming a fad in Hollywood and in the general public. There are new Scientology centers popping up everywhere, and anyone thinking about getting involved in this community or are exposed to Scientology should question what the organization’s real motives are.
Through this argument I want to reach anyone a part of, thinking to join, or influenced by the Organization of Scientology. It is important for everyone to understand how the organization lowers the individual’s self-esteem and confidence in order to take advantage of them.
The main argument I anticipate on encountering is that Scientology has also been very charitable to different communities over the years. This is just part of the organizations image to try to help people better their lives. It is an effort to build trust with unstable people in order to take advantage of them.
Claim: Scientology is a cult, not a religion.
Reasons: a cult is a “religious devotion directed toward a particular figure or object” and a group that society views to “impose excessive control over members” (The Concise Oxford English Dictionary), there is a large amount of devotion directed toward the group’s founder (science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the group brainwashes and controls its members, and it costs its members large sums of money.
Warrants: the reasons previously listed are characteristic of a cult.
This argument deserves attention because the organization of Scientology is becoming more and more powerful. They are starting to gain more members in general, but also more celebrity members such as Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, and John Travolta. The “religion” seems to be becoming a fad in Hollywood and in the general public. There are new Scientology centers popping up everywhere, and anyone thinking about getting involved in this community or are exposed to Scientology should question what the organization’s real motives are.
Through this argument I want to reach anyone a part of, thinking to join, or influenced by the Organization of Scientology. It is important for everyone to understand how the organization lowers the individual’s self-esteem and confidence in order to take advantage of them.
The main argument I anticipate on encountering is that Scientology has also been very charitable to different communities over the years. This is just part of the organizations image to try to help people better their lives. It is an effort to build trust with unstable people in order to take advantage of them.
Logos
The logos of an argument are a logical appeal as opposed to the emotional appeal. In order to achieve logos one must some kind of factual proof or reason to support a statement or claim. Facts are a solid support for any argument when they come from a reliable and consistent source. For example, facts found in a scientific journal are more reliable and therefore better support for an argument than information found in the National Inquirer.
Using statistic is another way to appeal to logos. The use of numbers and percentages really help readers to visualize the point that the author is trying to get across. The weakness to statistics is that opposing arguments can present the same statistic in a different way that supports their claims.
Facts based on personal experience and testimonies are also useful to include in an argument. There are some arguments that may call for someone to recall the events in situation; in this case facts based on personal experience become very important. This approach can be weak because people have a tendency to perceive different situations differently. This is why the facts presented by someone’s personal experience are stronger if they are backed up by someone else’s experience or a different form of logos.
The logos of an argument are a logical appeal as opposed to the emotional appeal. In order to achieve logos one must some kind of factual proof or reason to support a statement or claim. Facts are a solid support for any argument when they come from a reliable and consistent source. For example, facts found in a scientific journal are more reliable and therefore better support for an argument than information found in the National Inquirer.
Using statistic is another way to appeal to logos. The use of numbers and percentages really help readers to visualize the point that the author is trying to get across. The weakness to statistics is that opposing arguments can present the same statistic in a different way that supports their claims.
Facts based on personal experience and testimonies are also useful to include in an argument. There are some arguments that may call for someone to recall the events in situation; in this case facts based on personal experience become very important. This approach can be weak because people have a tendency to perceive different situations differently. This is why the facts presented by someone’s personal experience are stronger if they are backed up by someone else’s experience or a different form of logos.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Topic proposal for essay 2: Genetically Engineered Foods
Claim: Genetically engineered foods are unnecessary and harmful to society
Reasons: it created “super weeds”, farmers have to use stronger pesticides, a few companies will develop a monopoly over the produce market and control the prices, the future effects of genetically engineered foods are not fully tested, the production of genetically engineered foods have not been sufficiently tested, and it simply goes against the laws of nature.
Warrants: all the reasons listed are harmful to society
This issue deserves attention because the use of genetically engineered foods is becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Everyone should understand where their food is coming from and to what process it is being exposed. We should all be concerned if these genetically engineered foods could have any health or environmental results.
Through this argument I am hoping to reach the average American consumer. Anyone that shops at any grocery store that is not all organic runs the chance of purchasing and consuming genetically engineered foods.
Claim: Genetically engineered foods are unnecessary and harmful to society
Reasons: it created “super weeds”, farmers have to use stronger pesticides, a few companies will develop a monopoly over the produce market and control the prices, the future effects of genetically engineered foods are not fully tested, the production of genetically engineered foods have not been sufficiently tested, and it simply goes against the laws of nature.
