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English 5/211 develops the ability to analyze, criticize, and advocate ideas. Critical thinking looks at the relationship between language and logic, introduces rhetoric or persuasive writing and tools students can use to evaluate information based on facts, perceptions, assumptions, evidence, reasons, inferences, judgments, induction, deduction and conclusions.
Monsoon Pandey
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
18 February, 2012
Although, at first it may seem like Bumiller is presenting an explanation and Fullam has an argument, it is actually the opposite. It is hard to tell whether Bumiller is against or for intelligent design because she mostly only quotes people throughout the article and doesn’t take a stand herself. But all of her quotes are indirectly suggesting or implying her approval towards intelligent design. In her fifth paragraph, she gives statistics of the 20 states supporting the intelligent design rather than stating that 30 other states still oppose it. However, Fullam is clearly explaining her point of view on both evolution and on intelligent design without being bias or taking any sides. On paragraph 9, she does tell the audience that she is a theist herself, and even talks about salvation and god, but she shows both pros and cons of both issues, which shows that she isn’t trying to sway anyone’s mind but is rather giving explanation and her point of views only.
Ana Cristina Muro
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
20 February 2012
Exercise 3F
The first piece Bush Remarks Roil Debate over Teaching of Evolution by Elizabeth Bumiller is an explanation because it just explains what happened in the debate and what the comments by the former President Bush were. Bumiller continues to explain what has been said in newspapers in the paragraph 2 and 3. In the 4 and the 5 paragraph she explains what he intelligent design disputes and what it doesn’t identify. Therefore the first piece is just an explanation of what has been occurring.
The second piece Of God and the Case of Unintelligent Design by Lisa Fullam is an argument because it presents in the first paragraph that she has a question of the unintelligent design. As in the paragraphs 2 and 3 she explains the different problems with digested systems some animals have. In paragraph 7 she explains what the intelligent design fails to do. In paragraph 9 she presents her side. Therefore the second piece is an argument because it has taken a position and is attempting to persuade the reader by giving an explanation of the misfits and misfires, like rabbit guts and horses have.
Liliulachelle Finley
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
21 February 2012
It is clear that the author giving an explanation is Bumiller. The first piece of evidence one discovers is the title of the article, "Bush Remarks Roil Debate over Teaching of Evolution." It basically describes what Bush did and what the article will be about. The tone of the article is simple and straightforward. She basically gives a day by day, event to event outline of what happened with the former president and his many encounters with different reporters and scientists. There aren't any phrases or words that render mockery or disapproval. This, however, is not the case with Fullam's article. Evidently, it is an argument against intelligent design. One can find that through the title of the article that reads the words "unintelligent design." She then presents the reader with a question that tries to persuade the reader to think what the author is thinking. Many examples of animals and their internal systems are mentioned in order to stray a reader's consideration of agreeing with intelligent design. Her argument: we're made how we're made.
Aaron E. Villanueva
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
Feb. 20, 2012
Chapter 3 Exercise 3F
By reading the first paragraph of the two pieces, I can determine already that Elizabeth Bumiller offers an explanation and Lisa Fullam is the argument. According to what Elizabeth Bumiller wrote, “A sharp debate between scientists and religious conservatives escalated Tuesday…” gave me an idea of what she will write about. Of course, she wrote more of an explanation about what former President Bush’s opinion of teaching evolution in public schools in our nation. If you read Lisa Fullam’s piece, it demonstrates more of persuasive argument about evolution being taught in school and gave the reader an insight about opposite point of view which is the “unintelligent design”. She gave her own opinion and used evidence to back her opinion up with examples such as the rabbit’s digestion. Once I have read the first paragraph it already caught my attention into reading more indebt with her work. Fullam’s piece demonstrates more of catching the reader’s attention making her piece an argument.
Saba Ghanem
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
20 February 2012
Exercise 3F
The purpose of Elizabeth Bumiller’s piece is to state Bush’s remark, that intelligent design should be taught in schools with evolution, and to state the positions of both supporters and opposition. In paragraph 3 she tells us that conservative Christian supporters support teaching intelligent design while those who believe in separation of church and state are against the matter. She presents the positions but does not give us details or reasons for each side. In paragraph 4 and 5 she backs intelligent design by saying that it explains the complexity of life, and is a “thinly disguised argument for God”. She doesn’t set premises that we can derive conclusions from, but rather puts down facts and inferences that explain what happened in response to Bush’s remarks. Thus, Bumiller’s piece would be more a presentation of an explanation for the support to Bush’s remarks rather than presenting an argument.
The second piece by Lisa Fullam, I think presents an argument with several premises that conclude her support for evolution over the “unintelligent”,intelligent design. As a veterinarian she’s able to provide examples and enough background information to back her position and conclusion. Her conclusion comes from paragraph 7, where she speaks about evolutionists as using evidence, like genetics and observations of environmental adaptations to make their conclusions, while intelligent design ignores the obvious. Her premises are her examples of animals and human features to say that if God is so intelligent then perhaps things should have been made differently. Therefore, according to Fullam, intelligent design shouldn’t be taught because it lacks explanations for why things are the way they are.
