Blog 12

Ultimately I plan to stick with the same ideas from my first outline except my final paper will most likely inquire the toulmin argument style.

Thesis- Individuals in society today, especially those with health problems, should switch from eating red meat to a vegetarian diet to benefit how they feel and to lengthen their life over all.

Introduction- People often assume a vegetarian diet is a poor source for nutrients because it can lack in many dietary needs causing growth and development deficiency. In society today, research has proven that a vegetarian diet can increase a life span and decrease risks of certain diseases if consumed properly. If a person eats a vegetarian diet in which they eat a normal diet any meat eater would, excluding the meat products, of course their diet will be inadequate. There are ways to meet nutritional needs in a healthy way avoiding the poultry foods, but there will need some adjustments among a “typical” food pyramid diet.

Objection from Opposition- Vegetarians lack in proper protein and other nutrient intake

Rebuttal- As long as an individual consuming a vegetarian is being smart about it and making sure they include food items like grain, fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts they can very well meet the proper protein intake without receiving bad saturated fats.

Objection from opposition- obesity is caused by too many carb intake not protein or meat intake.

Rebuttal- Obesity has become a huge issue in America. This is due to higher intakes of food and large consumptions of saturated fats. Many meat products besides fish contain a lot of saturated fat and are a cause for several types of cancer. 

Conclusion- If not enough nutrients are consumed, or too much of one thing and not enough of the other, then of course a vegetarian diet would not be healthy. However, when a person is serious about their choice of being a vegetarian because they know it can increase their health, then the diet tends to be much healthier than many others. The choice to be a vegetarian is what truly impacts how healthy it is or not. Many people often assume it lacks in many needed nutrients, however if thought out and a person follows through with eating an adequate amount of calories each day, their health has a huge benefit. 

blog 11

In my argument I plan to use logos through quotations and explaining facts that my reliable sources gave me. Logos will provide my audience with evidence as to why a vegetarian diet is so much more beneficial for you than a diet which incorporates red meat. Quotes and proof of my reliable sources by citing each claim, will catch my audiences eye and provoke them in finding a vegetarian diet surprisingly appealing.

I plan to use pathos in my argument during my multimodal and probably in my conclusion as well. I plan to post pictures and maybe do a video of all the negative effects red meat can have when consumed too often. For example, numerous types of cancer, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. In my conclusion I may use pathos through “speaking sweetly” and mentioning many positive key points about a vegetarian diet. 

Finally, I will use ethos in my paper by providing a well thought out argument to grasp my entire audiences attention. The research and pictures I provide will help persuade my audience to realize how bad red meat actually is for the human body. I will keep a fair mind and provide the pros and cons of both diets yet explain how in the end, a vegetarian diet can truly extend the human life.

blog 10- argument outline

Thesis- Individuals in society today, especially those with health problems, should switch from eating red meat to a vegetarian diet to benefit how they feel and to lengthen their life over all.

Introduction- People often assume a vegetarian diet is a poor source for nutrients because it can lack in many dietary needs causing growth and development deficiency. In society today, research has proven that a vegetarian diet can increase a life span and decrease risks of certain diseases if consumed properly. If a person eats a vegetarian diet in which they eat a normal diet any meat eater would, excluding the meat products, of course their diet will be inadequate. There are ways to meet nutritional needs in a healthy way avoiding the poultry foods, but there will need some adjustments among a “typical” food pyramid diet.

Objection from Opposition- Vegetarians lack in proper protein and other nutrient intake

Rebuttal- As long as an individual consuming a vegetarian is being smart about it and making sure they include food items like grain, fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts they can very well meet the proper protein intake without receiving bad saturated fats.

Objection from opposition- obesity is caused by too many carb intake not protein or meat intake.

Rebuttal- Obesity has become a huge issue in America. This is due to higher intakes of food and large consumptions of saturated fats. Many meat products besides fish contain a lot of saturated fat and are a cause for several types of cancer. 

Conclusion- If not enough nutrients are consumed, or too much of one thing and not enough of the other, then of course a vegetarian diet would not be healthy. However, when a person is serious about their choice of being a vegetarian because they know it can increase their health, then the diet tends to be much healthier than many others. The choice to be a vegetarian is what truly impacts how healthy it is or not. Many people often assume it lacks in many needed nutrients, however if thought out and a person follows through with eating an adequate amount of calories each day, their health has a huge benefit. 

blog 9- Mission Statement

Mission Satement

Many individuals living all over the world today claim they could not live without red meat products, such as steak, pork, burgers, and other mouth watering poultry. Although red meat may taste delicious and be loaded with protein, I’m offering the argument that a vegetarian diet may benefit every ones overall health state and emotional being. I understand many people may be opposed to this idea, as I even enjoy a good burger myself. However, after learning facts on the risks red meat can cause on the body, a vegetarian diet may not sound so bad after all. In fact, cancer risks, obesity, and type two diabetes would all decline rapidly if more people chose a vegetarian diet rather than eating red meat daily.

