Why Write? (I still don't really know)

I really enjoyed reading these pages of Why Write? for this blog post (mostly because of the Monty Python references). It was interesting to learn all about the science of argument, as I have always understood how to argue, but never have quantified the elements that I have always used in argument. The allegory of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich really helped me understand how to organize the piece and I will reference back to these articles while writing my paper. I am now going to discuss the example arguments contained in our reading starting with “Native Americans and Archeologists: Who Owns the Past?”. Going back to the sandwich, I really enjoyed the background information that was provided at the beginning of the article and its ability to answer the reader’s question of “so what?”. The author effectively brought the audience up to speed on the issue at hand concerning Native American (author wisely avoids the politically incorrect use of Indian) artifacts and who has possession of them. The author continues to be objective and provide background information by stating both sides argument about the issue, ultimately providing more credible sources to establish ethos before the author gives the audience her view on the issue. Also, the author had already established the pros and cons of the current act concerning Native American artifact rights, leaving her room to end her argument with her own ideas that make sense in terms of the rest of the facts presented. The next argument article concerns preventative prenatal care for undocumented immigrants. Like the pervious article, the argument begins with an overview of the situation and the problem that the author believes needs addressing. However, this article uses case studies and other examples of how prenatal care has improved public health and lessened the cost on healthcare to show that the same techniques can be used in Utah. The author then reviews the points made in an effective conclusion. Both articles are extremely based in logic and help to progress their arguments in an effective manner.

Back on Schedule- Issue Paper Topic

For my issue paper I am going to discuss a complex issue, whether or not alternative energy can effectively replace fossil fuels. What makes this paper complex is the view I personally have on this energy issue, as I believe that in the short-term, we need to continue the use of fossil fuels and focus on using them responsibly. However, I believe the use of fossil fuels should only be maintained for enough time to launch a massive research and development campaign into areas such as solar, wind, and nuclear power (hydroelectric dams are already on every major waterway, making this technology less important for my proposal for advancement). The topics I will be covering are the advancement of nuclear power as safe and reliable source, a rebuilding of infrastructure and advancement of an energy grid that eliminates waste in electrical power, and my main point (that can separate out into sub points as well) is my plan that we should undergo a massive excavation of our available resources to expand the energy economy and allow enough time for technologies such as hydrogen, wind, and solar to become effective enough and have the infrastructure to replace our current form of energy. We have a small window before our natural resources are exhausted, and as a person who is skeptical of climate change, I believe that we should use our natural resources until we have connected our advancements in alternative energy technologies to a brand new energy infrastructure that will enhance the use of these alternative energy sources to cover the progressive waning of natural resources. Overall, I am for the use of alternative energy, but I believe that a use of natural resources in the short term is the only way for us to create a strong, unified effort that will utilize the newly developed technologies to their fullest potential. We cannot haphazardly begin putting out unready alternative energy that disjointedly work with each other and therefore become inadequate. Nuclear, wind, hydrogen, and other forms should be developed into infrastructure in one unified act instead of the inefficient and slow manner that is not leading us on the road to energy independence. The development of these new technologies that are funded by the continued use of natural resources will also provide a new technology sector for America that other countries will go to for “green technologies” and could be a major export for the United States and boost the economy. 

Narrative Done!

Yeah! The narrative is done (it has been for awhile) but I am going to celebrate on this blog because I am so happy to get rid of that assignment. I might need a transfusion from all hard work and blood that went into thinking up all my analysis. It was a rough time, but it is now time to move onto the next paper.

Narrative Progress

This is a silly post as I have neglected to see the new syllabus and my paper has long ben finished, but if I were to say something about the analysis, I would say that it was quite hard to get all the words down on my first draft. It was a "bleeder" paper... that was for sure and I can't wait to have it turned in (although it is turned in)... yeah.

Letters from B-Jail

Genre: Persuasive Essay

Purpose: To gain support of the white “silent majority” that is neutral in their opinion of the civil rights movement and to establish the peaceful motives behind their civil disobedience.

Central Message: Martin Luther King is relying a message that the African-American population has long been denied basic human rights and dignity and that the time for action is now; though he believes this change can occur through non-violent measures.

World-View and Assumptions: King assumes that Americans believe in the principles of liberty and equality, but most of all human dignity. He speaks on a highly religious level with many references to Christian doctrine, indicating that he believes that most Americans have some connection to Christianity in the United States. He also addresses the point that he essentially believes that most Whites are not extremists as seen in the South, but can relate to the plight of the African-Americans and see their humanity.

Use of Tools and Evidences:

Martin Luther King is writing not only to White moderates, but also to clergymen like King himself was. For this audience, King tries to connect to his fellow believers by referencing a higher moral code, The Bible, in order to appeal for the Whites to follow the counsel of Jesus to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (however it goes). Essentially, King uses his ethos by use of his collegiate writing style along with his position as minister to appeal to his audience’s spiritual enlightenment through the pathos associated with Biblical texts. The spirit of the pathos from the quoting of scripture leads into the overall logos of the piece, which is essentially that we as humans believe in a sense of morals that should transcend any abusive law set forth by misguided individuals. Pathos is also seen in King’s attempts to display the lack of dignity caused by segregation as he describes how parents must explain to children why they cannot participate in the same benefits as White children, outlining the injustice and negative effects of segregation on the Black community. 

C.S Lewis

Genre: Persuasive Essay

Purpose: To address critics of Christianity and affirm its legitimacy as a truthful belief system through open-minded logic.

Central Message: Christianity is not for close-minded individuals and, like many things of this world, is complex and full of essential truths when one thinks about it rationally.

World View and Assumptions: C.S Lewis addresses a universal audience of all religious beliefs in his piece, but mainly addresses critics and atheists. Lewis writes his pieced like he is talking to the most hyper rational group imaginable who will not fall for clichés we normally use in our church (just have faith, use the spirit) to convince ourselves that Jesus is the Christ. Lewis takes for granted he is talking to a mature audience and explains Christianity in terms that display the actual complexity of the religion, insomuch that an educated person might even be lost in his progression. He also shows that a majority of people has some sort of belief system as Atheism is blasted in the article.

Use of Tools and Evidence: Since the article is primarily based in logos, C.S Lewis immediately establishes his open-mindedness and legitimacy as a writer by declaring that he once was an atheist. In order to further validate his ethos to the hard line unbelievers, he does not say he was “born again” or fall into the religious fervor of pathos, as such talk would alienate his skeptics. He uses the logical approach that atheists claim to be the basis of their beliefs, and shows that atheism is in fact, much less complex and is the simplest belief system known to mankind. Although his approach is primarily in logos, C.S Lewis uses pathos by his simple word choices. In order to avoid further complicating the already complex notions of Christianity, he uses simple words like “good” “evil” and other words that establishes his writing in a way that the audience can either accept or not accept, there is no middle ground in his pathos or logos. Ultimately, I believe this piece shows how important the Spirit is for legitimizing truths. If the Spirit were not present in our lives then imagine trying to explain to your children why they should believe in Christ in this logical manner.