In this blog post I will be answering various questions about my writing and reflecting on my processes and products thoroughly. Prior to answering these questions, I watched a video called Reflective Writing that discussed how to write, what to write, and the benefits of reflective writing. If you are interested in reading my research paper based on America’s prison system or just to read more, you can visit my Research Paper web page.
Who did you work with to compose your research paper? Was this a good approach? I worked by myself to compose my research paper, and I felt like it was a good approach for me personally. I prefer to work alone on papers that are dedicated to research especially when it’s a topic I’m passionate about. I was able to have a clear focus working by myself, and I was able to piece together my work how I wanted. Also, throughout writing my research paper I was able to expand on MY opinions or certain points I wanted to nail. What rhetorical mode and genre are you using? The rhetorical mode I used is argumentation, and the genre is a MLA formatted paper. When did you write this project? Good approach? I had my topic, claims, and sources shortly after we started, but I did not start my paper until a few days before it was due. I unfortunately procrastinate all the time and put everything off until last minute. But, I seem to do well under pressure and I think that’s why it works for me in most scenarios. Where did you write this project? Good approach? I wrote this project in my bedroom, where I find silence and comfortability. It was a good approach because I’m able to focus, have my notes in front of me, and helps me avoid needing to take a writer’s break. Why did you choose to write about your chosen topic? Good choice? I chose to write about my topic because it was a subject I felt passionate about. I felt strongly in my opinion and wanted to convey that message clearly. How did it feel to write this argument ("during, after, and since")? Do you have any "if only" moments that can help you revise the draft? While I was writing this argument, I was confident in my sources and topic, but I felt overwhelmed in a sense because of the time crunch. Other than that, during my writing I found additional sources that helped my paper and I felt comfortable. After I was done writing I felt at ease and accomplished. I was happy that I got it done in a timely fashion and that I was satisfied with my work. Since I wrote my paper, I already found errors (courtesy to our last class) and I will be revising my paper and creating a second draft that I hope results in a great research paper. How will you revise your argument? I will revise my argument by doing a multitude of corrections. I need to fix my lengthy quotes, change my work cited page in alphabetical order, add more content to certain sections of my paper and expand more on my opinion. (I could possibly find more in the process of my revision) But to stay updated check out my Research Paper web page and my drafts!
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Introduction
America has the highest incarceration rates, at 724 people per 100,000. Whereas Norway’s incarceration rate is just 75 per 100,000 people. In addition, when criminals in Norway leave prison they stay out. They have one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at 20%. I quickly learned that their country relies on a concept called “restorative justice” which aims to repair the harm caused by crime rather than punish people. This system focuses on rehabilitating prisoners. America is not utilizing this concept, which is why prison continues to be a revolving door. My research question is: Should America enhance and modify their prison system conditions to benefit the inmates by humanizing them? Source 1:
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In this blog post I will be presenting three different topics from the documentary Where to Invade Next by Michael Moore. Prior to writing this, I completed blog assignment #9 Summary and Rhetorical Analysis of Where to Invade Next. For each topic I will create my own research question and write a brief argument that responds to each question.
