Monday, March 9, 2009
Uni 2 First Draft Author's Note
When writing my first draft over the past week or so I have had a few problems and a few things i liked. Some of the things i had problems with mainly had to do with the rhetorical analysis in the articles and other sources. I don't feel I wrote enough on that, rather I feel I focused more on telling what each writer had to say on the topic. So far I think this is a decent draft but I think it could be longer and probably needs some grammatical work. I also want to make sure I did each of my MLA cites correctly.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Body Paragraph Preparations
When I started writing the two body sections for two of my sources i realized something that changed my view on this writing assignment a little, getting a page to two pages wasn't that hard. By realizing this the paper or assignment became a little more enjoyable to write and easier to put ideas together.
Another thing I noticed while writing the initial bodies for these sources was that there are many more articles on this source than i first thought. Just by trying to learn more about the writers or going deeper into the sources I had already obtained, I have found much more information on these first two sources.
After completing these two drafts, so to speak, I know they need some work. One concern I have with them is he length. They are obviously a little short at first glance. I think by sitting down and taking a good look at the story and using the charts I have available more it will shape into a better paper overall.
Another thing I noticed while writing the initial bodies for these sources was that there are many more articles on this source than i first thought. Just by trying to learn more about the writers or going deeper into the sources I had already obtained, I have found much more information on these first two sources.
After completing these two drafts, so to speak, I know they need some work. One concern I have with them is he length. They are obviously a little short at first glance. I think by sitting down and taking a good look at the story and using the charts I have available more it will shape into a better paper overall.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Portfolio 2 Pre-Writing
Connections Between Sources:
-When thinking about each of the sources and how they connect, the obvious reason is the topic of Alex Rodriguez and his usage of banned substances. Going a little deeper into the topic, the thing that ties them all together is what the overall result of this event is going to be. Will Rodriguez be left out of the Hall of Fame and just be another player who cheated his way to fame and fortune? Will a numerous amount of other professional athletes be exposed for doing the same thing Rodriguez and this whole incident have no effect? Or will the voters for the Hall of Fame look past this and realize he is an amazing athlete that made a mistake?
Controlling Idea:
-There are many supporters of both sides of the issue of whether or not Alex Rodriguez is Hall of Fame worthy after this event.
Order of Sources:
-Reflecting on the three sources I have gotten sources so far, I feel the one to start with would be the Interview between Peter Gammons and Alex Rodriguez. By stating this source first it give a basis for other sources to go off of. Some other sources make comments about Rodriguez's comments in the interview so this would give reference to go back to. The next two could probably be interchangeable because they are very similar article just arguing opposite sides of the issue. I believe the order of those two could effect the readers final view on the subject because the last source they get information from could change what sticks out in their mind more.
Transitioning:
-Since the last few sources are directly related to the topic in which the interview talked about i feel that making the transition from source to source will be a somewhat easy task. Between the last two sources, i think the best way of changing would be to state that the next source is in direct contrast to that of the previous one.
-When thinking about each of the sources and how they connect, the obvious reason is the topic of Alex Rodriguez and his usage of banned substances. Going a little deeper into the topic, the thing that ties them all together is what the overall result of this event is going to be. Will Rodriguez be left out of the Hall of Fame and just be another player who cheated his way to fame and fortune? Will a numerous amount of other professional athletes be exposed for doing the same thing Rodriguez and this whole incident have no effect? Or will the voters for the Hall of Fame look past this and realize he is an amazing athlete that made a mistake?
Controlling Idea:
-There are many supporters of both sides of the issue of whether or not Alex Rodriguez is Hall of Fame worthy after this event.
Order of Sources:
-Reflecting on the three sources I have gotten sources so far, I feel the one to start with would be the Interview between Peter Gammons and Alex Rodriguez. By stating this source first it give a basis for other sources to go off of. Some other sources make comments about Rodriguez's comments in the interview so this would give reference to go back to. The next two could probably be interchangeable because they are very similar article just arguing opposite sides of the issue. I believe the order of those two could effect the readers final view on the subject because the last source they get information from could change what sticks out in their mind more.
Transitioning:
-Since the last few sources are directly related to the topic in which the interview talked about i feel that making the transition from source to source will be a somewhat easy task. Between the last two sources, i think the best way of changing would be to state that the next source is in direct contrast to that of the previous one.
Research Perspective
When I first heard of the incident with Alex Rodriguez, I was one of those people saying things like, "he's an idiot". By doing that I felt he had thrown his career and his legacy away. After doing research on this topic for a week or so, I have altered my views a little bit. Although he did break the rules by taking steroids, in his interview he claimed to have never known what they truly were. He also talks to Peter Gammons, in the exclusive ESPN showing, about the time frame of his actions. Rodriguez says he first started taking the steroids when he arrived in Texas and was feeling the pressure of fans, owners, and the press. He also says he stopped taking them in 2003 for fear that the substance was banned without his knowledge. When looking at his expressions and hearing his story, I have developed an understanding of what he did. Large amounts of pressure can push a person to many uncharacteristic things.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
In Class Pre-Writing
Concerns:
1. I may not have narrowed my topic down enough, I might need to focus on a particular aspect to make this paper as good as possible
2. The sources seem to have very similar ideas and opinions on both sides of the topic
Primary Sources:
-First is an interview with Alex Rodriguez. I chose this source because it shows the emotion and his apologetic comments to the public and his fans. The interview consists of Peter Gammons, a reporter for ESPN asking questions about the time line of the drug tests as well as the most recent events of the truth being exposed. He admits to using and seems to regret it completely. By showing his emotions in an interview he exploits the use of 'pathos' to get the public back on his side and try to gain their forgiveness.
