Robust Verbs-Thekidfrombrooklyn

Posted on December 10, 2023 by thekidfrombrooklyn

Tackling the prevalent heroin addiction issue in Vancouver demands a more comprehensive strategy. Despite the “free heroin for addicts” initiative actively engaging in addiction management, a formidable challenge persists with addicts contributing to an escalating crime rate. Their day-to-day lives are significantly disrupted, rendering routine activities like jobs, interactions, and relationships difficult due to their heroin dependence. The relentless pursuit of the drug results in crimes such as breaking and entering and theft, with addicts resorting to extreme measures to satisfy their cravings. Unfortunately, the existing program falls short in addressing the fundamental cause of addiction; instead, it predominantly focuses on mitigating the city’s rising crime rates. While offering free heroin temporarily removes addicts from the streets, curbing minor street crimes and reducing hospital admissions, it lacks a comprehensive approach to address the core issue of addiction. Elevating the paragraph’s impact involves delving into the intricacies of Vancouver’s heroin addiction problem. Rather than merely presenting problems and solutions, a more engaging narrative can be crafted by vividly portraying the challenges faced by addicts and highlighting the limitations of the existing program. By constructing concise and compelling arguments and incorporating visually striking elements, the reader’s understanding and engagement with the subject can be significantly enhanced.

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Reflective—thekidfrombrooklyn

Posted on December 10, 2023 by thekidfrombrooklyn

Core Value 1: Recursive Stages of Exploration, Discovery, Conceptualization, and Development

In my project on stone money, I embraced a recursive approach to content creation. I initiated the process by exploring various perspectives and ideas related to the topic. Through iterative stages of discovery, I refined my understanding and conceptualized a cohesive narrative. Development involved continuous refinement as I integrated feedback, fostering a dynamic evolution of my work. The interactive nature of this process is evident in the comments section, where engagement with peers led to further insights. This constant cycle of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development is showcased in the evolution of my assignment post. https://wordpress.com/post/rowancomp2.com/18250

Core Value 2: Placing Texts into Conversation and Synthesizing Ideas

In my analysis of Do Multivitamins Really Work? And Early voting depresses voter turnout, I demonstrated critical reading by discerning key themes and nuances. By placing these texts into conversation, I synthesized diverse ideas from multiple discourse communities, creating a nuanced understanding. The post https://wordpress.com/post/rowancomp2.com/22601 reflects this synthesis, drawing connections between seemingly disparate sources to construct a comprehensive narrative. Engaging with contrasting perspectives enriched my analysis, showcasing a proficiency in reading critically and synthesizing ideas from different sources to create meaningful discourse.

Core Value 3: Rhetorical Analysis of Purpose, Audience, and Context

In crafting https://wordpress.com/post/rowancomp2.com/18914, I meticulously conducted a rhetorical analysis, dissecting the purpose, audience, and contexts that influenced my writing. I considered the rhetorical situation, adapting my tone and approach accordingly. The post (link) elucidates how this analysis informed my decision-making process, ensuring my work was attuned to the rhetorical nuances necessary for effective communication within the given context.

Core Value 4: Meeting Expectations of Academic Writing

My definition essay adheres to the expectations of academic writing by meticulously locating, evaluating, and incorporating relevant illustrations and evidence. I systematically evaluated scholarly sources, ensuring their credibility and relevance to support my ideas. The https://wordpress.com/post/rowancomp2.com/20076 showcases how I seamlessly integrated evidence to bolster arguments, meeting the rigorous standards of academic discourse and contributing to a well-substantiated piece.

Core Value 5: Ethical Responsibility and Appropriate Citation

In my causal argument, ethical responsibility is evident through the conscientious representation of complex ideas and meticulous citation of sources. I prioritized accuracy, fairness, and transparency in acknowledging the contributions of others. The https://wordpress.com/post/rowancomp2.com/20903 provides a tangible example of my commitment to ethical writing, demonstrating proper citation practices and a respectful engagement with the intellectual contributions of various sources.

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Research- Indigo

Posted on December 10, 2023 by indigo143

Grade A Failure

Anxiety affects everyone differently. Some just feel anxious from time to time, while others struggle to cope with their anxiety on the daily. For instance, in my case, anxiety causes me to have stomach aches. I tried to help ease my stomach aches by healing my physical self. I would try to remedy myself by changing my diet and exercising more often. After no change, I soon realized the root of my pain was coming from the state of my mental health. I was soon diagnosed with OCD, anxiety, and depression. While trying to improve my mental health, I tried to identify the biggest stress factors in my life. I soon realized my biggest stress point was school. The constant pressure of succeeding and the fear of underachieving was paralyzing. Getting good grades was ruining my mental health. And in return, my mental health was ruining my physical health. As I entered high school, I soon noticed that many of my classmates suffered from the same way of thinking and feeling. Getting good grades is bad for today’s students.

