Blog Central

The whole blogging experience has been very new to me. Up until my freshman year, I had no earthly idea what blogging was. If someone would have asked me, I probably would have said it was a new drug or something, because “blog” is a funny word! Regardless of the funny name, a blog is basically an online journal in which you can do many things with, such as keep diaries, ideas, and educational journals… just about anything! Being my second semester in your class, I had a pretty good idea that we would be continuing the blogging exercises. Soon did I find that we would be blogging, only much, much more than last semester! Thanks to you, I now know the meaning of the word blog. There were some things I liked about blogging, as well as some things that I absolutely despised!

Something that I really liked was that WordPress helped with the scrambling of papers. I no longer walk in to class frightfully realizing that I forgot my assignment at home. It was always right there on my blog! This was indeed a fascinating idea. Students can no longer say “my dog ate my homework.” Better yet, they cannot say that you lost it! If it is not turned in on time, it is our own fault. I also liked being able to get automatic feed back from you. We could leave you a comment and you would respond immediately, instead of having to remember my question for two days and then getting to class, which by then I probably would not have even remembered what my question was. Despite the huge amount of work, the blog did help for writing purposes. It enabled me to put my thoughts down as they came along. I didn’t have to organize them right away; I only had to do a brainstorm in a more organized matter. It really helped when it came down to writing an actual paper because after doing the blog, I just had to put my ideas in order and incorporate them into my final paper.

It took me a while to learn how to use WordPress. The previous semester we were using Blackboard for our blogs and it was really easy because it was not as complicated as WordPress. WordPress is an entire blogging site, so it was more confusing because it had a lot more options and features. I really liked how we could change the themes and special options to fit our personal styles. Blogging has been conductive to my learning because it helped me in being able to express my ideas. It was a lot easier to brainstorm on the blog by just writing what came to mind instead of sitting down with paper and pencil the old fashion way. Pencils are so over rated now, don’t you think? Technology has basically taken over everything we are able to do in this world, and blogging has basically taken place of paper and pen. It was a great idea though, because we spend most of our time at the computer because we constantly have to do homework and write papers. I learned how to use search engines effectively and how to navigate websites in a way that I never did before.

A problem I encountered with blogging was that students could see the assignments already completed by other students. For example, if I had already completed my assignment, it was extremely easy for someone who had not done it yet to go and look at my blog and reword the answers.  I didn’t find this as fair because as I spent my time working hard doing the assignment and any lazy bum could have come and copied mine. On the other hand, I am a procrastinator. I hate to admit it, but I really am. I try my hardest not to wait until the last minute but it never fails! That being said, what I hated the most about the blogs were the deadlines. Now of course, I understand that I’m in college and deadlines should be met, which for the most part I always had my blogs done on time. Being a procrastinator, I always had to scramble at the last minute to get my assignments done. I know this part of disliking the blog is my fault, but this is what I feel! Nothing bad on your part, though. I guess it also aided me in learning that waiting until the very last minute is not such a good idea! It was hard getting used to because I had never blogged in my entire life. I also did not like having to switch from website to website in order to write the assignment. We had to have your webpage up with the assignment, WordPress for us to blog, and any other reference needed. All it did was get me confused and I had to read each part over and over again.

If I could change one aspect of the blog, I would only use it for writing purposes. I did not like having to read a section and then go back to annotate it. It was just sort of like repeating what the book said. But I do believe that it helped in the writing process, and I give partial credit to blogging in my good grades this semester. In addition, I would find some way for putting locks on homework assignments. I like the idea of being able to look at my peers’ blogs for opinions and style, but not when it is an assignment to be turned in because it is too easy for people to get credit for something that they did not do.

Sorry to say, I will not be using blogging in the future. I simply just don’t have enough time to do it. I work and go to school full time, which could be part of the reason why I procrastinate so much. Nonetheless, the blog was a good idea and if I had to use blogging in future classes I would definitely not be disappointed since I now know the basics of blogging. As for personal use, I would not use blogging because I just don’t like typing when I don’t have to… it makes my fingers hurt! I like to get on the internet, like Myspace and things like that but just a place to write thoughts and ideas just isn’t me. I guess it just depends on the type of person you are.

Why I Hate Essay Exams

Essay Exams have always been something I hate. The reasn first of all is because I hate writing essays. When it is an exam, you have to think of it right off the top of your head. You don’t have weeks to fully think our the essay, you have to do it right on the spot. I also don’t like how we don’t know what we will be writing about. If it’s a difficult topic, there may be time needed to think and when it is an exam, you have to finish it that day in a matter of a few hours. You can ask peoples opinions or anything like that. It is very stressful to have to write a complete paper that will count for a huge portion of your grade. I always feel that I am not using the correct wording or that I am leaving something out since I have to write so much in a short period of time. It is just really frustratig to write a paper and cite it and do all that at the same time. And this being an English class, it has to be perfect.

