Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Developing your ethos as a student writer
In the second half of class, I’d like you to respond to any of the pieces you’ve read recently and develop an argument about the issue that reflects your own position on it. As you begin your response, make sure and give your reader a sense of the debate or a brief summary of what the writer you're responding to wrote. Then, as you develop your argument, emphasize appeals to ethos as your primary proof for this argument and draw upon your strengths and position as a student to help give you credibility on this issue. Try to use some of the strategies we’ve discussed in class today to strengthen your argument.
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Mike Littwin writes a lot of articles on a bevy of topics, one on my favorite however is his recent piece on hiring John Elway as head of the Denver Bronco’s football organization. With his new title, he has returned to restore the tradition and legacy that he helped build as a quarterback for so many years. While I was only eight years old the last time Elway played professionally, I have followed football all my life. Also, being a Colorado native I am aware of how we feel about football, especially the quarterback of the broncos. John Elway was the face of Denver football for so many years, when he left; he left enormous shoes to fill. Many quarterbacks have come and gone through the organization, but none of them have been Elway. Bronco fans, at least until the Broncos win a Super Bowl, will criticize every quarterback that plays for the orange and blue. Now however, with number seven back at the helm, Denver fans will have nothing to complain about if things don’t work out.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, “Law Enforcement bracing for a new drug”, Susan Thornton talks about the occurrence of a new drug that a lot of high school and college students have began to use. Thornton makes the point that legislature should attempt to learn about this new drug and change the laws on legal and illegal drugs. As a student at DU, a college where marijuana and other herbal drugs are very prevalent, I can understand how these types of drugs affect students. These herbal incense drugs that Thornton is speaking about often contain drugs that the user may know nothing about. This then creates a fear of the unknown, but also the want to know. Because I am a college student right now in the state of Denver, I can easily understand Thornton`s fear for the users of the these unknown drugs and agree that maybe the legislature should step in and create some boundaries for these kinds of drugs.
ReplyDeleteThe issue of medical marijuana in Colorado is continuously growing and changing the laws has become a whole ordeal. In the editorial “Wrong way on the medical pot bill”, the writer describes changes to the law that would allow previous drug felons to open their own dispensaries. The article states that this would be a step in the wrong direction, and I would have to agree with it. Allowing drug criminals back into the marijuana community would not do any good for medical marijuana users or the ex-felons. You wouldn’t let a pedophile become a teacher, so why let a drug felon distribute drugs (even though it is legal)? As a student who lives in Colorado, I often see dispensaries on my way to class and when I go out to eat. I would like to think that the people who own these dispensaries are responsible people who have their customer’s best interest and want the marijuana to help them, Rather than negatively affect their lifestyle. The laws would also make it so people who have qualified for a green card but have no received the physical card yet would still be able to use their green card with appropriate identification. I think this really defeats the purpose of having the green card and would probably cause more abuse of the green card, even if it is for medical reasons. In some cases, marijuana can help people improve their lives, but too much of a good thing can have negative effects. If someone cannot wait 35 days to receive their green card, we can almost always assume they will end up abusing the power being given to them. This article says that the changes should be reconsidered and I agree for the safety of my fellow students, the neighborhood I live in and the people who really need marijuana for medical reasons.
ReplyDeleteIn Dan Haley’s article, “Ignoring Superman”, he discusses the issues of the school system in the Denver area. He says that “the system is broken” and that many parents have asked the superintendent to resign. Personally, this is something that I think is a wrong move on the parents’ part. When something is breaking down, the last thing that one should do is pull the plug on the leader. This is when the leader needs to step up and work harder to bring the system back together. If parents are still skeptical after this has happened then it may be time to think about a new superintendent. This is a current issue in the Denver area and it needs to be addressed in a larger sense. He is working to open up more spots in high schools for students who have proven that they need the help. This may not benefit each and every person who is involved in the school system however, it can be very important to keep the man in charge at the wheel until he has had a chance to fix these problems in the system. The last sentence of his article, “…we'll be waiting for Superman forever if we resist the progress underway”(Haley), is something that directly supports my argument. The parents of these students need to stop opposing the current superintendent and let the “progress underway” develop and try to get this system back up and running.
ReplyDeleteRecently in the Denver Post, an editorial was published on the debate of whether or not Colorado should give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. The author makes the claim that if a student is an illegal immigrant but graduates from a Colorado high school, then they should be able to receive in-state tuition. Illegal immigration is currently a very prevalent problem in our country. However, many illegal immigrants come in families with small children who don’t really have a say in the decision. These young children should not be punished for their parent’s crimes. Many times they grow up knowing no other home besides the United States although technically they live here illegally. These children attend the schools in Colorado but when it comes time for college, they find that it is not affordable.
ReplyDeleteIt was only a little over a year ago that I began the process of applying for colleges and graduating high school. My parents have always had high expectations for my siblings and I. Graduating from high school and attending a college or university was not an option for me, it was a requirement yet also a privilege. I realize that many people in our country cannot afford college for their children. These illegal immigrants usually do not have the opportunity to go to college because they cannot afford it. Although these students are not technically citizens of this country, they have lived here their entire lives.
