Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Synthesis Essay - Animal Testing

    Animal testing has been a long debated question in the scientific community. Animal testing is a vital and common procedure that has raised controversy regarding humanistic values. Animal testing has allowed for the development of safe medicine, vaccines, and advancements in scientific knowledge. Without the sacrifices made during animal testing, we would not have the achievements in medication, knowledge, cosmetics, and saving lives. Without animal testing, it would be impossible to conduct further research that would benefit the public.

    People against animal testing argue that animals suffer pain and may die from the experiments imposed on them. According to source E, it is still a myth whether or not animals actually have sentience. If animal tests are imposed on animals without sentience and on animals that have low cognitive capacities, it would reduce psychological pressure for scientists. The author of source F argues that humans have the freedom to make choices while animals don't. The author of source F also states that it is the responsibility of human beings to protect the rights of animals. If animals do not have sentience and if they cannot recognize the circumstances they are in, why should we not perform experiments on them?

    Humanists would argue that all living organisms have their right to survive and their right to be free from pain. Humanists would also argue that animal experiments should not be performed. Then how, how are we able to find replacements for these animals to conduct our experiments on? According to source B, 20 million animals are killed in experiments annually. It would be absurd to believe that there are enough human volunteers to even get close to that number. Without developed human cloning technologies, it would be hard to find replacements for such a large number to experiment subjects. 20 million animals is surely a large number, but the number that benefit from these 20 million is surely greater.

    People tend to have an egocentric thought when they think about animal testing. The idea that sparks in the mind when someone hear about animal testing is usually the thought that, "Oh, another animal is sacrificed for human benefits". That isn't necessarily true. Take the examples that source A describe.The amount of organisms that would die if animal experiments were not conducted would actually be greater than the amount of tested subjects that have died. It is not just humans that benefit from animal testing, but many other organisms as well.

    Animal testing is vital for developing new scientific ideas, saving lives, and reducing illness. Within a limited moral boundary, animal testing should be allowed. Before criticizing animal tests, people should try to gain a better understanding of the balance between the effects of these tests and the sacrifices put into these tests. Clearly, the benefits brought by animal testing are far greater than the price we pay for these tests.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Soapstone Analysis for "Is Business Bluffing Ethical"

    The speaker of the article is very clear. Albert Carr is the speaker of the article and he is trying to persuade us a series of ideas.
    The occasion could be any time or place where there was business to be made. This article could apply to events in field of business or any company.
    The audiences of the article are companies and businessmen, both young and old. The article is written for those people in order to convey his ideas.
    The purpose of the article is clear. The author wants to present and convey his idea that people in businesses may not be as bright as people think. Carr also states that people should bluff when dealing with business in order to win out and gain advantage on others.
    The subject of the article is how people use bluffing as a tactic in order to gain advantage on others. The article also talks about the ethical use of bluffing.
    The author speaks in a very analytical tone and he also speaks in a persuasive one. He speaks persuasively in order to convey his idea that using bluff as a tactic is beneficial but he also condemns the unethical use of bluffing.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Outline for the "Henry David Thoreau Quote" Essay

Main Idea: Henry David Thoreau's quote would be defined in the opening paragraph of the article and I would argue that this quote would fit extremely well on people in modern society.

1. Society, social expectations and social pressure, and cultural values sometimes intervene with the lives of people. The future of some people are expected by others and this may lead to someone bot knowing what they want in life.

2. Education and systems of education also effect the goals people have in life. When people choose their paths in education, inaccurate advices may lead them off their interests.

3. Work and life are sometimes forced upon people and this pressure to do something that they don't like blind them from reality. Some people work just to make a living, but they ignore their interests and their dreams.

Conclusion: Modern people follow the quote by Thoreau perfectly because people in modern society have been placed under vast amounts of concept that are perceived to be. That leads people off their personal interests and goals.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Essay on Illness as Metaphor

    Susan Sontag presents her unique attitude towards the usage of metaphor through tone, diction, and paradox. The metaphors that she uses also increases the completeness of the article in general and they also give the article its distinct meaning. After analysing the article, it becomes evident that the author possesses a skeptical attitude towards the usage of metaphor. This skepticism can be determined by interpreting the tone, diction, and paradox presented. The metaphors used add to the strength of the paradox and together present the author's attitude in an outstanding way.

