Sample Research Exercise #1
Joshua Zumbro
English 1050
Topic: Teen Drug Abuse
Topic 2 – Drugs In Our Schools
Works Cited – Anonymous. “Drug dealing occurs at 60% of schools.”Juvenile Justice Digest. Sep 17, 2001. Vol. 29, Iss. 17; pg. 2, 1 pgs
Summary
According to the “Juvenile Justice Digest” in their artice “Drug dealing occurs at 60% of schools,” 9.5 million high school students, and 5 million middle school students attend schools where illegal drugs are used and easily accessible (JJD pg2). The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse based theses facts and statistics off six years of investigation and discussions with students as well as parents and faculty. CASA, a program out of Columbia University, found that under these sort of conditions students are 3 times more likely to participate in those illegal activities, and upon graduation from high school 81% of students will have used alcohol, 47% Marijuana, and 24% other harder drugs (JJD pg2). The White House’s office of drug control policy hopes that these facts put school police on a harder lookout.
Response
Mainstream drugs are now on the decline since this article was published. Even though alcohol is still a large problem among middle school and high school children the new epidemic is prescription pills. So even though most kids are no longer interested in the illegal drugs, new addictions have come up with generation RX, which it’s now being referred to as.
Additional Ideas
I also would like to look at the increasing use of alcohol abuse among teens. I also would like to find out the reasons and environment that the kids who are abusing drugs and alcohol live in. I also would like to find out what schools and parents are doing to prevent teen drug use/abuse.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Possible Arguments
Drug/ Alcohol testing in school
Invasion of privacy
Teachers are not the parents who are they to interfere
Protecting the students
Its either illegal or they are underage
Censorship
Eliminating free speech
Government stopping "political incorrectness"
Keeping children away from vulgar speech and pictures
Parents job to regulate what children see and hear
People will hear it one way or another
Smoking in public areas
Keeps non-smokers comfortable and away from second hand smoke.
If they don’t smoke than they can walk away from it.
Land of the free? What does that even mean anymore?
2nd hand smoke affects children
It’s the parent’s responsibility to keep children away from 2nd hand smoke, not the governments.
With the constant law changes concerning cigarettes, at what point is the government just going to make it illegal
Changing the drinking age
If you can smoke and go to war at 18 why cant you drink.
If kids want to drink they will find a way, laws are not going to stop them.
Preventing pre mature alcoholism
16-18 year olds just got a license; it will just prompt more drinking and driving.
Invasion of privacy
Teachers are not the parents who are they to interfere
Protecting the students
Its either illegal or they are underage
Censorship
Eliminating free speech
Government stopping "political incorrectness"
Keeping children away from vulgar speech and pictures
Parents job to regulate what children see and hear
People will hear it one way or another
Smoking in public areas
Keeps non-smokers comfortable and away from second hand smoke.
If they don’t smoke than they can walk away from it.
Land of the free? What does that even mean anymore?
2nd hand smoke affects children
It’s the parent’s responsibility to keep children away from 2nd hand smoke, not the governments.
With the constant law changes concerning cigarettes, at what point is the government just going to make it illegal
Changing the drinking age
If you can smoke and go to war at 18 why cant you drink.
If kids want to drink they will find a way, laws are not going to stop them.
Preventing pre mature alcoholism
16-18 year olds just got a license; it will just prompt more drinking and driving.
Transitions, Topic Sentence, Conclusion
Thesis Many of those who blame other's for cheating have most likely cheated them selves, been an accomplice, or have allowed others to look off their papers. All these reasons could be due to the lack of obedience, punishment or the stress involved with getting high grades.
Transition 1 Due to the fact that now a days good grades are the number 1 priority many students compromise integrity to achieve this.
Transition 2 Messages from parents and teachers to do good under any circumstances, even when faced with stern punishments, support student’s reasons to take advantage of any opportunity to cheat.
Transition 3 While there are some punishments that have been implemented to discourage cheating as well as making it difficult to do so, other institutions have weak punishments if any at all which gives students no reason to be honest.
Conclusion
Cheating in our institutions has become more and more frequent among students as well as co-workers. This can all be attributed to either a lack of parenting, teaching, ethics and the stress upon students to do well. Describing the problems that come with cheating, and instituting more intense punishments could solve many of these problems. At the same there will always be those who just want to find the easy way out.
Transition 1 Due to the fact that now a days good grades are the number 1 priority many students compromise integrity to achieve this.
Transition 2 Messages from parents and teachers to do good under any circumstances, even when faced with stern punishments, support student’s reasons to take advantage of any opportunity to cheat.