The anxiety that comes along with constantly overachieving from getting good grades is not beneficial. Today’s high school students are suffering from school-related anxiety and parents are concerned. NPR’s Patti Neighmond states, “Almost 40 percent of parents say their high schooler is experiencing a lot of stress from school, according to a new NPR poll conducted with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health.” Parents are noticing that school-related stress is affecting their children’s mental health negatively. High school is incredibly less intense than college. So why are high schoolers so stressed? Arguably, the biggest stressor for a high schooler today is maintaining a good GPA and transcript to be accepted into a good college.

High school students aren’t just taking math, social studies, and English anymore. Today’s students are taking AP U.S. History, AP Calculus, and college-level English classes- all at the same time. Taking these classes allows a student’s GPA to be above the normal 4.0. Colleges today look for those overachievers, leaving those who aren’t ready for college-level classes in high school to be already left behind. College itself is an idea forced on children as early as elementary school. In today’s society, if you don’t go to college, you are a loser. This is why most students push themselves so hard to become academically advanced. But, for a high schooler, school is not the only thing in a teenager’s life, and it shouldn’t be. Most high schoolers are in extracurricular curriculums such as sports, have a job, and or just want some downtime to hang out with their friends. All these activities are needed as stress relief to keep a healthy mind; however, today’s students simply do not have the time. In today’s society, the push and hustle of balancing high-level courses and extracurricular activities is what leads to academic success, which leads to financial success. Through today’s culture, students are also taught that financial success is all that matters. However, it’s clear, that the message that high schoolers are getting is that doing your best is simply not enough.

One might think that getting accepted into a good college is an end to the school stress, that college is the end all be all. That might be the case for some students but not for all. For those students who continue to suffer from school-related stress, their mental health will continue to worsen. Higher Insider Ed acknowledges this notion by saying, “More specifically, the stress children, teenagers, and college-age students feel about grades along with the pressure they experience from parents and teachers are directly linked to the widely reported mental health crisis in these age groups”. This quote acknowledges the link between college students and bad mental health. Untreated mental health problems in young individuals can be detrimental. Sadly, school stress has even led to students committing suicide. Higher Insider Ed writes about Worchester Polytechnic Institute having three students commit suicide within a year. WPI is known for its rigorous STEM program which all three students were a part of. A once-praised program is now being looked at as having unrealistic expectations for today’s students. It is not misleading to say that the difficult program is what led to these students choosing to end their own lives. After the death of the three students, WPI acknowledged the need for more mental health support on campus. Normalizing being average in today’s society could save lives.

Along with taking high-level courses comes intense grading. For my classmates and I to get A’s on the tests and quizzes, we should do our homework and be active listeners while in class. In return, the teacher then grades our work and assigns a letter grade to the assignment. What if we do all of the above, but still end up getting a bad grade? This exact situation is happening more and more in today’s society. Today’s grading system’s outdated practices are causing students to fail.

Most assignments are graded with the possibility of getting 0-100 points. Feldman describes the issue with this way of grading by saying, “Over half of our grading scale is an F, and if we assume a C grade signifies minimum attainment of course standards, then over two-thirds of our grading scale describes insufficient performance, and only one-fifth of the scale describes academic success (A or B).” This quote signifies that it is only a small percentage of the whole 100 points that is considered to be a “good grade.” It is worth noting that most institutions allow a student to pass a course with a letter score of D. However, in most institutions, if the course is mandatory for a major, a student must achieve a C or higher. With this way of grading, with assignments that weigh the same, a low grade can ruin your grade. If a student were to miss or forget about one assignment, a 0% grade could take your grade from a B to a D. One single grade could do a lot of damage overall. The possibility of one or a few low percentage grades could ruin a student’s final grade. This type of grading system focuses on the failures of students and makes it incredibly difficult for a student to bring their grades back up. This dilemma can cause students to give up and lose hope of succeeding in the class.

The purpose of homework is to work on and go over what was learned in class. Homework is supposed to be a helpful and supplemental aspect of schoolwork. However, when grading homework based on completion, the opposite effect happens. A high schooler interviewed by Feldman says, “If I don’t do the work then it affects me big time. That’s why some of us copy, not because we want to be lazy, but because our grade depends on it.” This type of grading is showing that it doesn’t matter if you understand the lesson at the end of the day, it only matters if there are answers on a piece of paper. If a student is behind in a lesson or two, it becomes harder for the student to catch up without completing homework on a lesson he/she has missed. It becomes tempting for the student to copy their friend’s homework, rather than lose points for a small assignment.

