Topic 3 Proposal- Revision

Michael Walsh

Friday March 29, 2013

Essay Three Proposal

My topic for essay two was about unhealthy America and the different factors that led to obesity. It encompassed the majority of the aspects relating to Unhealthy America, however for essay three I will narrow in on one or two particular aspects. This will allow me to create a more urgent exigence for the situation and create my own stance or argument on the topic. In addition, I will be able to use some on the research I already have found and will use some strategies in the articles to craft my own appeals to the audience for my argument. From this point I will decide on a particular topic or affected age group. For my essay I will focus on the role of unhealthy foods on college students particularly those found on most meal plans at college campuses. I can state the problems associated with unhealthy foods to this age group and also mention the long-term effects. This is an important topic moving forward as a nation and when these students are learning to change the world, they can be the role model for other age groups. I will then mention my person plan moving forward with how to control obesity and promote healthy behaviors. Therefore, I will most likely take the side of allowing regulation and plans to be implemented that control consumption of certain foods while banning or limiting others because I believe something serious needs to happen for change to occur. In addition, because it is such a controversial issue, there will always be people on your side and people opposing your views so hopefully I can mitigate a middle ground that will induce change as well. 

essay three proposal

Essay Three Proposal

My topic for essay two was about unhealthy America and the different factors that led to obesity. It encompassed the majority of the aspects relating to Unhealthy America, however for essay three I will narrow in on one or two particular aspects. This will allow me to create a more urgent exigence for the situation and create my own stance or argument on the topic. In addition, I will be able to use some on the research I already have found and will use some strategies in the articles to craft my own appeals to the audience for my argument. From this point I will decide on a particular topic or affected age group. For my essay I will focus on the role of unhealthy foods on college students particularly those found on most meal plans at college campuses. I can state the problems associated with unhealthy foods to this age group and also mention the long-term effects. This is a important topic moving forward as a nation and when these students are learning to change the world, they can be the role model for other age groups. I will then mention my person plan moving forward with how to control obesity and promote healthy behaviors. 

SWA #4 - Ethos March 20

Michael Walsh

March 19, 2013

SWA  #4

Ethos refers to the creditability of the author and how he or she establishes the trustworthiness of their argument. My Facebook page is my personal place to voice my opinion on any topic while connecting to all of my friends. Typically I just use Facebook as a place to share photos and post information about news events. I do not post much however most of my status updates include recent and quickly updated information that was recently released. Most information comes from reputable news sources however I do not always list the source therefore the information can seem less credible. In addition posts from my friends can also contribute to the lack of credibility.

            In the article “Heat are on a Path of Little Resistance” by Harvey Araton, he establishes his ethos by stating the source of the information, The New York Times that is a reputable source. In addition he implements lots of quotes from players and coaches about the Miami Heat’s basketball 23 game winning streak. He stresses the credibility of his argument by providing a bunch of background information and statistical information. In addition, he creates the ethos of the article by providing a history of events in the sequence of the winning streak and also presents information regarding the continuation of the winning streak. It lists the upcoming schedule and a brief tidbit of information regarding strategy in each game and chances and difficulty in winning each game to surpass the current record of 33 games.

            The article of the topic I usually would not read comes from Chuck Schilken of the Los Angles Times. It is about the relationship between pro golfer Tiger Woods and professional downhill skier Lindsey Vonn. They began dating recently however, during the Tiger Woods Sex Scandal, Lindsey Vonn publicly mocked Tiger Woods. Typically I wouldn’t read an article regarding celebrity news or tabloids because it is not that typically appealing to me. The ethos of the article comes from the source of the information the Los Angles Times and the direct quotes from Tiger Wood’s and Lindsey Vonn’s social media outlets. As a tabloid or type of news source that covers celebrities and instant new information, therefore the information can be less credible sometimes because of rumors.

            Each of the articles share common strategies of establishing the ethos of the article however, each author takes different ways to prove their credibility, which helps the audience believe the arguments of the article.  