Vegetarian Diet

A vegetarian diet however can be very inadequate if nutritional requirements aren’t met. Two servings of fats and fruits, 4 servings of vegetables, 5 of nuts, seeds, etc., and 6 servings of whole grains is a vegetarian diet which contains all essential nutrients and meets the daily calorie intake. People who lack in nutrients that call themselves “vegetarians” suffer because they do not meet the proper daily food intake. Our society today cannot seem to understand the principles of eating. We tend to either over eat causing obesity to increase, or severely under eat because we’re too worried about gaining weight and becoming obese, leading to eating disorders. I’m here to offer information on how a vegetarian diet can benefit the lifestyle of any individual as long as a person is willing to try new foods and meet their calorie intake. 

annotated bibliographies and video

movie link: http://goanimate.com/videos/0_P99tc0aKAo?utm_source=linkshare

Beezhold, Bonnie L, et al. “Vegetarian Diets are Associated with Healthy Mood States: A Cross-Sectional Study in Seventh Day Adventist Adults.” Nutrition Journal 9:26 (2010): Print. This article presents the results of a study done on the mental state effects of a vegetarian diet vs. a non-vegetarian diet by researchers at Arizona State University. Fish is a food containing long chain omega-3 fatty acid (a healthy and essential fat). This fat contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which are critical regulators of the brain cell and function. EPA and DHA favorably impact neural function by displacing omega-6 fatty acids in brain cell membranes. Therefore, lack of omega-3 fatty acid could very well have a negative effect on mental health.  A study was done on 138 individuals from Santa Barbara, California and Phoenix, Arizona. Participants were classified as a vegetarian if they were not consuming any animal products, including fish, poultry, and dairy products. Researchers took important factors into consideration such as; pregnancy or lactating, chronic disease which affected mental state, or regular use of medication known to influence mood. If participants showed any signs of these factors they were eliminated from the study. A survey with three parts was then done; a general health history questionnaire, a food frequency questionnaire, and finally two psychometric tests (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the Profile of Mood States). As a result, although EPA and DHA affect mental state, no signs of negative mood changes seemed to take place in vegetarians. This article was published in 2010 by Nutrition Journal, an academic journal, and can be found through the database Google scholar. The author, Bonnie L. Beezhold is a part of the Department of Nutrition at Arizona State University. The article included a full bibliography, footnotes, discussion of the results, tables, graphs, along with a lot of detail. My investigation can now further due the results the article presented: Although EPH and DHA favorably affect mental state in the brain, vegetarians show no sign of irregular mood changes or signs of depression although they lack consumption omega-3 fatty acid chains.

Cassels, Caroline. “Young Vegetarians May be at Increased Risk for Eating Disorders.” Journal of American Dietetic Association. 109 (2009): 648-655: Print. This article provides information on new research that suggests adolescents and young adults who consume a vegetarian diet are at a greater risk of having an eating disorder. An investigator from College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, Ramona Robinson-O’Brien, explains some risks. She tells how former vegetarians are at risk for extreme weight-control behavior, and current adolescent vegetarians are at risk for binge eating. The article explains the results of a study done on a large number of adolescents, some who were vegetarians, former vegetarians, and non-vegetarians/ never had been. The study involved a questionnaire on details behind passed eating habits, current eating habits, weight behavior, and passed/present eating disorders. The results concluded that those who were former vegetarians now had extreme unhealthful weight-control behaviors. In addition, they consumed diet pills, laxatives, and diuretic use in comparison to those who had never been a vegetarian, who showed no signs of this behavior. The article was reliable because it was found through an academic database, recently published in 2009, and relevant to my inquiry question regarding a vegetarian diet. The author, Caroline Cassels, has been a medical journalist for 20 years, has written for both physician and consumer audiences, and helped launch and edit Health Digest. The article provides, cited sources, information on the author, was written through an academic journal, and found through an academic database. The text concludes that although a vegetarian diet can be very adequate and beneficial for a person’s health; motives should be looked into when an adolescent chooses this diet. Although not always the case, certain people may choose a vegetarian diet in order to avoid eating certain foods or lose weight. This helped my research because the article explained a negative impact on a vegetarian diet rather than just the beneficial factors which the other articles explained.