ARGUMENT/COUNTERARGUMENT

HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer for women. There has never been anything to stop it until now. Recently, Merck & Co. produced a vaccine called Gardasil, which prevents the contraction of HPV in types 6, 11, 16 and 18, which are the main causes of cervical cancer. Studies have shown that after women had taken the vaccine, a great decrease in the contamination of cervical cancer was detected. This has been a great medical breakthrough and would be a great opportunity for women and their daughters to take advantage of. “Clinical trials showed Gardasil prevented 100 percent of cervical cancer related to the two HPV strains in women who had not been previously infected” (Merck). Imagine if this vaccine had been discovered years ago, cervical cancer would hardly be a problem in our society at all. HPV is the most easily spread disease, and up until now it has been a major problem for women (Associated Press, MSNBC).

 

The problem is that Governor Rick Perry has made it mandatory for girls entering the 6^thgrade, which are girls as young as 11 or 12, to take the vaccine. The law will be set in stone starting in September 2008 (Associated Press, MSNBC). The vaccine is given at such a low age because it prevents the contraction of HPV before the girls have begun to have sexual interaction (Associated Press, MSNBC). There are some arguments at this mandatory shot because people believe that there are ties with Perry and Merck, the creators of Gardasil. People believe that he is making a lot of money off of the shot, which leads onlookers to believe that he is making the vaccine mandatory for money reasons only. CNN lets it be known that Perry “received $6,000 from Merck’s political action committee” on his re-election alone. Another problem is that parents believe that the pill will interfere with their moral teachings to their daughters. They believe that by receiving the shot, they will become more promiscuous and careless about having sex since they will be unable to contract cervical cancer through HPV after receiving the shot. Is this merely a moral issue, or can this medical breakthrough save the lives of millions of women in the future? Gardasil is here to help, and should be looked at as an amazing opportunity for women.

Argument Audience and Fallacies

1. Who is your specific audience?

I had some trouble coming up with an audience for my topic. Since the audience determines what needs to be said in the essay I decided to direct my audience at the mothers of young teenage daughters (12-16 years). The range of my audience is to be able to broaden my argument because I believe that this is the point of view I can get the most information out of.

2. Why did you choose them?

I feel that I will be more able to argue from both sides by writing to the mothers. I can say that it will prevent their daughters as well as themselves from getting cervical cancer, as well explaining as to why they are opposed to it. One reason that I read mothers are so oppsed to the vaccine is because they are afraid their daughters will become more promiscuous. It is easier to write about the con on that subject than writing to the young girls saying “hey, dont go off and mess with everyone just because you got this shot.” I can present a better approach writing an essay trying to persuade the audience.

3. How will your audience affect the argument you intend to present?

My audience is going to affect my argument because I am going to be writing to an older audience. I will have to base my essay on topics that will catch their attention by presenting a topic that really matters to them. I will have to look at the controversy from a different point of view since I am not a mother myself but it will broaden my knowledge as well as my information on the subject.

4. Which fallacies will you need to focus on keeping from your argument? Why are these (individually) important to consider in  your argument?

• Hasty Generalization: I will avoid saying that everyone who gets the vaccine will be unable to get cancer. Although the shot is 90%-100% accurate, there may always be a few shots gone wrong.
• False Analogy: Parents think that their daughters will become more promiscuous if they have the shot done. That is a false analogy because not all girls will be that way, they need to be taught what is right and wrong.
• Slippery Slope: Like the False Analogy, parents believe that giving their children will lead to having unprotected sex to much worse situations.

Prospectus

• overview of the argument
  • what issue are you examining and why is this issue important to you?

The issue of taking the pill Gardisil is very controversial. It is a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer through the HPV virus and it is a great medical breakthrough. People are for it because it can help young girls from contracting the disease, but parents don’t think it is ethical because they believe that it will only help their young daughter be more promiscuous.

•  
  • how recent is this argument? How easily can you find the materials needed for the research?

                   Ashley was six when she recieved this treatment and she is nine now. Materials are easy to find because this is such a controversial issue.

• summary of the pro side of the argument
  • For those on the pro side, what arguments do they use (Why should you be “for” this)?

                 The treatment will be more comfortable for Ashley. She will not be sexually inviting. Her caregivers will have an easier time taking care of her. She is able to be more involved with her family because of her smaller size.

• summary of the con side of the argument
  • Why should you be “against” this argument? What does the research say?

