Peter Menzel Photography

Menzel's collection of photos show a significant different in the eating patterns around the world. These images show how the rest of the world eats more exotic and non manufactured food. Many pictures show animals that have been prepared for eating although they may not look prepared to the typical American eye. One can also induce that the poorer the country is then the less amount of food they will consume in a week. Most of this food is cultivated off the land on farms and fields. Where as one when one looks at the picture of the American family they see a completely different trend than that of the other pictures. The American family eats a significant amount more and less healthy which is usually associated with America. He is trying to show the difference between the rest of the world and America, and how American's need to change their eating habits as well as their consumption rate.

Prompt 3

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/27/2011

Prompt #3

            Berry would encourage college students to try to eat healthier. If at all possible start a garden and grow your own food, but that probably is not possible for a college student. Also try to get food other than on campus food. Go out into the community and buy fresh produce. Have a better understanding about the food you are eating and where it came from. A student needs to have more control of their diet because this affects their academic performance. While you are in college one needs to start developing these skills even if they can not necessarily live by these guidelines quite yet. When at all possible it would be good for students to prepare their own food, but primarily start eating healthier at a younger age.

prompt 1

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/27/2011

Prompt #1

            Wrangham goes into extensive detail in explaining why he believes that humans are the way we are today and have developed due to mastering fire. Primarily cooking meat and chicken type foods helped cavemen eventually become the normal human we see today. He suggests that civilizations starting using fire way sooner than people used to believe was possible. Cooking also helps to develop a social order. In which people have designated responsibilities and have to do their job in order to create a functional system. Meat also helps people grow faster than normal food. 

Peer Review

I would like to know if the paragraph transitions are smooth and if i varied my sentence structure. Also do i focus too much on the actual topic or the writer's way of portraying the text into an argument? Do my sentences flow and is my paper a good rhetorical analysis?

swa 7

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/15/11

Altruism

            Judith Lichtenberg’s short writing, “Is Pure Altruism Possible?”, dwells with the possibility that complete selfishness can actually occur. Lichtenberg gives examples of what can be thought of as altruism, and then she attaches some counter arguments stating that altruism is always for some sort of profit for the person of who is acting. However, then she mounts her theory that people can do good for others not just for some sort of personal satisfaction, but for the wellbeing of the person in need.

            Lichtenberg seems to be very into her topic of conversation, and it is evident that she has spent time researching different and opposing theories. The idea that one can be that unselfish, even Christ-like, captivates her and the reader. It is an age old question, but one that is sure to be contemplated for years to come. Lichtenberg wants to show that it is possible to be altruistic by doing well for the benefit of others, and if this makes you feel better about yourself on the inside then it is still considered to be altruistic and should be viewed in such light. The author has to be trying to convey this message to all sorts of age groups, race and gender because the argument is eternal and not just associated with a particular culture. Regardless that this worldly view is probably viewed in high esteem around the globe, there are surprisingly some cultures that would frown upon altruism. Therefore, one would need to have some sort of religious background and most likely a functioning conscious to understand the message Lichtenberg is trying to get across to the reader. The vast majority of people reading this article are sure to be living in the United States of America so it would suite most American because the norm for people living her are Christian so this is sure to help with getting the message across as well.

            Lichtenberg develops her argument fairly clearly, she could be a little more clear in the middle of her text as to which side she believed until waiting until the end to say that she does in fact state her belief that altruism does and can exist even in our ever growing malevolent world today. The argument that Lichtenberg produces would fall under the multi-sided argumentative category due to how she shows both her side and the opposing side, and Lichtenberg does give of pretty decent synopsis of the opposing side’s philosophy’s towards how altruism may be impossible. Thankfully, she does a fantastic job of describing what altruism is and both sides of the argument so the reader does not have to go research the topic. Therefore, Lichtenberg has recognized and responded to alternate views which all can but make her agreement more effective and able to believe.