-Second was an article written by Bill Madden in the 'Daily News'. I chose this article because it gives the negative side of this event the many Americans see it. Madden basically bashes Rodriguez and discredits him for what he did. He uses the term 'A-Fraud' instead of 'A-Rod'. By stating his opinion so strongly, Madden is able to get the reader to really feel the way he does and maybe even sway their views about Rodriguez.
-Third is an article written by a sportswriter for the 'Kansas City Star', Joe Posnanski, that was published in 'Sports Illustrated'. This article is basically the opposite of the second source, which helps in comparing the different reactions of the event. Posnanski writes about how he feels Rodriguez was only doing what most guys in the MLB, whether they own up to it or not, are doing. This appeals to those who feel he didnt really do anything wrong. There are alot of people that feel drug testing doesn't deserve a place in the MLB and those people would really appreciate this article.
1. I may not have narrowed my topic down enough, I might need to focus on a particular aspect to make this paper as good as possible
2. The sources seem to have very similar ideas and opinions on both sides of the topic
Primary Sources:
-First is an interview with Alex Rodriguez. I chose this source because it shows the emotion and his apologetic comments to the public and his fans. The interview consists of Peter Gammons, a reporter for ESPN asking questions about the time line of the drug tests as well as the most recent events of the truth being exposed. He admits to using and seems to regret it completely. By showing his emotions in an interview he exploits the use of 'pathos' to get the public back on his side and try to gain their forgiveness.
-Second was an article written by Bill Madden in the 'Daily News'. I chose this article because it gives the negative side of this event the many Americans see it. Madden basically bashes Rodriguez and discredits him for what he did. He uses the term 'A-Fraud' instead of 'A-Rod'. By stating his opinion so strongly, Madden is able to get the reader to really feel the way he does and maybe even sway their views about Rodriguez.
-Third is an article written by a sportswriter for the 'Kansas City Star', Joe Posnanski, that was published in 'Sports Illustrated'. This article is basically the opposite of the second source, which helps in comparing the different reactions of the event. Posnanski writes about how he feels Rodriguez was only doing what most guys in the MLB, whether they own up to it or not, are doing. This appeals to those who feel he didnt really do anything wrong. There are alot of people that feel drug testing doesn't deserve a place in the MLB and those people would really appreciate this article.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Topic Research
When looking at this blog assignment and going into the research I decided to change to a topic that had a wider range of reactions. The new topic I have decided to talk about is steroids in professional sports, mainly the particular case of Alex Rodriguez.
My first source is an interview with A-Rod who came forward and admitted taking substances that were banned in early Feruary. Alex Rodriguez did this interview with Peter Gammons on February ninth and it came as a shock to many around the nation and world.
The next source comes as an article in the 'Daily News' by Bill Madden. The article is full of opinionated comments about the recent discoveries of Rodriguez and his actions.
The third source is a article from 'Sports Illustrated' by Joe Posnanski. The piece is a little different from the other article. It takes the opposing position, saying what Alex Rodriguez wasn't that bad and his actions were understandable.
I think this is a much easier topic to see the different argument and rhetoric involved than my
previous topic.
My first source is an interview with A-Rod who came forward and admitted taking substances that were banned in early Feruary. Alex Rodriguez did this interview with Peter Gammons on February ninth and it came as a shock to many around the nation and world.
The next source comes as an article in the 'Daily News' by Bill Madden. The article is full of opinionated comments about the recent discoveries of Rodriguez and his actions.
The third source is a article from 'Sports Illustrated' by Joe Posnanski. The piece is a little different from the other article. It takes the opposing position, saying what Alex Rodriguez wasn't that bad and his actions were understandable.
I think this is a much easier topic to see the different argument and rhetoric involved than my
previous topic.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Portfolio 2 Topic
Degree in Kinesiology
-Different places to Work:
--Ben Hogan Sports Therapy Center (personal experience)
--Texas Sports Medicine (personal experience)
---Different Jobs Available:
----Physical Therapist
----Doctor
-----How each affects patients
------How it has affected me
This basically an overview of how I narrowed down my topic. I plan on going into to the topic of Physical Therapy. Deeper into this would be the subject of the views people on different sides of physical therapy feel about it. In other words seeing the topic from a bunch of different angles (doctor, patient that has gone through it before, patient without the experience, physical therapist.
-Different places to Work:
--Ben Hogan Sports Therapy Center (personal experience)
--Texas Sports Medicine (personal experience)
---Different Jobs Available:
----Physical Therapist
----Doctor
-----How each affects patients
------How it has affected me
This basically an overview of how I narrowed down my topic. I plan on going into to the topic of Physical Therapy. Deeper into this would be the subject of the views people on different sides of physical therapy feel about it. In other words seeing the topic from a bunch of different angles (doctor, patient that has gone through it before, patient without the experience, physical therapist.
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