...We all know love. We have all loved in some kind of way. We love our parents, significant others and even our friends. But we can also love other things like animals or material things. But what is the difference between loving and liking? And is it better not to love and feel pain or to love and be hurt in the progress? Jonathan Franzen seeks to answer these questions in his essay “Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurts”. The essay “Liking Is for Cowards. Go for What Hurts” is, as mentioned, written by Jonathan Franzen and published in The New York Times, May 28, 2011. Jonathan Franzen is born in 1959, and he is an acclaimed American novelist and essayist. The essay is based on the commencement speech he delivered at Kenyon College in Ohio, USA. “Our technology has become extremely adept in creating products that correspond to our fantasy ideal of an erotic relationship, in which the beloved object asks for nothing and gives everything, instantly. (…)” As Franzen claims in his essay, many people can feel like they love their technological object. It gives them a satisfaction, which human interaction maybe wouldn’t. Franzen however thinks, that people in general don’t love material things: they like them. There is a major difference between loving and liking – even though it might appear small. “Liking, in general, is commercial culture’s substitute for loving.” Products are made to be likeable, but if that concept in transferred to a person, you would instantly see...
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...About One Issue in Education… and Taking a Position Now that you’ve discussed the benefits of Critical Thinking in general (to help you consider all sides of an argument to better support your own position on a topic), let’s get started on developing your thesis (claim) and reasons (support) for Essay #1, on the larger issue of “College Education.” First, carefully read and review the essays in “Casebook 1” in your Current Issues and Enduring Questions text (pages 547-574). Here you’ll be reading a variety of arguments on different points of debate within the larger issue of College Education. Next, narrow down this larger topic into a more focused issue of particular interest to you. For example, you might decide you’d like to write your first argumentative essay on one of the following topics of debate: -Does today’s Bachelors Degree have the same value it did in the past? or -Should students should be able to specialize in their degree early on, or should they be required to take a number of “core classes” in the liberal arts for a “well-rounded” education in college? or -What is the best way for a college to prepare its graduates for the “real world” and the workplace? After you’ve decided on your narrower topic of focus, submit your initial post to the “College Education: What’s It Worth?” Discussion Board and respond to at least two classmates’ initial posts as well. (See full instructions in this week’s Discussion Board Forum, and remember to...
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...College Pressures College is an institution with the purpose of preparing adults for their specific disciplines. Sometimes a college diploma is a guarantee of good jobs and a better future. Today, young adults in college often experience a lot of pressure. The journalist and professor at Yale University, William Zinsser, discusses the pressures and stress with lots of details and reasons in his persuasive and informative essay entitled College Pressures. His essay was directed to parents of college students, professors, job contractors, and college students (Zinsser, 396). Zinsser’s purpose in writing this essay was to encourage students to take risks on their college journey (Zinsser, 398). To make his essay stronger, Zinsser was effective by using persuasive rhetorical writing tools such as pathos, ethos, and logos. College allows young adults to develop necessary skills and improve abilities which they are going to need later in their chosen fields. Initially, college students often undergo a lot of stress in what is expected to be a self-enriched experience. This young generation wants to become successful students. Moreover, Zinsser works at Branford University, and in his essay, Zinsser shared, “I am privy to their hopes and fears- and also to their stereo music and their piercing cries in the dead of night” (Zinsser, 397). To make his essay more credible, Zinsser uses ethos which stands for ethical appeal (Bernanke, 2010). He uses ethos by narrating his experiences...
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...Comparative Rhetorical Analysis Essay A long ongoing debate about if college is any worth the time and money in actually attending. Mike Rose is a professor, an author, and is on the faculty of the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies as well is the author of “My View: Should everyone go to college?” Mike Rose’s response to the debate is that college is worth the time and money to attend. He wants everyone to at least attend college be it for the associate’s or the bachelor’s degree because a lot of people have found themselves and their true passions from attending. Karen R. Lawrence is president of Sarah Lawrence College and the author of the piece “What value really means in higher education.” Karen R. Lawrence’s response to the debate is that is the fact that colleges’ should be giving/teaching student skills that they can use after they graduate as well in 50 years in the future (Lawrence P.6). Students need to have skills that will not only help now in their career path/job, but also in the future when the need of certain jobs in the work...
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...I enjoy writing and helping people realize they may not be the only one feeling how they feel. In one of my blogs I spoke about the fear of being unsuccessful after college. That is a thought many college students especially minority students may fear because some of us are the first to go to college. Being unsuccessful would put us and our family to shame, because they’ve tried hard to make sure we went to college so they want us to see it through. I used my personal stories and thoughts to relate to the audience. Throughout my writing, my relatable stories and voice has helped captured the audience’s attention. But towards the end of my blog posts and Project 2, I have seen a substantial difference. My voice is still the same but I feel I can capture the audience’s attention quicker because I learned to how to write to an audience. I am no longer writing and letting the audience think if it relates to them or not. Now the audience can easily be identified without thinking too...
