Prof. vK | ENG1101-D149 | Fall 2024

Homework due 11/4

Post your second source entry here!

The first part of your entry will be the “bibliographic entry.” This entry gives the publication information, author, date, title and so forth. There are many websites (like easybib.com) that can help you do this.  Here is one example:  

Fitzgerald, Jill. “Research on Revision in Writing” Review of Educational Research. 57.4 (Winter 

1987): 481-506. 

Part 2: Summary (1 substantial paragraph)

In the second part of your entry, you will write a summary. This will be useful to you later, because it will give you the rundown of what you’ve read (just in case you forgot.) Your summary should capture the most important points the author makes relating to your research question, quoting directly if possible. It’s also a good time to make note of what data, facts and evidence the author uses to support their claims, and how they use this evidence to arrive at their conclusions. 

It might be tempting to use ChatGPT here, but don’t do it! Even though you’re not giving us your strong opinion (yet,) YOU are choosing which parts of the text to focus on. You can show arguments that don’t quite fit with the current research, or direct readers to points that relate to your question. Also, remember– ChatGPT makes things up!

Part 3: Opinion and Rhetorical Analysis (2-3 paragraphs)

In the third part of your entry, you will respond to the text you’ve read. This is where your voice comes in. Avoid simply agreeing or disagreeing with the author; explain your full reaction. If you could say something to this author, what would you say? Do you think they have a good point, but they take too long to get there? Do you think they sound good, but actually are way off base? And, most importantly, what, if anything, did you learn from reading? Remember– you do not have to agree with the author!! 

In this section, quote particular sentences to which you are responding. Make note of questions you still have (this can help direct you to further research.) 

Also consider rhetorical factors here like the genre of the writing, the author’s credentials, and the publication venue. How do you feel the author’s writing style, awareness of audience and purpose (reason for writing), and choice of genre affect the meaning and credibility of the document? This is called a “rhetorical analysis” and we’ll talk about it more in class.  

Part 4: Quotables   

This last part doesn’t count toward your word count, but it will help you in Unit 3.  Here, you will make note of at least one direct quote from the author made that you feel really exemplifies the document’s claims or interpretations. Or, you might want to choose a sentence that you really agree with (or really DIS-agree with) that you want to refer back to later. You don’t need to repeat something you’ve quoted earlier– this is just a place to take note of quotations you feel you may want to use later.  Put it in quotes– and don’t forget the page number (if applicable). 

13 Comments

  1. Liz vK

    hi~!!

  2. Jesenia Pineda

    The Simple Solution to Fast Fashion | Josephine Philips | TED September 2023

    SUMMARY: In this TED talk Josephine talks about the consequences of fast fashion on global sustainability through a personal story of hers. She begins by recounting her grandmother’s cherished yellow dress from the 1950s, highlightinb the contrast between past values of garment longevity and today’s culture of rapid consumption and disposability. Citing the rise in global clothing waste,she shows the environmental toll, with 92 million metric tons of waste annually and fashion-related emissions being more than all international flights combined. She argues that appreciating and caring for clothes can lessen waste by encouraging repair and reuse, challenging the fast-fashion mindset of constant new purchases. To solve these issues, she advocates for changing values towards garment care, repurposing, and repair, which aligns with her work in sustainable fashion and their creation of a fashion-tech startup, SOJO.

    OPINION AND ANALYSIS: In discussing the environmental costs of fast fashion, she highlights a big issue that extends beyond individual responsibility, highlighting the importance of collective action and policy change. If I could speak with the speaker, I’d talk more about the potential for education on garment care and responsible shopping. Her argument that the global North’s disposability mindset leads to severe global South waste issues resonates, particularly the vivid image of mountains of clothing waste visible from space. Her points also align well with current research showing that consumers hold immense power to influence fashion industry practices by shifting demand. However, I would ask the speaker to consider whether SOJO or similar initiatives can realistically reach and influence the broader population that is normalized on fast-fashion consumption habits, or if policy might need to intervene directly.

