Grade Inflation? Thank Goodness!!

This article written by Michael Berube highlights the recent effects that a constant rise in grades over the past few decades has had on schools across the country. These universities consist of Ivy League schools as well as small town community colleges all the way to public schools. Mainly at the collegiate level, however, professors have reported that their students have been scoring higher grades than in years past but that also the grades might not be as hard to get. Berube states that critics believe we are close to a system right now that minimally showcases the hard work and effort that “A+” students should receive. Berube also goes on to detailing a potential plan as to how to handle the grade inflation. He added that Princeton claimed to only allow the top 35% of each class receive an “A”. As drastic as this sounds, he explained that just a couple of years ago, 90% of graduating students from Harvard did so with Honors. This is hard to believe considering Harvard is globally one of the most prestigious schools.
I think this entire situation is very attractive because I think I have seen the same flow of grades as I have increased in my schooling career. Not that I have been able to take a cross sectional look at the increase in national grades since I have been in school, from what people have told me about how grades used to be, everyone does actually perform better now. Many of my professors even claim that they had no care about what grade they made in a course at the time of their studying. Regardless, due to the fact that millions of job-hungry students graduate in the same week every year, it is easy to see why these students want to make good grades to stand out from the countless other graduates.

Can the Internet Change You?

Jaron Lanier is a renowned web researcher and a pioneer in the realm of virtual reality. In this short passage, Lanier effectively uses the classical scheme of argument in that his organization definitely helps the reader to understand his point of view and it sums up the point with detailed support in a concise manner. His introduction was strong in that he revealed a little about himself and he highlighted the main topic of his argument. From that, his body paragraphs are each compacted of details that show both the pros and the cons of the Internet and how it is helpful as well as dangerous. He also goes on to elaborate that the web has allowed advertisements to specifically target certain groups as well as how the Internet can help to increase efficiency by losing the need for human workers. After several examples of confirmation in his body paragraphs and his refutation to the “reducing the human aspect leads to impersonal behavior”, Lanier asks readers to give their insight on what they think about how the Internet could be changing how humans act every day.

Personally, I know from experience that the web allows people to mob together in certain influenced groups. An easy example is YouTube; If you actually go through and read the viewer comments on most of the videos, it is unbelievable how many racial slurs and curse words one might see just because someone doesn’t like a person in a certain video. The thing that Lanier speaks of that I also believe to be a bit true is that these comments can influence other people to act out and say things they normally wouldn’t maybe in public or to their parents. However, people can anonymously say just about whatever they want on the Internet without any concern of being punished for it. The Internet lacks these rules. It makes sense that certain people would say things after being influenced by others because there is no repercussions of “mobbing” up on anything.

Aspects of Argument

In literature, argument has grown to become one of the most popular forms of writing. The process of writing argument is very artistic and if written correctly, one argument can speak volumes. Although the word argument is usually associated negatively among the context or two different things, the term argument represents a debate and persuasion. The main purpose of writing argument is to convince others of a point of view and to defend that viewpoint. Within this style of writing, many assertions or claims are used so the author can define the topic through his eyes. This allows the author to dictate how the reader takes in the information, adding to the persuasion.

Throughout argument writing, the author will use three different appeals in order to significantly strengthen his debate. Logos, Pathos, and Ethos are each three unique appeals that complete the rhetorical triangle. These appeals allow the author to strategically align his argument in a way that will connect the writer, reader and message all together. Emotionally affecting the reader through the use of pathos can help the reader connect with the argument. Implementing the use of ethos builds the character of the author and makes him seem more credible. Also, the use of logos allows the use of statistics which renders an argument logical and factual. Each of these three appeals must be used effectively in order to create a well rounded argument.

Dating back to ancient Greece, famous philosopher Aristotle set up the format of what we now call the classical scheme of argument. Astonishingly, this same organizational technique is still used today to create the most convincing arguments. The approach he preaches is known as deductive reasoning because the claim is stated first and then supporting details follow throughout the text. The inverse of this, the inductive approach, is also used and provides its own advantages for appealing to readers. However, one of these styles should be adhered to in order to write an first-rate classical argument.