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...Tech Community College Fort Wayne, Indiana 46835 Dear Professor Royce- I am writing this cover letter to you as a part of the Informative essay assignment for English 111. I choose to write about the current debate over whether college athletes should be paid for their time and effort while playing their chosen sport at colleges and universities across America. I received only one peer review on Blackboard, and was underwhelmed by the response that I received. Jairret Boyce was the only classmate that responded to my essay, and in his peer review, he merely agreed that I did everything well. This was not very helpful in the completion of my final draft for this assignment. The only helpful feedback that I received was from you, with the notes that you made on my first draft, with the most important information being that my thesis statement would not work because I presented it in the form of a question. I made the proper changes to my thesis statement to make sure that it shows the two different sides to the debate that I writing about to inform my audience. After receiving the grade for my essay in writing project two, I wanted to make sure that I did a better job with my Works Cited page. I went to the library, and was shown Noodle tools, and made sure to use that resource to make sure I completed a quality Works Cited page for this assignment. I am looking forward to completing Writing Project four, as I have spent three weeks working on this essay, and have been...
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...Steven Farron, in his essay, “Affirmative Action is Legalized Discrimination”, describes how universities in the U.S. use affirmative action as a bias to discriminate students applying for admission, using the University of Michigan as his example. Throughout the essay Farron states how some races are favored over others, and how these unfair admissions policies accept academically mediocre students of color over academically exceptional students that were of a different race, usually white or Asian. Farron, using facts and relatable comparisons, along with trustworthy and credible statements can convey his argument in an effective manner to persuade the audience. Using logical facts that can be measured and understood easily is one way Farron is able to argue effectively. Using comparisons, Farron can create an easily understood and or measurable argument. For example, Farron writes about the points based admissions policy at U-M “being black, Hispanic, or Native America, 20 Points.” (Farron 118) he then goes on to state “the...
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...Classic Model for an Argument No one structure fits all written arguments. However, most college courses require arguments that consist of the following elements. Below is a basic outline for an argumentative or persuasive essay. This is only one possible outline or organization. Always refer to your handbook for specifics. I. Introductory Paragraph o Your introductory paragraph sets the stage or the context for the position you are arguing for. o This introduction should end with a thesis statement that provides your claim (what you are arguing for) and the reasons for your position on an issue. A. Your thesis: o states what your position on an issue is o usually appears at the end of the introduction in a short essay o should be clearly stated and often contains emphatic language (should, ought, must) B. Sample Argumentative Thesis o The production, sale, and possession of assault weapons for private citizens should be banned in the U.S. II. Body of your Argument A. Background Information o This section of your paper gives the reader the basic information he or she needs to understand your position. This could be part of the introduction, but may work as its own section. B. Reasons or Evidence to Support your Claim o All evidence you present in this section should support your position. This is the heart of your essay. Generally, you begin with a general statement that you back up with specific details or examples. Depending on how long your argument is, you will need to devote...
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...did not attend college, while they did. Currently, scholars are hotly debating on whether college is worth it or not. Scholars for college argue that students who go to college earn higher salaries, are more likely to earn jobs. This argument is particularly true since several studies have proved it. Studies have shown college students earn higher salaries, are more likely able to find a job and tend to be more productive. College is a excellent thing to take before starting career. However, some scholars criticize college since its very expensive and stressful. But having to prepare for the future is more important than ever....
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...Summary: “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission?” by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus, presents proposals “that might begin to set things right’ (TSIS, 180) in education. Both professors, Hacker and Dreifus, studied institutions and interviewed higher education leaders, policy makers, and students across the country (180). According to their voluntary assignment, they acknowledged at first, their belief that “all Americans can do college work,” which basically provided a thesis for every proposal to follow within their article. Suggestions, such as persuading students to liberate their imagination instead of just focusing on a financial goal after graduating, or “replacing tenure with multi-year contracts” (181) so that all professors begin to take more initiative to improve, gave way to a deeper analysis of specific colleges and their priorities. My Response: In the article, “Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission?” by Andrew Hacker and Claudia Dreifus, both professors maintains a perspective that is convincing, to a degree. “We believe all Americans can do college work, so universal enrollment should be our nation’s goal” (180). In making this comment, Hacker and Dreifus urge us to do the obvious. Of course everyone should have the same opportunity to be accepted at the collegiate level, but there are several problems that have to be addressed and taken care of prior to the suggestion of this desire for all. If there was universal enrollment, will that lead to...