ILP 7- Essay 2 -Logos

Michael Walsh

Situated Logos

After analyzing the article the main message is the problem of obesity in America and the forecasted future statistical data regarding America’s population that is affected by obesity. It also states that something must be done or else the cost of healthcare in America will have to drastically increase. The article lists that obesity may rise to 42% by the year 2030, (the percentage is currently at 36%) , in addition severe obesity would increase from 6% to 11%. The article also lists statistics from the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that 147 billion dollars would be spent to treat obesity each year.  It also lists that even if the obesity level remained the same, the United States would save 549.5 million dollars from now until the year 2030. It also addresses the history of obesity in the United States using a bar graph to represent each decade and the percentage of the American population that was obese. In addition, the article lists a plan to prevent the rise in obesity.

Invented Logos

The text uses this evidence in many different ways to address the logos of the situation to create the need for a solution. The article primarily uses the evidence to appeal to the finical aspects of obesity. It first discusses how the percentage of obesity is on the rise and then addresses the costs associated with the problem. Then it also changes its approach to show how this is a new problem to the United States as obesity hasn’t been a problem in the past. Therefore, this presentation of the logos appeals to the values of America and how it is changing. For example, this is stating how previously it wasn’t a problem however with the increase of technology and availability it has now become a major issue. The logic of the arguments made in the text craft the author’s ethos because it is making appeals to the audience by using the evidence to reinforce the writer’s claims. It backs up his argument and provides the statistical information to become more credible. Also, using information provided from the CDC confirms the credibility of the statistical evidence.

Invention

For my final research project, I am discussing the need for change to the problem of obesity in America. Obviously, this is a very pertinent topic because it affects a large percentage of our population and is a very current issue that demands a solution before it gets too serious. The evidence I will need to create my own claims on this topic will have to be statistical information on the cause and widespread severity. In addition, I will need information on how to address the problem and the potential solutions to the issue. Obviously there is no direct solution or else it would have been implemented, therefore increased research is also necessary on new ideas. Several possible claims of logos that could support a possible hypothesis for my research paper include the information from this article from the CDC on how the issue is a recent problem and what happened in America to create the problem. Also I will address the psychological influence on obesity that allows the problem to continue. I need to do future research, however there is a wide amount of information because it is such an important topic in the United States in the current time period.  

Hellmich, Nanci. "USA TODAY." USATODAY.COM. N.p., 08 May 2012. Web. 03 Mar. 2013.

ILP 6 - Unhealthy America

Michael Walsh

ILP 6

February 25, 2012

The first news article I found for Essay Two comes from the CDC, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regarding Unhealthy America. The overall message of the article is how eating in America is still overall unhealthy. It analyzes the unhealthy tendencies that people in every state in the United States have regarding exercise and food habits. It also analyzes the statistical information of unhealthiness in America. Therefore, in terms of stasis theory, it goes under the category of facts. The subcategory of facts deals with how something happens, the facts associated with it, the problem or issue and what are the causes and effects of the problem and how it can be corrected. The article addresses the problem that is how the general population is overweight or obese and it is leading to a large number of preventable diseases. The problem is not just a lack of exercise but unhealthy foods that promote weight gain. The article focuses on the aspect of unhealthy foods and the general idea of an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, this article by the CDC states that the cause of the problem is unhealthy or fatty foods. This is one major supporting claims for my major thesis of unhealthy America being a combination of unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and an overall psychological impact of general unhealthiness. This claim in the article reviews the overall effects that consuming unhealthy foods has on the general health of people. This is a really important claim because it is a major aspect of my paper to analyze the effects of these foods and the affect they have on the America’s population. Thus, the article is going to be a key component of my complete essay because the information provided is credible coming from the CDC. The other primary claim I will use from this article deals with the policy change for food in social settings. Therefore, it discusses plans that are either in place or going to be soon implemented to address the situation and promote healthier food options. For example food stores will offer more healthier choice options and schools will place an importance on healthier options. These new plans create the opportunity to turn back the time in a sense to work towards a more fit and overall healthier American population. This article stresses the importance of healthy foods and will play a key role in my research for the essay because it deals with one major component of Unhealthy America, the unhealthy foods the population consumes that leads to unhealthiness.

"Eating in America Still Unhealthy: CDC." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 29 Sept. 2009. Web. 24 Feb. 2013.