Are We Losing Our Edge
1. What is the author's main point about education in the United States?
That education is on the decline and that for a plethora of reasons potential students are becoming less and less inclined to study in the U.S. If they do study in the U.S. many students then return to their home country rather then stay in the U.S. where the regulations can be so strict. So if we're not enticing new minds to come to America to study, we're slowly losing the minds that research and develop new technology which keeps America on top of the field.
2. How is research used to explain that main point?
Research is primarily used in this essay to flush out the details of exactly why it is that America has lost so much steam in the educational and scientific front. Details like how the 9/11 attacks, having increased security, have also made it much more difficult for foreign students to come into the country depending on the type of science that they study. Research in this essay is basically used to verify and strengthen each of the author's points, which in turn increases his ethos.
3. What sort of primary research is used?
The author seems to have done several interviews with various scientists and students or at the very least to be quoting interviews that other people have done with them. This seems to be the main form of primary research used.
4. What sort of secondary research is used?
The secondary research in this essay pretty much hits every mark on the gambit he seems to use a lot of common knowledge. Besides the common knowledge, he uses statistics, data reports, and interviews done by others in order to give credence to his point.
5. Explain how this research is credible.
Because the research is used in connection with common knowledge, it feels much more credible. The statistics and various quotes in the essay always come from credible sources such as a book published by Thomas Friedmen, a president of a university, in other words it's always from someone that has a reputation and can strengthen the authors ethos.
6. what would you steal? Why? How did this essay inform you how to write your own essay?
I'd rather not steal anything at all. I really dislike citing others and I'd much rather come up with my own ideas and talk about why I think they're awesome. But then again I'm just narcissistic like that. If I had to, I'd steal the authors ability to weave so many different perspectives and facts into one coherent and compelling argument. I also like that the author takes a non-ethnocentric viewpoint on the situation. While talking about the research and development situation in America, the author uses the perspectives of those outside America in order to display the problems with what's happening.
Sociology of Suds
1. What is the significance of Mr. Lee's Laundromat to the community of Overtown?
Lee's Laundromat is definitely part of the heart of the community. It's a place where the community can interact and trade information as well as a place that's stayed the same for decades and doesn't change. In that sense it's kind of a solid core that the people of O-Town can rely on to be there as a staple and a part of their lives. Something like that brings comfort to a community in flux.
2. How is research used to explain that significance?
The majority of the research is done using interviews to directly gather information from the patrons of the laundromat. The various stories from people who have spent a great deal of time at the laundromat is all the author needs to show the significance of the laundromat to the community.
3. What sort of primary research is used?
Mostly interview research. The author interviews the members of the community for information and multiple perspectives. The author also seems to have documented his research with photographs of the community and its members.
4. What sort of secondary research is used?
I didn't see any direct secondary research, but it seems pretty clear that in order to find out the information to fill in the gaps and history of the laundromat, the author would've had to research background information outside of interviews.
5. Explain how this research is credible.
The research lends ethos to the author because each quote has it's own unique voice and is clearly from a member of the community. The pictures bring the audience into a deeper understanding of the community life and the environment that exists in O-town.
6. What would you steal? Why? How did this essay inform you how to write your own essay?
I like the journalistic approach to this piece where the focus is more on the stories of the individuals of a community rather than the facts and statistics. It makes the piece seem much more familiar and inviting. I would definitely steal that if I could for my topic but I don't think it'll work the same way with my topic. Other than that the way that the author ties in all the information was pretty interesting. The author almost isn't even a part of the story in a way because its so focused on the topic at hand and the people involved in the topic. I like that aspect of it although in most of my writing I tend to be very present in the story I'm telling. I wouldn't mind trying out the reporter voice that comes across in this article. I think when it comes to my essay I'll probably be keeping Suds in mind for it's voice. The familiar and comfortable vibe it gives off seems like something I would want to incorporate.