Edwin Peabody
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
20 February 012
Bush Remarks Roil Debate over Teaching of Evolution by Elizabeth Bumiller is an explanation piece. The writer of an argument takes position and attempts to persuade the reader of the rightness of the position. The writer was not trying to persuade in this piece of writing. The theory that intelligent design should be taught with evolution in the nations public schools is only an idea. Throughout the entire piece there are many quotes presented. In the second part of the piece, a quote from Bush is presented in an interview, saying that he feels that both sides ought to be properly taught, but he does not give any persuasive reasons of why he feels this way. In the third section, Bush has many supporters that embrace the idea that Bush is speaking on, but there are also people who disparage the idea. Although the writer is expressing feeling of a certain topic, it doesn’t mean necessarily that the writer is trying to persuade the reader to believe what they read. The writer is simply making an explanation. There is no persuasive information in this piece.
Of God and the Case for Unintelligent Design is definitely a piece that represents an argument. Through this piece the argument that god made unintelligent designs are expressed. There are multiple examples given as evidence to prove that unintelligent designs exist. In section 2, the section discusses how rabbits digestive system are unintelligent, while also comparing the rabbits unintelligent digestive system to a more sensible system like cattle and deer. In section 3 the piece discusses how horses are badly put together. This is definitely an argument piece.
William Everett
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
21 February 2012
Chapter 3 Exercise 3F
Just by reading the prompt we can assume who is going to take a position on the issue. A journalist whose job is to report the news without bias probably wouldn’t offer an opinion their report, Where as a veterinarian who is knowledgeable in the subject of animal anatomy would most likely have an opinion how it came to be. These things reflected in both of their writing. Bumiller makes it apparent through her writing that she doesn’t have a secret agenda and just reporting new based on all facts she provides the reader with, such as “Intelligent design, advanced by a group of academics and intellectuals and some biblical creationists, disputes the idea that natural selection fully explains the complexity of life.” It only appears to the reader she supports its, because that is what she primarily quotes in the writing. This is different from what Fullam does, which is provide the reader with facts then offer her opinion on the argument. In Fullam’s piece it seems like she is only giving the reader facts about the digestion system of animals, but her real goal in providing us with evidence was to support her opinion.
Jerald M. Appling
ReplyDeleteProfessor Wanda Sabir
English 5 Critical Thinking
Exercise 3F, WLTC
It’s clear that the first piece “Bush Remarks…” offers an explanation. The author does an excellent job offering both sides to the reader and using both quotes and occurrences to convey what was said without taking a side in the arguable subject of evolution. In paragraph 5, use of phrases like “…but critics say” drive home the author’s desire to remain neutral.
In the second piece “Of God…” the author is obviously questioning use of the phrase “intelligent design” by offering the alternate view of what she calls “unintelligent design”. The other provides plenty of explanation as to how rabbits and horses are not design without their imperfections. However, these explanations are used to emphasize her position against the teaching of creationism in schools. The reader sees this position in paragraph 9 when the author writes “As a theist who sees natural evolution not as a theory but as well-established observation…”
Xinia Sanchez
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
02/21/12
WLTC Exercise 3F
When reading both pieces addressing evolution it was quite clear which piece was an argument and which piece was an explanation. For instance the piece by Elizabeth Bumiller is very well written as an explanation. It first states in paragraph one who the debates are with. Than it keeps on going by explaining former president Bush opinion, or where he stands on the matter. She states in paragraph 2 that when asked where President Bush's opinion stands, he stated, "I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught." The writer does not try to persuade the readers into taking a position or side of the argument; instead it gives another statement on what both sides of the debate believe. She does this in paragraph 3. She writes that Conservative Christians support teaching intelligent design, while those of the separation of the church do not. Elizabeth Bumiller's piece is clearly not an argument piece. She doesn't try to persuade the reader into taking sides instead she gives explanations on the matter.
The second piece by Lisa Fullam is very clear on being argumentative. She gives a lot of her opinions and tries to make the reader choose between evolution and intelligent design. She gives her on position by asking in paragraph 1, "What about unintelligent design?" She clearly doesn't believe in the fact that the creator is intelligent since there is so many wrong things in how a rabbit and horses system works. Very argumentative piece, since she is a veterinarian her argument is backed up by her knowledge of animals.
Tiffanya Richardson
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
February 21, 2012
English 5
WLTC 3F
Argument and Explanation Distinctions
One clear distinction of an argument is that the writer takes a particular stance and then uses supporting statements in order to persuade the audience that their view is the correct one. Persuasion is also a key clue when you’re dealing with an argument. Elizabeth Bumiller fails to persuade her audience in her article “Bush Remarks Roil Debate over teaching of Evolution.” In fact after reading the article it seems like more of a summary or recap versus an actual argument for intelligent design.
