Unit 3 Reflection

[1] The title focuses the readers attention very will. The lede was thought provoking and forced the reader to continue reading to find out the answer for themselves. Yes, it asks the reader to think about how girls are constantly taken out of the classroom for something as silly as clothing and how this has directly effected society as a whole and acceptance.

[2]  The introductory section of the article invites the reader in really well. It forces the reader to not only look at the positive things schools teach our children but also the underlying negative things that are being taught without our full knowledge. It looks at how dress codes are often ‘sugar coated’ by schools in order to look like a positive thing. However, the more cases and scenarios you look at, the more the reader can see just how much of a problem dress codes are and how they directly influence sexism and rape culture.

[3] The writer offers up a strong idea and proof throughout the article. I show multiple scenarios where girls are being overly sexualized as well as multiple instances where schools blatantly say that boys education are more valued than a girls. I think the case that refers to the transgender community might not have been immediately obvious to readers and solidifies the point that it really is for the benefit of a boys education rather than helping girls.

[4] The writer shows clarity of thought really well. Everything within the article is organized around a central theme to prove a point. It’s also presented in such a way that the examples are used to make the biggest point as well as a statistic.

[5] The writer does this really well by acknowledging both sides of the argument. For example, I talked about how schools claim that the point of dress codes are to create a distraction free learning environment, but then I show multiple examples where schools are more focused on boys learning than girls. I organized material really well, first summarizing the topic, then picking out multiple examples and talking about organizations that are in agreement with this movement as well as looking at other groups that are directly effected in order to avoid over generalizations.

[6] I used over 12 sources in order to fully research this controversy. I developed a persuasive stance by using so many examples where women are directly being targeted by sexist school dress codes. I utilized my research by using accurate statistics to make my point as well as the many examples I was able to find.

[7] I exceeded research expectations and assignment requirements. I used 11 secondary sources, 5 visual sources, as well as a primary research site.

[8] I integrated secondary sources effectively by summarizing them as well as using pictures in order to make the topic more relatedly and deepen the analysis. The primary sources was used to find statistics as well as more information and background on rape culture and sexual assault, which is mentioned throughout the article as my main argument.

[9] I persuaded the audience to consider my claims by using so many examples as well as citing multiple agencies that are trying to fight for my main argument which is rape culture and sexism. I think my use of rhetorical tools was strong. I was able to pull on emotions by talking about sexual assault and the numbers surrounding it’s victims as well as logic by looking at examples to prove my point.

[10] I think the visuals I selected were appropriate as well as revealing. All of the visuals used were of the victims to pull on the readers emotions and logic as well as photos showing the large support by outside organizations. I also used a visual with the statistics surrounding sexual assault. I placed the visual strategicially to line up with each story so that the reader could easily make a connection between the visual and the evidence. Yes the visuals contribute in a meaningful way, without them I don’t think the reader would feel as invested in the topic.

[11] I don’t think I did this very well since I was not in class in order to get in peer editing or teacher comments. However, I did reach out to multiple friends and family in order to get feedback to make sure my article was well written.

[12] I used hyperlinks effectively. They were always appropriate, often used to cite a source in case a reader wanted more information on the topic or story I was referring to. I believe it gave me more credibility.

[13] I went through my article several times as well as had family and friends look over it to check for grammar and appropriate style. I believe that my sentence issues being credibility on the issues by using hyperlinks as well as simple summarizations.

Dress Codes: The Subtle Perpetuation of Rape Culture

The first SlutWalk in Toronto, Ontario, April 3rd, 2011.
The first SlutWalk in Toronto, Ontario, April 3rd, 2011.

Girls are taken out of class everyday for wearing clothes the school system deems “too distracting” for male students.  However, what people don’t see is the damage this lesson has on young women and society as a whole.

School is one of the most important times in a young persons life. It’s a time when young adults learn about the world around them and create their own opinions surrounding said world. It teaches young people that in the society we live in, hard work always pays off and that education is a necessary stepping stone to be successful in the adult world.

What most people don’t think of though, is the underlying lesson schools are also teaching: girl’s bodies are inherently sexual and harassment will forever be inevitable. 

Society has been convinced that dress codes are to teach students about professionalism but since when did showing your collarbones mean you were unprofessional? This is sadly the world we live in, a world where a young girl’s body is seen as inherently sexual and something to be hidden from the male gaze. This overwhelming message of sexism is being broadcasted around the nation to impressionable young students. However, it’s not just the sexist dress codes that are the problem. It’s also the way these sexist dress codes are enforced.

Lauren Wiggins, a Canada teen that received detention for wearing a full length dress.
Lauren Wiggins, a Canada teen that received detention for wearing a full length dress.

Just a year ago, a teenager in Canada was given detention for wearing a full length dress because her school deemed it inappropriate. The school claims that it went against their dress code because she was showing her shoulders and back.

” If you are truly so concerned that a boy in this school will get distracted by my upper back and shoulders, then he needs to be sent home and practice self-control.” – Lauren Higgins

When the teen in question tried to speak out against the school for the over sexualization of her shoulders and back, she was sentenced to a one-day suspension.

However, this was not the only time a young woman was personally attacked by a sexist dress code. In the UK, Bridlington School announced a plan to ban skirts all together just over a year ago. The school claimed that female students wearing skirts made the male teachers feel “uncomfortable”.