Transition 3 While there are some punishments that have been implemented to discourage cheating as well as making it difficult to do so, other institutions have weak punishments if any at all which gives students no reason to be honest.
Conclusion
Cheating in our institutions has become more and more frequent among students as well as co-workers. This can all be attributed to either a lack of parenting, teaching, ethics and the stress upon students to do well. Describing the problems that come with cheating, and instituting more intense punishments could solve many of these problems. At the same there will always be those who just want to find the easy way out.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Fake News
I think that TV programs such as the Colbert Report as well as the Daily Show can categorized as “Fake News.” I Think this is due to the fact that even though they both have real topics that they cover and discuss the most important information about the story, they always lead into some joke or fake statement about that topic. So even though in ways it has truth, seriousness, and information that we would get if we watched CNN or CNBC but we also get humor, which those other programs do not offer. This humor is what draws in crowds and people that want to hear the news but don’t want the uptight seriousness that the other news offers.
This also helps the younger crowds watch the news and get in to politics and current events that otherwise they would not know about. It is a very good idea to put a comedic news on comedy central, a channel that is targeted to people between 15-30. Which gets people interested into politics at a young age and helps them to know about serious issues that they should know about but also enjoy watching it. This also gets the younger crowd aware and prepared to vote but talking about issues that will be affecting them in the future. So I think the concept of a “fake News” show is a very good idea to get those who usually wouldn’t usually be interested in news involved in political issues.
This also helps the younger crowds watch the news and get in to politics and current events that otherwise they would not know about. It is a very good idea to put a comedic news on comedy central, a channel that is targeted to people between 15-30. Which gets people interested into politics at a young age and helps them to know about serious issues that they should know about but also enjoy watching it. This also gets the younger crowd aware and prepared to vote but talking about issues that will be affecting them in the future. So I think the concept of a “fake News” show is a very good idea to get those who usually wouldn’t usually be interested in news involved in political issues.
Thesis Statement
1.) Road rage can cause numerous negative affects on our highways.
Thesis statement: Due to road rage there has been many deaths due to furious drivers tail gaiting, giving obscene gestures, and even dragging people out of their cars.
2.) Violence in Disney Films.
The Violence in Disney films can be attributed to the racist views and ideas of their creator as well as the time and environment when they were created.
3.) In this paper, I will discuss the different types of ants.
Thesis statement: several different types of ants exist, but as the region changes so do the species.
4.) Human Kindness can be seen in they eyes of rescued animals.
Thesis statement: Every year several homeless dogs and cats are rescued from shelters and are taken to loving homes.
5.) I want to look at the reasons for drought.
Thesis statement: Many scientist attribute drought to the increase in littering, the lack of recycling as well as the increase in global warming.
6.) Stephen king is the author of the shining
Thesis statement: Stephen King is not only known for being a successful author but he also had any of his books turned into very popular films such as the shining.
7.) The titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
Thesis Statement: The titanic sank in due to a lack of lifeboats as well as irresponsible drivers who weren’t paying attention or considering the surroundings around them.
8.) Drug addiction in America
Thesis Statement: Drug addiction has grown rapidly in America, many say that it is due to growing crime rate, as well as the wealth/boredom among youth.
9.) Saving private Ryan is a very good movie
Thesis Statement: the actors in saving private Ryan gave a very realistic portrayal to what it was really like in the war, which made it a very popular movie.
10.) I will show why rabbits make poor pets.
Thesis statement: If you don’t enjoy cleaning up poop everyday, constant feeding, and not playing or running around without the fear that your pet will run away, then I would not recommend a rabbit.
11.) A United States president should have charisma, compassion, and control.
Thesis Statement: President bush has not had much support during his presidency due to the war in Iraq, lack of support and not being able to control public affairs.
12.) The drop dead world of beauty pageants.
Thesis statement: The world of beauty pageants has recently been exposed for their involvement in drugs anorexia as well as a bribes and sex scandals.
13.) School uniforms are necessary
Thesis statement: Many schools are issuing uniforms rules due to harassment, cliques, and taunting to help form a health learning environment.
14.) William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth hamlet, and the tempest.
Thesis statement: Even after several centuries William Shakespeare is still famous and had movies based off his famous novels such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.
15.) Aromatherapy helps to soothe the mind body and spirit.
Thesis statement some believe that aromatherapy calms mind and body while others find it as a distraction.
Thesis statement: Due to road rage there has been many deaths due to furious drivers tail gaiting, giving obscene gestures, and even dragging people out of their cars.
2.) Violence in Disney Films.
The Violence in Disney films can be attributed to the racist views and ideas of their creator as well as the time and environment when they were created.