                 She might improve. There are other options available. There might be a potential cure. The side effects of the treatment could be harmful. They do not even know what the side effects are. It leads to other questionable practices as far as eugenics.o         

•  
  • Are you pro or con? Why?

       We are con because of the reasons stated above.

•  
  • what you have learned in your research thus far?

                  The doctors are proud of what they did. The doctors may have done this to experiement on children. It sets medical precendence making it easier to do this again. People with disabilities are very offended.

• provide a brief summation of the research you have completed.
  • Have you found statistics?

           not really

•  
  • Have you found support for your side of the argument?

          Yes, marmite boy, tom shakespeare

•  
  • Have you found counterarguments you can use?

                    Her parents, george dvorsky, the ethics comm. the doctors’ paper, 90% of the comments the parents recieve are positive. (What about the other 10%?)

• What you still need to find in your research?

             We need to find more scholary support.  

• What statistics do you still need to find?

        % of people who recover, % of causes,

• What testimonies would be helpful?

          Parents who have disabled children who disagree with the treatment. Disabled children or people who also disagree with the treatment.

• Do you need to interview somebody to get an expert’s testimony?

          maybe through a nicely worded email.

• What is your timeline?
  • In this section, I want to have a detailed list of upcoming major deadlines for your other classes and I want to see how you plan to work your paper around these deadlines. I specifically want to see when you will have your research completed, rough draft completed, when you plan to revise, and when you plan to proofread your essay.

Static Encephalopathy

The summarized paragraphs for Static Encephalopathy are numbered below. 

    1.   Names what static encephalopathy is and that is affects with development.

1. Static means it will not change and the paragraph states how the disease does not get worse or better, but there can be improvement.
2. Basically explains that static encephalopathy is permanent brain damage that is an abnormality from the brain.
3. Static encephalopathy varies from different patients depending on how much and what part of the brain is damaged.
4. The symptoms of static encephalopathy vary upon which part of the brain performs what function.
5. A child may be disabled in speaking or hearing if the section of the brain that controls those functions is damaged.
6. One can be “retarded” if the learning part of the brain is affected. They could forget things, learn slow, etc.
7. If the damage is in many parts of the brain the child may have all sorts of problems.
8. Static encephalopathy is one cause for seizures, but not the only cause.
9. Damaged part of the brain that controls hearing or seeing can cause blindness or deafness.
10. Cerebral palsy is when you are slow in making movements. It is a form of static encephalopathy.
11. It is not cerebral palsy when it involves muscle movements.
12. Cerebral palsy is when movements are actually abnormal, not delayed. It is sometimes difficult to determine whether it is static encephalopathy or cerebral palsy.
13. Static encephalopathy is a clinical diagnosis, meaning that it is determined by the doctor based on the child’s history. The doctor has to make sure the problem is in the brain and check progress over time. Only time can tell whether it will be permanent or not!
14. EEG is a brain wave test that helps doctors diagnose a problem. If the child has seizures, there is no EEG test.
15. The EEG test measures brain activity to see if it is at the right stage according to the person’s age.
16. The EEG test does not tell you what the problem is, it just lets the doctor know it is abnormal.
17. EEG picks up abnormalities on the surface of the brain, so if the problem is deeper than the surface the EEG will still turn out to say that there are no abnormalities. An EEG test will tell you is there is a problem, not what the problem is.
18. CT takes a picture of the brain. MRI takes a picture of the magnetic activity of the brain. They both show what the brain looks like. Shows abnormalities and tumors, etc.
19. Mentions what determines the problem.
20. 21 through 23 talk about the scans that they do not give the answer, only a clue.
21. Blood and urine tests are used to find problems in the body system
22. Genetic testing helps determine if the problem was passed down through their genetics.
23. k
24. Abnormal chromosomes do not mean there is a problem.
25. same as 25
26. If the genes come up abnormal they often ask the parents to come take a test.
27. DNA analysis is barely used; only for very complicated diseases.
28. Genetic testing has not reached the level of exact diagnosis but in the future it will improve.
29. Paragraphs 30-34 explain how all types of tests should be run in order to better diagnose a child’s problem.

35. Anything that can severely damage the brain can cause static encephalopathy.

36. 36 and 37 talk about how through all tests it is still hard to determine what causes static encephalopathy. Most of the things parents worry about that cause the disease is usually not the cause

38. Treatment varies for static encephalopathy depending on the type, but since the disease is permanent, it can only be treated, not cured.

39. Medication calms down the hyperactive children.

40. Therapy in different areas can help the child develop better skills.

41. Teachers should help because people learn from experience

42. Special equipment is used uniquely depending on the damage to help them be as independent as possible.

43. Surgery should be worst case scenario with a team to help the doctor.

44. 44-49 explain other ways to help improve the child’s skills.

