Evolution of Specific Skill: Rocking Conclusion

Conclusion that Rocks

“Way back in the beginning of the Television Era, this was not so strange, because real people actually did many of the things people do on TV…” As television has become a necessity in every American home, the issue of actually living has arisen in modern time. The reason Ehrenreich asked the question, “So why do we keep watching?” is because there comes a time when people need to go do something. If watching T.V. becomes all that is ever done, creativity will be extinguished and numbness will pass over millions of minds. However, before “the Television Era” there were books, and before books there were campfire stories, and before stories there were dreams. I have never experienced anyone complaining about the intellectual level of someone who reads too much, or writes one too many stories. Books serve the same basic purpose as T.V., to entertain, to inform, to enlighten. While, an excessive amount of TV watching can be destructive, entertainment comes in many different mediums; TV is just the most modern.

Explanation: This is one of my best pieces of writing because it uses logos to prove a point while concluding my essay with a statement that makes people think. The conclusion wraps up my essay by addressing why the issue is important, and my final thoughts regarding the topic. It has rhetorical style as I use comparison, asyndeton, parallelism, and personal experience. The paragraph is so effective because my last sentence is qualifying and as a result I am able to disprove the opposition for the final time.

Evolution of Writing: While I have improved on many skills during the course of the year, my ability to write rocking conclusions has developed the most.  In the beginning of the year my idea of a conclusion was a short paragraph that restated my thesis and summarized the essay. I learned that the conclusion serves to explain why the topic of the writing is important as well as ones final thoughts regarding the subject. My conclusions have evolved from boring, repetitive sentences to thought provoking stylistic responses. They are now more interesting and help end my paper with a bang.

Evolution of Cohesive Writing: Synthesis Essay

  Daylight Saving Time Synthesis Essay Timed Writing          

Benjamin Franklin- a founder of this country and inventor of the lightning rod, bifocals, even the Franklin Stove, but what about Daylight Savings Time? As a result of Franklin’s suggestion in 1774, DST was “adopted by the United States in the 20^th century.” “Each year, we set our clocks back an hour in the fall and then move them forward an hour in the spring.” Although there are some handicaps to DST, the hour shift in time allows for overall greater mobility and has multiple benefits that support its continued use.

It is a known fact that getting a good night sleep increases an individual’s health and is a vital part of getting through any day. One crippling effect of Daylight Saving Time is that it “can result in restlessness, sleep disruption, and shorter sleep duration.” (Source E) There are also possible links “between time change and increases in heart attacks, suicides, and accidents.” (Source E) While DST might benefit the environment, if it decreases health, the risk is not worth the inconvenience. When all humans want is more time, it seems stupid to harm their health by messing with what little time we all have left. By debilitating a person’s health, DST proves to be a handicap on society’s well-being.

In addition Daylight Saving Time injures the environment by providing an extra hour of light, giving individuals more time to engage in recreational activities all while traveling by car. By traveling in cars more often increased gas is wasted and this “might not be offset by a corresponding decrease in the morning.” (Source C) Gas is a fossil fuel that not only damages the environment, but also costs consumers hundreds each month. Increased use of gas during a tight economic time can cripple individual’s bank accounts, therefore, once again, ascertaining DST to be a handicap on society.

With at least one negative to every positive, the handicaps associated with Daylight Saving Time are just minor disabilities that can be overlooked when focusing on the big picture. While there is a possibility that more gas could be used, it is proven by the United States Department of Transportation that “the total electricity savings associated with DST amounted to one percent in spring and fall, corresponding to national savings of forty to fifty megawatt hours per day.” (Source C) Wasn’t the initial purpose of DST to conserve energy? Franklin made the suggestion so “Parisians could economize on candles.” (Intro) “President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted “war-time”, a year-round daylight saving time to save energy during WWII.” (Source A) With DST allowing Americans to conserve energy every year, why not continue implementing it for as long as it remains effective? Headlights allow people to drive at night as well as in the day, meaning cars will be driven and gas will be used regardless of time and daylight. However, energy and electricity can definitely be conserved if there is natural light that allows people to see without flipping the light switch, which is one major benefit to the environment that’s for sure.

It is understood that sleep in beneficial to health, but extra light can reduce crime and allow for safer driving therefore saving lives. “The DOT study found that violent crime in Washing D.C. was reduced by 10 to 13 percent during periods of daylight saving time…” (Source C) Without nighttime creating a cloak of invisibility, criminals are less able to get away with assault, rape, theft, and mugging. With villains unable to hide from sight, more lives are protected as a result of greater hours of visibility. Similarly, just one week after Daylight Saving Time ended 100 more fatal crashes occurred at twilight in the years 1987 to 1991 (Source D). Unable to see the road as well at night as in the day, drivers are more prone to accidents endangering not only their lives, but those in the cars around them. While anything that can increase one’s health, such as sleep, should not be overlooked, greater daylight hours did not just give people a better life, but actually saved their life all together. More light allowed for more visibility which provides safer and more beneficial conditions for society. With better driving conditions and less likelihood of crime, individuals actually experience greater mobility during DST.