3.) In this paper, I will discuss the different types of ants.
Thesis statement: several different types of ants exist, but as the region changes so do the species.
4.) Human Kindness can be seen in they eyes of rescued animals.
Thesis statement: Every year several homeless dogs and cats are rescued from shelters and are taken to loving homes.
5.) I want to look at the reasons for drought.
Thesis statement: Many scientist attribute drought to the increase in littering, the lack of recycling as well as the increase in global warming.
6.) Stephen king is the author of the shining
Thesis statement: Stephen King is not only known for being a successful author but he also had any of his books turned into very popular films such as the shining.
7.) The titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
Thesis Statement: The titanic sank in due to a lack of lifeboats as well as irresponsible drivers who weren’t paying attention or considering the surroundings around them.
8.) Drug addiction in America
Thesis Statement: Drug addiction has grown rapidly in America, many say that it is due to growing crime rate, as well as the wealth/boredom among youth.
9.) Saving private Ryan is a very good movie
Thesis Statement: the actors in saving private Ryan gave a very realistic portrayal to what it was really like in the war, which made it a very popular movie.
10.) I will show why rabbits make poor pets.
Thesis statement: If you don’t enjoy cleaning up poop everyday, constant feeding, and not playing or running around without the fear that your pet will run away, then I would not recommend a rabbit.
11.) A United States president should have charisma, compassion, and control.
Thesis Statement: President bush has not had much support during his presidency due to the war in Iraq, lack of support and not being able to control public affairs.
12.) The drop dead world of beauty pageants.
Thesis statement: The world of beauty pageants has recently been exposed for their involvement in drugs anorexia as well as a bribes and sex scandals.
13.) School uniforms are necessary
Thesis statement: Many schools are issuing uniforms rules due to harassment, cliques, and taunting to help form a health learning environment.
14.) William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth hamlet, and the tempest.
Thesis statement: Even after several centuries William Shakespeare is still famous and had movies based off his famous novels such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet.
15.) Aromatherapy helps to soothe the mind body and spirit.
Thesis statement some believe that aromatherapy calms mind and body while others find it as a distraction.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
audience, purpose, and design
There is always a purpose to my writing like the book says. I am either writing to persuade, for fun, or make people think about the subject I am writing on. The purpose of my writing is usually to make a person believe that what I am writing is correct and the thoughts I have is the way we all should think, even if it isn’t. But that is why I write, to persuade a person to believe in my thoughts. Such as when I write a term paper, I am writing to make the teacher or the person grading it think that I know what I am talking about. Which is why I back it up with information, quotes and sources to persuade the reader that what I am writing is believable and correct. The purpose is to get a good grade. Same thing with writing for fun, the purpose is to have fun with what I am writing, to enjoy it and to have pride in it when I am finished.
The audience also plays a large role in my writing. Because whenever I write something there is always an audience I am trying to target but in most of the writing that i have been doing latley it is for the real audence. Such as when I write a term paper, I’m trying to target my teacher. When I write a poem or rhyme I am trying to target the intended audience that I know will be listening to it so that I know they will appreciate, and like it. The audience in my mind will always play a role in writing because they are the ones you are trying to get interested and persuade. Which are some of the reasons why we write.
The book talks about design as the way that we illustrate highlight or design our text. I personally never really use these tools in my writing because I really don’t believe it makes a huge difference. I guess if you are writing a comic design is important because you haft to have illustrations but in most cases I really don’t believe design plays a role in my writing but I could be wrong.
Over all Purpose and audience is what forms and is what I think of when I am writing a paper, storey, or poem, and all play a large role in literature/writing. As far as design goes I don’t think that it is necessary in writing, or at least the writing I do.
The audience also plays a large role in my writing. Because whenever I write something there is always an audience I am trying to target but in most of the writing that i have been doing latley it is for the real audence. Such as when I write a term paper, I’m trying to target my teacher. When I write a poem or rhyme I am trying to target the intended audience that I know will be listening to it so that I know they will appreciate, and like it. The audience in my mind will always play a role in writing because they are the ones you are trying to get interested and persuade. Which are some of the reasons why we write.
The book talks about design as the way that we illustrate highlight or design our text. I personally never really use these tools in my writing because I really don’t believe it makes a huge difference. I guess if you are writing a comic design is important because you haft to have illustrations but in most cases I really don’t believe design plays a role in my writing but I could be wrong.
Over all Purpose and audience is what forms and is what I think of when I am writing a paper, storey, or poem, and all play a large role in literature/writing. As far as design goes I don’t think that it is necessary in writing, or at least the writing I do.
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