Argument or Debate?

Further Education and What We Want From It

In the excerpt from their book, When Hope and Fear Collide: A Portrait of Today’s College Student, authors Dr. Arthur Levine and Jeannette Cureton effectively comprise the changes of today’s education based on how individuals perceived a “perfect” education to be decades ago. Dr. Levine explains that the idea spread by John Henry Cardinal Newman is very bright and was once embraced but is no longer strictly adhered to anymore. With several grounding points of argument, the authors are capable of organizing the text in a way that makes understanding the information easier for the readers.

Immediately, the authors present the recent demographic transformations throughout the nation and that data alone makes it apparent that people are viewing their education differently today. Reports suggest that students are graduating older and more are in the workforce while they are studying. Many of these students stated they wanted a different type of relationship with their university. In previous times, residential living in study quarters was considered proper and necessary. Nowadays, however, more and more students are choosing to live away from campus and focus on the business of their everyday lives.

Also, the authors include a large section focused on the diversity and multiculturalism that is now seen in Universities across the nation. Dr. Levine also stated quoted a college student that it was a lot easier to talk about diverse issues in solitude rather than with large groups of people. Maybe this could be one of the reasons leading up to the fact that today’s college education isn’t the same as it was yesterday.

I believe the information in this excerpt is very credible and logical. From reading the text, it makes sense because I see much of the same things going on at the University I attend. I do believe that people want more and more and they aren’t satisfied with what they have now. Also, I will agree that this generation is definitely a “tired” one. I find this fact to be a bit disappointing because it is unfortunate that individuals rely so heavily on an objective, material lifestyle. All in all, I think Dr. Levine and Jeannette Cureton did an excellent job aligning this coercive argument.

Blue Barrels?? Where??

Craig Broadbent’s article presenting his on-campus issue of recycling is relatable in almost all parts of North America as of the past couple decades. Broadbent elaborates the blue barrels are purposed for recycling and that he is trying to promote the active use of these barrels. He stresses the fact that recycling is needed in our world and especially on his campus. Due to his activity in the recycling program at his university, he is really attempting to promote the recycling program across his campus to encourage individuals to discard of their items respectfully. I believe he establishes ethos by providing credible sources of his information that he presents neatly in a table.
The most persuasive piece of intelligence from the article had to have been the organized table showcasing the deterioration times of certain materials we litter daily. This proves to be important because research proves that plastic bottles show no signs of deterioration and that they could actually be here forever. This definitely adds onto Broadbent’s argument as he praises the use of recycling and defends how important it is for our overpopulated society.
The audience of Broadbent’s essay is primarily the students and faculty members amongst his university. He blatantly stated his purpose of the essay was to promote the recycling program in which he was involved as well as prove how important recycling actually is to our society. I believe a secondary audience could be the people everywhere that read this because recycling materials is crucial not only to the University of Nebraska, but to the entire world as well.
I think the form of his essay was very well structured and the organization he used allowed for it to be meaningful with a strong sense of reason behind it. It definitely sounded like Broadbent knew what he wanted to say to the people on his campus and he did the research to back up his statements. Broadbent’s essay provides an excellent example of a strong article with an important meaning behind it.