The yearly shifts in time can be a hassle to get used to and even disruptive to society. However, the benefits obviously outweigh the frailties. Unless Daylight Savings Time paralyzes society there is no reason to eradicate it anytime soon.

Explanation: I believe this is one of my best cohesive writings this year because it shows the development of my rhetorical style. I use rhetorical question and an extended metaphor adding voice to my paper. I have a clear thesis which is proven through concise commentary and my essay is also qualifying. For the most part my quotes are woven in well, and my use of certain quotes builds authority adding to my ethos.

Evolution of Writing: Since the beginning of the year I would have to say my timed writings have become more refined. In September I was lucky if in 40 minutes I could write a thesis and prove one point. Now in 40 minutes it’s possible for me to integrate sources, add rhetorical style, and prove a qualifying argument. My thesis’ are more complex and my commentary is more argumentative. While my voice is still not fully developed, my writings have become more opinionated showing greater voice with each essay. While I am not yet Virginia Wolf or E.B. White, in just one year my writing has evolved from randomly placed words on a paper to calculated sentences with rhetorical style placed specifically to prove my thesis. In other words my timed writings have been refined.

Final American Experience Editorial

When Life Gives You Lemons

“The SAT program has policies that are designed to give each of you an equal opportunity to show your abilities,” drones the proctor, as he hands out the menacing test that haunts my future. I should have bought that SAT prep book and prepared. I knew that my test was January 28^th, and I knew that College Board gave each student taking the test a chance to read the online tips and take a practice test or two. The fact that I didn’t study was my own fault.

Right then, it hit me; the American Experience is one of equal opportunity that allows for success through hard work.

Way before the SAT, way back in the 1600’s, our future founders were lured over to the “New World” by the desire for God, glory, and that ever alluring element, GOLD. By giving the head of each family 50 acres of land simply for migrating to a British Colony, the Head Rights System aided in the founders settlement. Could it get any easier? Just by coming over to the Americas each settler was given an equal opportunity to thrive, an equal opportunity to get rich, an equal opportunity to become successful.

There was, however, a catch: once settled in America, individuals had to work hard to cultivate the land and make a profit in order to benefit from the opportunity handed to them. In the early days of Jamestown, most of John Smith’s men felt above menial labor and as a result the first attempt at the colony almost failed. These “Gentlemen” worked little, produced little food, and therefore experienced little success. It wasn’t until the amazing John Rolfe created a profit off of Tobacco that the colony began to thrive. Smith’s men and Rolfe were given the same chance, but as success was not guaranteed, Rolfe, who worked hard, was the one that prospered. Equal opportunity, not equality of condition, has continued into modern day.

The intention of our Founding Fathers was to create a country where, “all men are created equal.” Without numerous laws to ensure equal opportunity, the United States government could not guarantee that all individuals have the same chance to succeed. When I walk through the halls at school I see a diverse student body. This is because Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 guaranteed equal opportunity for all “persons in the United States” to receive an education. However, just because Title IX guaranteed this right to an equal opportunity for education, it is not certain that all will blossom academically. Although I’m given the chance to go to school and learn, that does not mean that I am guaranteed a 2400 on the SAT. To excel it is necessary to prepare, study, and pay attention so I can do well on the test.

Following high school, students are thrown into the real world. I look at the teachers at my school and see a mixture of male, female, white, African American, Indian, and Asian teachers working in the same building. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 employers are unable to discriminate “based on race, color, or national origin.” As I continue walking down the same hall I see a pregnant teacher, able to keep her job by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978. I leave school and see my fellow classmates working at Giant, Massage Envy, and Ben and Jerry’s, all ensured the same rights as adults under Age Discrimination Acts. Other laws ban discrimination based on disabilities, and ensure equal pay to all. These laws allow all Americans the chance to thrive, but don’t ensure success. My teachers keep their jobs because they teach us, they take advantage of current legal protection and work hard to excel.

The proctor says, “Open to section one now and begin.”  I inhale, exhale, start. Whether it be a settler, student, or currently employed professional, it is important to remember that the future does not shape us, but we shape the future. The score I get on the SAT will be a reflection of the work I put into preparation. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “America is another name for opportunity.” America was formed by our founders’ determination to take the opportunity and make something of it through hard work. With the legal protection in current times, it is vital to consider not what one has been deprived of, but rather ask, what opportunity have I not taken advantage of?