 

Jenkins, David JA, et. al. “Type 2 Diabetes and the Vegetarian Diet.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 78.3 (2003) 6105-6165. Print. This article explains why there is reason to believe a vegetarian diet can prevent risks of type two diabetes. Foods containing whole grains and legumes have been proven to improve glycemic control in diabetic and insulin resistant people. Studies ultimately have shown that long term consumption of whole grains reduce the risk of type two diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This article benefited my research because it shows a vegetarian diet can cure a disease such as type two diabetes. Also discussing the effects certain foods have on the body in relation to insulin levels and glycemic control. The information is reliable because it’s fairly recent provided peer reviews and information behind the author.

Key, TJ, et. al. “Cancer Incidence in British Vegetarians.” British Journal of Cancer 101 (2009): 192-197. Print. This article explains a study done on British vegetarians, semi-vegetarians, and meat eaters. The goal was to find out if cancers risks are higher in those who consume meat, only consume fish, or only eat a vegetarian diet. The researchers took 61, 566 men and women, 32, 403 of them were meat eaters, 8, 562 of which ate a vegetarian diet but also included fish, and 20, 601 were strictly vegetarians and consumed no meat. The researchers spent 12.2 years studying and documenting the subjects eating habits, lifestyles and found a total of 3, 350 cancer incidents. The results showed 2, 204 cancer cases in meat eaters, 317 cases in fish eaters, and 829 in vegetarians. The researchers were not bias in their research due to them taking many factors into consideration. Some of which included; adjustment for age, smokers, alcohol use, level of activity, body mass index, and for only women, parity or oral contraceptive use. The results concluded that meat eaters had the highest risk for receiving cancer, strict vegetarians had the second highest risk, and vegetarians who also ate fish had the lowest risk of receiving cancer. The article was recently published in 2009 by the reliable, British Journal of Cancer. The study was done at the University of Oxford by a team of intelligent, experienced research scientists. TJ Key is a part of the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine and involved in the Cancer Epidemiology Unit. He has written many other research articles in the past, many which have had to do with vegetarian diets. The text was clearly relevant, reliable, recent, and also included tables, citations of sources used, a bibliography, peer reviews, and information about each author. This article furthered my research and knowledge behind a vegetarian diet and helped me take other sources into consideration. The text concludes that although a strict vegetarian diet has many benefits over a meat-eaters diet; vegetarians who also include a consumption of fish seem to have less cancer risks than both meat eaters and vegetarians.

Key, Timothy J, et. al. “Mortality in Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians: Detailed Findings from a Collaborative Analysis of 5 Prospective Studies.” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 70.3 (1999) 5165-5245. Print.  This article explains a study done on 76,172 men and women to determine if vegetarian diet causes a shorter or longer life span in comparison to a non-vegetarian diet. The researchers took the participants of the study who were vegetarian and matched them up with a non-vegetarian participant who shared a similar lifestyle.  This study involved investigators from 5 prospective studies to combine results and estimate if a vegetarian diet causes a shorter or longer life span and to what might the reasoning be. The researchers took vegetarians, non-vegetarians, vegans, and lacto-vegetarians into consideration for their study. As a result, the participants who consumed a non-vegetarian diet and ate all poultry products had a shorter life expectancy in comparison to all vegetarian based diets. The study was well done because it took many aspects into consideration such as smoking, activity level, and overall the person’s lifestyle. The article finishes up with a discussion explaining the 5 prospective studies and the ratio for death rates among different diseases and the percent of the diseases found in people who consume each diet. The article was published in 1999, by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and had been peer reviewed. The author of the article, Timothy J. Key is a researcher from the Imperial Research Cancer Fund. The other authors were from the Center for Health and Research, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, and many more, located in college universities.  The article proves its credibility as it provides a bibliography, information on each author, was found through an academic database, and is from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. My research can now further as I’m aware if an adequate vegetarian diet is consumed, life expectancy of that individual will more than likely increase. The text concludes that certain cancer types will decrease in comparison to those who consume a non-vegetarian diet.