The sad fact is, these are just two of the many cases on an ever-growing list regarding sexist dress codes in schools. The showing of un-sexualized body parts, such as shoulders and knees, have become the epitome of a war zone within schools world wide. Clothing deemed as appropriate by the fashion world, such as leggings and yoga pants, have been banned by many schools. Girls attire is constantly being inspected by school staff, while boys walk by without receiving a second glance.

Schools are quick to respond to criticism, claiming that they are only trying to maintain a ‘distraction free’ learning environment. However, it seems to me that the only learning environment they’re trying to protect is that of the male student body.

Mission statement from the Everyday Sexism Project website.
Mission statement from the Everyday Sexism Project website.

However, there are two groups that are trying to fight against this subtle injustice towards women: the Everyday Sexism Project and the Amber Rose SlutWalk.

The Everyday Sexism Project is a website where people from around the world can post about their experiences with gender inequality. The website has gained hundreds of testimonies from young women from around the world who are directly effected by sexist dress codes. Many young women who post on the site claim that they personally feel a strong sense of injustice due to their gender.

” I got dress coded at my school for wearing shorts. After I left the principal’s office with a detention, I walked past another student wearing a shirt depicting two stick figures: the male holding down the females head in his crotch and saying ‘good girls swallow’. Teachers walked right past him and didn’t say a thing.” – Anonymous, Everyday Sexism Project

One student on the site claims that she was given three reasons why there was a dress code at her school:

“1) There are male teachers and male sixth formers (high school seniors)

2) Teachers feel uncomfortable around bras, etc. 

3) Don’t want the boys to target or intimidate you”

This powerful and sexist message in schools and society is one of the many reasons why Amber Rose created the SlutWalk. SlutWalk is a city wide event where people gather and march in the streets to fight against “all forms of sexism and bigotry”. Similarly to the Everyday Sexism Project website, SlutWalk allows its users to post about their own battles with sexism. Just like the Everyday Sexism Project, hundreds of posts directly refer to sexist and unfair school dress codes.

These sexist dress codes teach children that the female body is meant to be sexualized and that boys are biologically programmed to objectify said body.

1 in 5 female students is sexually assaulted in college. Only 1 in 8 victims will report it.
1 in 5 female students is sexually assaulted in college. Only 1 in 8 victims will report it.

This message prepares our children for college, where one in five women is sexually assaulted. However, rather than fighting this, society will instead blame the victim and let the real criminal get away with little to no disciplinary action being taken. This problem is only furthered by the fact that most of the time, there is little to no disciplinary action when boys are showing harassing behavior. This simply maintains the idea that it’s the victims fault and they should be held responsible for preventing such instances. There have been thousands of cases posted to both SlutWalk and the Everyday Sexism Project where girls are sexually assaulted at school, only to be told that “boys will be boys”.

What schools fail to realize, is that the very act of teachers calling out young girls for their clothing simply perpetuates the over sexualization of said clothing item or body part.

In this case, girls are not the only victims. There have many instances where boys have also been banned from school due to their clothing choices. However, it’s probably not for the reason you’re thinking of.

Boys have been banned from school for having their hair deemed ‘too long’ or wearing fashion choices that are dictated by the school as ‘feminine’. This includes but is not limited to skinny jeans or skirts.

Photo of transgender student who's school banned his yearbook photo for wearing a tuxedo to prom.
Photo of transgender student who’s school banned his yearbook photo for wearing a tuxedo to prom.

One instance of this injustice came from a transgender student. The student claims he was threatened to have his yearbook photo removed, simply because he wore a tuxedo to prom.

It’s beginning to look like school dress codes are less about protecting children and more about exploiting them. Schools seem to be more interested in protecting widely accepted social norms that exclude diversity.

When a girl is removed from class for showing her shoulders because she’s ‘distracting’ to her male classmates, his education is prioritized over hers. When schools chose to focus on the covering of the female body while ignoring inappropriate behavior from boys, the school is only prolonging and supporting the assumption that victims of sexual violence are responsible for their own fate.

