Essay 2.1

Academic Writing 2.1

Courtney Roome

Rebuttal Argument

Amy Chua, the author of the article Why Chinese Mothers are Superior, states that, “Chinese parents believe that they know what is best for their children and therefore override all of their children’s own desires and preferences. “  It should every child’s liberty to be able to explore and develop many talents, desires, and aspirations.  With parents fully controlling children’s actions, thought, and motives, children are left in the dark, and especially in future outcomes; not being able to think for his or herself and develop the social skills that he or she needs in life.  Without the development of social skills, children can grow up to be depressed, lonely, and have difficulty maintaining relationships.

 It is the Chinese parent’s assumption that they know what is best for their children, and controlling every aspect of their life is going to impact them negatively in the future.  Chua however does acknowledge that people of different generations, ethic groups, and races can all could have a wide variety of different parenting techniques.  However, she continues throughout the article to use the terms “Chinese parents” and “Western parents,” seemingly grouping all individuals as one type of parent.  Parenting is very individualized and therefore often hard to critique unless there is a key absence of development.

Chua displays an authoritarian role towards her children, she is very demanding and controlling, and sticks to her rules and orders.  This kind of parenting however also can have a poor up bringing for adolescence if not taught the proper social skills they need to flourish in life.  Chua neglects to have her children involved in any social activities as she states, “Here are some things my daughters, Sophia and Louisa, were never allowed to do: attend a sleepover, have a playdate, be in a school play, complain about not being in a school play, watch TV or play computer games, choose their own extracurricular activities, and get any grade less than an A.” By withholding children from activities, and hobbies such as these, children do not learn how to socialize with their peers throughout their adolescent ages and gain the competence they need to succeed.  According to Angela Wiley, author of the article, Importance of Teaching Social Skills to Children, “Children don’t need to be the most popular in their class, but they do need good social skills.  Being sociable helps us with resilience.  Children who are constantly rejected by peers are lonely and have lower self-esteem.” 

In the concluding paragraph, Chua summarizes that Western parents are more encouraging and supporting in their children’s decisions, as Chinese parents look to show off the greatest of their abilities by piling on work and preparing them for the future.  As both parenting can be beneficial towards children, parents can not neglect the fact they are raising children to be able to stand on their own two feet in the end.  

According to the Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development, “This research has shown that controlling parent interactional styles are related to negative social outcomes for children and that warm interactional styles are related to positive social outcomes.  Recent studies found that children of mothers who interact more positively or are more responsive and engaging with their children were more socially accepted by peers.”  Therefore this is restating the fact that over-controlling parents will raise children that are less socially skilled and accepted by peers.  It is part of our survival to be able to interact and communicate with others, and withholding that development will only hurt the child in the end. 

Article: Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior

References

Smith, Peter K, and Craig H Hart. "Parent-child interaction and the parent-child relationship."

     Blackwell Handbook of Childhood Social Development: n. pag. Google Books. Web. 30 Feb. 2011.

     <http://books.google.com/

     books?hl=en&lr=&id=2HbX6Zz8fzoC&oi=fnd&pg=PA156&dq=chinese+control+parenting+poor+social+skills&ots=j

     rLjyJkAKz&sig=7QVMPkZ9xh1NXIQfllncmwPfolE#v=onepage&q&f=false>.

Wiley, Angela. Parenting 247. N.p., 19 Apr. 2007. Web. 1 Mar. 2011. <http://parenting247.org/ 

     article.cfm?ContentID=1241&AgeGroup=3>. 

Prewriting Essay 2.1

"Why Chinese Mothers are Superior"

were never allowed to do:

• attend a sleepover

• have a playdate
• be in a school play
• complain about not being in a school play
• watch TV or play computer games
• choose their own extracurricular activities
• get any grade less than an A
• not be the No. 1 student in every subject except gym and drama
• play any instrument other than the piano or violin
• not play the piano or violin.

- needs to be able to build character in a child- not just academics

Reflection 1.2

After revising my paper for the last time, I was able to come up with more thoughts that needed to be expressed and edited what needed to be fixed. Overall, I thought being able to have a conference and have teacher comments on my essay was very helpful. For next papers I want to start writing my papers a few days earlier so I can discuss it, or consider utilizing the writing center as well if needed.

College Free Write

I thought that the article Why College Matters by Travis Weinger was a better quality essay to read because it made more valid points to me that I agreed with.  One quote he states is that, "..I am confident that the college experience my generation is receiving is preparing us to achieve much greater things in the real world."  I agree with a lot of his points and  I thought it was also a more enjoyable read.

Reflection 1.1

I think that the first draft of the rhetorical analysis paper went well. It was very helpful to be able to have a conference about the paper to understand what I can improve on and what I am doing well.  I need to incorporate more of the terminology we used in class to critique the article (logos, ethos, pathos, audience, occasion, purpose).  I had a good grasp of the article and thought the first draft was a good start for me.  I will be looking at the corrections and notes we went over in the conference and applying them to write a more thorough rhetorical analysis.

