Month: September 2017

Great research papers tend to result from new discoveries as opposed to pre-existing knowledge.  This was the same concept suggested by Philip Gerard in his interview “An Interview with Philip Gerard” conducted by Frank Tascone. By learning and understanding new information, the pieces fall in place together to unlock “something really important and exciting”, according to Gerard. Approaching my research topics in a similar fashion, I chose two topics that I have an interest in but very limited amount of knowledge about: the impact of DACA on the U.S economy and the impact of Graham-Cassidy Health Care Bill on American citizens. Using these two topics, some intersections I can create with food are the economy and food as well as government regulations and food.  Considering my background knowledge on these topics are very limited, I would need to read a wide array of scholarly articles that touch bases with the pros and cons of both my topics. In order to guard myself from assuming the answer before I begin my paper, I could pose possible rebuttals to my arguments that are in support of my topics. Through this manner, I prevent myself from making my research paper too biased.

I have an important decision ahead of me. I need to choose an exigent topic for my research paper in Professor Hays’ rhetoric course.  With countless issues surrounding our society today, it’ll be quite a task to focus on a specific one. On one hand, I’m very passionate about the recent DACA statement made by the Trump administration. The decision to end the deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) crushes the dreams of nearly 800,000 young people who had a stake within the American dream. Not only does this harm the United States from an economical perspective, but it also undermines the foundation on which this country was built on. Besides DACA, I’m also equally concerned about the Graham-Cassidy Health Care bill that will affect countless Americans. Citizens with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage given that states have the power to waive that requirement due to the new changes made for the bill. This is very problematic because individuals with chronic diseases, etc. will find it difficult to afford insurance. With such  concerning issues surrounding our society today, it will be difficult for me to pick a topic that I want to research about. These obstacles currently facing our society will eventually need a proper solution. I hope I can be a valuable asset to our society that will bring about a positive change.

I learned quite a lot from my first written assignment in Professor Hays’ class. Within my first Critical Response assignment responding to the Adler, LaMott, and Bradbury sources, I was able to analyze and synthesize my sources well. I utilized evidence from all three sources and displayed that I understood them with complexity. However, I do need to work on improving my grammar skills. I need to better learn how to use quotations, commas, and periods when citing a source. In order to fix this mistake, I can utilize the Easy Writer book as well as online resources such as Purdue Owl. With these resources, I practiced and learned where to place my commas and periods after quoting a line of text from a source. I can achieve a better grade next time by avoiding grammar errors thus ensuring clarity to my paper. I can also work on making my paragraphs more organized and focused by inserting transitional words.

Welcome to my page! Exciting new things to come.