Lanou, Amy Joy. “Should Dairy be Recommended as Part of a Healthy Vegetarian Diet?” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 89.5 (2009): 16385-16452. Print. This article explains whether or not a vegetarian diet should consume dairy products, especially milk, and if a lack of this product may cause Osteoporotic Bone Fracture. After research and studies were done, evidence showed that prostate and ovarian cancers may be caused due to dairy and milk products. Studies also show countries which consume large amount of milk and dairy products have higher rates of Osteoporotic Bone Fracture. In addition, the text explains that milk is only essential when a person is an infant and breastfeeding, after the weaning stage, milk is no longer needed to store fat for children. Healthy bones can be built by simply eating high amounts of fruit and vegetables, staying active, and consuming healthier foods such as plant sources. So as a result, the article concludes that a vegetarian diet can in fact not cause any type or bone disease, but actually benefit a person’s bone structure and overall health. In the article, The American Academy of Pediatrics, warned that early introduction of cow milk may have a relation to milk consumption causing Type One Diabetes in children. The article was published in the year 2009 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, an academic database which has many peer reviews. The author, Amy Joy Lanou, is from the Department of Health and Wellness located at the University of North, Carolina. She also presented at the symposium, “Fifth International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition,” in the year 2008. The article stated a list of references and cited many of the sources throughout the text.  This article added information to my inquiry question because I now am aware that dairy products may carry essential nutrients, but those nutrients can be found in other sources that are much healthier.

Winston, Craig J. “Health Effects of a Vegan Diet.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 89.5 (2009): 16275- 16335. Print. The purpose of this text was to explain the diet of a vegetarian and a vegan and why a vegan may have nutrient deficiency. The article begins by explaining how a vegetarian diet has become very popular over the years. Vegetarians tend to be very healthy due to a high intake of fiber, along with consumptions of folic acid, Vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium, and fat that is generally unsaturated. A vegan is typically very thin due to their higher intake of fiber, and even smaller intake of saturated fat and cholesterol. The text explains that due to a vegan diet, the individual will have a lower serum cholesterol and lower blood pressure, reducing their risk of heart disease. However, a vegan diet can also cause nutrient deficiency due to elimination of all animal products. The text explains how a vegan diet certainly has risks if not consumed adequately, but there are ways around that to make a vegan diet meet all nutrient needs. Supplements are recommended for vegans to consume, especially calcium and vitamin D in order for their bone structure to stay strong.  The article was not only published recently, in 2009, the author Craig Winston is from the Department of Health and Wellness at Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, MI. The article cited many resources used throughout the text, such as data from the Adventist Health Study and results from the EPIC-OXFORD study. The author was reliable as he has done research on vegetarian and vegan diets in the past and also presented at the symposium, “Fifth International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition,” in 2008. The article includes a list of references, information on the author, peer reviews, citations, and has been cited by other articles. The text concludes the risks and benefits of a vegan diet, and that although many nutrient deficiencies may be caused; there are ways to consume an adequate vegan diet.

rhetorical context analysis questions

1. What will you research and write about for units 3 and 4? Why are you interested in this topic?

-I am going to write about why a vegetarian diet is more beneficial for you than a diet that includes animal products. Although I am not a vegetarian, I am interested in this topic because I’m minoring in nutrition and have done research in the past on whether meat is essential in a balanced diet so I would like to further my research to prove the answer.

2. How is your topic in need of urgent, immediate attention?- How is it exigent?

-Obesity has become a major problem in America is the past decade or so. Although it would be difficult, if more people turned to a vegetarian diet obesity could decline in America along with health issues and medical bills.

3. What do you already know about your topic? What do you need to learn about your topic?

– I have done research on vegetarian diets in the past and know that overall the benefits on your health are much better than diets that include animal products, especially red meat such as steak. I need to find more research and evidence on my topic to back my statement up.

4. What is your stance on your topic?- What will you be arguing with regard to your topic in unit 4?

-My stance is that vegetarian diets are ultimately better for individuals compared to a diet that includes animal products. I will be arguing the reasons why such a diet is better for you and the risks the come with eating too much red meat on an every day basis.

5. What oppositional or differing stances will you need to refute in your argument? How much do you know so far about why people might disagree with your topic?

-Well everyone, mostly, loves meat. Even, I, myself is not a vegetarian. So the tricky part will be convincing those meat lovers why they need to be cautious for how much red meat they consume. I know people may disagree because the amount of protein meat has in it is awesome, but people don’t understand the underlying issues.

6. What kinds of research do you intend to gather? Why?

-I intend to gather research on the affects each diet has on the body over a long period of time. Along with how different diets may affect mood and level of activity one may cause on the body. Evidence on harms an animal product diet cause may influence people to go about avoiding too much of that product and maybe reduce risks of heart problems and obesity.

