Intro

in the introduction, the authors provide temples that structure different ways to state your argument and compare it to different points of view. As they put in figure 2,  “….what you are saying might be clear to your audience but why you are saying it won’t be.” It is important to summarize the response and then respond to the counter argument. Over all the authors are trying to say that it is crucial to state your argument while listening to others, giving a proper response to the opponent and using your own voice when referring to outside information.

I agree with what the authors state about to response and the presentation of your argument. I also like the statement when they state “since it allows you to avoid a simple yes or no response and present a more complicated argument” when they talk about agreeing and disagreeing. This is a valid fact because it makes the debate more interesting and educational. It keeps your mind open to learning new facts or perspectives.

Chapter 1

this chapter states that there needs to be a cohesive structure when you are talk about two perspectives. You should also be neutral yet be fair and talk about both the perspectives by putting yourself  in their position. Also you should use quotes, without plagiarizing, to summarize their point of view.

“The order in which things are said: to keep the audience engaged, a writer needs to explain what he or she is responding to…”(20)

“Readers won’t be able to follow your unfolding response, much less any complications you may offer, unless you keep reminding them what claims you are responding to.”(27)

“good summaries require a balance between what someone else has said and your interests as a writer.” (37)

Would it be  proper to state your opinion on a fact that you liked about one author but then you don’t state the negative opinion of the other author?

So far for this project I have analyzed the articles and written down the keywords. These words show the tone of the author and represent the opinion of the author even though he/she is just reporting the situation. I have done this because the project requires me to describe the way the author presents the topic. In each of the articles i have selected, each presents a different view about the topic based on the facts they present. I am still confused on how to expand on the limited info that is provided without showing my views or opinions.

Messerili, Joe. “Should affirmative action policies, which give preferential treatment based on minority status, be eliminated?”, Balancedpolitics.org. Balanced Politics. n.d. Web. 10/2/14. Url<http://www.balancedpolitics.org/affirmative_action.htm>

There are two sides to the ban over Affirmative Action. The argument for the ban states that if it is not banned, people (white kids) who work hard to get to where they are would have less of a chance to get into a college. It would be “reverse discrimination” where the racial groups would be the ones demeaning the white population. Another point states that the minority students may not have the resources to keep up with the studies if they are admitted to a rigorous college. Studies have shown that minority students have a high chance of not succeeding without the proper resources. The points that support the continuation of affirmative action state that this would allow diversification. Diversification may not always be supported unless it is enforced. If it is left unmonitored many colleges would just leave out under represented ethnic groups.

“Affirmative Action”, ncls.org. National Conference of State Legislature. 2/7/14. Web. 10/2/14. URL<http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/affirmative-action-overview.aspx>

Affirmative Action started with the Civil Rights Movement. JFK used this term to ensure that companies and businesses hire people without the person’s race playing a factor. This policy has been effective in giving non-white groups more equality in the workplace and colleges. An argument for the ban states that even though the policy has increased the number of Hispanics and African-Americans in colleges, it has decreased the number of the white students admitted into college. The difference was shown by a study done by the National Center for Educational Services in 2007 and then 2011 (logos). Also the fact that AA lowers the grade requirements for everyone in order to equal the competition at colleges, reduces the standards of the college. It gets a lower rating than it would have with a higher grade requirement. Arguments supporting AA state that students who have received an education through this policy were able to get better jobs. In the long term and on a larger scale this would benefit the entire country (pathos). Also it opens up more doors to the ethnic groups that are part of the lower income bracket and may not have as many opportunities as the ethnic group that have a higher income.

Sacks, David. Thiel, Peter. “The Case Against Affirmative Action.” Stanford Magazine. Stanford University. n.d. Web. 10/2/14. URL <https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=43448>

Affirmative action has only increased discrimination at Stanford. It has left talented people out of the school because it chooses some people based on traits instead of achievements. Diversity should be based off of unique individual characteristics and not inherited characteristics. this would allow for more of an interesting learning environment and not raise the question if a person really belongs here by skill. Also if a person is admitted through affirmative action, that person may not be able to handle the workload.

Messerili, Joe. “Should affirmative action policies, which give preferential treatment based on minority status, be eliminated?”, Balancedpolitics.org. Balanced Politics. n.d. Web. 10/2/14. Url<http://www.balancedpolitics.org/affirmative_action.htm>

There are two sides to the ban over Affirmative Action. The argument for the ban states that if it is not banned, people (white kids) who work hard to get to where they are would have less of a chance to get into a college. It would be “reverse discrimination” where the racial groups would be the ones demeaning the white population. Another point states that the minority students may not have the resources to keep up with the studies if they are admitted to a rigorous college. Studies have shown that minority students have a high chance of not succeeding without the proper resources. The points that support the continuation of affirmative action state that this would allow diversification. Diversification may not always be supported unless it is enforced. If it is left unmonitored many colleges would just leave out under represented ethnic groups.

“Affirmative Action”, ncls.org. National Conference of State Legislature. 2/7/14. Web. 10/2/14. URL<http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/affirmative-action-overview.aspx>

Affirmative Action started with the Civil Rights Movement. JFK used this term to ensure that companies and businesses hire people without the person’s race playing a factor. This policy has been effective in giving non-white groups more equality in the workplace and colleges. An argument for the ban states that even though the policy has increased the number of Hispanics and African-Americans in colleges, it has decreased the number of the white students admitted into college. The difference was shown by a study done by the National Center for Educational Services in 2007 and then 2011 (logos). Also the fact that AA lowers the grade requirements for everyone in order to equal the competition at colleges, reduces the standards of the college. It gets a lower rating than it would have with a higher grade requirement. Arguments supporting AA state that students who have received an education through this policy were able to get better jobs. In the long term and on a larger scale this would benefit the entire country (pathos). Also it opens up more doors to the ethnic groups that are part of the lower income bracket and may not have as many opportunities as the ethnic group that have a higher income.

Sacks, David. Thiel, Peter. “The Case Against Affirmative Action.” Stanford Magazine. Stanford University. n.d. Web. 10/2/14.

My topic of interest is going to be over the ban of affirmative action. There are arguments to why it should be banned because then some immigrant students belonging to a specific ethnic group, get priority over other students who are qualified for a college while the other student may not meet the requirements. The argument for affirmative action is that if it is banned, then certain races may be deprived of an education. For example, children from under developed neighborhoods may not have the chance to go to college. My concern for this essay is how do we structure it? What should we be thinking of as we write it? And should we show any opinion of our own or do we stay neutral and just discuss how the articles get their point across to the audience?