A similar concept to homework grading is a participation grade. Some teachers grade how often you speak in class, go up to the board, and participate in pair and share. This type of grading is problematic for two reasons. The first reason is that some students have anxiety when it comes to speaking up in front of the whole class. It is unfair to penalize a student who has a legitimate fear and learns better being by themselves. The second reason is that the classroom becomes hostile rather than collaborative. Students become focused on talking rather than sitting back and listening. With this grade, students are expected to perform in every class.

These types of practices are outdated for today’s students. The grading system is why students are under the constant stress of failing. Schools and educators are starting to notice the effect the grading system has on their students. Amanda Parish Morgan writes, “But a more progressive argument can be made for eliminating grades, or at least grades as we understand them…” Morgan is acknowledging that some educators already have changed the system by which they grade their students. Morgan writes about how a teacher grades their students’ assignments by how much effort was given and how well the assignment was executed. Morgan suggests that this type of grading encourages the student to learn and diminishes stress. Lory Hough writes “A better grading system allows for multiple attempts of content mastery.” This method allows students to try and try again until they succeed. This grading system would allow the student to learn their material and determine the grade they want by how much effort they put into the redone assignments.

Those opponents against the elimination of the current grading system sometimes get the wrong idea of what that means. Some might think this new system is “hippie-like” or “for the weak”. However, it is proved by ASCD that, “75 percent of students reported that they always or often feel stressed by their schoolwork.” This statistic shows that 3/4 of today’s students are being failed by the current grading system. Although school should be challenging, this statistic shows that today’s students need a change in their mental health.

It is common for the older generations to critique Gen Z and millennials for being too sensitive. That “kids” now have it too easy. A particular subject of discussion for the older generation is how education has changed over the years. Grandpas around the world are used to telling their grandchildren that they have to walk five miles in the snow to get to school. They feel as though younger generations are too soft these days. Mental health and its severities are greatly contested amongst all age groups. Anxiety and depression from school could be all made up.

College is typically a time when students try to find out who they are. College kids experiment and try to find their place in the world. For the first time, many students are living out from under the watch of their parents. Parents play a crucial role in their child’s development. Psychology Today’s Diane E Dreher suggests that over-controlling parents are to blame for their child’s school-related anxiety. Dreher writes, “They frantically package them for success, protecting their children from failure while pressuring them to excel, doing their homework, making their decisions, and micromanaging their lives.” Dreher is commenting on how some parents choose to parent their children. She feels as though the parents are to blame for school-related anxiety. There is no argument that parents cause school-related stress for their children due to the pressure. However, it is called into question whether the parents are making their children “soft” which causes them to be overly anxious students. Or, if school is really that hard for the students of today, regardless of the way the children were parented.

Dreher furthers her stance by saying, “They experience greater distress and adjustment difficulties, putting overwhelming demands on college counseling centers.” Dreher is acknowledging that college-aged kids have stress. Nowadays colleges have counseling and wellness centers. This concept can be lost on the older generation who maybe had a nurse/doctor on campus. Dreher is taking the responsibility of good mental health off the school and onto the student. Dreher is blaming the students for overcrowding the school counselors. By blaming the students, she is inferring that it is today’s students that are the issue. That too many of them are having mental health issues.

When college kids do see the counselors, the counselors are ready to diagnose. Rutter and Mintz from Inside Higher Ed said, “Institutions, especially the best-funded, have grown increasingly responsive to the psychological problems on their campuses – a response intensified by liability concerns.” These writers are alluding to the notion that highly funded colleges are succumbing to the illusions of today’s students out of liability concerns. Rutter and Mintz are taking away the severity of bad mental health in college students. These authors are alluding that these counselors are just going along with the act to cover their asses.

For people who have trauma and anxiety with certain subjects, a trigger warning is issued. For example, when discussing sexual assault or discrimination in a public setting like a college, a trigger warning could be issued. However, some people are suggesting that trigger warnings have gone overboard on college campuses. The Atlantic’s Greg Lukianoff and Johnathan Haidt say, “A movement is arising, undirected and driven largely by students, to scrub campuses clean of words, ideas, and subjects that might cause discomfort or give offense.” These authors are acknowledging that there has recently been more support for removing potential “offensive” language and thinking from institutions. These authors are concluding that today’s kids are just too sensitive. The notion that “nobody can take a joke anymore” has overtaken some. Rutter and Mintz write, “Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Maher have publicly condemned the oversensitivity of college students, saying too many of them can’t take a joke.” Comedians who are brought to schools to bring laughter are refusing to attend due to the sensitivity on campus.