     The skeptical tone that the author writes in can be seen pretty clearly throughout the article itself. The author speaks by presenting her ideas with contradictions. A contradiction that leads to the skepticism the author tries to present. The author states that the best way to think "is one most purified of, most resistant to, metaphoric thinking". By saying this, the author makes it clear that she believes metaphoric thinking lead people off their desired personality. When people use metaphoric thinking, they no longer belong to the the "kingdom of the well". The author also dedicates the article to people who are trying to clarify themselves from metaphors, to free themselves from the "kingdom of the ill".

    The diction of the author reveals an underlying attitude that she possesses towards metaphors. The words "dual citizenship" and "good passport" show the author's prejudice towards using metaphors. The author uses "kingdom of the well" and "kingdom of the ill" to describe the difference between people who think metaphorically and those who do not. The words "elucidation" and "liberation" demonstrates the author's attitude very clearly. She believes that metaphors lead people into the "kingdom of the ill", but she uses metaphors in her article. The paradox presented helps clarify her diction and her tone.

    The most important paradox that exists in the article is the phrase "the healthiest way of being ill". In the beginning of the article, the author states that "....sooner of later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of the other place". We are destined to think about thing in regard with metaphors, but we should think in most purified of, most resistant to, metaphoric thinking. This contradiction shows that the author doesn't trust metaphor because they blind people from their truthful selves. Sontag uses metaphors to convey her point that people shouldn't think metaphorically.

    Tone and diction play a role in revealing the attitude of the author, but paradox is the most influential tool that the author uses to convey her points. Even though Sontag is skeptical and and dislikes the idea of thinking metaphorically, she clarifies her ideas though metaphoric phrases inside the article. Paradox leave the readers with a strong impression in the readers mind and the author is very successful in conveying her ideas.

Outline for the "Illness as Metaphor" Essay

Main Idea: The tone, diction, and paradox of the article reveal Susan Sontag's attitudes towards using metaphor and this usage of metaphor strengthens the attitude she reveals.

1. The tone that the author speaks in give the readers a clear idea of how the article develops its ideas. The skeptical tone that the author speaks in provides the readers with an idea of her attitude towards using metaphors.

2. The author's diction also reveals the attitude she possesses towards using metaphors. The diction she gives also changes the meaning of metaphors present in the article.

3. The metaphor that the author presents and the diction give the article a whole new meaning. Paradox is created when the two are combined and they give a complete meaning to the article.

Conclusion: The author warns her readers to be cautious when using metaphors and she also warns her readers that they should keep a skeptical attitude.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Essay for the Declaration of Independence

    The final version of the "Declaration of Independence" written by Thomas Jefferson presents the ideas encompassed in the initial draft of the declaration and Jefferson is also able to present those ideas in a stronger fashion. By making changes regarding diction, tone, and purpose, a stronger stance and certainty is presented in the words Jefferson put down. The initial draft uses words that are not powerful enough to move an audience and Jefferson made changes to those words in order to declare and hammer the points he want to make into the head of his intended audience.

    The biggest change from the draft to the finalized version of is declaration is the diction. The word choice in the draft of the declaration still presents the American colonists as subject of the King of England. Words and phrases such as"his present majesty", "subordination", and "our British brethren" are signs of attachment to the British crown. In the finalized draft of the declaration, Jefferson uses words and phrases that identify the American colonies as an organization with with equal status as Britain. Changing the phrases gives more status and power to the American people.

    The tone Jefferson speaks in also alters the meaning of the document. With assertive and forceful tone, Jefferson changes the document from a friendly request to a powerful announcement. In order to have an assertive and forceful tone, Jefferson cuts off unnecessary words that present the declaration in a weak attitude and he makes his points clearly and directly. The first draft of the declaration has many sections removed and it also has many parts rewritten for precision and clarity. The section of the declaration that states the crimes of the British King is simplified and is separated into different paragraphs. With such clarity, the determination and the stance of the American colonists have been changed from the first draft to the finalized draft.