    Her narrative effectively uses pathos, drawing audiences into their story through the sentimental value of their grandmother’s dress. This personal approach enhances their argument, bridging the gap between consumer behavior and its environmental impact. Additionally, their appeal to audience emotions like the “joy” and “value” found in preserving clothing memories, successfully fosters a mindset of appreciation. The platform and TED Talk genre are well-suited for this discussion because they reach a global audience often open to socially conscious ideas. The speaker’s background as a founder of a sustainable fashion-tech company reinforces credibility, offering a good and strong perspective on a pressing issue in modern consumerism. 

    QUOTABLES:

    1. “Valuing the things that we own is a climate solution.”

  3. jessica

    “Why Are There So Many STRAY DOGS in MEXICO?” Edited by Reardon Explores, YouTube, YouTube, 23 July 2021, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCr9vho4pmY 

    Part 2: Throughout this video we see how the youtuber Reardon Explores, shows us visuals on how stray dogs live in the streets. He emphasizes that the majority of this problem comes from the fact that the people there don’t believe in neutering their dogs. The video also discusses different factors contributing to this high population of stray dogs, such as economic challenges, he mentions how in many situations’ families gift dogs as gifts but at some point, end up having to kick them out because they cannot support them financially. In the other hand, the youtuber discusses the attitudes towards these pets affirming that people in the area aren’t shocked or moved by the presence of the number of stray dogs. Finally, the overall lack of effective animal control policies is shown through the visuals this youtuber brings. 

    My opinion on this video is that I like how the youtuber went on short research before giving statistical data. I do believe he should have used a slightly more reliable source. In addition to this I do believe he got straight to the point in both, presenting the problem and presenting how it was formed. I would have liked if he could have used his platform in a way, he could inform his audience in how to help these animals from Mexico, such as go fund me specifically for stray dogs or find certain teams that work with reducing the 20,000 dogs being put down every month.  

    “In America and most other countries dogs euthanized and other animals are euthanized in a good manner, here it is not the same case…. phenobarbital has been denied…instead are using electrocution to euthanize animals”. Through this brief explanation I was able to learn that to make things cheaper most cities use a inhumane way to put these animals down since phenobarbital (a drug to easily put down pets) is too expensive and was rejected by many veterancies.  

    part 4: “electrocution is readily available to humane society…. a fair amount still do get electrocuted” this emphasis how they do it for the animals benefit and not the animals “need”

  4. Al

    “Mood disorders are glial disorders: Fikri Birey at TEDxSBU” by TEDx Talks, YouTube, 22 October 2013, https://youtube.com/watch?v=Eo_0U34n2qc

    PART 2: Summary.

    In this presentation, Birey introduces a less well-known yet crucial component of the brain, glia, and explores how glia may influence behavior as well as how glial dysfunction may play a part in behavioral disorders. The human brain is 90% glia and 10% neurons, despite this glia are usually ignored. NG2 glia is the type of glia that Birey focuses on. NG2 glia are sprinkled all over the nervous system like salt and pepper, as Birey puts it, found everywhere. NG2 glia are extremely hyperactive, they divide frequently, are the first responders to any injury, and can directly receive electrical synaptic input from neurons which is unique to NG2 glia. Birey uses one of his experiments with NG2 to explain that NG2 glia has an effect on behavior. In the experiment, mice specifically had the NG2 glia in their brains killed. The result was dysfunction throughout the brain: Neurons were hampered and couldn’t transmit signals as efficiently while other types of glia were dysfunctional. These neurological effects also had a direct behavioral translation, the mice were more anxious, showed social avoidance, and showed ‘mice-depression’. From this, another experiment was conducted to determine what effects continued stress on depressed mice had on glia count. In this experiment, the result was that NG2 glia numbers were significantly reduced and that a reduction in NG2 glia may be causal for the dysfunction in other types of glia + neurons. 

    Just like this, a different ‘recipe’ for depression emerges: “A malfunctioning of unique, indispensable parts that were supposed to work in symbiosis, rather than the malfunctioning of a neuronal machine over a glial chassis”. While it is still hard to tell how NG2 glia and depression are related, a promising theory is that NG2 glia loss may be a triggering event in the development of a depressive state. 