The authors and quotes I have cited bring up good points but ultimately, they are biased. Parenting has indeed changed over the years. Parental figures get locked up now for hitting and giving “tough love” to their children. In response, new ways of parenting have taken place such as not saying no or letting children make their own decisions and deal with the consequences. And it is true to say that today’s society is becoming more woke. Protests and politics are at an all-time high and people are very passionate and defensive of their views. In a diverse place such as college, people are bound to bash heads with one another. With all these truths, it could be concluded that due to parenting and today’s society, the younger generation is just weaker. However, all these factors do not take away from the anxiety and depression students are experiencing at school and about their grades. Whichever way the child was brought up, does not take away from the stress that the school system is placing on them as young adults. Mental health is suffering in exchange for a career. Today’s millennials and Gen Zers are living in a different world. It is unrealistic to not notice the changes of the times which leads the younger generation to be more sensitive.

I have always been the type to get good grades. Even in elementary school, when it honestly didn’t matter, I got straight As on my report card. All my hard work paid off and I was accepted into college and even qualified for a merit-based scholarship. As I look back at my academic career, I wonder if it was all worth it. The short answer- no.

Parents, society, and institutions put too much emphasis on school. Today’s students are trying to take the best classes possible and keep good grades, all while trying to do everything else that is asked of them. Through the statistics given, it is obvious that today’s educational system is hurting students rather than helping them.

References

Dreher, Diane E. Why Are Today’s College Students So Emotionally Fragile? (n.d.). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201508/why-are-today-s-college-students-so-emotionally-fragile

Eyler, J. (2022, March 7). Grades Are at the Center of the Student Mental Health Crisis | Inside Higher Ed. http://Www.insidehighered.com. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/just-visiting/grades-are-center-student-mental-health-crisis

Feldman, J. (2020, September 1). Taking the Stress Out of Grading. ASCD. https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/taking-the-stress-out-of-grading

Hough, L. (n.d.). The problem with grading. Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/23/05/problem-grading

Lukianoff, G., & Haidt, J. (2015, September). The Coddling of the American Mind. The Atlantic; The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/09/the-coddling-of-the-american-mind/399356/

Morgan, Amanda Parrish. (2020, September 2). Is It Time to Reexamine Grading? JSTOR Daily. https://daily.jstor.org/is-it-time-to-reexamine-grading/

Neighmond, P. (2013, December 2). School Stress Takes A Toll On Health, Teens And Parents Say. NPR.org; Patti Neighmond. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/12/02/246599742/school-stress-takes-a-toll-on-health-teens-and-parents-say

Rutter, Michael Patrick & Mintz, Steven. Higher Education Blogs | Blog U. (n.d.). http://Www.insidehighered.com. https://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/higher-ed-gamma/are-today%E2%80%99s-college-students-more-psychologically-fragile-past

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Annotated bibliography- Youngthug03

Posted on December 10, 2023 by youngthug03

(n.d.). Urgent Care Center Utilization Skyrocketed by 1725% in Last Decade. Healthpayerintelligence.com. https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/urgent-care-center-utilization-skyrocketed-by-1725-in-last-decade

Background: This article will help me better understand the trends and demographics of people who use urgent care for their health care needs. I can also use these data reports for the prices and differences in pricing from urgent care to primary doctor visits.

How I used it: I used this article to explain to my readers the extreme wait times for urgent care and the high prices that come with it. I also used the article to understand better the ins and outs of urgent care and the downfalls within them. 

 Kumar, S., Ghildayal, N.S. and Shah, R.N. (2011), “Examining quality and efficiency of the US healthcare system”, International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 24 No. 5, pp. 366-388. https://doi.org/10.1108/09526861111139197 

Background: This article was about the time efficiency and accessibility of healthcare in the US. It also is about the cost of healthcare compared to other countries. 

How I used it: I used this article to explain the costs of healthcare and how it is causing many Americans to pay large amounts of money every year for healthcare that is only sometimes the best. 

Hellander I, Moloo J, Himmelstein DU, Woolhandler S, Wolfe SM. The Growing Epidemic of Uninsurance: New Data on the Health Insurance Coverage of Americans. International Journal of Health Services. 1995;25(3):377-392. doi:10.2190/AQTP-FLAQ-PWXN-DYMR

Background: This article was about uninsured Americans and how the amount of uninsured americans has increased over the years. 

How I Used it: I used this article to explain how the amount of uninsured people in has a significant impact on the country and how these Americans run into many problems because of this. 

(2023, November 13). 90% of Americans With Medical Debt on Their Credit Report Face Setbacks. Forbes. 90% Of Americans With Medical Debt On Their Credit Report Face Setbacks (forbes.com)

Background: This article is about the overpricing of healthcare within America. It explains the amount of money and debt it causes many Americans. 

How I used it: I used this article to show the effects of the high healthcare costs and the large debt it causes many Americans to have. 