Warrants: all the reasons listed are harmful to society
This issue deserves attention because the use of genetically engineered foods is becoming more prevalent in today’s society. Everyone should understand where their food is coming from and to what process it is being exposed. We should all be concerned if these genetically engineered foods could have any health or environmental results.
Through this argument I am hoping to reach the average American consumer. Anyone that shops at any grocery store that is not all organic runs the chance of purchasing and consuming genetically engineered foods.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Topic proposal for essay 3: Is fast food the reason that childhood obesity has increased?
Claim: fast food is one of the reasons that childhood obesity has increased
Reasons: it is inexpensive, it is easy to get, there are more and more fast food places catering toward children, more mothers are in the work force and do not have as much time to cook, fast food places give very few healthy options
Warrants: unhealthy food causes obesity, fast food is unhealthy
Thesis: Fast food has increased childhood obesity because it is inexpensive, convenient, and working mothers do not have as much tie to prepare a healthy meal.
This is an important argument because it deals with the health of our nation’s youth. Childhood obesity can create many other emotional and physical problems in youth including low self-esteem and childhood obesity. Many times fast food is the easiest and cheapest way for busy parents to feed their children, but it is by far not the healthiest.
This argument is directed towards parents that resort to fast food as a way to feed their children. They could be concerned because they could possibly be creating a lifestyle that the child will struggle with for a large part of his or her life.
Arguments from the opposing side would include that fast food places will inform customers of the nutritional value of their food if they ask. Also some places have added more healthy options.
Claim: fast food is one of the reasons that childhood obesity has increased
Reasons: it is inexpensive, it is easy to get, there are more and more fast food places catering toward children, more mothers are in the work force and do not have as much time to cook, fast food places give very few healthy options
Warrants: unhealthy food causes obesity, fast food is unhealthy
Thesis: Fast food has increased childhood obesity because it is inexpensive, convenient, and working mothers do not have as much tie to prepare a healthy meal.
This is an important argument because it deals with the health of our nation’s youth. Childhood obesity can create many other emotional and physical problems in youth including low self-esteem and childhood obesity. Many times fast food is the easiest and cheapest way for busy parents to feed their children, but it is by far not the healthiest.
This argument is directed towards parents that resort to fast food as a way to feed their children. They could be concerned because they could possibly be creating a lifestyle that the child will struggle with for a large part of his or her life.
Arguments from the opposing side would include that fast food places will inform customers of the nutritional value of their food if they ask. Also some places have added more healthy options.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
American Idol
One of the most interesting phenomena in the United States is the popularity of reality TV. One of the most popular shows is American Idol. People like shows like American Idol so much because it stars everyday people just like themselves. They can relate to the people on the screen and the contestants could be their neighbor or their friends. American Idol appeals to the idea of the American Dream, before the show you could make a living serving hamburgers and after the show you could be famous touring the world. People like to watch show like American Idol because they like the idea that it could be them or someone they know living the American Dream.
Another reason that American Idol is so popular is that people love to watch the auditions in the beginning. These auditions are filled with people that can not sing. Watching the audition episodes can be humorous but also mildly cruel as Simon Cowell harshly rejects contestants that think they are genuinely talented. The reason that this is so appealing to the American public goes back to the simple fact that people love comedy. The contestants’ awful singing and Simon Cowell’s outrageous remakes make entertaining TV.
MySpace
The rising interest among younger generations is MySpace. Many people believe this website is just an online popularity contest and a haven for internet predators. You can become friends with just about anyone and the more friends that you have the “cooler” you are. Children as young as about ten are getting on MySpace, lying about their age, and becoming friends with as many people as they can. Obviously this becomes a very dangerous problem because other people such as internet predators can create a MySpace and lie about their age and who they are as well. Also some people post very personal information on their MySpace such as their phone number, address, and e-mail.
The other side of the MySpace argument is that it helps keep people in touch. If you have not seen someone since grammar or high-school, you can go on their MySpace and see what they have been doing. You can also write comments on their wall for everyone to see or send them a private message. It serves as a network to keep in touch with a number of people that you may not necessarily pick up the phone and call. MySpace also serves as an online diary and everyone can see what has been going on in your life. You can post pictures, notes, and use your MySpace as a way to express yourself.
One of the most interesting phenomena in the United States is the popularity of reality TV. One of the most popular shows is American Idol. People like shows like American Idol so much because it stars everyday people just like themselves. They can relate to the people on the screen and the contestants could be their neighbor or their friends. American Idol appeals to the idea of the American Dream, before the show you could make a living serving hamburgers and after the show you could be famous touring the world. People like to watch show like American Idol because they like the idea that it could be them or someone they know living the American Dream.