Magazine Analysis

Rolling Stone
Issue 1067
December 11,2008

This magazine does more than address a series of topics that the authors feel readers might find interesting. Instead, it provides multiple avenues of information for the reader and allows for a unique read which is essential for a great magazine. Divisions of interesting articles of multiple entertainment industries combined with flashy advertisements fill the magazine. Personal interviews as well as paparazzi snapshots can be found throughout the magazine. Contents like these could be one of the reasons Rolling Stone magazine has succeeded up to this point.
From the latest hit albums and the correlating “Top 100” charts to exclusive one-on-one interviews with the music industry’s leading artists, this magazine definitely targets audiences with an interest in pop culture. In this particular volume, Rolling Stone producers included an in depth interview with Britney Spears addressing her recent “comeback” as a successful pop artist. Likewise, the magazine offers readers a chance to see other talented bands and musicians that haven’t burst into the mainstream of radio music. Also, the magazine includes many hi-definition photographs of the most famous individuals in the entertainment business and provides highly detailed article on just about each one.
Likewise, Rolling Stone has also found a way to provide interesting information on “Hollywood” and keep up with the hottest movies and actors. This magazine does an excellent job of exploiting the appeal most Americans have for celebrities and does an effective job of flaunting them throughout the magazine. Good or bad, Rolling Stone provides publicity for these famed individuals and it profits from the people who find them interesting. Not only does the magazine discuss the actors, it also provides in depth summaries and reviews of the latest movies and provides teaser quotes from each movie.
The magazine wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t include some sort of advertisement. Yet, Rolling Stone has found a way to take traditional advertisements and format them in such a manner that enhances their magazine. Right off the bat, this particular volume includes a fold out Citi ad focused on Nickelback’s Livenation tour and it immediately gives readers an impression of the magazine. Throughout the magazine, the advertisements provide substance and color as well as further entertainment, not to mention the vulgar ads including half-bare women.
Throughout this particular magazine, I believe that Rolling Stone did an excellent job at providing the reader with ample information about the recent activity associated with pop culture as well as other big names all over the country. I think this magazine is effective because time after time it provides interesting articles for readers and flashy pictures that are hard to ignore.


"Britney Returns." Rolling Stone. 11 December 2008: 48.

Textbook - "Clocking Cultures"

“Clocking Cultures” by Carol Ezzell
In this article, Carol Ezzell writes about the various ways different cultures across the globe view time. She emphasizes the fact that certain cultures value every minute and treat time as a very limited resource. On the other hand, she also does an exceptional job of showing that other cultures are less concerned with the way they spend their time. This view poses many questions about the lifestyles of these people as well as what they do value.
Rhetorical Knowledge
1. I believe the intended audience for Ezzell’s essay is intelligent individuals with the capacity to look at the world from many different perspectives. I think her writing allows for people to think globally and more extroverted.
2. I think the purpose of this essay is definitely academic because Ezzell provides countless factual information that prove to be educational as well as several ideas of conceptual thinking based on differing cultures throughout the world. From her references to Edward T. Hall, Jr., to the opinions of social psychologist, Robert Levine, much about the study of time can be learned from her article.
3. I believe the tone Carol Ezzell uses in this essay is confident and open. I think that she uses specific examples to elaborate and back her viewpoint and she does an excellent job of getting to the point and staying on track within her essay. With the evidence she provided and the strong tone behind it, I believe she was able to effectively improve the believability of her essay.
4. Personally, I think she does an amazing job at capturing the very complicated perception of time that cultures across the world hold. With that, I think the way she elaborates on how people of differing cultures view time is appropriate and logical. Especially with the addition of anthropologist, Kevin Birth’s wisdom. Birth explains “The ideas of associating time with money are not found globally,” which is often the common thought of people across the world today. Because Ezzell provides credible sources, she is able to respect the cultures she speaks of because her information is legitimate.
5. I think this just proves how open minded Carol Ezzell is and it adds for more of an educational purpose because she includes information about Saudi Arabia and the notorious Osama Bin Laden.
Critical Thinking
1. I think the most interesting piece of information in Ezzell’s article is definitely her explanation of how different cultures view being “late”. I think this is interesting because I don’t see how I could ever be “cool” with someone being an hour late to meet me. On the other hand, the parts about Australian Aborigines passed my mind.


Everyday Bustle
This video represents what an average city sidewalk in North America sees everyday. Although the skit quickly spans over a period of time, it symbolizes the rush of urban life as well as the American Dream.