7. Who is your target audience? Why have you chosen this group to address?

-My target audience would be individuals who are currently vegetarians and those who strongly oppose giving up meat. Other audience members could be those who are concerned about their health and are looking for dietary options to better their nutrition. I chose this group because they either agree with what I’m arguing and thus I could gain support. Or they oppose what I’m arguing and my research could hopefully change their minds.

8. What kinds of agency does this audience have with regards to your topic? How does this audience have agency with regard to your groups’s message/purpose?

-People who are vegetarians and meet dietary needs have an agency to give examples on how they feel and why a vegetarian diet is not that bad for health benefits and that vegetarian substitutes for meat products may not taste as bad as many expect.

9. What are some possible limitations and opportunities posed by your rhetorical situation?

-Limitations could be people who are vegetarians but lack nutrient intake. Often times people give up eating meat and just end up eating too many carbohydrates and lacking the amount of protein needed each day.

toulmin or rogerian-blog 6

   Toulmin and rogerian are both effective arguments which have different components. Toulmin includes a claim, warrant, backing, qualifiers, data, and so on. Where the rogerian style is simply an introduction, the audience perspective, the author’s perspective, and a conclusion. For the simplicity factor, I would probably prefer using rogerian method for an argumentative piece.

   I still have yet to decide what I’m going to use for my advocacy topic. However, regardless I will more than likely use the rogerian method. Personally, I didn’t find the toulmin argument confusing but that’s probably because I was given a lecture on it in class. For any other individual who would pick up a paper, they would probably find all the different terms confusing. Rogerian just seems to be a more basic method, and one that anyone can understand the point of view your trying to get across. 

   Due to the fact that a toulmin analysis includes a summary, claim, qualifiers, warrant, backing, reasons/data, rebuttals, and evaluation, the argument just becomes more complex. Each aspect of the analysis seems to get mixed up with another and before long the whole thing just gets confusing. For that reason, any individual reading my argument who had no idea what a toulmin analysis was would really be thrown off. 

   Ultimately, a rogerian style is just simpler and straight to the point. Although it includes less aspects, you can still make a great argument with it. Plus your reader isn’t confused even if they have no idea what a rogerian method is, they can still understand the argument just fine. 

Visual Argument

http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/mothers_against_drunk_driving_madd_edmonton_area_stick_family_jail

 

   

   I would definitely say this image represents an argument. You can tell by emotions the stickers show and the man locked in jail is trying to tell the audience something. The stickers express emotions and show consequences for what an action can lead to enough to argue the audience to believe something.

   The image presents an argument for mothers who are opposed of drunk driving. The picture shows stickers which family members often put on the back of their car window to indicate the family members in the vehicle or whom may be. Here, the stickers are what appears to be a mother, her two children and the father/husband locked up in jail. 

   The sticker of the father in jail is intended to indicate a father was put in jail for driving while intoxicated. Emotions represent the sad and angered family members embarrassed and ashamed that their dad/husband made the mistake he did. This goes to show the drunk driving is a terrible mistake people often get themselves into and the consequence can hurt not only you but loved ones around you. 

   Clearly the claim is mothers against drunk driving as it was advertised through MADD (mothers against drunk driving). The goal of this image is to convince individuals not to drive drunk and to show one of the consequences an action such as that can permit. Drunk driving can lead to unfortunate things such as jail time, costly fees, totaled cars, and worse case scenario the death of an individual. Hopefully images such as this and stickers on vehicles can help prevent this event from happening in the future. 

Toulmin Analysis

Claim: Colorado’s climate makes difficulties arise for maintaining a nice yard such as health problems high costs.

Data: Weeds in Colorado are more resistant to certain types of weeds and require herbicides to kill most of them. However, these herbicides, pesticides and even fertilizer get into our water and contaminate it. At least 70 million pounds of herbicides are being dumped into lawns each year.

Warrant: The harm in keeping up with a nice looking lawn is costing too much money and interfering with the health of individuals. 

Backing: We could prevent the use of pesticides and herbicides by choosing to grow a different kind of grass such as Western grass, rather than eastern.

Qualifiers: People who are spending a lot of money on their lawn could be saving money and decreasing risks to their health.

Rebuttals: Everyone should switch to a western grass rather than eastern to prevent spending so much time and money. Or individuals could choose an alternate layout for their property rather than having a yard.

Five Words Found in The book (rhetorical)

1. exigence: state of character; urgency.

2. locus: a center or source, as of activities or power.

3. pragmatic: of or pertaining to a particular point of view or practical considerations.

4. oratory: skill or eloquence in public speaking.

5. aesthetic: pertaining to a sense of the beautiful; characterized by a love of beauty.