Unit 3 Reflection

  1.  My title does a satisfactory job of drawing in the reader. Anyone that can speak has, at this point, some awareness of the racial tensions in America. I invite the reader to explore these racial tensions in the context of the student loan debt situation. It accurately displays the controversies surrounding the topic at hand, but leaves the reader wanting to explore more into the topic.
  2. The article starts with a statement everyone can agree on. This is done so that if the reader holds different views from my own, they aren’t immediately scared off. This also serves as an introductory statement, providing the reader with context of the topic at hand. Then, a couple of sentences in, I come at the reader with the faults in the student loan process. This differs greatly from the neutral tone at the start of the article, accentuating the controversies and exigency of the topic.
  3. For the responses I have received from the TED Talk, and student feedback, many people are not aware of the severity of the student loan debt situation, especially for minority students. Therefore, I am lead to believe that my claim and topic are significant and not obvious to most people. I do not feel as though my topic is common knowledge or a cliché.
  4. I could have developed my clearness more, as my topic has many different socio-economic implications. It was difficult to balance both the social and economic aspect of the topic. Student loan debt is obviously impacting the economy negatively, but is also affecting minority communities socially. Stigmas attached to minorities can be dissolved if minority and non-minority students had same graduation rates and income levels.
  5. The organization of the piece could have been more apparent. Transitions between small paragraphs is a technique that could have greatly benefitted my piece. For the scrambling exercise I learned that my transition between sections was not immediately apparent. However, I do not feel as though my topic was a cliché, or vague. I specifically address the concerns with student loan debt, and tried to avoid general common knowledge.
  6. I used some of the many sources I had researched from my Unit II assignment in the article. I attempted to use these articles to either support an argument I made, or to illustrate statistics on my topic that illustrate the dire student loan debt situation in this country. As for a persuasive stance, I first made sure all my data and sources were accurate, which would establish credibility. This would lead to a more persuasive argument.
  7. I used a total of 7 sources and 1 visual source in my piece, which were fairly easy to incorporate. One thing I noticed about my topic early on is that many people have written about it, and it is an issue of high importance in society. Therefore, finding supporting data and sources was not very difficult.
  8. I enjoy the use of hyperlink, and find incorporating the hyperlink into a sentence to be an interesting challenge. I contextualize the sources by introducing them, with a sentence or two. Then I hyperlink the source in a sentence such as “A Demos analysis on the Federal Reserve’s 2013 Survey of Consumer Finances shows that, on average White high school dropouts have around the same wealth as a Black college graduate.”
  9. I attempted to use statistics to appeal logically to the reader, which was simple because this is an economical topic. The use of several reputable sources and the attempt at a sophisticated tone helped build credibility. The most difficult rhetorical appeal to implement was ethos. This topic is very serious and emotionally taxing for students. Every time I think about my student loans, I get anxious and somewhat depressed. To display those feelings of dread to an audience was no small task.
  10. I enjoyed the visual I incorporated into my piece very much, as it displays the massive debt these students are graduating with. I did not provide commentary on the image, as I felt that it spoke for itself. Explaining the image would only take away from the effectiveness of it, in my opinion.
  11. The development from the earlier drafts was quite a process, as I had not started with many hyperlinks in the article. The remaining drafts were spent properly incorporating these sources into my piece, while making the transitions as smooth as possible.
  12. Again, I found that my use of hyperlinks was executed well enough. I did not simply plop down a link for the reader to browse. With every link, there was some context preceding them that established what the link would be discussing. I tried my best to make the links appropriate and as relevant as possible.
  13. I read my piece aloud a couple of times to make sure that grammatically the article is correct. Incorrect grammar and spelling is a surefire way to remove credibility, and a piece with grammar mistakes should never be printed in a prestigious webpage such as the New York Times.

Unit IV Reflection

I enjoyed writing about the food industry. I feel like I gained a lot of knowledge from researching. This first assignment forced me to reflect on all facets of an argument. It also helped me realize that when writing about a controversy there is not always one simple solution. What is key in the way to for your argument is to take a stance on an issue and offer a different way of thinking or a start to a solution. I struggled with synthesizing my resources in my first paper. It was difficult for me to relate the arguments in these specific sources to the argument that I was trying to convey. Overall I feel that I have become a stronger writer because of this struggle. Now I know that it is important to weave together sources and not simply state facts.

Some other challenges I encountered was sifting through research on a complicated topic. When I chose the Syrian Refugee Crisis as my final research topic I did not realize how many arguments and sides there are to the issue. Not only did I have to decipher what my sources were arguing but along the way I had to form my own opinion. The exercise of finding different types of sources helped me see that news articles, journals, and even late night news have vastly different views on certain topics. This experience has helped me as a research writer because I feel that I am now able to interoperate the voice and meaning of multiple articles and form my own views on them as a whole.

The Ted Talk exercise helped me to communicate with my audience. Not only did I have to be knowledgeable on my subject, but I had to synthesize my information in a way that would make sense to someone who is not versed on the issues of the Syrian Civil war and Syrian Refugee Crisis. This ultimately helped me format the structure of my research paper in a way that made the most sense for the reader. This exercise helped me incorporate visuals and facts into my presentation and strengthened my knowledge of ethos and pathos.

All of these experiences have helped me become more aware of the language and content of my resources. They have helped me put these ideas together and relate them in a way that strengthens my argument, while commenting on different sides of an issue. By having this skill I am able to better strengthen my writing and I am more effective at conveying my ideas to an audience.

The most recent way that my practices of research and rsearch writing in WRT 205 have helped me are in some of my other classes this semester. In my art history class we are required to analyze different sources and develop an argument for a final paper. WRT 205 has helped me to be able to synthesize sources and my argument in a way that creates a coherent paper. When I have to write this paper of my art history class I will have a better skillset. Many of the assignment that we have done are research based but the articles themselves are less scholarly because of the context and the audience. The field of museum studies and art history is very scholarly and the audience is mostly educated people who are familiar with the arts. This contrasts with the style of writing in this class because the majority of time I will be writing in my field will be for a more scholarly audience. In contrast if I ever want to write for a broader audience, I feel that I have more skills because of WRT 205.

 

As I began to read more and learn more from documentaries, I was more engaged in the topic. I found that the more I learned the more disgusted I was with our food industry in America. I had a similar response to the Political Controversies. Once I began researching and learning more about Syrian Refugees and the injustices they face, I began to have more of a concern for the issue and felt that there is a real injustice that many people are not aware of.

In the beginning of researching both of these topics I did not have a lot of background information. Since I did not know much on the topics I had not formed my onion yet. I learned that it is important to think of both sides of an article and issue and that in fact there are many facets to an issue. Once I realized this I found that is was very important to analyze my texts and find the core of what they were trying to say. By doing this I was able to form my own views on the topics that were informed and considered all sides of the issues. This processed helped my argument and helped me become better informed on each topic.

