How Writing Paper #3 Differed from Paper #2

Leah Nieman

English 101 – 5:30

Sonia Begert

12/4/15

How Writing Paper #3 Differed from Paper #2

            Writing paper #2, which was an analysis essay on which we compared two to three different ads, and paper #3, a position essay, was vastly different for me. When writing my analysis paper I had to choose different images and compare and contrast them to each other. This involved finding images, researching the creators of these images, and finding out what the true meaning behind them were. But in my position paper, I had to choose a topic on which there was some controversy behind it, and I had to take a stance. This was so different from the analysis paper because instead of having images to interpret, I had to interpret people’s arguments against and for my topic, which required much more research and time. Another way it differed was that I wrote this paper in MLA format for the very first time in my life, while in paper #2 I did not. Lastly, a way that paper #3 differed from paper #2 was that I had a new set of requirements to meet. Requirements like including counter-arguments, giving support to my views, and to have a respectful tone throughout my essay, while in my analysis essay I had a different set of requirements. I enjoyed writing both these papers, for it expanded my perspective on how to include the audience, keep a consistent point, and to think rhetorically. 

Argument Paper #3 Final Draft

Leah Nieman

English 101 – 5:30 – Paper #3 Final Draft

Sonia Begert

12/3/15

The Option of Homeschooling

Education is so important, for it provides the pathway to a successful and purposeful life, especially in today’s society with jobs and careers that require extensive knowledge. This is why there is so much effort invested into schooling the younger generations, so that they might have opportunities even more extensive than generations past. Now, in almost every state district in America, there is a public school willing to give the school age population an education paid for by the government. This is a great blessing to many families, for many parents and guardians must work full time. But this is not the only way to receive your schooling, for today you can attend private schools, boarding schools, or be homeschooled.

In time past homeschooling was the original schooling. Sons had to learn from their fathers on how to build houses, plant seed, and take care of their families, and daughters learned from their mothers on how to raise children, cook, and keep a household. This was their schooling, it was equivalent to their education, and they were taught by their parents.

            My entire education from kindergarten to my sophomore year of high school I was homeschooled, but I have now continued with my schooling in a community college and participate in the program Running Start. I have never been ashamed of my past schooling, and in fact I firmly believe that I have had an excellent education. But during the time of my homeschooling years, I was confronted on multiple occasions on why I should stop homeschooling because it is not a good education and that it does not compare with the education I could receive by the state. Why many people did not support homeschooling puzzled me and still does, and in this paper I will be discussing why homeschooling is just as effective as the regular public schooling.

            Homeschooling has vast advantages. Homeschooling allows parents to be a part of and involved in their child’s education, while in public schools parents have very minimal interaction (“The Home-School Team”). Homeschooling also provides the tailoring of curriculum to meet the child’s specific needs. (“Home Schools”) Lastly, homeschooling allows the parents to have better control over peer influence (“Home Schools”). Homeschooling has in fact been growing in recent years, for in the year 2007 only 2.9% of the school age population were homeschooled, and now in the poll taken from 2013, it has risen to 3.4%. (“Homeschool Statistics”). This is a ginormous leap, and it shows that there truly is an interest in families to homeschool their children.

            Since public schooling is so readily available, there are many advantages to it also. First, there is free and accessible transportation to and from school. Also, there is the fact that public schooled children have the opportunity to join extra-curricular activities like drama, band, and sports. Then, there is the privilege of having qualified and certified teachers there to deliver an education to your children (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”).

But even with these advantages that the public school offers, it could possibly not be the optimal way to educate your child. In the public schools, often children struggle to succeed and this is most likely caused by the inflexibility of the schooling. Some disadvantages are standardized testing, the inflexibility of curriculum, and over-loaded classrooms. Standardized testing is one the hardest points in education for many children, this is because many children have a difficult time meeting the very specific requirements that the state enforces (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”). Also, the inflexibility of curriculum prohibits children from having courses that would best fit their needs and from choosing what they want to study (“U.S. Department of Education”). Then there are over-loaded classrooms which brings up the possibility that your child is not receiving much, if any, personal attention, and this is a major cause of educational deficiency (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”). From these disadvantages you can see that there is definitely a need for differing choices for education, a choice that could lead children to succeed and enjoy school, and homeschooling is one of those options.