First Draft 1

Courtney Roome

Academic Writing

Rhetorical Analysis

“Undocumented and Unafraid”

Jessica Perez, the author of the Ithacan article on December 8^th 2010, “Act would give education to undocumented youths,” wrote about an Act called the DREAM act (The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act) and how in many ways it would be very beneficial towards America today.  This act would allow undocumented youths to be able to obtain a conditional permanent residency, which only lasts for 6 years, by either attending college or serving in the military.  Perez uses in this article logos and ethos to support her claim and enable political leaders as well as the public to understand how beneficial the DREAM Act could be in effect.

A strong claim that Perez states is, “It is dangerous and irresponsible for such political leaders to ignore the advantages of our collective future because of restrictive thinking” (par. 3).  Perez discusses the issue of people in the Senate refusing to pass or even look at the act, one reason being the need for a better and stronger security system at the boarder.  Political leaders should not overlook an Act that can strengthen the economy as well as give undocumented youths a more fulfilling life and the opportunity to succeed.  One reason it is irresponsible to ignore the advantages of our future is because, “Congressional Budget Office recently released a series of economic estimates which shows that the DREAM Act would strengthen the U.S economy” (par. 3).  The facts stated that would strengthen our U.S economy are that, “Enacting the bill would reduce deficits by about $1.4 billion over the 2011-2020 period.  Another study by the UCLA North American Integration and Development Center, estimates that the total earnings from the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act would be anything between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion” (par. 3).  I think that Perez used good supporting facts for her claim as well as uses logos to introduce these facts and numbers.  Having no previous knowledge of the DREAM Act, I think Perez could have introduced the Act more thoroughly as well as talked more about the earnings and benefits of this Act for the future.  I am also curious about how and why deficits would be reduced billions of dollars over the next decade and how the U.S economy would change if this Act were to be passed and effective. 

Perez also discusses how the effort to pass the DREAM Act is still an on-going battle.  She states that there are many efforts including hunger strikes, marches, and civil disobedience demonstrations that are being planned and implemented by undocumented youths.  Perez uses ethos in this paragraph to get across the vigorous and continuous efforts of undocumented youths fighting for certain rights.  This effort put forth by undocumented youths is also very dangerous because they put themselves at risk of deportation by exposing the fact that they are illegal immigrants.  Perez states, ‘They chant “undocumented and unafraid,” and they continue to fight for their dreams and the dreams of the 2.1 million youths who live in uncertainty’ (par. 4).  These statements explain a portion of what undocumented youths go through in their lives and the struggles they go through to achieve their goals and desires. 

It is uncertain and unclear what the occasion is in this article, besides raising awareness of the Act, Perez states in the second paragraph, “A vote is expected for the DREAM Act in both the House of Representatives and in the Senate this week.”  This statement is very vague and does not provide the reader with enough information about the “expected vote” and how it would affect the Act. 

            In this article, Perez uses good evidence to support her claim that this should not be something that is put on the back burner but should be discussed and worked on.  This article also provides a good amount of information about the effort undocumented youths are putting forth, and estimates on potential money saved and gained.  I think that there also could be more information on the DREAM Act and where it stands today, and how the public can help, not just scold politicians for what they are doing wrong. 

Prewriting Essay 1

"Act would give education to undocumented youths"

Audience- to everyone, trying to raise awareness to public
Purpose- for future votes, to try and help the DREAM act to be passed
Occasion- for the upcoming voters to understand and recognize a point of view


Logos- According to CBO, “enacting the bill would reduce deficits by about $1.4 billion over the 2011-2020 period.” Another study by the UCLA North American Integration and Development Center, estimates that the total earnings from the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act would be anything between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion.
 

Ethos- The most impressive thing about these actions is they are being organized and led by undocumented youths. Undocumented youths have come out from the shadows and have courageously led a national campaign where they put themselves at the risk of deportation. They chant “undocumented and unafraid,” and they continue to fight for their dreams and the dreams of the 2.1 million youths who live in uncertainty.

Claim àIt is dangerous and irresponsible for such political leaders to ignore the advantages of our collective future because of restrictive thinking. 
The           reasonà Congressional Budget Office recently released a series of economic estimates which shows that the DREAM Act would strengthen the U.S. economy. Evidence àAccording to CBO, “enacting the bill would reduce deficits by about $1.4 billion over the 2011-2020 period.” Another study by the UCLA North American Integration and Development Center, estimates that the total earnings from the beneficiaries of the DREAM Act would be anything between $1.4 trillion and $3.6 trillion. 

Facts:

-The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act, would require undocumented youths to maintain good moral character and either serve in the military or attend college in order to qualify for permanent residence.