Once I finished the documentary Food Inc., I was more invested in the topic. This helped me realize that there are different forms of communication outside of articles and newspapers that are reliable. The story that Food Inc. told was interesting and had the most impact on my opinions of the topic. Another example of my interest in the topics we studied was the late night shows and how they covered serious topics in an interesting and informative way. Some of the best information I got was from Ted Talks and Late Night shows because of how they synthesized numerous sources in a way that made sense. Although the journal articles were informative, I found that the news paper articles like form the New York Times were the most up to date on international issues and controversies. These were the most helpful in sparking my interest as well as informing me on these issues.

 

I would continue working on my Syrian Refugee piece because I feel like there are so many different factors that I did not get a chance to cover. There are so many issue concerning the refugees and I feel like I only covered the basics of what is happening. I would like to follow up with what the United States is doing and how they are choosing to deal with the crisis, how the UN is dealing with the lack of resources, how Syrians are living in these refugee camps and how that is affecting the children, and I would like to go further unto how we might start to educate these people. There are so many facets of this issue that it was impossible to cover all of them. I felt that in my article I needed to start at a level of informing the audience and to try and break that cycle of fear. There is so much happening with this topic that was a difficult issue to tackle.

 

 

5.

I would share the Ted Talk with people outside this class because I feel like the majority of Americans are not aware of what is really happening with the refugees. I think I would like to share this information first with the Syracuse campus but then also reach out to other parts of the community. I think it is important for people to know the facts, especially before they vote. I think it is difficult to change someone’s opinion on an issue like this, but I would hope that I would get people thinking about how we are treating these refugees. Hopefully people would react positively and would want to help educate Syrian Refugees and their children.

Unit 3 Reflection

John Carino

WRT 205 Reflection

[1]  How well does the title provocatively focus the reader’s attention, as well as the lede? Is it thoughtful, creative, clever? Does it lead the reader into the text and provide some insight into the issue?

The title of an article or piece of writing is a very powerful tool. A writer has essentially one line to draw the attention and interest of a reader. A catchy title has to be provocative, or maybe raise a question that may intrigue a potential reader. With this article title I chose to propose a question that relates to the topic I continue to discuss. “Was Japan just in their decision to scrap Zaha Hadid’s competition winning design?” I do a few things here, I place an action that is an important part of my article, presenting that Japan had scrapped Zaha Hadid’s design. This way the reader has an idea of what the topic I may be exploring is. I continue by questioning the justness and morality of this decision, hopefully gaining the interest of the reader who may now be thinking and curious of what they could have done to raise this ambiguity of their actions.

 [2]  How well does the introductory section of the article invite the reader into the paper, as well as offer up exigency?  How does it locate a problem or controversy within a context that provides background and rationale?

I began my article with a lede that presents statement about money in reference to architecture, then lead that into how that relates to Japan’s actions. I share a broad statement about Japan’s overall reasoning for scrapping her design, but then hint that that may not be the real and only reason. This gives the reader some context to the situation, but intrigues them to continue reading. The problem that it locates within the controversy is that Japan is making a claim for their reasoning, I begin to hint that this claim may not be as accurate and true as the say it is.

[3] How well does the writer offer up a strong ‘idea’ that requires analysis to support and evolve it, as well as offers some point about the significance of evidence that would not have been immediately obvious to readers.?

               I am making a bold claim by saying that Japan lied to and deceived Zaha Hadid. This argument requires thorough support through analyzing all perspectives and developments of the situation. I also believe that as an architecture student there were aspects I was able to see analyzing and studying my sources that others may have not fully understood or picked up on. I attempt to relay these in my article in a clear and understandable way.

 

[4] How well does the writer show clarity of thought; uniqueness of presentation; evidence of style; and historicized topics?

               I articulate my own style when I input my opinion when appropriate. I also chose a topic that I believed not many people outside of the architecture discipline would know about. I hope that the readers would gain new insight into a field they did not know much about and how influential something like this could actually be to them.

[5]  How well does the writer recognize that a NYTs Magazine audience will challenge ideas that are overgeneralized or underdeveloped or poorly explained? (that is, did the writer avoid cliché and vagueness or address points/issues readers are likely to have?)  How well did the writer decide about how to develop, sequence, and organize material?

I attempted to avoid vagueness and general statements by integrating many quotes and first hand details from sources that are difficult to misinterpret. My piece synthesizes years of development of this case, which has been in development since 2012. I follow the progression as a narrative, analyzing and giving my opinion on each development along the way.

[6]  How well does the writer research a controversy, develop a persuasive stance, utilize research about the topic,  and join the ‘debate’ by making an argument of importance? 

               I originally came across this controversy through research when attempting to find architectural controversies at an international scale. This topic in particular interested me as I was able to form a basic opinion pretty quickly from my first few sources I read. I knew however it would require more extensive reader to be able to construct a strong supported argument that could convince an entire audience. The implications of this controversy go beyond just Japan and Zaha Hadid and her firm, as it could affect thousands including the local community and the millions of people watching the Olympics if the stadium is unfinished or has any flaws due to a rushed construction. I hope in my argument to share the controversy, and not only who is at fault but what consequences their decisions may have.

[7]  How well does the writer meet or exceed research expectations of assignment requirements (6 appropriate secondary sources, 1 visual source, (or more) and primary research? ).

               As this topic is significantly centered on a physical structure, visuals are a powerful tool that I utilize to support me argument. For example showing the similarities between Kuma’s design and Hadid’s. I also show the amount of progress Hadid had made in her design already when Japan scrapped it, presenting how she should rightly be paid for her work. I also integrate many quotes from many participants in the controversy, giving the reader personal opinions that give new perspectives to the situation.

