The article I found is from a Community Impact Newspaper on "The Future of Highway 29." This article was a really long and complex article with multiple maps and diagrams depicting how the road will look after the changes. I cannot even imagine how that will look driving down it to my neighborhood. I cannot imagine how different my neighborhood will be with the new road. The whole front of it will have to change. We might even lose some of the golf course!
Another point brought up in the article was the multiple neighborhoods that are coming into the area of Highway 29. There are 19,005 lots according to the chart. Some of those are proposed and others are already under construction. The whole face of that area will be different within the next 30 years. I am honestly a little scared of what that will mean for everyone that is there and has been there for many years...
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
ICW: Topic for Unit 3
The topic I'd like to write about concerns the enlargement of Highway 29, one of the few simple highways left in Central Texas. Right now, it is a simple 4 lane highway surrounded by fields and woods. It's not uncommon to see longhorn, horses, deer, or even an occasional coyote roaming next to the highway. This highway is slated to become a 10 lane monstrosity that will consume countless acres of land to complete. My neighborhood is right off Highway 29 and, if this expansion occurs, will lose the entire front part of the neighborhood. Not only will houses have to be moved, but we'd also lose a hole or two of our golf course.
The country is still mainly wild and free, it'd be a shame to have it destroyed. Numerous families and businesses will be negatively impacted if all the changes occur. There is even talk of huge cookie-cutter neighborhoods being built alongside the new highway. At one point, someone mentioned upwards of 5 thousand new homes being built. They will be on 0 acre lots, which means that there will be very little space between them and a loss of any available aesthetic appeal.
The country is still mainly wild and free, it'd be a shame to have it destroyed. Numerous families and businesses will be negatively impacted if all the changes occur. There is even talk of huge cookie-cutter neighborhoods being built alongside the new highway. At one point, someone mentioned upwards of 5 thousand new homes being built. They will be on 0 acre lots, which means that there will be very little space between them and a loss of any available aesthetic appeal.
Unit 2: Post 16 (March 25, 2009)
Author's Note on Final Portfolio:
This is my final draft of the essay on the causes of Autism. My essay reads like I wanted it to and now that I have the minor issue with the parenthetical citation for the message board fixed, it is done. Based on the feedback I received from my group, I believe that this essay is pretty decent. Whether it's an A or not, I have no idea. I know that I put my best effort into it and that is enough for me. The only main concern I have is the fact that it is still a bit over the page limit so I know I'll get hit for those points. I just couldn't figure out how to change the wording used. I get that more concise language would have put it within the page limit, but then I would have lost the voice and feel that I wanted to establish.
The rest of the portfolio should be great. I have kept up with each of the assignments so I don't anticipate losing points on the rest of the portfolio. Hopefully, the good daily grades from the rest of the portfolio will make up for those points lost on the main essay because of its length. That is my ultimate hope. Overall, this portfolio is one of my favorites and one that I have put a lot of work into. It'd be nice if that work were to pay off in the end.
This is my final draft of the essay on the causes of Autism. My essay reads like I wanted it to and now that I have the minor issue with the parenthetical citation for the message board fixed, it is done. Based on the feedback I received from my group, I believe that this essay is pretty decent. Whether it's an A or not, I have no idea. I know that I put my best effort into it and that is enough for me. The only main concern I have is the fact that it is still a bit over the page limit so I know I'll get hit for those points. I just couldn't figure out how to change the wording used. I get that more concise language would have put it within the page limit, but then I would have lost the voice and feel that I wanted to establish.
The rest of the portfolio should be great. I have kept up with each of the assignments so I don't anticipate losing points on the rest of the portfolio. Hopefully, the good daily grades from the rest of the portfolio will make up for those points lost on the main essay because of its length. That is my ultimate hope. Overall, this portfolio is one of my favorites and one that I have put a lot of work into. It'd be nice if that work were to pay off in the end.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Unit 2: Post 15 (March 23, 2009)
My previous draft for the workshop was essentially as close to a final draft as I could get. Therefore, this draft isn't too much different from that first one. I tried to make the language more concise, but I don't think I succeeded too much at that. I just like the voice the wording gives to my writing. Any extra input on making it shorter would be nice.
I did make some minor technical changes. For instance, I fixed the block quotations since I was completely off on how you're supposed to do them. One main thing that I have a problem with still is figuring out the citing for The Drs message board. I just cannot figure out how to cite all the different authors. I think once I get that part figured out, I will have the completed work the way that I want it.
I did make some minor technical changes. For instance, I fixed the block quotations since I was completely off on how you're supposed to do them. One main thing that I have a problem with still is figuring out the citing for The Drs message board. I just cannot figure out how to cite all the different authors. I think once I get that part figured out, I will have the completed work the way that I want it.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Unit 2: Post 14, (March 9, 2009)
Author's Note For First Draft:
While this is a first draft of my paper, I have attempted to make it as close to the final product as possible; I don't anticipate having to make too many corrections to it. I think this draft turned out as well as I was wanting. The only thing that concerns me is the length of it. It is just over 10 pages and the cut-off was 10 pages. I mainly would like any input on areas that could be shortened so I can stay within the page limits. Also, I'd appreciate any feedback, positive or negative as the case may be, that you guys wish to give me.