            Due to the ethical appeal of the writing, ethos, Lichtenberg has furthermore developed her writing and the appeal of her topic making her more respectable which most indefinitely results in making people take her side of that argument stating the altruism does exist. Lichtenberg also does an impressive job of using examples and it is equally apparent and boarder line obvious that Lichtenberg most likely has a significant amount of moral fiber. She believes in the good of humanity, and the possibility that one day we all can become one or at least make the world a better place to live in if people can unselfishly helping people. This argument deals more so with the logical than sympathetic side. It has to do with how the reader feels about to the certain topic on the inside and not a strictly sympathetic manner. Although, Lichtenberg does use some examples that would appeal to emotion she tries to stay away from the and focus on facts instead of strictly one’s beliefs. This is effective however because it makes her argument more believable to the reader. Lichtenberg’s argument is very intellectual and she does display her impressive vocabulary, but her writing is still able to be comprehended if one focuses on what point she is portraying. The complexity of her argument is still enough to confuse people, but the logical depth to her discussion requires an intellect value of the argument to be able to effectively develop her point to the reader. Lichtenberg’s tone also contributes a significant amount to developing her point. It is somewhat serious and also vaguely normal. She could just as well be having this conversation with a normal person whom she happens to be friends with, and this mellows out her conversation instead of trying to create some tense attitude of doom and gloom. She does not use much design or any pictures in her writings, but they doubtable could have helped to further her argument because it is not so much a show and tell argument.

            Lichtenberg’s uses of other philosopher’s belief’s definitely helps out her argument and makes it more believable to the reader which in turns makes her argument once more increasingly effective. I doubt the argument at hand would be taken into different account in most cultures because a conscious probably resides in all humans making them susceptible to the contents of her argument. Most people also have the ability to associate with her argument and her beliefs. We have all been in a situation where we could have helped a person but chose not to instead, and most likely we have also been in a situation where we helped someone for further benefit of ourselves or to make ourselves feel better. However, I doubt many people have been truly altruistic, which is the reason people strike such an interest in the topic at hand. Lichtenberg sticks to her argument and does not get side tracked which adds also to her argument as a whole, and can help make it more believable. Lichtenberg’s argument is well thought out and well developed as a whole. Her fundamental beliefs are thoroughly portrayed and captured throughout the course of her writing, and they capture the reader and force them to be drawn into the argument at hand. 

working thesis analysis

Alice Walter's, "A Healthy Constitution", overviews her regards to the problematic situations society has been forced to deal with due to processed or fast food, and she does an excellent job of conveying her beliefs through her structure and appeal to humanity.

rhetorical analysis

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/13/2011

Rhetorical Analysis

            I chose to analyze a writing by Alice Walters called “A Healthy Constitution” in which Cooper shows her disdain towards processed and fast food. She believes that people, especially kids, so not be so prone to this at a young age. Kids, however, that are introduced to her Chez Panisse Foundation are more likely to become healthier and further themselves in the process of growing up. They will become a better steward to society and more responsible. Walter uses both ethos and pathos when writing this piece to grasp the reader. She tries to appeal to the parents of kids who want to teach them how to grow and sustain healthy eating habits, and ethically she wants to show that growing your own food is also more productive for society and all who depend on the hard workers of America to make this country great. Walter cleverly starts with a more narrow focus when concentrating on kids needing healthier food at school, and then proceeds to broaden her to society as a whole. This is an effective strategy because it usually helps the reader understand the primary purpose of the author’s writings, and her intentions for writing this. She also is trying to promote her own opinion which she cannot be blamed for doing because her theory or beliefs could seriously help out America due to the fact that we are the country with the highest obesity rate. 

Goodman on surrogacy

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/8/2011

Surrogacy?

            Goodman expresses her discontent with surrogacy throughout this short piece. She believes that this act is taking our planet towards a step in the wrong direction. Third world countries and even more so civilized societies are now starting to take part in this new marketplace phenomenon. However, this may be financially helpful for certain woman in these countries who make trivial amounts of money every year. That would be about the only upside to surrogacy, but Goodman implies that she believes this is ethically and morally wrong. Some women do not even consider the baby being born in their own womb to be theirs.