[8]  How well does the writer integrate secondary and primary sources (that support and complicate the topic) effectively into the text, introducing and contextualizing them, and “conversing” (i.e. no drop-quoting) in ways that deepen and complicate the analysis?

               Integrating quotes is important, I give context to my quotes so that they cannot be misinterpreted. Allowing for a quote to be misinterpreted completely defeats the purpose of utilizing one. Quotes are power tools, that when integrated correctly can really help create a convincing argument. I use quotes in my article in just that way.

[9 How well does the writer persuade an audience to consider claims made from a particular position of authority on which you have built your research?  How strong and effective is the writer’s use of rhetorical tools (ethos, logos, pathos)?

               I am able to persuade the reader by sharing multiple sources that are factual and opinionated that reach similar conclusions about the morality of Japan’s actions and decision making. By being clear in my writing, my ideas can more easily be absorbed by readers.

 10] How well does the writer select appropriate, interesting, revealing visual?  Has the writer placed a visual strategically in the essay and provided relevant commentary on and/or analysis of them?  Do the visuals contribute to the essay in meaningful ways (i.e. would the essay be affected if the writer took the visual away)? 

               I utilize multiple visuals, including a video to help the reader understand a visual context to the argument I am making. Visuals are particularly important in my article because architecture is a profession that manifests itself through buildings and images. Without giving a visual context to the reader, I cannot possible fully relay to them all the information they need to make their own decision or opinion of what to believe.

[11] How well does the writer show development of final article using various drafts, in-class peer editing and workshops, and/or teacher comments?

               Various drafts are import to narrow down and figure out exactly what claim you want to make. They are also important to figure out the best way to organize the order of paragraphs and how to frame your argument, as well as integrate your own opinion in supported ways.

[12]  How well does the writer use hyperlinks—are they effective/appropriate?

               I utilize hyperlinks by embedding a video that is very revealing to a point I make. In particular that Zaha Hadid and her firm had put a significant amount of work and progress into their design. What better way to describe that then share a video showcasing the work?

[13]  How well did the writer edit for grammar, style, and usage effectively? Does the writer’s attention to sentence level issues help him/her establish authority or credibility on the issue? 

               Having good grammar is always good because it shows you are well educated and have reviewed your work multiple times. Style is important because it gives your work personality, and when you are making a claim and trying to convince a reader of something, some of “you” has to come through your writing so it is not bland, and your reader can relate more. Using the style of a New York Times article with short paragraphs helps the reader grasp each argument, piece of information, and claim one piece at a time. It also requires the writer to place more precision on each of these paragraph, making sure each is clear and articulate.

Unit 2 Reflection

This topic came of great interest to me being a civil engineering student who’s currently taking a class in water resource engineering.  First of all, the research I had to do informed me of the problem they had in Flint, and also caused me to realize the importance that sound infrastructure engineering has to the citizens it will effect.  Policy plays an important factor in the decisions made which will ultimately result in the final decisions.  I became empathetic to the citizens of Flint, and grew contemptuous for the powers that made these disastrous decisions.  I did appreciate the other side however.  It is a tough task to balance a budget with minimal dollars in a failing economy.  But the more I see about the topic, the more it looks like the emergency manager was just trying to be a hero, rather than suck it up and declare bankruptcy (like so many other cities in their position have done).  As far as the actual talk; I felt great.  I was comfortable in front of my classmates.  I felt that they were engaged.  And I tried to go up there with a lot of energy, so as to not lose their interest.  It really made me appreciate the John Stewarts andJohn Olivers of the world, and how much preparation they put in and how great their delivery is.  So far this was my favorite project of the semester.

Unit 3 Reflection

Brandon Wright

WRT 205

Unit 3 Reflection

  1. The title focuses the reader’s attention very well as it presents a big topic that is surrounded by controversy. The lede also does a good job getting the reader engaged. The lede is a basic overview of the topic by being creative and authoritative. It also provides the reader insight into the issue at hand. However, the lede does not give away too much information, but just enough to get the reader hooked into the article.

2. The introductory section of the article does a good job inviting the reader into the paper. The intro is very straightforward and has an urgent tone to it, which helps the reader understand the importance of the issue in today’s world, not in the future or in the past. It locates the problem by providing background information and statistics within he first paragraph to show the reader how big an issue this is, while also explaining to them what should be done to fix the issue.

  1. The writer does a good job offering up strong ideas. For example, in the article, one of the main arguments is where the World Cup profits go and how that is affecting FIFA. I stated that argument then supported it by showing stats of where the money went and how much of it went to each nation. The reader would have no idea that a British territory the size of Houston are receiving the same amounts of money as the United States, and if that does not upset the reader, then what will?

4.I think I did a good job in the way I presented the topic and all the facts relating to it. FIFA and corruption was a very broad subject, so I had to narrow it down to specific issues within the organization, and I felt I did a good job with that. Also, the way I presented the evidence to back up my arguments was done well. I provided stats, quotes, and pictures/graphs in order to get my points across to the reader. Having all three of those is a great way to keep the reader engaged.