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...intelligent Greece philosopher Socrates once said “An unexamined life is not worth living”. Socrates stated this statement because it is saying one should examine their selves first before judging others in society and find the meaning and happiness of life. Socrates general reason for making this claim in my opinion is because is because he was tired of people living the “lazy’ life and not going beyond their ability to achieve the best to their ability. Socrates was put on trial for many things. Most importantly Socrates was put on trial because he was talking about false Gods and corrupting the youth. Socrates was a debatable person and hardly anyone on the town liked him. Socrates was known as someone who would challenge anyone's thinking; he did it through his endless and circular Socratic dialogues, and Socrates publicly questioned the Gods Athenians worshiped. Socrates was found guilty and was then sentenced. He would abide by the law and didn't even try to convince the jury he was innocent. Socrates preformed his own sentence on his own by drinking poison and ended up killing himself. Socrates really did not have a lot of fans on his side because everyone just thought he was better and wiser than them. The only way they were able to get rid of him was accuse him of wrong doing. Obviously it worked bit the question I have is why did no one step up and change the way they lived their life? Was it really worth taking someone else’s life just because he was wiser and more understanding...
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...My first year at Alma College has been an eye-opening experience. I have learned a lot academically, about myself, and about life in general. As I progressed though the year my viewpoints had changed. I had many new experiences that broadened my horizon. My classes opened me up to knowledge I could apply to my life, that I found interesting, and benefitted me. I learned a lot about myself, including what I want out of my college experience, and what my passion is. Despite the numerous papers, multitudes of exams, tremendous amount of course work, and athletics I believe I have done well. One of the many demanding classes this semester was English 101. In this rigorous course, students were asked to gain rhetorical knowledge, engage in critical writing, perform research writing, and improve their style and grammar. These goals are closely related to those of the WPA Outcomes published by the Council of Writing Program Administrators. The WPA...
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...Essay A Friendship Not Worth Losing Friends have been there as comfort and support when needed, although many situations can cause a friendship to end. One of those situations can be when a friend moves away and makes new friends; as a result, his or her old friends are often forgotten. In addition, busy schedules can cause friendships to end too because some of a lack of communication. Another cause of a friendship loss could be from decisions made that the other may not support. Friends may come and go in everyone’s lives, but no matter how long you have them, they leave a lasting impression. When a friend moves away there is often a chance new friends are made and others are forgotten. For example, two best friends could have grown up together in the same neighborhood since they were kids and one would have to move away to go off to college. Although the two believe nothing between them will change and they will keep in touch, the friend that goes off to college meets new friends. Of course, there may be calls from time to time but they would eventually disappear, as well as text messaging, e-mails and letters resulting in the friendship being forgotten. Busy schedules can result in a friendship fading away. Two friends can such busy schedules there would never be anytime for them to see one another. For instance, while one friend is in school during the day another could be working an eight hour shift at work. When the friend that is working the eight-hour shift gets off...
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...Writing Analysis Essay Throughout my childhood and until the present day, I have always been told by my parents, teachers, coaches and others that practice makes perfect. As my knowledge broadened, I thought to myself, perfect is impossible to be because humans are engineered to have flaws. No matter how many times one does something over and over again, whether it is shooting free throws until all are made, or writing fifteen outlines until points are stronger, one can only make progress. There will always be space for improvement in any category in life. Writing is no exception, and compared to my writing when I first started college, my work has definitely improved. Although I know I need more work, my organization, development, syntax, mechanics and cognition of my writing has escalated to a level that I did not know I was capable of. Essay outlines was never a priority of mine, but once I began to take the time to write it, my topic sentences and coherence within the paragraphs made more sense to the reader and myself. On the first paper that was graded, “Is College Worth It?”, I received no credit due to the lack of organization and development. At first, I thought I would at least earn a passing grade but once I read the “NC” (no credit) on my grade sheet, I was discouraged and disappointed in myself. I knew I had to state my opinion on my topic sentence, yet I did not do it. For instance, in that same essay, my topic sentence was a fact, “…there are college graduates that...
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...ARGUMENTATIVE RESEARCH ESSAY (15%) DUE: Week 12; November 26, 2013 Your task: Select one essay topic. Research the topic using the GBC library catalogue, and locate four secondary sources (preferably articles) on this topic. Your essay must have five secondary sources (please note: I am providing you a link to one secondary source below which may count towards your sources). Write 1000- 1250 word argumentative essay using the secondary sources you found to aid your argument. Topics: 1) Is the college degree worth the money you pay for it and/or does it guarantee you a return in investment? Should we view education as a humanistic experience or yet another consumer product? 2) Does communication technology impact workers’ productivity? Given the access to instant messenger, Facebook, and other social media, how do workers actually work? Explore this topic from a business perspective (you may choose to focus on the employer/ employee dynamic and reaching productivity goals). 3) Some companies sell “preferred access” to their services/products. Examples of this practice are priority lines introduced by select airlines or amusement parks. How do these business practices affect sales, the consumer, and business ethics? 4) Statistics Canada has released a census report from 2011 which shows that the nuclear family is no longer the norm. Does this have any bearing on business practices and if so what are they? 5) Do the current immigration policy...
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