Another reason that American Idol is so popular is that people love to watch the auditions in the beginning. These auditions are filled with people that can not sing. Watching the audition episodes can be humorous but also mildly cruel as Simon Cowell harshly rejects contestants that think they are genuinely talented. The reason that this is so appealing to the American public goes back to the simple fact that people love comedy. The contestants’ awful singing and Simon Cowell’s outrageous remakes make entertaining TV.
MySpace
The rising interest among younger generations is MySpace. Many people believe this website is just an online popularity contest and a haven for internet predators. You can become friends with just about anyone and the more friends that you have the “cooler” you are. Children as young as about ten are getting on MySpace, lying about their age, and becoming friends with as many people as they can. Obviously this becomes a very dangerous problem because other people such as internet predators can create a MySpace and lie about their age and who they are as well. Also some people post very personal information on their MySpace such as their phone number, address, and e-mail.
The other side of the MySpace argument is that it helps keep people in touch. If you have not seen someone since grammar or high-school, you can go on their MySpace and see what they have been doing. You can also write comments on their wall for everyone to see or send them a private message. It serves as a network to keep in touch with a number of people that you may not necessarily pick up the phone and call. MySpace also serves as an online diary and everyone can see what has been going on in your life. You can post pictures, notes, and use your MySpace as a way to express yourself.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring is used in Everything's and Argument for several reasons. It adresses the use of pesticides and their affect on the enviornment. This has always been a very controversial topic and can grab the attention of the reader. Also the excerpt used from Silent Spring creates a very vivid description of the effects of pesticides such as DDT on the enviornment. Providing this strong description maintains the readers' interest while showing how a causal argument can start with the result and trace back to the causes. The last function of the Silent Spring example is that it shows how a causal argument can be countered. The use of DDT has been banned in many nations; however, in some countries the use of DDT can help prevent the spread of Malaria. This example shows how there can be two sides to a causal argument and the author must address all parts.
The sample essay "What Makes a Serial Killer?" presented a very strong and well written argument. La Donna Beaty used a variety of very credible sources and all her facts supported her argument. She used statistic, examples, stories, and scientific research to support her causes. Her argument was presented well; however, she did not anticipate any of the oppositions to the causes that she presented.
Some examples of causal questions found on CQ Researcher are: would raising the minimum wage reduce poverty, can AP and IB programs raise US high-school achievement, do earmarks lead to waste and corruption, can new business policies save the environment, and does ecotourism help or hurt fragile lands and cultures? Other examples of causal questions include: do images in the media cause eating disorders, is fast food the reason that childhood obesity has increased, is povery a result of selfish lifestyles in industrialized nations, would lowering or raising the drinking age promote or decrease responsible drinking, and how is personality developed? Some sources that could be used to explore eating disorders are "Eating Disorders: Cause and Effect" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=2&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=376252789c54300e4553542f62694109), "Eating Disorders Hit Grade School...... Have We As A Weight-Obsessed Society Gone Too Far?" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=4&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=0cb43e97587dd10bf5c91fb657abb056), and "Food for Thought" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=5&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=7f82c13cb75e047d229d326804a34fde).
The sample essay "What Makes a Serial Killer?" presented a very strong and well written argument. La Donna Beaty used a variety of very credible sources and all her facts supported her argument. She used statistic, examples, stories, and scientific research to support her causes. Her argument was presented well; however, she did not anticipate any of the oppositions to the causes that she presented.
Some examples of causal questions found on CQ Researcher are: would raising the minimum wage reduce poverty, can AP and IB programs raise US high-school achievement, do earmarks lead to waste and corruption, can new business policies save the environment, and does ecotourism help or hurt fragile lands and cultures? Other examples of causal questions include: do images in the media cause eating disorders, is fast food the reason that childhood obesity has increased, is povery a result of selfish lifestyles in industrialized nations, would lowering or raising the drinking age promote or decrease responsible drinking, and how is personality developed? Some sources that could be used to explore eating disorders are "Eating Disorders: Cause and Effect" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=2&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=376252789c54300e4553542f62694109), "Eating Disorders Hit Grade School...... Have We As A Weight-Obsessed Society Gone Too Far?" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=4&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=0cb43e97587dd10bf5c91fb657abb056), and "Food for Thought" (http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document?_m=a1b69d746686e4b7be70b0e869c7b81e&_docnum=5&wchp=dGLbVtb-zSkVA&_md5=7f82c13cb75e047d229d326804a34fde).
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