  1. The writer did a good job recognizing what a New York Times Magazine audience entails and how it challenges the ideas that are overgeneralized. FIFA is a massive organization and not many people know the details about its corruption scandal and investigation. Many people know that FIFA is a corrupt organization, but that’s about it. The writer does a good job going into more detail while also developing strong points and sequences that keeps the reader focused and interested.
  1. I feel that I did a tremendous job researching the controversy that is FIFA and its corruption scandal. I also did a good job persuading the audience about how urgent and badly an issue this is. I felt that the audience got a good understanding of this topic based on my article and an understanding of its importance.
  1. The writer met research expectations of this assignment. I had six secondary resources that included newspaper articles and websites. I also included five pictures/graphs in order to help illustrate my points. Plus, I used one academic journal as well, therefore meeting the research expectations.
  1. I did a good job integrating the secondary and primary sources to my text. By adding information and hyperlinks throughout my article, it gives the reader important information throughout the entire article, not just in the beginning or end. The way I spaced out the article is also a good reason how well I integrated my sources.
  1. I think I did a good job persuading the audience to consider my claims based on the sources and facts used to back up my argument. With the combination of scholarly sources, pictures, and newspapers articles, the reader has a wide variety of information that helps cement the argument. I was also very effective in my use of the rhetorical tools (ethos, logos, pathos).
  1. In order to keep the reader engaged, you have to strategically place pictures and hyperlinks throughout the article. I felt that I did a good job with this. I placed graphs and pictures at the ends of paragraphs to help back up what I wrote in said paragraph. The visuals are very helpful because it gives the readers a quick break while still learning more about the topic at hand.

 

  1. I think I did a good job expanding from my original draft to the final product. The biggest thing my peers told me was to have a much more powerful conclusion, and I thought I did that well. Another thing was my subtopics were too condensed together and I needed to separate them better while being able to relate them all to my main argument, which I thought I was able to do better from my first draft to my final article.

 

  1. The use of hyperlinks in the article is very effective based on what they are. Many of the hyperlinks are used from quotes said by people and used on subjects that the reader may not know much about. For example, Sepp Blatter, former FIFA President, has made numerous inappropriate statements during his tenure regarding female soccer and females in general. I touched on just a few of those statements, but the hyperlink attached to it goes to a website where you can see every inappropriate quote from Blatters time as President

 

  1. The writer did a very nice job editing for grammar, style, and usage. The article is written very urgently because the issue needs to be fixed ASAP, and the reader needs to understand that. The writer’s attention to sentence level issues helps him establish much credibility on the issue at hand. He has a lot of facts to back up his claims, and knows the topic very well.

UNIT 3 REFLECTION

UNIT 3 REFLECTION

  1. I attempted to create a very interesting and creative title by including sports, racism, and superman. As funny as that sounds, Superman is a nickname that Cam Newton (one of the subjects of my article) has been given due to a celebration that he does when he impersonates Superman. I thought that this little detail would be an eye catcher and that the reader would feel inclined to check it out.
  2. I started the article with a very intriguing quote from NPR which pretty much sums up the basis of my article and gives a little context. I included historical context, a dictionary definition, and a controversial opinion to draw in the reader.
  3. I gave my strong opinion. I used a variety of different topics to back up what I said as well as one that goes against my personal belief. I also tried to raise questions and point out that we need change. Finally I thought back on everything and summed up my final thoughts.
  4. I used historical information as well as a scientific research project from Smith College to give some context as clearly as I could. I tried to be as unique as possible by opening my article with a quote, by using an unordinary title and by using pictures too.
  5. I was fully aware that my idea is very controversial and that not everyone would agree with it so i made sure to stay true to my opinion no matter what. I tried to organize and develop my ideas as well as possible so that everyone gets the same reading experience no matter what side you’re on.
  6. I did a lot of research on all aspects of the topic to generate an opinion as well as use my morals and beliefs in life to build a firm stance. I utilized my research to get a better understanding to see all aspects of the controversy, negative and positive. I joined the debate by clearly stating my opinion and by sticking to it.
  7. I had all of the required sources, however some were used in the article and others helped myself get a more detailed historical context to insure that I really knew what I was writing about. Some of the sources excluded didn’t exactly fit the flow and structure of my article and I didn’t want some of them to take away from the article’s train of thought, therefore, confusing the reader.
  8. My primary source of Smith College was very instrumental in setting down scientific information on the topic of race and sports. My secondary information basically highlighted those theories by giving examples of the research findings  that relate and happen in the current year of 2016. For example, the study explained how white players feel as if their spots are being taken. I used secondary source articles to show how players still feel that way (used quote from Charles K. Ross about white players being the franchise players and when a player of color comes along to take that traditionally white spot, controversy sparks).  I also tried to include a devils advocate source because it’s important to show both sides of the argument.
  9. I used Logos to show that this problem is logical and that many people aren’t thinking logically, kinda like a wake up call to the reader. I think Ethos is pretty relevant because the sources that I used are respected and trustworthy plus they are accurate. For the Pathos aspect I tried to get my emotions out of the way but towards the end I kinda let myself go and used words like idiocy and used the sentence : “Stop worrying about whose playing in the games and start worrying about whether your team will have a good season or not “ as a backhanded ending. I think I was able to keep my opinion strong without really letting my emotions get the best of me.
  10. I gave a number of visuals. The first was Cam Newton looking sad( kinda speaks for itself because he’s the topic and its about racism in sports that is targeted towards him). The second was Newton hitting the dab, because the paragraph next to it was about his dancing. The next was Warren Moon talking with Newton because Moon mentored him and it was mentioned in the paragraph next to it. The trend is kind of a formula, I tried to use pictures to visualize the emotion of what I was talking about along with what I was literally talking about ( dancing,mentoring). I don’t think relying on the visuals alone could portray my article’s message correctly. They are used more as aids or support beams to visualize and give examples of that I’m talking about as i go.
  11. I wrote two drafts. I grew a lot from my first draft in a sense of more content but as well as a better structure. During peer-review and editing my first draft I noticed that I was writing in a very essay like formula so I tried to change that in my second and final drafts. I broke up paragraphs and tried to seem more casual while remaining engaging. 
  12. I didn’t use any hyperlinks. I didn’t find that they were completely necessary but I could have included them.
  13. I tried to pay close attention to language and grammar. I attempted to not repeat words but instead use variations or synonyms of the previous similar word that I was trying to use again. I also tried to utilize grammar so that I wasn’t left with huge run-on sentences.