    The purpose of the document also changes the meaning from one draft to another. In the last paragraph of the declaration, Jefferson add commas to present an emotion. Anger, an emotional appeal, greatly changes the meaning of the document from draft to draft. In the beginning of the document, Jefferson uses logical appeals and point out that the American colonists have the right to be free because all people have the right of life, happiness, and liberty. The meaning of the document changes with the addition of emotional appeals. The original document moves from a friendly request to an emotional accusation of the King of England and a strong declaration for independence.


    The changes in diction, tone, and purpose of the document results in a change in the meaning of the declaration as a whole. The meaning of the declaration moves from requesting the British crown to allow independence of the colonies to stating the independence of the American colonies as well as accusing the King of England. The changes made by Jefferson have successfully changes the meaning of the document and conveyed the determination of the people in the American colonies.

Outline for the "Declaration of Independence Essay"

Main Idea: The changes made in diction, tone, and sentence structure between the two versions of the declaration have changed the meaning of the declaration as well as the stance of the people who are represented by the declaration.

1. Thomas Jefferson made changes in diction and this change affected the stance/attitude of the American colonists.

2. The tone and attitude of Thomas Jefferson in the final draft of the declaration becomes firmly declarative and this gives a stronger stance to the American colonists.

3. The change in sentence structure of the essay causes emotional appeal to the readers of the declaration and it also strengthens the stance of the American colonists.

Conclusion: The changes made on the document now presents the desires and stance of the American people in a stronger way.

Outline for the 2005 AP English Exam - Long Essay

Main Idea: The author's usage of diction, tone, and hyperbole satirize products that are marketed to customers in an effective and humorous way.

1. The diction used by the author creates interest in the audience and it also makes its point across to the audience as well. Words that are made up and words that go over the norm create the special atmosphere that makes the article interesting.

2. The tone of the author is sarcastic and the essay is written in a way that makes the the readers feel as if they are the product is being ridiculed. The author speaks in a way that devotes both humor and satire at the same time.

3. The whole article is full of hyperbole. The quotes and the effects described in the essay make make fun of the essay. By putting in these exaggerating examples of effects of a product, the author not only gives humor but also makes use of satire to a great extent.

Conclusion: The article is heavily based on hyperbole, diction, and a very sarcastic tone. The author successfully makes his point across to the readers and he does so in a very humorous way. Satire and humor as products of rhetorical strategy is a very successful way to convey ideas or points to others.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Soapstone Analysis for the 2005 AP English Exam - Long Essay

    The speaker of the article is the writer for the newspaper, "The Onion". Press from "The Onion" has written this article using a very grandiloquent and sarcastic tone.
    The occasion of the article is very broad, but it most likely refers to people who fall for commercials and advertisements very easily.
   The audience that this article is directed towards is also very broad. The audience would be people who easily for for commercial and people who tend to want to but things very easily.
    The purpose of the author in writing this article would be to entertain the public with some humor and some satire. The author could also be mocking the shoe company for making their product seem beneficial and very effective for maintaining good health.
    The subject being discussed is the shoe company describing their shoes as things that they are actually not. The author focuses on aspects of the shoe that are just not possible.
    The tone of the author chooses to use is a sarcastic and very exaggerated one. By using the tone mentioned, the author makes the article a very funny and interesting one.

Outline for the "Einstein Essays"

Main Idea: The author's diction, stance on the issue, and tone affect the way the author presents information for the two different articles.

1. The diction affects the reader's understanding of the context and it also affects how much the reader can relate to the article.

2. The purpose of the writing the two different articles affects the amount of personal perspective the writer is able to place in the articles.

3. The tone of the author in the first passage is very dull and explanatory while his tone in the second passage is more instructive and opinionated.

Conclusion: The usage of different rhetorical strategies and different languages create a different way in which the articles can be understood.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Soapstone Analysis for the "Declaration of Independence"

    The speaker of the declaration is evident, it is the people of the United States or you could say that the speaker was Thomas Jefferson. The colonists are angry at both the British Crown and the actions that he has taken to restrict the colonies.
    The occasion is not very specific, but we can tell that the colonist of Northern American are about to protest against the King of Britain for limiting their rights and taking away from them.
    The audience of this document is clearly the King of Britain. It is obviously him because the document names him and gives a list of offenses towards him.
    There are several purposes that the author includes when he wrote the declaration. The first one is to let the United States become independent. The second one is to shame the King of Britain. The last one is to notify the British that the colonists are about to establish freedom.
    The subjects being discussed include the crimes of the British King, the freedoms of the colonists that have been taken away, and the decision to gain independence.
    The tone of the document is both critical and angry. Anger towards the mistreatment of the colonists and critical towards the King's decisions on ruling the colonies.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Song and Imagery