            But many people discourage homeschooling, promoting the public school system. Homeschool Companion points out that when parents homeschool their kids, many are not qualified teachers and do not provide an optimal education for their children like an actual teacher would in school (“Disadvantages of Homeschooling”). This is true, most parents are not certified teachers, but homeschooling by parents alone is not the only way to homeschool. There are options like charter schools and co-ops that have qualified teachers there to teach your child once or twice a week, but yet still let the child have the choice of his/her curriculum and is still able to do the majority of his/her work at home, thus making the child homeschooled.

            Then, there is the common argument that homeschooling leaves kids socially inept (“Social Disadvantages of Homeschooling”). Even though this is a well-accepted point, it is far from the truth. This argument borders the line of stereotype, for the “stereotypical” homeschooler is clumsy, nerdy, and hates crowds. In fact, homeschoolers are able to spend more time with people with a broader age range, not just their immediate peers when in school (“Homeschooling vs Public School”). Also, homeschoolers even have more time to socialize and participate in sports than public schoolers do, since they are able to schedule their schooling around their activities (“What About Socialization?”).

Even with these arguments against homeschooling, you can see the need for children to have differing options from the public school, and we do. The option of homeschooling is incredible, but so many times children are mocked and teased for it, or told that they are not receiving a full education like I experienced during my years of homeschooling. There is not one sure-fire way to receive an education, for every child is different and has different needs, and homeschooling might just be the very option that brings some children a better education.

Homeschooling has always been there, it is natural for us humans to learn from our authorities, especially our parents. Education is important, and with our education today there are many requirements, and thankfully homeschooling has been able to mature and be able to meet those requirements through programs and tailored curriculum. This is very beneficial to children who excel in being taught at home rather than in public school, and this option should not be scorned.

Works Cited:

- “Homeschool Statistics” Time4Learning. Time 4 Learning. 2015. Web. Nov 24 2015.

- “Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance” PublicSchool.Org. PublicSchools.Org. 2012. Web. Nov 24 2015.

-“Disadvantages of Homeschooling” Homeschool Companion. Homeschool Companion. 2014. Web. Nov. 24 2015.

- Corner, James P. “The Home-School Team: An Emphasis on Parent Involvement” Edutopia. Edutopia. July. 1 1997. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Mhoon, Jim. "Home Schools" Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family, 2007. Web. Nov. 19 2015. 

- “U.S. Department of Education: Higher Educated Parents More Likely to Homeschool” Tea Party. Tea Party. May 24 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- “Social Disadvantages of Homeschooling” Successful Homeschooling. Successful Homeschooling. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Amy, “Homeschooling vs Public School” Mommy Edition. Mommy Edition. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Kochenderfer, Rebecca “What About Socialization?” Homeschool.com. Homeschool.com. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015. 

Argument Paper Rough Draft #1

Leah Nieman

English 101 – 5:30 – Paper #3 Rough Draft

Sonia Begert

11/27/15

The Option of Homeschooling

Education is so very important, for it provides the pathway to a successful and purposeful life, especially in today’s society with jobs and careers that require extensive knowledge. This is why there is so much effort invested into schooling the younger generations, so that they might have opportunities even more extensive than generations past. Now in almost every state district in America there is a public school willing to give the school age population an education paid for by the government. This is a great blessing to many families, for many parents and guardians must work full time. But this is not the only way to receive your schooling, for today you can attend private schools, boarding schools, or be homeschooled.