Importance of my topic for the community:
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder at this point in time. If you don't have someone close to you affected by it, within the next ten years that could change. I am personally impacted by this topic as I wish to work with autistic children as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
It is important that we attempt to identify the cause of this disorder and perhaps even find a cure for it since so many children are being diagnosed. I know the families who are watching their children regress want to find out why this is happening to them. Some families continue to feel that the vaccinations are the cause, despite being shown evidence otherwise. As technology continues to improve, perhaps we will be able to definitvely say what the cause is. We have already isolated some genes that could be responsible and as more research is done into this, we may just be able to find a way to stop the spread and perhaps even cure it.
While this is a first draft of my paper, I have attempted to make it as close to the final product as possible; I don't anticipate having to make too many corrections to it. I think this draft turned out as well as I was wanting. The only thing that concerns me is the length of it. It is just over 10 pages and the cut-off was 10 pages. I mainly would like any input on areas that could be shortened so I can stay within the page limits. Also, I'd appreciate any feedback, positive or negative as the case may be, that you guys wish to give me.
Importance of my topic for the community:
Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder at this point in time. If you don't have someone close to you affected by it, within the next ten years that could change. I am personally impacted by this topic as I wish to work with autistic children as a Speech-Language Pathologist.
It is important that we attempt to identify the cause of this disorder and perhaps even find a cure for it since so many children are being diagnosed. I know the families who are watching their children regress want to find out why this is happening to them. Some families continue to feel that the vaccinations are the cause, despite being shown evidence otherwise. As technology continues to improve, perhaps we will be able to definitvely say what the cause is. We have already isolated some genes that could be responsible and as more research is done into this, we may just be able to find a way to stop the spread and perhaps even cure it.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Unit 2: Post 13 (March 4, 2009)
I essentially prepared for writing the two body sections by getting all the information I had, such as the rhetorical analysis questions and the Toulmin charts, and decided what parts to include. I used every section of my Toulmin charts, but I only picked some of the rhetorical anayslis questions. I primarily used the ones dealing with the author, the audience, ethos, and style. I chose to do one of my genetic body paragraphs and one of my vaccine ones.
I have learned a lot more about my topic by actually seeing the best way to organize my information. I found both the Toulmin chart and the rhetorical analysis questions to be quite helpful in helping me analyze the rhetorical strategies that were used. I am a little fearful that I am not correct in my rhetorical strategies. I am just not sure I understand everything that I am supposed to do.
I have learned a lot more about my topic by actually seeing the best way to organize my information. I found both the Toulmin chart and the rhetorical analysis questions to be quite helpful in helping me analyze the rhetorical strategies that were used. I am a little fearful that I am not correct in my rhetorical strategies. I am just not sure I understand everything that I am supposed to do.
Monday, March 2, 2009
ICW: Prewriting for Rhetorical Case Study
Prewriting- Rhetorical Case Study
· What connects your sources? As you write, you’ll likely come to a start of a controlling idea.
o My sources are divided into two for the genetic causes of Autism and two for the possible vaccine causes of Autism. My fifth source details the statistics of Autism, especially noting the growing prevalence of the disorder. While there is not a great deal of conflict or contention dealing with the possible genetic influences, the idea of the vaccines causing them has caused a lot of debate. One source, a court ruling from the Federal Court of Claims, states that vaccines were not the cause of Autism in the children of three families. They stated that enough hard evidence wasn’t presented to support the claim. Several mothers that replied to the Drs message board after their show on vaccines and autism presented a different viewpoint. The mothers felt that they had lost their kids to Autism within days of their vaccines.
o Controlling Idea: There has been controversy as to whether vaccines have caused Autism or if there is a genetic cause of Autism. One major reason there is a debate is that children get vaccinated prior to age 5 and Autism is normally diagnosed in the time between birth and age 3; there is a definite overlap.
· How would I organize my sources in my essay? Spend a little time narrating why I chose the organization pattern I did.
o Organization
§ Intro dealing with Autism, present some facts about Autism
§ Genetic causes of Autism and analysis
· MedScape Study (2005)
· Washington University Study (2007)
§ Vaccines causing Autism and analysis
· Court Ruling
· Drs Message Board
§ Conclusion tying the different viewpoints together and ending with some more stats from my 5th source
o Why?