Unit 3 Reflection

[1]  How well does the title provocatively focus the reader’s attention, as well as the lede? Is it thoughtful, creative, clever? Does it lead the reader into the text and provide some insight into the issue?

– I think that the title is provocative and that I was able to get it to get the readers attention. It’s called “All for the Sake of Convenience,” so I would assume that someone did something for their convenience and clearly it was not worth the price. I also think the lede is good because it basically provides some sort of insight into the controversy but then it makes the reader want to know more to be able to under stand the issue and to see who is at fault.

 

[2]  How well does the introductory section of the article invite the reader into the paper, as well as offer up exigency?  How does it locate a problem or controversy within a context that provides background and rationale?

– I think the introductory section is pretty good. It provides some background information into the controversy and how it was started. It definitely has exigency because the person that the controversy is surrounding is currently a Presidential candidate and is currently the Democratic favorite to win the parties nomination.

 

[3] How well does the writer offer up a strong ‘idea’ that requires analysis to support and evolve it, as well as offers some point about the significance of evidence that would not have been immediately obvious to readers.?

– I think that I do a good job of offering evidence and then providing analysis of why that evidence is important. For example, one of my pieces of evidence was an email from a man to Hillary about things going on in Sudan. I believe I offered good analysis because I talked about the sort of information it was, where its supposed to be (NSA, CIA, etc.) and I also said that the man has not worked for the government for over 15 years. So yes, I think I did pretty good in offering a strong idea that requires me to analyze and evolve it and help explain evidence and its importance to the reader.

 

[4] How well does the writer show clarity of thought; uniqueness of presentation; evidence of style; and historicized topics?

– I think I did pretty well showing clarity of thought, uniqueness of presentation, evidence of style and historicized style. I felt that I was able to get my points across clearly and I feel like my writing definitely has style with a specific tone that I use for most of my blog entries. (pretty similar to Unit I)

 

[5]  How well does the writer recognize that a NYTs Magazine audience will challenge ideas that are overgeneralized or underdeveloped or poorly explained? (that is, did the writer avoid cliché and vagueness or address points/issues readers are likely to have?)  How well did the writer decide about how to develop, sequence, and organize material?

 

– I think that I also did well in recognizing the challenges of a NYTs magazine audience. For example, I provided an example of another government official using their personal email account, but the way they used it was much much different than the way Hillary used her account and I felt I was able to knock off the counterargument that she is just being used as an example. In addition, some counterarguments, I felt, we re handled with just with the amount of information that I offer and evidence that shows that something did in fact happen that should not have happened.

 

[6]  How well does the writer research a controversy, develop a persuasive stance, utilize research about the topic,  and join the ‘debate’ by making an argument of importance?

– I think I did a good job researching a controversy, developing a persuasive stance, utilize research about the topic and joining the debate by making an argument of importance. I feel like I was able to include as much information into this as I could. However, it was very difficult choosing what to talk about because there have been some new developments throughout the writing process. I feel like I did develop a persuasive stance because I used examples of authority figures missed things, or having lapse’s in judgment that could’ve prevented an attack. My main stance is that this can’t happen because it has the possibility to lead to attacks on the country. You pretty much cannot disagree with that.

 

 

[7]  How well does the writer meet or exceed research expectations of assignment requirements (6 appropriate secondary sources, 1 visual source, (or more) and primary research? ).

– I had 6 secondary resources, 2 primary sources which were two pictures of actual emails sent to Hillary and I also had a primary source that helped me understand the whole FOIA act aspect of the controvery. So I think I did very well meeting the research expectations.

 

 

[8]  How well does the writer integrate secondary and primary sources (that support and complicate the topic) effectively into the text, introducing and contextualizing them, and “conversing” (i.e. no drop-quoting) in ways that deepen and complicate the analysis?

– I think I integrated them pretty well because both my primary research and secondary research are used to enforce my stance. In addition, I think I did well in that as well because my primary research helped me understand my secondary sources and the controversy much better.

 

[9 How well does the writer persuade an audience to consider claims made from a particular position of authority on which you have built your research?  How strong and effective is the writer’s use of rhetorical tools (ethos, logos, pathos)?

– I think that I do a good job in persuading an audience to consider claims made from a particular position of authority. I think I provide enough details and information for the audience understand why the issue at hand is wrong and that it should be fixed. I think that I demonstrate ethos, logos and pathos really well as well. Ethos by showing that I have a good understanding of the topic, pathos by showing how something like this has the possibility to lead to attacks, and logos because I try and show that this could have easily been prevented if Hillary just followed the rules.

 

 

 

[10] How well does the writer select appropriate, interesting, revealing visual?  Has the writer placed a visual strategically in the essay and provided relevant commentary on and/or analysis of them?  Do the visuals contribute to the essay in meaningful ways (i.e. would the essay be affected if the writer took the visual away)?

