Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Argument Paper
What is an argumentative essay?
The argumentative essay is a genre of writing that requires the student to investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate evidence; and establish a position on the topic in a concise manner.- A clear, concise, and defined thesis statement that occurs in the first paragraph of the essay.
In the first paragraph of an argument essay, students
should set the context by reviewing the topic in a general way. Next the
author should explain why the topic is important (exigence)
or why readers should care about the issue. Lastly, students should
present the thesis statement. It is essential that this thesis statement
be appropriately narrowed to follow the guidelines set forth in the
assignment. If the student does not master this portion of the essay,
it will be quite difficult to compose an effective or persuasive essay.
- Clear and logical transitions between the introduction, body, and conclusion.
Transitions are the mortar that holds the foundation
of the essay together. Without logical progression of thought, the
reader is unable to follow the essay’s argument, and the structure will
collapse. Transitions should wrap up the idea from the previous section
and introduce the idea that is to follow in the next section.
- Body paragraphs that include evidential support.
Each paragraph should be limited to the discussion of
one general idea. This will allow for clarity and direction throughout
the essay. In addition, such conciseness creates an ease of readability
for one’s audience. It is important to note that each paragraph in the
body of the essay must have some logical connection to the thesis
statement in the opening paragraph. Some paragraphs will directly
support the thesis statement with evidence collected during research. It
is also important to explain how and why the evidence supports the
thesis (warrant).
However, argumentative essays should also consider and
explain differing points of view regarding the topic. Depending on the
length of the assignment, students should dedicate one or two paragraphs
of an argumentative essay to discussing conflicting opinions on the
topic. Rather than explaining how these differing opinions are wrong
outright, students should note how opinions that do not align with their
thesis might not be well informed or how they might be out of date.
- Evidential support (whether factual, logical, statistical, or anecdotal).
The argumentative essay requires well-researched,
accurate, detailed, and current information to support the thesis
statement and consider other points of view. Some factual, logical,
statistical, or anecdotal evidence should support the thesis. However,
students must consider multiple points of view when collecting evidence.
As noted in the paragraph above, a successful and well-rounded
argumentative essay will also discuss opinions not aligning with the
thesis. It is unethical to exclude evidence that may not support the
thesis. It is not the student’s job to point out how other positions are
wrong outright, but rather to explain how other positions may not be
well informed or up to date on the topic.
- A conclusion that does not simply restate the thesis, but readdresses it in light of the evidence provided.
It is at this point of the essay that students may
begin to struggle. This is the portion of the essay that will leave the
most immediate impression on the mind of the reader. Therefore, it
must be effective and logical. Do not introduce any new information
into the conclusion; rather, synthesize the information presented in the
body of the essay. Restate why the topic is important, review the main
points, and review your thesis. You may also want to include a short
discussion of more research that should be completed in light of your
work.
Hells Angels /City of Night / Quiz
In City of Night by John Rechy, the male hustlers could be considered masters of denial. Explain this thesis, and give at least two quotes to support your explanation.
In Hell's Angels by Sonny Barger, the Rolling Stones could be considered the instigators of the chaos that broke out at the concert. With at least two quotes from the essay, explain this thesis.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Dooms Day Concept Paper
The earth is shaking, the clouds are moving crazily and people are screaming and shouting towards nowhere. Everything seems not quite logical anymore. People are shouting, "Dooms day!!… Doomsday!!!" hysterically. Is it the end of the world as people have said throughout the years? Or is it just a natural disaster that occurs once in certain parts of the world that have not experienced any major disasters?
ANECDOTE
Introduction ( Explanation of your concept)
Judgement day or more famously known as Doom's Day is speculated to be the day when everything in the universe will be destroyed. Scientists give scientific reasons, and clergy say that it has already being predicted in holy books such as the Bible and the Koran. In addition, we should include the predictions made by some famous psychics about Doom's Day. All of these claims seem that human civilization will move towards its destruction.
Body Paragraphs
The Christian religion, one of the oldest religions, claims that the end of the world is near. It warns their followers about the Judgement Day. In the bible itself, all information about Doom's Day have been gathered and presented to their followers in order to help them to prepare for the terrifying day. Most of these predictions comes from the last book of the Bible; The Revelation.