The first line of the article demonstrates Bumiller’s failure to choose a side that is favored in the debate. Although she points out the fact that there is some discrepancy she fails to provide support in order to convince the audience regarding Bush’s point of view. Bush’s response “I felt like both sides out to be properly taught” when asked about his position on the debate and his response when further questions were asked regarding his reasoning “so people can understand what the debate is about” were actually explanations as to why Bush wanted to teach both evolution and intelligent design in public schools.
In comparison, Lisa Fullam’s article “Of God and the Case for Unintelligent Design” is full of premises that support her thesis regarding the flaws in unintelligent design. In line two the writer uses the example of rabbit digestion to depict that there may be major flaws in the theory. In line 9 Fullam compares a vision of God who makes mistakes, versus God who stands by mankind through trial and error comparing His relationship with mankind to the process of evolution. She makes the argument that God nurtures us as we try and figure things out, just like evolution changes and grows overtime. Overall I thought it was a brilliant argument.
Ronald Parker
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
21 February 2012
Chapter 3 Exercise 3F
So it can be a bit of a mix up when reading this. You will begin to think bumiller is presenting an explanation and Fullam is presenting an argument but it happens to be the total opposite. Only quoting people throughout the article it really is hard to know if Bumiller is for or against intelligent design. Her words do imply her approval towards intelligent design. She did state that 20 states support the intelligent design rather then showing how the other 30 oppose it. Fulliam is clearly explaining her view on evolution and on her aspect of intelligent design without taking either side. Lastly she tells the audience that she is an atheist, but even talks about salvation and God. She is familiar with pros and cons of both issues. This shows she’s not trying to persuade peoples opinion but just simply state her own.
Maya Dobjensky
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
21 February 2012
Response to 3F
The article “Bush Remarks Roil Debate over Teaching of Evolution” by Elizabeth Bumiller is an explanation, while “Of God and the Case for Unintelligent Design” by Lisa Fullam is an argument. Bumiller introduces her article with the facts of the debate, then goes on to explain the details of the debate and what the topic entails. She provides both sides of the argument and does not take a side. Fullam, however, begins with her own opinion, and uses the body of her essay to support her own statement. Also, Fullam uses the first person and makes the essay much more personal than the former, another indicator that it is an argument piece rather than an explanation.
Kelsey Johnson
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
February 26, 2012
The book Writing Logically Thinking Critically defines an argument as presenting reasons for a conclusion in order to convince an audience of a certain point of view and an explanation as a clarification of why something has happened. I would like to add something to these definitions by stating that an argument contains some form of an opinion while an explanation holds only facts. Note that this does not mean that a well-constructed argument is not without facts. For these reasons the first passage, Bush Remarks Roil Debate over Teaching of Evolution, is an explanation while the second passage, Of God and the Case for Unintelligent Design, is an argument.
Bush Remarks Roil Debate over teaching of Evolution is an explanation because it clarifies Bush’s remarks about intelligent design versus evolution, people’s reactions to these remarks, and is constructed around facts as opposed to opinions. The first paragraph states when and where former president George W. Bush made comments about evolution and intelligent design. The article by journalist Elizabeth Bumiller goes on to reference facts such as “an interview at the White House” where Ms. Bumiller quotes Mr. Bush several times. While the opinions of both conservatives and scientists are expressed in this article, such as in paragraph 3, it is important to note that nowhere in the passage are Ms. Bumiller’s own opinions on the matter expressed. For this reason Elizabeth Bumiller is merely reporting the facts and clarifying the situation thus giving an explanation as opposed to presenting her own argument.
Of God and the Case for Unintelligent Design is an argument because it only presents Lisa Fullam’s opinion and evidence to support her opinion. While Ms. Fillam does use facts about rabbit digestion, horse digestion, mammalian testicles, and human back aches she follows these facts with her opinion. She presents facts and/or reasons for her audience to believe her opinion that the notion of intelligent design is unintelligent in and of itself because nature has too many flaws. Similarly, unlike Ms. Bumiller, she only presents the point of view that intelligent design does not exist (i.e. her opinion), whereas Ms. Bumiller presents both sides of the argument in an attempt to explain the situation.
It is clear that Ms. Bumiller’s article is an explanation because that it revolves around and is built by facts. It is also equally clear that Ms. Fillam’s article is an article of opinion due to the fact that it only presents one opinion and attempts to use facts and reason to persuade the audience to her point of view.
Joseph Paez
ReplyDeleteProfessor Sabir
English 5
15 May 2012
In Writing Logically Thinking Critically Ms. Bumiller presents facts of a debate between evolution and intelligence. Including an interview with President Bush in the white House. It is important to note that between these comments expressed Ms. Bumiller is no where near expressing her own opinions.