§ My sources for the genetics of Autism fit together in that they both researched the same topic. An interesting not is that the 1st source was from 2005 and the 2nd was from 2007. In those two years, much research has been done and the genes in question have been narrowed even more. As there is more contention around the vaccines, I have them after the genetics to present another possibility for the increases in diagnosis. The court rulings stated that the vaccines didn’t cause the Autism affecting three families while the message board presents mothers’ pleas that their children were “lost” to Autism soon after being vaccinated. My 5th source deals more with the statistics of Autism and these stats will be inserted into the introduction and the conclusion
· How do you plan to transition between your sources?
o Intro to Source 1
§ There has been a lot of research conducted in the last several years looking into the possible genetic causes of Autism.
o Source 1 to Source 2
§ A more recent study was conducted two years following this one and has managed to narrow the focus of the genetics of Autism.
o Source 2 to Source 3
§ While many scientists are investigating the genetics of Autism, many families have voiced concerns that their children’s vaccinations caused the onset of Autism
o Source 3 to Source 4
§ The Federal Court of Claims may have ruled that the vaccinations weren’t the cause of the Autism affecting these families, however, for several mothers replying to the Drs message board, vaccines were the cause of their children’s disorder.
o Source 4 to Conclusion
§ The mothers’ viewpoints on the vaccinations impacting their child’s Autism have presented one possible cause.
· What connects your sources? As you write, you’ll likely come to a start of a controlling idea.
o My sources are divided into two for the genetic causes of Autism and two for the possible vaccine causes of Autism. My fifth source details the statistics of Autism, especially noting the growing prevalence of the disorder. While there is not a great deal of conflict or contention dealing with the possible genetic influences, the idea of the vaccines causing them has caused a lot of debate. One source, a court ruling from the Federal Court of Claims, states that vaccines were not the cause of Autism in the children of three families. They stated that enough hard evidence wasn’t presented to support the claim. Several mothers that replied to the Drs message board after their show on vaccines and autism presented a different viewpoint. The mothers felt that they had lost their kids to Autism within days of their vaccines.
o Controlling Idea: There has been controversy as to whether vaccines have caused Autism or if there is a genetic cause of Autism. One major reason there is a debate is that children get vaccinated prior to age 5 and Autism is normally diagnosed in the time between birth and age 3; there is a definite overlap.
· How would I organize my sources in my essay? Spend a little time narrating why I chose the organization pattern I did.
o Organization
§ Intro dealing with Autism, present some facts about Autism
§ Genetic causes of Autism and analysis
· MedScape Study (2005)
· Washington University Study (2007)
§ Vaccines causing Autism and analysis
· Court Ruling
· Drs Message Board
§ Conclusion tying the different viewpoints together and ending with some more stats from my 5th source
o Why?
§ My sources for the genetics of Autism fit together in that they both researched the same topic. An interesting not is that the 1st source was from 2005 and the 2nd was from 2007. In those two years, much research has been done and the genes in question have been narrowed even more. As there is more contention around the vaccines, I have them after the genetics to present another possibility for the increases in diagnosis. The court rulings stated that the vaccines didn’t cause the Autism affecting three families while the message board presents mothers’ pleas that their children were “lost” to Autism soon after being vaccinated. My 5th source deals more with the statistics of Autism and these stats will be inserted into the introduction and the conclusion
· How do you plan to transition between your sources?
o Intro to Source 1
§ There has been a lot of research conducted in the last several years looking into the possible genetic causes of Autism.
o Source 1 to Source 2
§ A more recent study was conducted two years following this one and has managed to narrow the focus of the genetics of Autism.
o Source 2 to Source 3
§ While many scientists are investigating the genetics of Autism, many families have voiced concerns that their children’s vaccinations caused the onset of Autism
o Source 3 to Source 4
§ The Federal Court of Claims may have ruled that the vaccinations weren’t the cause of the Autism affecting these families, however, for several mothers replying to the Drs message board, vaccines were the cause of their children’s disorder.
o Source 4 to Conclusion
§ The mothers’ viewpoints on the vaccinations impacting their child’s Autism have presented one possible cause.
Unit 2: Post 12 (March 2, 2009)
I love my topic even more after all of my research. Autism has always fascinated me and I am super excited that I am learning more about this disorder. I particularly liked researching the vaccine causes of autism as I watched the Drs episode that delt with this topic. The debate on the show was quite intense as were the responses that the message board had. I honestly am not sure whether I think vaccines are responsible for this increase in the prevalence of autism. The mothers of some of the kids said that their children regressed into autism within days of the vaccines. One described it as "[losing] her child to autsim." The fact that the Federal Court of Claims ruled that vaccines didn't cause the autism in three cases brought before them did start doubt in my mind.
I was worried at first on how these Toulmin charts would turn out, but after finishing them I am glad. They weren't that difficult and it really helped me process more about the sources by having to fill out the charts. I especially found the bottom level with possible claims of rebuttal to be the most helpful. It is a good thing to have to try and debunk what your source says.
I was worried at first on how these Toulmin charts would turn out, but after finishing them I am glad. They weren't that difficult and it really helped me process more about the sources by having to fill out the charts. I especially found the bottom level with possible claims of rebuttal to be the most helpful. It is a good thing to have to try and debunk what your source says.
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