            Goodman uses pathos in order to appeal to the emotion of the reader. Her examples of pathos grasp the reader and commence to make one enthralled in the topic presented.  Goodman probably tries to make one feel bad for the babies of which are born so their birth mother can gain a subsequently inhumane few thousand. This would most likely upset a vast majority of women. Goodman’s tone towards the respective subject also translates the general point she is trying to get across about her feelings regarding surrogacy. A certain level of sarcasm is present in this piece which magnificently portraits her non hypothetical opinion considering the topics ghastly nature because the situation is in fact real and so is her sarcasm displayed in the text.

            This topic strikes me as problematic, memorable and disturbing. I find this problematic because surrogacy is wrong, and there is always the possibility that it could evolve into an even worse problem. Goodman’s argument is memorable because consequently I have never heard of surrogacy, and I think that is fundamentally corrupt and vile. Lastly, the thought of a woman having eggs and sperm that do not belong to her or her significant other being combined to make a human being is morally and equivocally unjust to society and existence. 

Catherine Beecher

The information i gathered about Beecher does not come as a surprise at all. She came from a wealthy family, was home schooled until she was sent off to a private school, she supported women and women becoming teachers, she felt that women were more so inclined than men to become teachers and she blatantly expressed this through her actions and writing, and she took over the housekeeping duties at the age of sixteen when her mother died which did not either surprise me. Beecher self taught herself many things and became very knowledgeable  for a woman during this time. Which did not come as a shock either based on how extensive and difficult to follow her writing was. Lastly, Beecher says that women are best suited to be mother's and teachers' instead of getting caught up in politics or business.

A woman's Place?

John Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/6/2011

A Woman’s Place?

            Beecher’s definition of a housekeeper is way more thorough than any other explanation I have ever heard of when explaining any sort of woman position involving a house. Regardless, her definition of a housekeeper extends far and beyond what one would expect. Beecher goes to great depth in order to explain why she thinks being a house keeper or good woman is so important. This equable and cheerful temper that Beecher always associates will the housekeeper is one that she incessantly harps on. The temper, as she would say, should be in a controlled manor, but not one of anger or that of frustration. She is to remain calm and collected like the true lady she is.

            Beecher then continues to go off on several steps to becoming an optimum house keeper. A woman should not take her job lightly, if she were to do so this would increase the difficulty tenfold. She is to take it seriously because without a sense of purpose or motivation there dwindles the chance of her succeeding. Another is to go ahead and assumer to everything is going to work out, and to meet this opposition of even the best thought out plans to fail and interfere with the rest of the family. A woman should also understand that there is going to being struggles, trails, and tribulation whenever being the fundamental housekeeper as she is, and she would do well to learn such earlier on in the process. The woman should be able to forgive and forget. Not all actions need repercussion, and the woman would do well to be understanding and mindful of those who are less developed in life. Finally, religion and a faith in God is the single most important step to becoming a housewife. Beecher, however, does maintain some difference between housekeeper and woman. Both are extremely important to life, but still there are some differences.  

swa#3

Jack Waggett

Mrs. Mikhaylova

English 102

9/1/11

SWA#3

            Wiesel’s views towards the world as a whole are one of concern and alarm. He cares deeply for the deprived and attempts to share this concern and willingness to help the world through as many avenues as possible. In his interview with Richard D. Heffner, Wiesel feels as though the more privileged are and should be held responsible for those who are less fortunate. Information is needed in order to stay up to date with world issues. However, Wiesel said that too much information is stored away and not really used. People are too focused on the now, and are less interested on what recently happened that is still in need of fixing.

            Wiesel also states that people need to listen more often. Those who need helping out usually can never inform people of their situation. Therefore, it is our moral obligation to listen, listen and see what they need. Wiesel refers often to the Bible and God in his responses. Wiesel conveys stories from the Bible in order to better represent our responsibility to help our fellow man or to be our brother’s keeper. Religion plays a substantial role as well. Wiesel believes that through religion people can unite to solve problems that all mankind face and are threatened by. 

            A problem that Wiesel blatantly states is that we are bombarded everyday with information, and so much information that it is hard to constantly fathom what is actually going on with societies on the planet. We collectively need to concentrate on the needs of others and not just the new top story. If we all do this, Wiesel believes that we can create a better world and a better tomorrow.