Basically, the signs of the final day are divided into several parts of periods. Each period takes about 7 years ( Jraines 2 ) or a millennium in Hebrew books Long ). According to Lisa Merakis, the beginning of the period began when four horsemen of Apocalypse appeared on earth. Each representing Death, Famine, War and Deliverance (21).
From the Christian's point of view, some of these signs have already passed and some still have not appeared. However, signs that already passed or are continuously happening prove to be very devastating. For example, the rate of volcanoes' eruptions and earthquakes suddenly become out of hand. We do not know whether the next disaster will become more terrifying than ones that already occurred.
Islamic religion does include its predictions in the holy Koran, which was made as a reference for their followers. Muslim's scholars have gathered the information about the final day from the Koran and prophet's sayings (Hadith).
The signs are divided into two, minor signs and major signs. In minor signs, first event that has taken place was the coming of Muhammad (SAW) who is the last prophet send by God that marks the final chain of prophets. Thus, this event has already happened in 6th century ( Chronological ). Another sign is that most of the Muslim leaders of Islamic countries are ruled by those who are recognized on their political or military strength instead of their religious knowledge. As in the Bible, earthquakes will also increase dramatically, followed by an increasing rate of people killing each other. Moreover, the most virtual signs is where women will exceed men by the ratio of fifty to one (Ibrahim ).
The major sign which shows that the destruction day is really around the corner is when Isa or Jesus (May peace be upon him) will be send back to earth. His role is to summon all the followers and non believers to the way of Islam. On the next event, two hidden tribes whom were kept prison somewhere will appear and savage the earth and mankind as well. In addition, three parts of the earth in the west, the east and the Saudi Arabian peninsula will be swallowed and sunk. Finally, the most important signs which will conclude the previous major and minor signs is when the sun rise from the West instead of East. At this moment, a smoke will cover the entire earth and a cold wind will kill all the believers. Those unbelievers will be spared to witness the destruction and they will suffer a painful death during the moment where the trumpet will be blown which marks the resurrection day has begun ( Ibrahim ).
Although some of the signs in those religions seem to be irrelevant from the scientific point of view, it is interesting to find that those signs are also parallel to the geological and astronomical evidence found in the present day. Some geological evidence shows that some parts of the earth have risen above sea level and some parts are swallowed beneath the sea level (Donnelly, 26 ). Our climate also shows that the rise of temperature is due to the destruction of the ozone layers. Consequently, from the global warming of the earth, has resulting in the melting of some parts of the Arctic's region (Livermore,25. ). In addition, the famous physician theorist, Stephen Hawkings with his Big Bang theory concludes that the universe will eventually face the big crush again. It seems that earth that we live in is breaking apart after several millenniums from the day it have been created.
Finally, of all the claims that I wrote here regarding the Islamic, Christians, Jewish, Science, and Psychic point of views on doom's day, we can see one narrated point. The suggested point is sooner or later we will face the destruction day, only the question is when?. Spiritually, we do not have any idea when it could be happening, but theoretically we can see that the way our civilization is going right now based on the signs that have already happened, including the sciences' facts. Although science does not speak about paradise and hell, that is what we have to seek spiritually. Nevertheless, the counting down towards the destruction has begun and it will keep ticking until we finally realize that… "Gosh… is it the time?".
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Sex as an Act of Denial
Sex as an Act of Denial
In the Scum Manifesto by Valerie Solanas,
Solanas reduces a male's sexuality to simply a response to his innate passivity. Lust
and love doesn’t come into play—a man is simply trying to prove that he is not
passive like a woman, and wants to strongly deny that he wants to become a
woman, and he does this through his obsessive desire for intercourse.
Solanas, a
radical feminist, feels that in the end that a man simply wants to be a woman. Solanas
explains that the male is a biological accident: “The Y male gene is an
incomplete X female gene, that is, has an incomplete set of chromosomes, another
words, the male is an incomplete female.” (198)
According to
Solanas that since the male feels like he is an incomplete female the male
engages in sex to deny his desire to become female. Solanas writes: “Screwing then, is a desperate attempt to
prove he is not passive like a woman, but he is passive and does want to be a
woman.” (199)
In
conclusion Solanas boils down male sexuality as an active way to deny that he
wants to be a woman. This reduces sex to an act of denial—love, lust, passion
really doesn't come into play.
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