Integrating Sources
With the information presented in “Plant of the Week” the notion of the dandelion being simply a “garden weed”, common nuisance for any gardener changes. “Plant of the Week” presents the dandelion as a plant with dignity, one that has many invaluable properties. This new image of the dandelion makes the plant look not only important, but it makes the gardeners who dislike the plant look petty.
People who see dandelions as a negative object see it as a weed or nuisance on their lawn. Nevertheless, Dr. T. Ombrello teaches the reader how important dandelions really are. Dandelions can be used to make rubber and that’s exactly what countries did during World War II. Additionally the importance of the dandelion is magnified when examining its usefulness after natural disasters. The dandelion helps to revegetate sites after natural disasters. It is invaluable in providing food, stabilizing soil, and preventing water and wind erosion. The dandelion is also useful in providing shelter and food for different animals.
The gardeners who view the dandelion as “just a weed” and the children who view the dandelion as something that can be used to make a wish, would have greater appreciation for the dandelion if they knew its uses. With more information about the dandelion and how important it is to the environment in the greater scheme of time, they would have a more authentic, fuller appreciation.
Once again, you guys really start strong. You have a very good sense for how best to present/structure this type of writing and thinking.
My biggest comment here is that even though you have a claim and you talk about the “Plant of the Week” source, I don’t really see you going back into any one actual text and showing us what part of that text exactly does your reading of the “Plant of the Week” article challenge.
If I were grading this as an essay, you’d probably have a pretty strong argument grade, but a very weak “engaging the text” grade.