final
Throughout this semester I have had mixed emotions about our academic blogging. At first the blog seemed like a burden that I was going to be forced to carry for an entire semester. It was incredibly hard for me to adapt to the blogging site but soon I understood the components of the site. One aspect of the blog that I first began to enjoy was the free expression of my thoughts and feelings toward important issues such as the Ashley X story and other controversial issues. Unlike normal class situations the blog allowed for a larger audience to comment on the subject matter and to gain outsider’s opinions. I believe that this was an effect use of new technology and a way to broadenones horizons by being open to others opinions and comments. Another important aspect of the blog is a closer and more effect student teacher communication. The blog allows for almost immediate feed back from an instructor and allows students to quickly learn from their mistakes and receive positive reinforcement. Although the blog was affective in many ways it still contained many flaws. One aspect that I did not find effective was the amount of work to be done on the blog. Though the blog is an effective learning tool I found that there should have been more in class work. At times during the semester the blog made me feel as if I were in an Internet based class and classroom attendance was not necessary. In the future I think it will be more beneficial to the students if there is more importance placed on regular attendance and more assignments that were required to be turned in during the class period. Before this course I did not have a web blog that I expressed my views and opinion through. After seeing the expression that can be shown through simply putting into writing your ideas I plan to continue blogging in the future for personal reasons. Academic blogs seem to be a growing trend on campuses around the world. However, I still believe the most important part of education is the human element without which true learning can not be obtained.
Why I love Writing Essay Exams
I love writing essay exams because they allow you to put into writing your opinions and views of a certain subject. This form of writing is one that I feel I personally excel at. When placed under pressure it is difficult to stray from the question at hand and you not havetime to analyze your answer to the point of loosing your concentration. In a hurried situation I focus better than If I were to sit and compose a researched essay with weeks of preparation. I feel that this type of writing is the best judge of a persons writing capability and skills .
counterarguments
Global warming supporters believe human beings are responsible for the recent climate changes. Although some natural issues such as changes in the suns intensity as well as volcanic eruptions. The burring of fossil fuels is the main contributor to changes in the earths temperature. A major change can be observed in the growing intensity of storms. The United States environmental Protective Agency found that, “Following the Atlantic hurricane season of 2005, which set a record with 27 named storms, a great deal of attention has focused on the relationship between hurricanes and global warming.” Global warming is a growing theory, although a direct link to the warming trend can not be pinpointed.
Many scientist are trying to disprove the global warming theory. Throughout history there have been many warming and cooling trends, Such as the Ice Age, therefor the recent “global warming” could be a warmer weather pattern. Also the graphs and charts used by the global warming supporters are not accurate. However even these scientists believe that limiting fossil fuel emissions will only improve upon the environmental status and in return support the global warming theory.
Fallacies
Who is your specific audience?
My audience is a wide adult audience. It ranges from anyone who has a large knowledge of the Global Warming controversy to someone who has little knowledge on the issue. This paper will address eenvironmental questions which will address a large scientific audience.
Why did you choose them?
The environment is extremely important to me and I feel that we are not doing enough to protect it. By addressing both the common man as well as the scientific community I hope to connect the facts with the people how should be taking action.
How will your audience affect the argument you intend to present?
My audience affected my argument completely. Because I am trying to address those who have a limited knowledge as well as those who are knowledgeable in the subject I must find a happy medium which addresses both groups.
Which fallacies will you need to focus on keeping from your argument? Why are these (individually) important to consider in your argument?
Post Hoc , Proctor Hoc-I need to be careful not to say that global warming was caused by something that can not be proven such as fossil fuels .
Ether-or-reasoning- I must make sure I address both sides of the subject equally and not seem one sided. Such as global warming is caused by fossil fuel emissions and must be stopped.
Appeals to false authority and band wagon appeals- I must be careful not to trust a famous person such as in this case Al Gore and many other stars to be truly knowledgeable on the facts of global warming.
Slipper Slope-I must not assume that not addressing the subject will lead to the down fall of the environment because factual proof is not given.
Over-reliance on authority- I must not believe a scientist is credible without finding evidence to support his evidence as well as credentials.
Static Encephalopathy
Static Encephalopathy is “Permanent or unchanging brain damage.” It can appear alone or be related to other disabilities which are mainly caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
There is no definite diagnosis.
There is no specific known cause.
There is no cure but if diagnosed early enough there are treatments to help children function better.
Movement ,vision,hearing,speech,learning,attention,and emotional difficulties occur due to Static Encephalopathy.
This Article does address the same issue as the Ashley Xarticle but it goes into more detail in relation to the disorder. The article supports the Ashley X article by showing that there is no cure or cause and justifies the reasoning of her parents in requesting the operations. However, The second article speaks of treatments to improve function and independence if diagnosed at a young age. In the Ashley X article they do not address treatments that she had undergone. If I were Ashley’s parents I would have included more information the Ashley Treatment about the disorder itself to allow readers to better understand the situation. I do believe that this article includes useful information which I would include in a researched essay on the subject. The use of facts and explanation of the article make it a credible source.