In the article, "Yes, Viriginia," by Dan Haley his argument is very prominent. This article states his personal opinion and experiences to help build his opinion on the issue. The issue within the article is about an 8 year old girl named Virginia that wants to know if Santa Claus is in fact real. She writes a letter to the New York Sun and asks them to give her the answer. Haley presented a comical response to this issue by using his own personal experience as a father of a little girl, and how he would face the issue. Not only is his response witty and relatable to the audience, he relates to television such as CSI. He also makes light hearted and relaxed conversation by saying that miracles and believing is the fun part of life. Being a past 8 year old little girl, I have hands on experience of believing in Santa Claus and then finding out it was a lie. I agree with the light hearted mood Haley sets in his article, because the truth of Santa Claus is something that needs to be presented in a comical state.
ReplyDeleteDan Haley, in his A Real Nowhere Man article in the Denver Post, suggests that there is a huge area in the political spectrum that is often overlooked. The middle road of moderation is traveled by many people, and yet it goes frequently and repeatedly unnoticed. It is large enough to sway the politics of the country from one extreme to the other. When the masses are dissatisfied with the current political party’s ideologies, they tend to swing to the other party. This is completely true. I am not a member of either hardcore party, but many of my family members are much more hardcore Republican and conservative. I have experience with trying to take that middle road in any political discussion. It really is difficult to take the more balanced opinion on political matters. This makes it difficult for the many people who actually do this.
ReplyDeleteAs a student, somewhat disconnected from the world seeing as how I do not own a television in my dorm room, I find myself feeling left out from current events. In Haley’s article, “A real nowhere man”, he addresses the growing issue of extremist politics. People are stuck in the middle, agreeing with one party or another is incredibly difficult these days. People’s views on politics are changing drastically however the republican versus democratic divide isn’t exactly changing simultaneously. There are more and more people who are getting pushed out of politics because there is no room for “middle men”. Solely agreeing with the left or right is challenging in a society that pushes diversity, tolerance, and unity. Because I’m a student that doesn’t watch the news or read the paper every morning, I’m not corrupted by this failing system of government. I have a fresh perspective and new ideas because my mind isn’t skewed by the current reforms.
ReplyDeleteDeveloping ethos blog
ReplyDeleteDavid Harsanyi’s argument in his op-ed piece is well conveyed in the title: “Blood libel? Oy vey”. Oy vey is a term that means “my goodness!” In this context: What does it matter? Sarah Palin used a term and it doesn’t matter.
I’m here to argue that there are more important things to belly-ache about aside from being politically correct. What about things like the public good? The ongoing debt that plagues the nation? If someone says a phrase that is a little rougher to the psyche, does that merit the same attention that real issues do?
In the article, In-state tuition for all students, the writer talks about the issue about illegal immigrants’ education. There is a bill trying to be passed that states that illegal immigrants who graduated from high school in Colorado, should be allowed to pay for in-state tuition for college. The counter argument to this bill, which includes a decent amount of the public, is that illegal immigrants are in this country illegally and should not receive the benefits of in-state tuition. The writer argues that the children of illegal immigrants should not have to pay for their parents mistakes. He states that’s “treating the children of illegal immigrants as state residents is the right thing to do, both morally and economically.” I agree with the writer in this aspect. As a Colorado citizen and a college student, I understand the cost of schools both in and out of state. I believe children should not suffer from the actions of their parents, but children should have the opportunity to leave a full and successful life. College will allow them this opportunity. Illegal immigrants will be able to pay for a great education in Colorado. While some argue illegal immigrants should not get any opportunities, I believe they are still the children of the future and be allowed the chance to learn.
ReplyDeleteFive years ago, Joe Lieberman changed his political registration from Democrat to independent in hopes to do right to his state and country regardless if his beliefs are not completely coherent with one political party or the other. With his “new” political leanings, Lieberman has announced he will not run for re-election in 2012 because his beliefs do not “fit in today’s political spectrum.” Dan Haley, an editor of the Denver Post, took Lieberman’s declaration and condensed the idea to Colorado’s government. Haley states there is a tremendous amount of pressure to be either Democrat or Republican and not be an independent or moderate, thus “squeezing out” who is left over of the moderates. These are the people that citizens do not want in office says Haley.
ReplyDeleteExtremes in combat have rarely produced long-term success. Differences between the two extremes continuously clash and eventually, those very differences lead to the demise of what could be a union. While contrariety may aid in decision making and balancing an idea, it must be held in moderation. The pressure from hard core liberal and conservative sides bring serious difficulties to the table when it comes to making decisions to benefit the state/country. These pressures continuously pushing out moderates all around will lead to extreme swings in government which cannot be healthy. The transition from extreme liberal to extreme conservative is a lot for the American people to handle in that adjustment is a process. When the country is composed of two totally opposite entities, the transition will be slow with the American people because there will be great disagreements from one side and tons of affirmations on the other.
The article that I picked was how food companies are now starting to put their nutritional facts on the front of their products. As a writer this really relates to me. I tend to use a lot of example in my writing and so did this editior.
ReplyDeleteA recent article I read was the debate over weed, pot, marijuana, or whatever you want to call it. The government was debating over banning edible foods infused with pot. They don't want young kids getting their hands on it. But, in my opinion I think that would be bad. I think if the government made it legal, and put a tax on it, it would be very helpful to our economy. Also, most people don't want to smoke marijuana because of the health affects, so legalizing edibles could be a great way to rake in money. Isn't our economy one of the biggest problems in our country? I don't understand why we aren't doing everything and anything to fix this problem.
ReplyDelete