    Birey then goes on to critique ‘current’ (video is from 2013, it may be different now) antidepressant medication, focusing on how depression therapy suffers from a lack of targeted therapy. What this means is that, Prozac, for example, increases serotonin levels everywhere in the brain with no consideration of the consequences. The alternative Birey proposes is glial targeted drugs that aim at restoring glial function to put dysfunctional neuron communication back on track. His reasoning for this is because glia is naturally suited at modifying neuronal circuits and will do it better than us.

    PART 3: Analysis.

    The biggest issue with this source is that it is outdated, being published in 2013, and neuroscience has advanced since then which means some things in the video are outdated/false. The neuron to glia ratio is not 1:10, it varies depending on the brain structure being analyzed and is sometimes 1:1 or less. Despite this, the video opens up a new way of looking at depressive disorders. From the studies, we can see that glia and depression both affect one another, potentially having a causal relationship. Instead of looking at depression as a hormonal imbalance, it can be looked at as a decrease in NG2 glia causing a depressive episode which in turn causes a positive feedback loop of depression and NG2 glia loss. 

    Rather than answering questions, this video opens up more questions. The conclusion is that NG2 glia and depression’s relationship is inconclusive, but NG2 glia may cause depressive episodes. But in the 11 years that have passed since the video was published, have Birey’s assertions been supported or disproven? How has glial research progressed?

    PART 4: Quotes.

    • “NG2-glia-removed mice were more anxious, showed social avoidance, and were just sad in a mouse sort of way… It looked awfully like depression in mice.”
    • “A malfunctioning of unique, indispensable parts that were supposed to work in symbiosis, rather than the malfunctioning of a neuronal machine over a glial chassis”
  5. Renee a

    “Take It From the Experts: A Pet Can Change Your Life” from Liz Mineo at Harvard Gazette. (April 6th, 2023)

    take-it-from-the-experts-a-pet-can-change-your-life

    Part 2:

    In “Take It From the Experts: A Pet Can Change Your Life,” Liz Mineo explains how pets can improve human health and happiness. Experts in the article share how pets help lower stress, reduce loneliness, and lift people’s moods, which became especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. For many people, dogs and other pets encourage them to be active and get outside, which has great physical and mental health benefits. Mineo also shows how the emotional connection people have with pets creates a sense of purpose and companionship, helping people feel better, especially if they are dealing with anxiety or depression. Through real-life examples and expert opinions, Mineo highlights the positive impact of pets on people’s lives.

    Part 3:

    I think the author does a great job showing the benefits of having pets by using two personal stories and expert perspectives. This combination of real life examples and professional insights makes her article both relatable and trustworthy. For example, she shares stories about pet owners who felt less lonely during the pandemic because of their pets. This makes the article emotionally engaging and helps readers see the personal impact of having a pet. I like how she includes this mix of information and emotion, as it helps the reader understand both the scientific and personal sides of pet ownership.

    In terms of her writing style, instead of focusing only on scientific facts, she also gives practical reasons why pets are helpful. When she mentions how pets encourage people to go outside and exercise, it feels like friendly advice rather than strict instructions. This approach helps Mineo get her message across clearly: pets can truly improve our mental and physical health.

    One improvement Mineo could make is to discuss some of the challenges of pet ownership. While she briefly mentions that owning a pet is a responsibility, adding more on the potential downsides could make the article feel more balanced. Altogether, this article does a great job of showing the positives of pet ownership and makes a strong case for how pets can benefit our health and happiness.

    Part 4:

    “Pets are there to comfort you, keep you company, and provide a sense of purpose when you feel alone.”

    “With pets, it’s not just about exercise; it’s about having a partner who motivates you to get up and go outside.”

  6. Nigel

    Lerer, Lisa & Goldmacher, Shane. Harris’s Mission: Disqualify Trump, but Extend a Hand to His Voters (October 30, 2024)

    2. Vice President Kamala Harris’s strategy in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential campaign focuses on disqualifying former President Donald Trump while reaching out to his voters. Harris aims to highlight the dangers she believes Trump poses, contrasting his divisive rhetoric with her vision of unity and shared responsibility. In her speeches, Harris emphasizes her commitment to listening to all Americans, even those who may not support her. She also outlines her policy goals, such as supporting first-time homeowners, aiding the sandwich generation caring for both children and elderly parents, and restoring abortion protections. Harris’s approach is designed to appeal to undecided voters and motivate her base by presenting a stark choice between her and Trump.