Global Warming Brainstorming
1) What is my topic?
Global Warming
2) What interest me in this topic?
I’m interested in this topic because lately it has been the topic of conversation in entertainment and politics which has led me to investigate this issue further. I also care very much about the environment and nature and wanted to know if this theory was of substance.
3) Why does your topic matter?
This topic is of great importance because if global warming does exist then it is imperative that a solution to the problem be found. The earth should be the most important political as well as world wide issue but countries continue to push the issue to the back burner.
4) How can I qualify (or limit) my topic?
I can break global warming down from the scientific and political view points to determine if global warming truly is scientific or if it is a political ploy. By analysing scientific findings or lack there of I can better understand the true facts not seen in the politics.
5) Can you limit your topic by geography or location?
Passably, but this being a global issue it may be difficult. I could point out the different regions where this theory is more widely supported.
6) By time?
Time is a major part of the issue because weather patterns are examined of large periods of time to show the warming and cooling trends of the earths atmosphere. As well as what patterns may exist in the future.
7) By specific groups affected?
No because it is a world wide issue.
8.)What other questions can you think of?
How many facts support this issue? Why is the United States not excepting the issue? Is it really an issue?
Global Warming
Lately people have been pressing the issue of global warming, but what exactly is global warming? Global warming is the theory that the earth’s temperature caused by the green house effect which is to blame for the changing weather patterns. The green house effect is when green house gasses allow solar radiation to pass through the earth’s atmosphere. When the gases also try to escape the atmosphere the green house gases will not let them escape rising the earths temperature. Those are just the supposed natural causes of global warming. The theory also states that humans are also a major cause of global warming. Some believe that the burning of coal and oil put carbon-dioxide and other gasses into the atmosphere which reflect sunlight and are causing the warming trends. This theory is believable but their are still many who disagree. Others say that the issue of global warming does not exist but rather just a change of weather patterns. In the past there were patterns of warming and cooling, for instance the earth has warmed since the middle 1800 but before that there was a cooling period for five centuries. Those against the global warming theory point out the lack of facts in the theory and how it has become more political then scientific. scientist have been studying climate issues for centuries and yet still do not have direct evidence as to why natural events happen such as hurricanes or tornadoes. If these smaller issues have not been solved how is it that the global warming issue could even be close to understanding? Also carbon-dioxide is considered a pollutant in the theory while in the scientific world it is not. Carbon-dioxide is actually an important aspect in maintaining the earths temperature. These among many other scientific facts are opposing the global warming theory.
Brainstorming
Abortion, Alcoholism, Assisted Suicide, Capital Punishment,
Conserving the Environment,
Disabled, Free Speech, Gay Rights,
Gun Control, Guns and Violence, Homosexuality, Marriage and Divorce, Medical Ethics, Middle East, Pollution, Prisons,
Police Brutality, Rights of Animals, Sexual Harassment, Smoking, Teen Addiction,
Terrorist Attack on America, Violence Against Women, Violence in the Media, Youth Violence. Animal Experimentation, Child Abuse, Civil Liberties, Cloning, Crime and Criminals, Death Penalty, Drug Abuse, Education, Endangered Species, Epidemics, Gender Roles, Global Warming, Globalization, Feminism, Gun Control, Gun Violence, Health-care, Hate Groups, Illegal Immigration, Internet, Marijuana, Obesity, Pollution, Prisons, Sex
Ashley X Opinion
After reading the blog about the “Ashley Treatment” I have found the issue extremely controversial. Some may say that this treatment was cruel because Ashley could not give consent for this procedure. However, when you stop and look at how development would effect her parents ability to care for her as well as the possible discomfort she would have to bare does this seem so wrong. I believe that this was a wise decision for Ashley because if this operation would not have been preformed then she may have lived a less active life and would not be as involved in her families life one of the few things she found comfort in.
My Essay
What comments have I received that emphasize the strengths in my essay? How can I maintain this type of writing in the future?I do have a strength in writing topic sentences that helps to lead my paper in a strong direction. I feel however that I still need improvement as a whole. In the future I will try to pay more attention to the minor details of the paper and not just the topic as a whole.
What did I consider the strongest part of my essay? Do the comments reflect this belief? If so, how? If not, what can I do in a revision to make this my strongest point? I think the second body paragraph is the strongest and the comments do reflect his in the paper.
What comments have I received that point out weaknesses in my essay? What do I need to do to begin improving on these essays? My main weakness is commas which I do know and have known for some time I could also strengthen my thesis sentence and just my whole paper in general.
Could the Write Site help me with these improvements? Why or why not? yea it could because it would help to find all of these errors in my paper.
Do you feel that you could adequately revise this essay and receive a better grade now that you are able to see where the weaknesses in your essay? Yes I do believe so.
