Short Writing Assignment #4

While reading “Isn’t That Special?” I found myself relating to the subject matter. The Author, Jonah Goldberg, uses college studies and professors to convey his idea that kids in this generation are a more narcissistic breed. He uses modern examples such as Grey’s Anatomy and House to appeal to the readers of the younger generations. The main point made in this writing is that the American youth has been programmed to hear ‘Your Special’ and repeat it so they thoroughly believe it. Don Chance is quoted in the reading saying that Asian-born students are more motivated to do better when they receive bad grades. On the other hand, American born children are brought up to believe they deserve good grades, not that they have to earn them. As a result to this upbringing, when these kids grow up they long to have their childhood back.
You can assume from reading this that the author himself longs to have his childhood back. He admits to watching the public-service announcements that told kids they were special and individually the most important people in the world. It can also be assumed that he doesn’t see this as the most terrible thing in the world. The article is summed up by saying that even the worst of these kids learn to view the world in a communal nature. While children in this modern day generation ‘grow up’ self-absorbed they eventually learn by having kids of their own that you can’t live vicariously through younger people.
I found the examples used by the author were relevant to my life and helped me further my understanding of his viewpoint. By using college studies and statistics he appealed his thoughts to a target audience. Also, by using popular television shows I felt more connected to aspects of the writing. Even though it is an argumentative piece the opinion wasn’t overly strong allowing it to be a rhetorical writing.

Short Writing Assignment #3

One example of a common, everyday argument is the idea that teen marriage does not last. This statement can be argued in a variety of ways. Stated simply an argument is the combination of a claim, reason and evidence. The argument of the longevity of teen marriage supports this definition. If the goal of an argument is to persuade an audience, an argument reasonably needs opposing viewpoints. The proposal that those who marry in their teens are set up for failure clearly represents contrasting ideas.
In this example, the arguer wants us to believe that generally and statistically teen marriage cannot work and will ultimately end in divorce. The claim to this argument is that teens marry for the wrong reasons and are most likely too immature and inexperienced to handle married life. Reasons for this belief include, the suggestion that a majority of teens marry because of unplanned pregnancy. Another reason argued is the couple’s inexperience in the real world. Teens believe if they can make is through the trials and tribulations of high school then they are ready to be married adults. Many teens that marry have only had one partner and have not experienced dating other people.
Of course, every argument needs evidence. The evidence behind teen marriage is statistics that show that according to "Teenage Couples: Caring, Change, and Commitment", more than 60% of teenage marriages fail within 5 years. Also, it is stated that “A girl married at 17 is twice as likely to be divorced as a girl 18 or 19. If a girl waits until she is 25 the chances that her marriage will last are 4 times better.”
This argument provides claim, reasons and evidence. Also, it allows for debate from those who believe in the success of teen marriage. The reasons and claims allow for follow up examples that could be used to persuade an audience.

Short Assignment #2

The idea of choosing between extremes in modern discussion is looked at closely in Kathleen Parker’s “Seeking Balance in an Either-Or World”. The author dictates to the reader the growing dominance of either-or debates in today’s society and the people called moderates who are stuck in the middle. Abortion is used as a primary example of the hot and cold style of solving problems. The author herself claims to be on the fence concerning many matters, believing she can see both sides to situations and points out that she is not alone. Parker identifies John P. Avlon as an advocate for centrism which he suggests is strict to American values and embraces as reason.
Parker makes a legitimate assessment of the battle of the extremes and living as a person in the middle. Using abortion to show two sides was a significant example considering its history as a controversial topic. However, for a reader that is either liberal or conservative, the author was not overly convincing on the subject of being moderate. She could have focused more clearly on the different sides of another example. A controversial topic the author could have used to exemplify the two sidedness of the world is capital punishment. Specifically showing the viewpoints of both sides and then discussing the perspective of someone caught in the middle would have more accurately portrayed the point.
Coming from a conservative background I was brought up in an educational environment that was particularly one sided. As someone who does not enjoy being directly told what to believe, I strayed from the Catholic ideas being forced upon me. Had I been sent to public school I may have chose one side over the other and stuck with my decision. As a reader, it was simple for me, as a moderate, to understand the author’s position and views on centrism and flexibility in the either-or world. The suggestion of independents becoming a more powerful part of society is an accurate and influential proposal.

Short Writing Assignment 1

One of the most enjoyable writing experiences I have encountered was in my Sophmore year of High School. I was asked to choose something about my school that I did not necessarily agree with and write an agrument to my principle on why it should change. I attented an all girls Catholic High School in which all three hundred and fifty girls wore the same uniform. I hated everything about the uniform and what it stood for so I chose to write a speech convincing the administration to change that. This was my best writing experience because it allowed me to write freely and passionately. The stronger you feel about the subject matter, the easier it is to write about and give the readers a more fulfilling experience. The writing process flows more naturally when your writing about something you believe in. It is easier to find a broader sense of topics and claims. Of course, not all writing experiences are pleasant for the writer. My worst writing experience was last semester for my Sociology class. The assignment was to write a paper on the progression of economics in industrial societies. Just by reading the topic I was bored and uninterested. I find it extremely difficult to write about things I do not find interesting. Writing this paper involved researching statistics and facts about the subject. It allowed for very little creativity, and in my opinion creativity it the most appealing aspect of writing. My worst writing experience had little affect on me, I dont feel I gained anything from it. However, my favorite writing experience has always had some type of influence on the papers I have written since. It allowed me to exercise my own personal writing style which continues you to help me.