    3. In her speech, Vice President Kamala Harris aimed to disqualify Donald Trump while extending an olive branch to his supporters. Harris’s strategy is rooted in a dual approach: she firmly criticizes Trump’s divisive tactics and past actions, particularly highlighting his role in the January 6th Capitol insurrection and his continuous efforts to sow fear and division. By positioning herself as a unifying figure, Harris seeks to contrast her vision of inclusive leadership with Trump’s polarizing rhetoric. This approach is designed to appeal not only to her base but also to moderate and undecided voters who may be disillusioned with Trump’s confrontational style.

    Rhetorically, Harris employs a tone of empathy and inclusivity, emphasizing her commitment to representing all Americans, regardless of their political affiliations. She acknowledges the grievances of Trump supporters, aiming to bridge the gap by addressing their concerns and promising to listen and work for everyone.

    This strategy is a calculated move to undermine Trump’s narrative of exclusion and to present herself as a leader capable of healing a divided nation. By doing so, Harris hopes to attract voters who are tired of the ongoing political strife and are looking for a more conciliatory and forward-looking leadership. Altogether, this article shows how Harris tied her argument to the economic worries that animate more voters.

    4. “Here’s what I promise you: I will always listen to you, even if you don’t vote for me,”.

    “I pledge to seek common ground and common-sense solutions to make your lives better,”

  7. Ernesto

    Repeated head trauma is associated with smaller thalamic volumes and slower processing speed: the Professional Fighters’ Brain Health Study

    Correspondence to Dr Sarah J Banks, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic

    PART 2:

    In this article, Dr.Sarah jumps straight to the point by acknowledging that constant head trauma is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and is considered the primary cause of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This demonstrates some of the effects that professional fighting has on the brain. She proceeds to inform us that this can happen even at the beginning of some fighter’s careers, Dr.Sarah states athletes in contact sports including American football demonstrated postmortem findings associated with CTE. A few reported cases harboring focal lesions have occurred in individuals under 20. She also quotes the source from where she retrieved the data, The Professional Fighters Brain Health Study (PFBHS).

    PART 3:

    Something to point out is how the author lures in the audience by immediately informing the audience that professional fighting has on the brain. The author provides all the answers that a person would be asking if they were to be researching this topic, from the number of fights it takes for CTE to start taking effect or what takes less time to take effect boxing or MMA. This source is credible because instead of the author blindly saying things with no source, she uses relevant data to show us to showcase the effects of constant trauma from MMA. Dr. Sarah is also employed at the Cleveland Clinic for Brain Health.

    The author’s writing style is informative, with data to support the points presented rather than offering personal opinions. She focuses on the potential effects of competing in MMA on the brain and provides cases that supply a deeper understanding. This could be useful for any newcomers trying to compete so they can understand the potential risks of competing professionally.

    Part 4:

     “in the absence of further exposure will hopefully emerge as this cohort is followed longitudinally.”

  8. adrianf

    The Annie E. Casey Foundation. “Social Media and Teen Mental Health.” The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 10 Aug. 2023, http://www.aecf.org/blog/social-medias-concerning-effect-on-teen-mental-health. 

    This blog posted by The Annie E. Casey Foundation examines how social media influences teen mental health, highlighting risks like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and cyberbullying. It explains that excessive social media use, especially among girls and LGBTQ youth, relates with increased mental health challenges. The blog references the U.S. Surgeon General’s findings that adolescents, with still-developing brains, are vulnerable to information. Positive outcomes, like self-expression and connections with friends or family, are recognized, but the focus is on the need for tech companies, policymakers, and families to collaborate on creating safer online spaces for teenagers. Another key takeaway from this blog is how detrimental mental health can be on young teenagers that can lead to tech addictions, sleep deficiency, and increased stress levels.