(2023, October 24). Health Expenditures in the U.S. Statista. Health expenditures in the U.S. – statistics & facts | Statista

Shmerling , R. H. (2021, July 13). Is our healthcare system broken? Hardvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-our-healthcare-system-broken-202107132542#:~:text=The%20cost%20is%20enormous%201%20High%20cost%2C%20not,bankruptcy%20if%20they%20develop%20a%20serious%20illness.%20

Background: This article explained the amount of money the government spends on healthcare overall and the many high costs within the healthcare system. 

How I used it: I sued this article to explain the large amount of money that the government spends on the healthcare system in the US, yet many people are still spending large amounts of money on healthcare every year. 

Worstell , C. (2023, October 27). What Are the Pros and Cons of Medicare? Help Advisor. https://www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/pros-and-cons-of-medicare

Background: This article was about the pros and cons of medicare and how many americans will pay for medicare through taxes for many years and still have to pay more after they turn 65 because of medicare not always covering everything. 

How to used it: I used this article to explain the downfalls of medicare and how even with medicare many americans find themselves paying even more money to get a better healthcare plan that will cover more costs. 

Godman, H. (2016, January 15). Retail health clinics: The pros and cons. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/retail-health-clinics-the-pros-and-cons-201601158979

Background: This article talks about the pros and cons of retail health clinics and how they are not always up to par with the care that they are giving patients. 

How I used it: I used this article to explain how the retail health clinics are not always the best option for americans due to the many flaws within it. 

Hoffman , C., & Paradise , J. (2008, July 5). Health Insurance and Access to Health Care in the United States. The New York Academy of Sciences. Health Insurance and Access to Health Care in the United States – Hoffman – 2008 – Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences – Wiley Online Library

Background: This article talks about the amount of americans uninsured and how even Americans with insurance are still paying loads of money. It also talks about the large amount of the lower class that are uninsured and how americans with insurance are already paying absurd amounts of money on healthcare every year and how the unisured are struggling even more. 

How I used it: I used this article to explain the amount of americans that are uninsured and how even the americans that are insured are paying loads of money for healthcare every year and how the amount of money that is being paid for healthcare across the board. 

Gaur , K. C., Sobhani , M., & Saxon , L. A. (n.d.). Retail Healthcare Update: Disrupting Traditional Care by Focusing on Patient Needs. The Journal of MHealth. https://thejournalofmhealth.com/retail-healthcare-update-disrupting-traditional-care-by-focusing-on-patient-needs/

Background: This article was about retail health clinics and the many pros that come with it. 
How I used it: I used this article to explain the pros within the retail health clinics and how even though there are pros within the retail health clinics it sometimes works out to be you get what you paid for instead of getting the best care.

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Research-777sunflower777

Posted on December 10, 2023 by 777sunflower777

This essay is designed to explore the mystery of God. Whether you’re a Christian or not I think it will be an enjoyable read but, I feel as if this may be aimed more towards anyone who already believes in God. So if you are that person, keep reading! If not, it’s okay, I won’t hate you. A lot of people see God as this mystery, a word we use to explain everything we cannot explain, but is that true? Is he more than just a word? I believe he is but I want to dive deeper into the thought that people think he is just a word.

I know to a lot of people God is just a thought. But to me he is everything. God created the world and everything in it. He created me and you as well. It’s hard to believe, trust me I know. It’s hard to think that someone we have never seen has the superhuman ability to create a whole universe. And that leads to why people don’t believe he is real. If we have never seen something why should we believe in it? I understand that. It’s like believing in super speed or invisibility. But the difference is God is almost that invisible character. He is omnipresent which means he is everywhere at all times.

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Self Reflective Statement – K3vin James

Posted on December 10, 2023 by kevinjames

Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

I believe a the best example of how I have demonstrated the use of the first core value would be displayed in my research paper. Throughout the process of creating the research paper, we have had to take in account the viewpoints of multiple sources for each sub essay and take in account the corrective criticism given by the professor. When compiling the three essays into one, I was able to use the notes given to further improve and combine the essays and develop one complete paper.

Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

I believe the best use of core value 2 was shown the purposeful summary task. Throughout this assignment, I chose various articles in which the subject was counterintuitive and observe the claims given in the article. Being able to look at the article with a writers eye and being able to distinguish facts from opinions helped in creating a clear summary of the article while not going against the wishes or claims of the author. Critically evaluating the article and summarizing what was claimed was what I believe was the most important part of this assignment.

Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

I believe the best use of this core value was displayed in the visual rhetoric assignment. Being able to closely observe the video frame by frame, it allowed us to analyze the meaning behind each scene. Closely watching the actions taken and the setting of the scenes, we could relate those to the purpose behind the message the video is trying to represent. By assessing the small details the director placed into the video be it an object in the foreground or the way someone is postured, having us closely observe these minute details will also allow us to assess the audience the video is directed towards and express why that is through the assignment.

Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

I believe my rebuttal argument best demonstrates this core value. This assignment made us find the strongest reasoning against our claim and then rebuke that with evidence. Throughout the paper, I had to evaluate every claim that went against mine and research that specific scenario. In some cases, I had to locate multiple sources that had backed my claim in the same manner through research, and in a specific case I was able to include an illustration that was a graph created due to a study done on a company that could further back my claim.

Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

I believe the annotative bibliography is the best use of this core value. Other than specifically citing the sources in which all the research I have completed thus far, an unbiased summary of each site or article is also included within this assignment. Ethical responsibility is presented in this assignment by having the summaries of each article as an overview of the article and when stated how I plan to use them, I show that it is to use only the facts presented in the article as either a support to my research or something I plan to refute, without twisting the authors words or taking them out of context.

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Causal Argument – TheFrogSprog

Posted on December 10, 2023 by TheFrogSprog

Poor Mental Health

People with poor mental health often gravitate to things that they find to relieve stress. This is not however the only mental that people gravitate towards things they enjoy. Researchers Yemaya Halbrook, Aisling O’Donnell, and Rachel Msetfi discuss the positive findings that video games have been found to have in their study “When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being” and in this study they make the connection that different factors of play have different effects on mental well being. This means those who play for fun and entertainment have a greater possibility of having a healthier mindset versus those who play for obsession or even accolades. As stated in the study, “In addition, the motivations behind game play are an important factor in the effects of gaming on well-being, such as playing for enjoyment purposes rather than playing for achievement or obsession (Carras et al., 2017; Lafrenière, Vallerand, Donahue, & Lavigne, 2009).” There is a fine line between playing for sport and obsession, for sport implies that one only indulges in the hobby every so often, while obsession means that one will never stop and compulsively continue in their pursuit. This compulsive obsession is a definite effect of some sort of different mental disabilities.

The study “The Impact of Video Games on the Players Behaviors: A Survey” by researchers Muhannad Quwaider, Abdullah Alabed, and Rehab Duwairi delves into the cause and effect nature that video games have on players in terms of aggression and other mental disabilities.   “The response that comes through playing a specific video game varies from player to player depending on how the content of the video game is displayed and interpreted to the player’s mind.” Content in video games varies wildly and some people are affected by levels of aggression in games at intervals especially those of fragile mindsets. It is not much of a stretch to assume that people who play aggressive games might cause some violence, but it is not the violent games that cause the aggression but the aggressive nature of the person. Personality plays a major factor in how people are affected by outside stimuli i.e. video games. This means that those of compromised mental states are affected more so by the games that they play as stated by Quwaider and his fellow researchers, “The personality of the player or any other person has a strong influence on how they think and behaves under a certain condition.” Effectively this statement means that those with aggressive tendencies are affected by the video games that they play and this can be further brought to those who are mentally unstable will do horrific acts.

Another study, I’d like to highlight titled “Gaming Your Mental Health: A Narrative Review on Mitigating Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using Commercial Video Games” by Magdelena Kowai, Eoin Conroy, and four other contributors. In “Gaming Your Mental Health” the therapeutic properties of certain games are researched and expanded upon. Kowai and the others discuss how certain genres can be great for helping ease depression, specifically multiplayer role player games (RPGs). The researchers of “Gaming Your Mental Health” state, “An array of research alludes to the possible benefits of RPGs for individuals with depression” and these multiplayer games are great ways to meet and interact with others in a sporty fashion, whether it be through a sort of online e-commerce to competition depending on the game. This is because healthy people have healthy interactions, depression is not something that on its own can be a leading cause of violent actions but, some people can have depression in combination with other types of disorders or illnesses. 

The final study I would like to bring to light is “Understanding the Lives of Problem Gamers: The Meaning, Purpose, and Influences of Video Gaming” by Jing Shi, Rebecca Renwick, Nigel Turner, and Bonnie Kirsh. The negative repercussions of using video games as a coping mechanism, which is highlighted in the study, are what I would like to talk about in particular. Using video games as one’s only coping mechanism is not a healthy process especially when one already has present issues. As stated by Shi and the other researchers, “Participants acknowledged that using games as a coping method only offered temporary relief from their negative emotions and did not address the problems they were facing.” If someone of a mentally unsound mind uses video games as their sole coping mechanism then they will more than likely have some sort of exacerbation of their issues potentially leading to aggressive and violent actions. Shi and Co. then go on to explain how problems with gaming can cause a variety of psychological issues. It is stated in “Understanding the Loves of Problem Gamers” that “Problem gaming can be defined as a persistent and recurrent involvement in video gaming that results in psychological distress and functional impairment.” Unhealthy play can cause an exponential increase in distress and this further leads to my finding that people with a propensity towards mental issues are negatively influenced by play and the external stimuli that they receive. 

