Prospectus Questions/Concerns

1. Although the author takes an even-handed approach to the subject of plagiarism, he or she does not give their personal opinion on the subject. Should this be included in the prospectus?

2. The author could have done a better job of explaining the topics he or she will be discussing in the introductory paragraph. Also, a well defined thesis in the introductory paragraph would help to round out the authors purpose.

3. The author needs to work on the transitions between paragraphs. Although the paper had a good tone, stronger transitions would have helped the paper flow more smoothly.

Black English

Baldwin makes a compelling argument regarding language in his essay "If Black English Isn't A Language, What Is?". Language is our most powerful tool as humans and is one of the few traits which distinguishes us from every other species on earth. Baldwin points out how much of a role language really plays in our personal and cultural identities as well as our view of the world around us. He claims that the language of the black culture in the United States is just as much of a language as the white man's English. He supports his claim well using historical evidence to describe the evolution of this language. The origins of black English are deeply rooted in our country's past and the decisions made by our forefathers. He reveals that when slave trading began in this country "blacks came to the United States chained to each other, but from different tribes. Neither could speak the other's language". Language is a tool born out of necessity, and Baldwin explains how this was also true for the blacks forced to come to America. He also explains the important role that black language and culture has played in every facet of our society.
Baldwin is explaining to us that this language is a window into the black culture as well as a revelation of the injustices and immorality faced by black people in the past. It reveals to us the underlying notion that American history has created some people that think "that they have nothing to learn from the poeple of a country that has managed to learn so little".
Overall, this author does a good job of using historical evidence as well as a powerful sense of ethos brought on by his credibility in the subject to persuade the audience.

Dihydrogen Monoxide

At first glance DHMO.org may seem like a perfectly normal website with a respectable cause. The writer is extremely creative with the way he explains the "dangers" of dihydrogen monoxide. He makes sure to stay extremely vague with his explanation of the supposed research done on the chemical. They say things such as "dihydrogen monoxide is the major component in acid rain" and "thousands die each year after inhaling dihydrogen monoxide". Although both of these statements are true, their purpose for writing it this way is to scare people into thinking that this is a lethal chemical. But with about thirty seconds of research from an outside source we find that this is a complete hoax. Dihydrogen monoxide is nothing more than a fancy name for H2O, water. The first suspicious thing I noticed about the site is the non-functional links on the page. Not only are most of these links pages created by the same group, but half of them don't even work. Also, there is no way to contact anyone from the "Environmental Assesment Center" given on the homepage or any other. This site is obviously unreliable in every way, except for a good laugh.
I have to admit that when I first began to read over the website, I didn't think anything was too odd about the website. When the common person reads over a name like "dihydrogen monoxide" they assume they are being given the scientific term for some horrible chemical they know nothing about. This website plays on the gullibility that so many people succumb to when they don't think critically and don't look at an outside resource. I wonder how many people have actually bought items from this site without realizing what they were buying!?

"Middle-Schoolers Get the Pill"

An article from "The Week Daily" website explained that a school board in Portland, Maine, passed legislation to allow students between the ages of eleven and thirteen to receive birth control pills with permission from their parents. The idea of children being sexually active at the age of eleven is a touchy and controversial subject no matter which side of the argument you are on. Both sides make valid points to support the validity of their arguments.
The majority of conservatives agree that it is immoral for people to be having sex at such a young age. Their evidence includes the fact that their has been an increase in underage pregnancies as well as sexually transmitted diseases throughout the years. A counterargument to this might be the idea of providing condoms as well as birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and disease from occurring in young people.
Liberals claim that conservatives are being too "puritanical" with their beliefs and think that these kids should at least be given the option of birth control if they decide to make that choice. The Boston Globe also stated that the school is not just handing the pills over to girls but stated that they must "first travel a long-even arduous-road of counseling. Their is evidence to support the fact using that using protection does decrease the possibility of pregnancy as well as transmission of disease, but certain perspectives are overlooked in regards to this argument.
One theory overlooked is the idea that providing students with condoms contraceptive pills at such a young age can actually lead to an increase in sexual activity. The logic behind this theory is that kids are easily persuaded, and that if they are given these instructions by teachers and parents, they may be persuade to believe that it is a cultural norm for people their age to be having sex. This in turn could cause them to become sexually active at a premature age whether they are interested or not.