Topic: The Prison System in America Research Question: Should America enhance and change their prison system to humanize inmates? Argument: America should enhance and change their prison system to humanize inmates because they’re citizens who make mistakes, on small and large scales, but deserve to be treated fair regardless. Many of these inmates are dealing with mental issues and other sources of delays and difficulties. America’s prison system seems to neglect these individuals, kicking them to the curb with nothing resulting in them giving up and not caring. They have nothing to lose, because we provide them with absolutely nothing to gain. America fails at preparing these men and women for the real world, leaving them to fall within the 80% of inmates that get rearrested within 5 years. Topic: Women’s Rights in America Research Question: Should America guarantee women equality regarding wage discrimination? Argument: America should guarantee women equality regarding the wage discrimination between men and women because there is no solid reasoning for there to be a difference. If a woman is intelligent and effectively able to carry out a job, just the same as a man then they should be on the same exact pay grade. Just like our prison systems and how we neglect the inmates, we also neglect women and dismiss the overwhelming research. Women are almost half of the workface, meaning if those same women were to quit tomorrow morning then we just lost about 75 million workers. We NEED women, believe it or not. Women also receive more college and graduate degrees than men. In 2016, female full-time, year-round workers made only 80.5 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 20 percent! Topic: College Tuition in America Research Question: Should America provide free college tuition? Argument: America should provide free college tuition because it will benefit those looking to continue and expand their education. The average age to enter college normally is 18, months after graduating high school. Many of those students in America do not have a career, or a job that pays well enough to accommodate their college tuition and fees. Some students are forced to drop out and not finish their education, simply based on the fact that they can’t afford it. Especially because the average student loan debt is $37,000 taking away any contribution to the economy. Easily that $37,000 could have been a down payment on a house, spent towards books and living expenses, or maybe even a brand-new car! If this was the case, many more individuals would attend college, ensuring a more well-educated workforce and population. In addition, students would attend college and explore majors they would enjoy, not because it’s “practical” and pays well. I know someone who loves art, would currently probably be an art major, if it wasn’t for Americans insisting that “there is no money in it” and that it isn’t “realistic” since the odds are against you and it's "a waste of money". In this blog post I will be giving a summary based on the film Where to Invade Next by Michael Moore. I will also be responding to numerous questions surrounding the primary topic. My own personal rhetorical analysis of the film will answer my thoughts on Michael Moore’s use of ethos, logos, pathos, telos and kairos. In the documentary Where to Invade Next, Michael Moore visits various countries to examine how Europeans view work, education, health care, sex, equality, and other issues. Michael Moore is an American man who explores multiple countries in search for answers on how the United States could improve their own prospects. He “invades” places such as Italy, France, Finland, Tunisia, Slovenia, Germany, Iceland, Portugal, and Norway. During his travels, he speaks to average labor workers, employees of large corporations, teachers, and even leaders. He seeks answers to major dilemmas and downfalls that America deals with. In search for these great ideas, in the end he comes to the conclusion that many of these countries get their inspiration from America! Unfortunately, though America doesn’t take advantage and utilize these successful concepts. Michael Moore establishes ethos by physically visiting these countries and speaking to a wide variety of credible people who reside there. He has conversations with leaders and even CEO’s of large corporations. For example, he met with the CEO of Ducati, Claudio Dominicali. In addition, he speaks with the Finnish Minister of Education, Krista Kiuru from Finland, prison wards, and world leaders. Michael brings awareness to each culture, and visually shows us the dramatic differences of each way of life. Michael Moore uses logos by revealing expert testimonies, facts, and statistics. He mentions that 80% of American prisoners are rearrested within 5 years whereas only 20% of Norwegian prisoners are rearrested. Another example is that Finland is ranked #1 on the Global Education Rank and America is ranked #29 on the list! We explore the free educational system in Slovenia and the legalization of drugs to stop crime in Portugal. Michael Moore appeals to pathos by incorporating personal testimonies and audio tracks. When he speaks to the French chef, he shows him and the audience images of American food compared to what he serves to their students and it’s appalling. Through the use of comedic and various audio tracks he sheds light in a different and unique aspect. Michael Moore’s telos is to enlighten the American people, and how the United States can learn from other nations trials and errors. Turns out the solutions to America’s problems already exist and were even created in the United States, but they’re just waiting to be co-opted. The film discusses America’s social problems and explores great ideas that other nations have adopted. The kairos of this film is that it took place before the 2017 presidential election and he explored issues we are currently still facing. Bernie Sanders advocated for higher taxes, better wages and conditions for workers, even free college education and in the film prior to his campaign these same policies were highlighted. |
AuthorHi, I'm Rebecca Stevens and this is my blog for my English Composition I class! Through my blog posts, I hope to show you bits and pieces of my life and character. Archives
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