Video games are both a great and wonderful way to spend time and interact with a wide variety of people not only in their circle but also all over the world. This, however, is not always a good thing as those with mental issues can be negatively affected by the violence in the media that they consume. Games are something that usually gets the negative press in the news and such due to the interactive aspect that they possess. Aggressive and violent tendencies are something that normal functioning members of society do not pick up from video games but those very few people with abnormal mental facilities are the ones that ever so rarely commit horrendous atrocities. Even then it is very rarely the sole fault of video games for these crimes but instead a wider array of issues which video games can exacerbate.

References

Halbrook, Y. J., O’Donnell, A. T., & Msetfi, R. M. (2019). When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 14(6), 1096-1104. https://doi-org.ezproxy.rowan.edu/10.1177/1745691619863807

Jing Shi, Rebecca Renwick, Nigel E. Turner, Bonnie Kirsh,

Understanding the lives of problem gamers: The meaning, purpose, and influences of video gaming, Computers in Human Behavior, Volume 97, 2019, Pages 291-303,

ISSN 0747-5632, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.03.023. 

Kowal M, Conroy E, Ramsbottom N, Smithies T, Toth A, Campbell M

Gaming Your Mental Health: A Narrative Review on Mitigating Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using Commercial Video Games, https://games.jmir.org/2021/2/e26575. 

Muhannad Quwaider, Abdullah Alabed, Rehab Duwairi, The Impact of Video Games on the Players Behaviors: A Survey, Procedia Computer Science, Volume 151, 2019, Pages 575-582,

ISSN 1877-0509, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2019.04.077. 

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Summaries–Thekidfrombrooklyn

Posted on December 10, 2023 by thekidfrombrooklyn

1. It seems counterintuitive that early voting, intended to enhance democratic participation, might actually reduce voter turnout. Professors Kenneth R. Mayer and Barry C. Burden conducted a study revealing a 3% lower voter turnout in states permitting early voting. They argue that early voting dilutes the intensity of Election Day, leading to diminished campaign efforts, reduced advertising, and less efficient get-out-the-vote initiatives. Their proposal suggests combining early voting with same-day registration to counteract these effects and improve turnout. However, concerns about potential fraud resulting from same-day registration are not addressed in their analysis.

2. It seems counterintuitive that Anne Frank’s diary, widely regarded as a poignant historical document, should be appreciated primarily as literature. Author Francine Prose challenges the prevailing perception of Anne Frank’s diary in her book, “Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife.” Prose contends that Frank’s work showcases literary brilliance, maturity, and a nuanced understanding of human nature. By emphasizing Frank’s literary gift over its historical significance, Prose encourages readers to reconsider the diary’s value. She highlights Frank’s remarkable perspective, which combines inspiring optimism with profound pessimism, making a case for viewing the diary as a timeless work of literature.

3. It seems counterintuitive that Many people believe that exercise is necessary for good health, although it may not give the promised advantages. Despite a $28 billion supplement business and the appeal of gummy bear vitamins, rising evidence calls into doubt the efficacy of multivitamins. So, some nutrition experts, like Marion Nestle, are saying that most people in the U.S. aren’t lacking in vitamins. And here’s the scoop: there’s not a ton of solid proof that taking multivitamins really does much for your health. Studies are suggesting that multivitamins don’t really protect you from long-term illnesses, and taking too many can be bad for your health. Now, people are getting a bit worried because these supplements aren’t super regulated, and the labels might not be totally reliable. That’s why some smart folks are advising to just eat a variety of good foods instead of relying too much on those vitamin pills.

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Reflective—Anonymous

Posted on December 10, 2023 by ANONYMOUS

1.Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

This semester, like writing, was a process, to say the least. We constantly improve and revise our writing as we get better and new information reveals itself to us and we hammer in those ideas and skills like a blacksmith continually hammering metal into the perfect weapon. The first core is about that process and nothing in my portfolio exemplifies my process like my Annotated bibliography . As I learned more about the research process with Professor Hodges, I’ve developed a more disconcerting eye for sources and how I use them. Originally this was a proposal for my essay and like my writing evolved into a bibliography, a written journey of how and why I chose this topic and the foundation of my final essay.

2. Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

Counterintuitive thinking is the name of the game in Professor Hodges’s classes, and you can’t even start thinking counterintuitively until you start thinking critically. Understanding the intent of the authors’ words, why they are using that particular vernacular, and how to categorize those thoughts in a way we can understand are all skills I came to learn/ strengthen while in the class and the Claims task is an exercise that exemplifies this thought process. Authors make claims with their rhetoric in their writing and this task had us break down an excerpt finding all claims the authors made. Through these claims, we can see the intent behind the words. With the intent properly categorized my understanding of the text widens allowing for more Critical thinking.