    This blog has compacted a lot of information into takeaways and doesn’t really explain or go more in depth on the takeaways. For example, “accord­ing to the Sur­geon General’s advi­so­ry, social media may boost the men­tal health of LGBTQ youth by: fos­ter­ing con­nec­tions with peers; facil­i­tat­ing iden­ti­ty devel­op­ment; and enabling social support.” they don’t deep dive or explain how social media positively impacts LGBTQ youth identity development or how it fosters connections with peers. It lacks examples and proof behind the statements which is very important because without proof behind statements, nobody will listen to it. Although there wasn’t much, I learned a lot from this blog and like how they cite the Surgeon General ensuring a credible blog. I only wish that they dive more into the takeaways and provide credible sources to represent these takeaways. I feel like the blog leans more towards the negative side of the takeaways and how policymakers, parents and tech companies need to enforce these rules to provide a safe space on social media. The blog is catering towards the parents and policymakers and they’re hitting their target audience perfectly. It outlines the rules and takeaways they can do to provide a safer space for their children. This blog is very similar to the Yale Medicine study on how it highlights the effect social media has on teenagers, but it differs in how this blog highlights the potential risks while the Yale Study has a more balanced approach to it with specific instructions for parents to help teenagers. Ultimately, this blog has pretty good key takeaways; although they can definitely provide more evidence supporting the takeaways and it leans a lot towards the negative outcomes.

  9. Dominick

    How Social Media Affects Your Teen’s Mental Health: A Parent’s Guide

    BY KATHY KATELLA June 17, 2024

    The Article discusses how social media affects life, emphasizing the possible hazards, social implications, and psychological repercussions. Social media can influence self-expression and connections, but it can also result in problems like anxiety, low self-esteem, or a skewed self-image brought on by comparison and false information. The platform’s function in mood effects and echo chambers is also covered, with a focus on the necessity of self-awareness and balanced usage to reduce the consequences that come with it. The article also provides ten positive and negative effects of social media. Here are a few “positives Provides new opportunities for interaction and connections, Helps people stay in touch and keep up to date, Allows people to share moments spontaneously, Allows people to share their views with the world and get feedback,  Creates a sense of community. These are all true facts especialy the idea that social media is a good way make new opportunities and connections, its as simple as seeing a advertisement of a new app to make money on. Now the negative effects are Impact on social interaction, Emotional detachment, Constant distraction, Sleep deprivation and the fear of missing out and Danger from fake profiles, spammers, and scammers. These are all true especially the idea that there is a impact on social interaction.

    PART 3

    My full reaction to this is that the author has a lot of knowledge of this topic and this was a great source. I like how the author provided both positive and negative effects and explained them it helped me gain a better understanding of this topic. If I could say anything to the author I would ask if she had kids and if she does my following response would be whether or not she sees any of these positive or negative effects in her kids. I think the author has a good point and did a good job at getting to the point and not leaving anything out, I find the author to be very straightforward. I learned while reading that social media affects you in whatever metric you allow it to. If you use it for good, good will come, and negative things will come if you use it for negative things. It all depends on the user. 

    “You can build relationships with your customers directly through social media. You can share news, products, events, and even the day-to-day happenings in the office or job site. Social media also allows you to build your brand’s reputation through consistent posts across all networks. Your online presence showcases your company’s personality, culture, and beliefs and shows potential customers who you are and what sets you apart.” This shows us that with social media you can create a brand/promote a brand which would be a positive. “Social media is a double-edged sword. They can be a great way to connect with other people but also a great way to waste time.

    This is especially true for entrepreneurs, who should know better than anyone that time is a minimal resource.” This shows us that social media can easily distract someone and cause them to waste a day. Sometimes you can go on your phone and start scrolling for a little and before you know it turns into a whole day.

    PART 4

    When the author said “Social media is a blessing and a curse. They bring people together and can sometimes tear them apart. But the reason people use social media is to love it.” I strongly agreed because social media is a blessing if you utilize it to network and make money or express yourself and its a curse if you use it to cyber bully or waste time. 

  10. Nathan

    Hate Crime in America Policy Summit

    https://www.theiacp.org/resources/hate-crime-in-america-policy-summit

    Part 2: Summary

    In this section, the article emphasizes that preventing hate crimes requires a multi-faceted, community-driven approach, involving various stakeholders such as schools, justice agencies, and community leaders. The author argues that prejudice reduction and violence prevention are essential, recommending initiatives like public awareness campaigns, multicultural education, and the establishment of Human Rights Commissions to foster tolerance. To support these claims, the article highlights the importance of equipping children and young adults with conflict resolution skills, engaging parents in anti-bias efforts, and promoting a zero-tolerance atmosphere in educational institutions. Data and evidence used include examples of successful community collaborations, strategic planning, and educational programs, which collectively underscore the need for ongoing, coordinated efforts to address hate crime at multiple levels.