49. Most cases are not severe and children can live a normal life, but others are not and so they are called handicapped.

50. This paragraph says how handicapped and disabled are just words and people still live ordinary lives.

51. Static encephalopathy is a very complicated disease that varies among patients. Says that having a child with the disease means doing a lot of research.

The article did relate to the Ashley X issue because it described her disease. It said that it could improve but onyl time would tell, so what if she got better later on? Her parents already stopped her growth so its too late! I would include this in a researched essay because it has the definition and some interesting facts about static encephalopathy.

Racial Profiling

Racial profiling

Is it illegal? It is illegal to arrest or pull some one over based on their stereotypes.

What is DWB? Police refer to this as “driving while brown or black”, which is when they pull someone over because of their skin color and they look suspicious.

What is it? It is an act that officers of law go by to determine suspicion based on stereotypes. It is used often to see who they should pull over or to search. It is based on religion, ethnicity, race, and any sort of stereoptype. This is hwta they used based on cahracteristics to associate someone witha  crime. MAJOR EXAMPLE: After 9-11, there was a fear in arabs and other ethnicities of that sort b/c of what happened. Another describes it not only by the police, but any action to ensure safety beased on stereotypes.

Who is affected? Innocent drivers, pedestrians, and shoppers:Asians, native americans, and increasingly after 911 arabs, muslims, and south asians. It is refered to as beign used by officers of law, but it happens within everyone everyday whether trying to do it or not.

Is it racial or just trying to stay safe? It is racial, because you are judging someone based on their skin color. Then again, you may be sitting in your car and see a man with dark sking with all black clothes walking towards the car and you lock the door just to be safe. So is it racial or something that happens in our minds automatically everyday based on experience?

Who does it? Police officers use this to make assumptions or to decide if someone is linked toa cime.

Where? Evrywhere, everday.

Experience: blockbuster pull over

Movie: Crash as an example

My Argument as I Know It

After thinking it over, although I might still change it, I finally decided to write about racial profiling.

I do believe that I am writing on an issue that really is controversial, because people have different views on it. Either some people are basically racist, or they sterotype certain cultures.

My topic needs to be expanded so that I can cover all aspects of racial profiling and so that I will have enough length to my paper.

What I know about my topic:

• racial profiling happens everyday
• we may do it without noticing it
• it is really common but just not thought of
• the stereotypes are not always true
• its nor fair to others

Examples:

A woman is standing in a restaurant and a man in torn clothes walks in. She immediatly thinks he is homeless, but as the night passes by she sees him act out a  scene on the stage. She assumed he was homeless, when he was only dressed like that for a play.

A police officer pulls over two African American men because of their skin color and he believes they are smuggling drugs. He pulls them over only to find out they are headed to their home. The assumption the officer made was racial profiling.

Analysis Essay Comments

What comments have I received that emphasize the strengths in my essay? How can I maintain this type of writing in the future?

I have received comments that emphasize my strengths of transitioning, and I can maintain this in the future by making sure the paragraphs run smoothly through my choice of words.

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 believe that my strongest parts of the essay were my counter arguments. My comments do not reflect it, so I must not have done so well on that part. To make it better I should be clear on my facts and state them accordingly to the essay without any holes.

What comments have I received that point out weaknesses in my essay? What do I need to do to begin improving on these essays?

The weaknesses of my essay was stating my thesis statement and that i sometimes stray from the subject. I need to clearly read over my paper after writing to make sure that everything makes sense. I should also make my theis statement very clear in the introduction so that readers know what my essay is about.

Could the Write Site help me with these improvements? Why or why not?

The Write site could help because it can help with the organization of the essay and help me take out parts that don’t really make sense. I think the write site could help with my improvements significantly.

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?

I do believe that i could adequately revise my essay now that I have seen the comments, because I now now what my weaknesses are and what I need to improve.

Controversial Issues Brainstorm

The issue on the pill GARDISIL is highly in the news right now. It is a pill that the governor wants to make all girls the age of 12 and up mandatory to take the pill. It was created to prevent cancer by the HPV virus.

Another issue, which has been in the news for weeks now, is the burial of Anna Nicole. Although I don’t think it is so interesting, it has been in the audience’s eye for a long time now. They need to decide on wether her baby daughter will inherit all of her moeny, where she will be buried, and who gets the child.

Another controversial issue to me is the death penalty. Some people believe in it, and some people don’t.

Hiring illegal workers has been seen throughout businesses. Business owners like it because they don’t have to pay them so much, but others think it is not fair because they are taking citizen’s jobs.

 These are only a few issues I’d like to look at, so tomorrow in class will hopefully give me some more ideas.