3.Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

Knowing your audience is key to understanding how to write.  You don’t use medical terminology when trying to convince construction workers to strike against unfair working conditions and you don’t try writing like a law student when writing a letter to your local government. My Elavator Riddle  assignment shows I know how to switch up how I write to match the situation needed. The audience being an inanimate unfeeling machine makes it hard to try to give it instructions so that it would understand and carry out the appropriate orders. I originally made the mistake of trying to talk to it like a human programming a machine but when I recognized my mistake, I looked up coding language to make sure I got it right.

4.Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

As writers, we build upon the hopes and ideas of giants and it’s our responsibility that we give those giants their due. I Knew when creating a thesis for my essay that needed to find the right sources and the right papers and while I could have used my proposal +5/ annotated bibliography I was confident my Research Essay  would be a better fit for core 4. To me, it is my crowning achievement in Comp II and the culmination of all the research I’ve done over this semester. It doesn’t just show I know how to implement sources but also weaving those sources effectively to boost my argument forward. The causal part of my essay displays how I use cause-and-effect reasoning to my advantage.

5.Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

Writers have a certain power and with that power comes a responsibility to prove your point without twisting the words of others. While I can disagree with a lot of what I read and throw my rebuttal  I will never disrespect a writer by trying to purposefully misinterpret their argument. For the Summaries Assignment I was tasked with I displayed my quality to interpret and critique the best here. Summaries are something I struggled with initially trying to turn a 500-word article into a couple of sentences and adding my input in the mix was hard for me.  I mixed those two aspects well here, finding a  good balance between respecting the authors’ intent and throwing an opinion of my own where I felt necessary.

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Reflective- BlogUser246

Posted on December 10, 2023 by bloguser246

Core Value 1. My work demonstrates that I used a variety of social and interactive practices that involve recursive stages of exploration, discovery, conceptualization, and development.

When I was putting together my annotated bibliography, I had to search the internet for sources that would support my three short arguments. The recursive stages of exploration, discovery conceptualization, and development were always involved because I needed to read through each source and decide if it was worthy enough to utilize. Over time, I gathered 15 sources and decided to use 10 that were worthy and leave out the other 5. I explained the incorporation of what ones I used and also explained why I did not use the others. This research, and the articles I gathered, helped me develop a successful paper that contributes to my overall portfolio.

Core Value 2. My work demonstrates that I read critically, and that I placed texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. 

My purposeful summary task demonstrates that I read critically, and that I place texts into conversation with one another to create meaning by synthesizing ideas from various discourse communities. In this task it was important to read the article closely to see which side the author was on and then be able to define what the argument was. This assignment allowed me to engage in conversation with Professor Hodges and make necessary changes to my work. This assignment was important because it helped me learn how to locate an author’s rhetoric and summarize it for others to understand without having to fully read (later helping my annotated bibliography).

Core Value 3. My work demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and other texts and visual arguments.

My Visual Rewrite best demonstrates that I rhetorically analyzed the purpose, audience, and contexts of my own writing and from the 30 second video I selected. This task allowed me to put my descriptive writing to the test to see if I could successfully interpret the argument from the video while it was muted. After some feedback from Professor Hodges, I made the necessary revisions to my work so it was the best it could be. This assignment allowed me to evaluate the videos rhetoric from my own perspective and then write to see if I had the correct audience perspective before listening to the audio version. I believe this was one of my most successful assignments in the semester.

Core Value 4: My work demonstrates that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations.

My rebuttal rewrite best demonstrated that I have met the expectations of academic writing by locating, evaluating, and incorporating illustrations and evidence to support my own ideas and interpretations. In this short argument I was able to find worthy opponents and debunk their argument to support my own ideas. I had a strong stance throughout my entire paper, and incorporating evidence that I could prove distrustful and wrong helped me build a better argument to persuade my audience. This is some of my best work because I evaluated what other authors said, but reassured in my paper that they were wrong with substantial rebuttal evidence.

Core Value 5. My work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and to the sources of my information with appropriate citation. 

One of my final assignments of the semester, research position paper, my work demonstrates that I respect my ethical responsibility to represent complex ideas fairly and used the sources of my information with appropriate citation. It is important that the citations I used throughout my argument were represented ethically, or my paper would not be trustworthy to the audience. I mostly used direct quotations from other authors, so I did not misrepresent anything they said (making it fully effective to my own argument as well). Since I was encouraged to use the best articles that I found. I had no problem using the correct citations for the audience to look further into my research.

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