SWA #4

In the essay by Brent Staples about the decline of radio, we can use TRACE to analyze his writing. The text is an argumentative essay on the depletion of small radio companies and the overtaking of larger corporations. He discusses how radio is no longer personal, but simply advertising and reruns of overplayed music. The audience can be generalized to all Americans that listen or have listened to the radio. It can be narrowed down to those Americans living in New York that listen to the radio as well. Throughout the essay the author projects his disgust with the corporatization of the radio and the difficult task he must undertake to listen to decent music. He reminisces to the days when each radio station had their own style and played different music and allowed local bands on the air. Some of the possible constraints for the author might be his living up north, specifically New York where he mentions the price for a station is around $100 million. He obviously valued the more eclectic music, seemingly as he is unsatisfied with the mainstream music played in his area. I too do not particularly care for most mainstream music played on the radio. When in my car I listen to CDs or my IPod, where I have specifically chosen the music I want to listen to. The exigence for this essay is the uprising of corporate radio and the lack of decent music to be found upon such stations. The author and I share much common ground as I can relate to the dislike of radio today and all the music and commercials. I felt as though it was not a very good argument because he did not propose a means of change, just simply stated the issue at hand.

SWA #3

There are so many enduring arguments in America today. These arguments leave many people at odds with each other over differing sides. In today’s society the death penalty is a widely controversial topic. Many Americans think that it goes against a person’s rights. I believe that once you break a law, you lose your rights.
If convicted of any crime may it be murder, kidnapping or rape and the convict is put into prison for life, what have we given them? Life in prison is a life of ease. Prisoners get television, exercise, three square meals and recreation time outside. Capital Punishment was legal until 1972 when Furman v Georgia ruled it unlawful. However; in 1976 it was reinstated in some states after Gregg v Georgia. Today only thirteen states do not have the death penalty.
If a murderer is locked up, what prevents them from killing again? Many convicted murderers do not stop once they reach jail. Fellow inmates and guards have been killed by such prisoners who are in jail for life. I believe in “an eye for an eye.” Once you take a human life, you lose the right to keep yours.
Those who argue against the death penalty claim that it goes against an individual’s rights and is cruel and unusual punishment. I must argue that the man or woman killed by such an individual lost their right to live when such a convict killed them. The death penalty is about justice, not about rights for convicts. Many men are frightened by the death penalty and therefore may not kill or commit heinous crimes to avoid it. If we take away the death penalty, then we take away any punishment for such crimes. Putting a man in jail for life gives him a free ride. While it may not be the ideal living situation for most, who can argue with free room and board on the victims tax dollars.

SWA #2

The article “Seeking Balance in an Either- Or World,” by Kathleen Parker was about the effect of an extremist policy when it comes to politics. She argued that if you are an Independent or centrist then you are considered weak or indecisive by someone from either extremist party. Her main example of such a centrist policy she has is on abortion. She is pro-life and agrees that abortion is the killing of a child, yet she does not agree with the government forcing women to have their children. She does, however; think that young people should be as educated about abortion as they are about birth control.
Throughout the article I agreed with Parker and her views on centrism, however; there were some weak points that I did not think helped her argument at all. Parker brought up the point that in today’s society you have to choose a side, you cannot stay in the middle on any topic relating to politics. While many people think that you must pick a side whether right or left, Republican or Democrat, the majority of the people in the United States actually consider themselves Independent. Parker claims the centrism is the most patriotic choice because you do not get caught up on one side agreeing with whatever they say no matter if you really do or not. Centrism allows you to reason with both sides and fall somewhere in the middle. I agree with Parker on the point that centrism is the most patriotic, but for the fact you are not tied down to one party and hopefully you can reason out the issues and pick one side or none at all, whichever is logical to you not what your party says is logical. A weak point she had in her article was by trying to argue that Independent was the only right way. While a smart choice for some it is not the only right choice, but luckily there are two other parties to choose from.
The most striking thing that I took away from this article was the point that extremists say that compromise is bad if not impossible. I think that as a united nation we should strive for compromise on the issues. Arguing with other parties and individuals does not solve the issues it only causes more within the country.

SWA #1

As a journalism major I have done and will do alot of writing. In highschool I obtained an internship through a local relief clinic. At this internship I write all the press releases and any announcements that need to be made. My best writing experience was when an article I had written for the clinic was published in the local newspaper. Since I want to make writing a career it was very rewarding to have my work published at a young age.
In highschool I took a few AP courses. The classes themselves are very stressful and the majority of the time is spent preparing for the final AP exam. That exam determines whether or not you get credit for the course. The final portion of my English 101 AP exam consisted of essay answer questions analyzing short pieces from books. In addition to the lingering hand cramp from the page after page of written answer required to answer each question, I was left with a fried feeling. I think this was my most frustrating experience because I felt I could not adequately answer the questions.
Having my work printed in the paper affected me the most as I writer. It was a leading factor in my desire to pursue writing as a career.