    This song is one of my favorite songs that I listen to right now and there are many things that I see when I listen to it. The first images that come in mind are the seats in Mos Burger and the seat in Mister Doughnut. I think of these places because I see them as our belonging and our hideout. We have spent many hours in those two places and they hold some of our most cherished memories. I then see the airport. I don't want to say goodbye, but that seems like the only path we have left. After being separated from each other, I see myself in a tiny room in the college dormitories thinking about her. In my mind, see her as the most beautiful person I have ever met.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Benjamin Franklin "Moral Perfection" and Modern Self-help Books

    When we look at the ideas that Benjamin Franklin propose as a way to reach moral perfection, we might be able to view those ideas as the first for self-help. As time moves on and the confinement of religion slowly backs away, the definition of self-help is no longer the same as it once was. During the times of the Puritan, helping yourself was setting your soul to Heaven and living a decent life. That is no longer the case. Modern self-help books focus on allowing an individual to solve problems that he face on his own.
    I don't believe that Franklin's ideas are useless in modern society, but I believe people in modern society view those ideas as religious confinements that help you reach Heaven. Its the change of time that caused the difference in the purpose of writing these self-help books. "Reaching Moral Perfection" is a general guide to live your life, but modern self-help book focus on specific issues that people face.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Benjamin Franklin - Reaching Moral Perfection

    Benjamin Franklin presents some very interesting ideas is his article "Reaching Moral" perfection. He is able to list the different components of an unmoral life and he is able to categories them, which is very difficult to do.The thirteen ideas that he present seem easy to achieve when you only try one at a time, but it becomes an extreme difficult task when you want to keep all thirteen rules. It is like drawing. When you want to draw two circles with both hands, it is extremely easy. On the other hand, when you want to draw one square and one circle simultaneously, it is extremely difficult. If I had the choice, I would never want to live like Franklin. It's like monitoring your own life by the second.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Retreat of the "Tiger Mom"


    The article that we read today presents an analysis of the situation regarding the conflict between those who support the concepts of Amy Chua and those that disagree with her ideas. Although the author of this article presents her view points in a very negative way during the beginning of the article, she notes the explanations that Amy Chua makes about her way of educating her kids. Even thought the original excerpt from Amy’s book possesses a very confident tone, readers will understand that Amy faced many difficulties about raising her children this way after reading this article. Amy Chua faced problems with her husband about personal freedom for their children and she faced rebellion from second daughter. A time moves on thought, Amy understands that she might have gone too far in interfering with the education of her children. This may be a good end for Amy’s family and I think the atmosphere in the family would be better then before.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Why Chinese Mothers Are Not Superior

    After reading the article that I was presented with, I figure that there were still people who held the same opinion as me. The author of this article clearly describes my feelings towards the article "Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior". Education may be important for children when they are still young, but a pursuit of happiness and a pursuit of what the child really wants to do may be more important than just getting high grades. This article is also different in a sense that it is written by someone who has been through the typical Chinese style education. Instead of the parents presenting their views on the child's life, the children themselves are able to present their opinions and feelings towards the type of education they have been through. Looking at different sides of an issue really helps and the two articles that we read have clearly demonstrated to me the importance of looking at an issue from different perspectives. I like how the author presents her life. It is very personal and the article is resonating to the audience. I like the article!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Chinese Mother


    The article is very interesting and it presents a very successful case of the eastern educational style. Although the results of this case seem to show that Chinese educational styles lead to higher success and self esteem, I believe that this case is an exception from most other cases. Probably because I was educated in an American system for most of my life, I believe that allowing the development of personal interest is more important than getting higher achievement in academics. This may also just be another excuse that I find for my low grade. Even though I do not agree with the type of learning and the growing process proposed by the author, they certainly hold true for some people. A strict childhood may certainly help with academic achievement, but a strict childhood also means less interaction with society in general. A balance between strict education and experience with the surrounding world is what I believe would benefit a child the most.