    Part 3: Opinion and Rhetorical Analysis

    In reading this article, I appreciate the emphasis on a proactive, community-wide approach to preventing hate crime. The author’s focus on education as a preventive tool resonates with me, as teaching children tolerance and conflict resolution skills can address biases before they become ingrained. However, while I agree with the idea of involving parents, I feel the article doesn’t address the challenges in engaging parents who might already hold prejudicial views. If I could address the author, I’d suggest including strategies for overcoming these barriers to parental involvement.

    The article, though well-researched and comprehensive, could have benefitted from more direct examples or case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of the suggested measures. The writing style is formal and informative, fitting the report genre aimed at professionals in justice and community leadership. However, the dense, sometimes repetitive language may hinder accessibility for a general audience. I found the piece credible due to the extensive recommendations and the authoritative tone, though simplifying certain parts could make it more actionable for a wider readership.

    Part 4: Quotables

    • “An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of our democratic society. Citizen involvement is essential to the success of any program to reduce prejudice and prevent bias-related crimes.”
    • “Teaching our children to respect differences and celebrate diversity is essential to prevent the development of prejudiced attitudes that can lead to hate crime.”
  11. joey

    Hoerricks, Jaime. “Autism and Poverty: A Hidden Crisis in Developed and Developing Nations.” Autism and Poverty: A Hidden Crisis in Developed and Developing Nations, The AutSide, 9 July 2024, autside.substack.com/p/autism-and-poverty-a-hidden-crisis?utm_source=publication-search. 

    Part 2: Summary (1 substantial paragraph)

    In this article, Hoerrick touched on an underlying issue in autistic communities: poverty. While I don’t particularly agree with it, before she fully discussed the topic she gave information on it by asking “ConsensusGPT” questions related to that topic and giving its answers back to the article. Being asked specifically about the percentages of Autistics living in poverty, the unemployment rates for Autistics and the percentage of Autistics adults living in poverty, it gave critical data and reasonings for that data existing in the first place; Hoerrick also typed out conclusions to the data, stating her opinions on it, all in all coming to the final conclusion that the fact that there is barely any data connecting poverty status and autism diagnosis is a PROBLEM for autistic adults. Beyond this, it becomes quite a challenge to get care for Autistics as well as help them lead a stable life–she uses data that states that in 2017, a study of unemployment of Autistic adults helped learn that 83% of working age autistic adults were unemployed OR underemployed, working jobs that didn’t match their skill set.

    Part 3: Opinion and Rhetorical Analysis (2-3 paragraphs)

    While I will say that the author makes some good points, and (first time I’m seeing it) properly used a GPT-adjacent function for its intended use, I am disappointed that the data is based on autistic adulthood and not giving anything about the youth. A lot of great points are made and a lot of great data is shown, however. Looking at the data at the first half of the article, I was being surprised because I was learning things I hadn’t learned before regarding autism–how autistic adults go through financial hardship and why, employment barriers due to negative stereotypes about autism, and the rate of unemployment among autistic adults based on those barriers. Really and honestly, I had known that autistics were discriminated against marginally, but I hadn’t known that it was to this point. Seemingly, it makes life much harder for those who don’t deserve it being so. The author taught me a lot and shared her research in a pretty creative way–everything was concise, and not one line was wasted, I again just wish she touched on the topic of autistic youth.

    The authors writing style reflects that of someone who’s trying to share knowledge with other people. Not a research article, but a blog post aimed at helping understand certain aspects of autistic lifestyles and uncontrollable shortcomings in certain areas. Her credentials are valid for this subject, and very honestly, I wouldn’t want anyone else handling a post or subject like this more than someone who’s qualified at a PHD level. Very credible, and very informative.

    Part 4: Quotables  

    “In essence, the U.S. faces significant challenges in providing adequate support for autistic individuals throughout their lifespan.”

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