– I did well in selecting the appropriate visuals. I used pictures of Hillary (obviously because this is about her), another government official who was requested to release his emails, two emails that were sent to Hillary and I provided good explanation of the background of the emails and the type of effect they had on the issue. I also included pictures of two headlines from newspapers that show how authorities missed information that could have prevented attacks. I think all visuals contribute substantially to the essay, especially the emails and headlines.

 

 

[11] How well does the writer show development of final article using various drafts, in-class peer editing and workshops, and/or teacher comments?

When I was working on my final draft most of the notes I was looking at were response from classmates and teachers on both my Ted talk and my claim. It was very helpful because it helped my understand what the audience wanted to hear and needed to hear.

 

[12]  How well does the writer use hyperlinks—are they effective/appropriate?

I used hyperlinks well. All sources are hyperlinked for the first time that they appear in the text.

 

[13]  How well did the writer edit for grammar, style, and usage effectively? Does the writer’s attention to sentence level issues help him/her establish authority or credibility on the issue?

– I think I did well in editing the overall draft. I wanted to really make sure it did not feel like an essay so I tried to break it up evenly, add pictures and make it flow really nicely. I think a writers attention to sentence level issues does not have any affect on credibility. The only thing that should affect and establish authority is the level of  research that is done and a good understanding of the argument. But if you want me to further answer that question, then yes I think I establish credibility and authority on the issue.

 

Unit III Reflection

  1. My title “How You Can Save the World” is definitely attention grabbing. I think the reader can inference that the article may have environmentalist aspects but it also appears to offer the reader action. The lede accomplishes the goal of intriguing readers as well. I was creative in utilizing the rhetorical tool of starting with a question. It is brief but it provides insight into two of the main focuses of the article.
  1. My introductory paragraph explains why the topic of the article is important and why the reader should care. By providing the current statistics and increasing danger I establish exigency. By explain the “common narrative” around global warming I contextualize why it is a controversy.
  1. I think I fairly well offer the ideas that climate change is bigger deal than you think and that we need to think about it more. I support these ideas with analysis of climate change statistics, international and domestic policy, and the media.
  1. I believe my thoughts and conjectures were very clear and organized. There was definitely evidence of style as I tried to adhere to the genre guidelines, appealing to several rhetorical strategies. There was not much historicized topics in my article, most of the information provided was collected fairly recently and the policies discussed were recently formulated.
  1. I wrote with and awareness of my audience. I envisioned and audience that was uniformed and skeptical regarding climate change. I provided specific evidence and cited particular dangers and risks instead of making generalized statements. I also organized my paper in a way that would address what I anticipate the reader’s reaction and concerns to be regarding each preceding paragraph. I often ask questions and predict what the reader’s question would be at particular moments
  1. I think the evidence I provide, the organizations and publications I cite, as well as my use of the primary text allow to speak with authority on the issue. My article definitely has credibility drawing on several various scholarly sources. I think I also take a clear and strong stance. I offer my own opinions and interpretations of political actions and then offer suggestions and solutions regarding the controversy.
  1. My article cites 10 scholarly sources and a primary source being the actual text or the Paris legislation. It also includes two visuals.

 

  1. I utilize secondary sources such as news articles and scientific publications to provide background and context on the issue. I analyze and interpret primary sources such as the legislation in order to support my argument and stance. The quotes I incorporate either illuminate and clarify an opinion I have or cite in the article or they serve to specify and clarify scientific statement I make.
  1. The beginning of my article strongly appeals to ethos by establishing myself as knowledgeable on the topic of climate change. Citing the EPA, and the Obama administration definitely give me credibility. The shock value of the numbers of provide function to appeal to Kairos. There are a few sections that appeal to logos, for example when I address economics and clean energy alternatives. Yet, for the majority of the article I employ heavy appeals to pathos. I often speak of the dangers and health risks. Also, I utilize language such as “victims” “human existence” and phrases such as “destroy the world” which are intended to cause emotional reaction in the reader.
  1. The first visual I use is the climate change graphic. I place this near the top of the article to assist the lede and title in drawing attentions. The bright colors definitely catch the eye and the point it makes is clear and simple. It supports the opening paragraphs in establishing exigency. The second visual is the logo or emblem from the U.N. gathering in Paris. I place this near my use of the Paris agreement text. I intended this to compliment the lengthy quotes and provided credibility to my arguments as drawing from and commenting on official proceedings.
  1. Composing multiple drafts was definitely key in producing the final article. I used the first few drafts to organize how I wanted to provide information in away the was coherent and intriguing. The later drafts are where I developed my stance and worked at being persuasive.
  1. My use of hyperlinks is very strategic. I intended them not only to adhere to genre guidelines and to provide them a tool for the audience. The placement and selection of hyperlinks serves a rhetorical purpose as well. Providing hyperlinks to the EPA’s website, energy.gov and the Paris agreement full text not only adds credibility but it shows that as an author I encourage the reader to view the facts and interact with the legislation. It appeals to exigency and ethos. A large aspect of my argument is that citizens need to be more informed, by providing those particular hyperlinks I intended to help the problem instead of just identifying it.
  2.  I carefully edited for grammar, style and usage. I tried to adhere to genre guidelines not just in organization but in writer’s voice as well. In the beginning of the article I edited for and investigative journalist tone. In the latter sections I edited for shift to more editorial voice.