In time past homeschooling was the original schooling. Sons had to learn from their fathers on how to build houses, plant seed, and take care of their families and daughters learned from their mothers on how to raise children, cook, and keep a household. This was their schooling, it was equivalent to their education, and they were taught by their parents.

            My entire education from kindergarten to my sophomore year of high school I was homeschooled. I have never been ashamed of this, and in fact I firmly believe that I have had an excellent education. But during the time of my homeschooling years, I was confronted on multiple occasions on why I should stop homeschooling because it is not a good education and that it does not compare with the education I could receive by the state. Why many people did not support homeschooling puzzled me and still does, and in this paper I will be discussing why homeschooling is just as effective as the regular public schooling.

            Homeschooling has vast advantages. Homeschooling allows parents to be a part of and involved in their child’s education, while in public schools parents have very minimal interaction (“The Home-School Team”). Homeschooling also provides the tailoring of curriculum to meet the child’s specific needs. (“Home Schools”) Lastly, homeschooling allows the parents to have better control over peer influence (“Home Schools”). Homeschooling has in fact been growing in recent years, for in the year 2013, 3.4% of the school age population were homeschooled while in 2007 it was only 2.9% (“Homeschool Statistics”). This is a ginormous leap, and it shows that there truly is an interest in families to homeschool their children.

            Since public schooling is so readily available, there are many advantages to it also. First, there is free and accessible transportation to and from school. Also, there is the fact that public schooled children have the opportunity to join extra-curricular activities like drama, band, and sports. Then there is the privilege of having qualified and certified teachers there to deliver an education to your children (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”).

But even with these advantages that the public school offers, it could possibly not be the optimal way to educate your child. In the public schools, often children struggle to succeed and this is most likely caused by the inflexibility of the schooling. Some disadvantages are standardized testing, the inflexibility of curriculum, and over-loaded classrooms. Standardized testing is one the hardest points in education for many children, this is because many children have a difficult time meeting the very specific requirements that the state enforces (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”). Also, the inflexibility of curriculum prohibits children from having courses that would best fit their needs and from choosing what they want to study (“U.S. Department of Education”). Then there is over-loaded classrooms which brings up the possibility that your child is not receiving much, if any, personal attention, and this is a major cause of educational deficiency (“Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance”). From these disadvantages you can see that there is definitely a need for differing choices for education, a choice that could lead children to succeed and enjoy school, and homeschooling is one of those options.

            But many people discourage homeschooling, promoting the public school system. Homeschool Companion points out that when parents homeschool their kids, many are not qualified teachers and do not provide an optimal education for their children like an actual teacher would in school (“Disadvantages of Homeschooling”). This is true, most parents are not certified teachers, but homeschooling by parents alone is not the only way to homeschool. There are things like charter schools and co-ops that have qualified teachers there to teach your child once or twice a week, but yet still let the child have the choice of his/her curriculum and is still able to do the majority of his/her work at home, thus making the child homeschooled.

            Then there is the common argument that homeschooling leaves kids socially inept (“Social Disadvantages of Homeschooling”). Even though this is a valid point, it is far from the truth. This argument borders the line of stereotype, for the “stereotypical” homeschooler is clumsy, nerdy, and hates crowds. In fact, homeschoolers are able to spend more time with people with a broader age range, not just their immediate peers when in school (“Homeschooling vs Public School”). Also, homeschoolers even have more time to socialize and participate in sports than public schoolers do, since they are able to schedule their schooling around their activities (“What About Socialization?”).

Even with these arguments against homeschooling, you can see the need for children to have differing options from the public school, and we do. The option of homeschooling is incredible, but so many times children are mocked and teased for it, or told that they are not receiving a full education like I experienced during my years of homeschooling. There is not one sure-fire way to receive an education, for every child is different and has different needs, and homeschooling might just be the very option that brings some children a better education.

Homeschooling has always been there, it is natural for us humans to learn from our authorities, especially our parents. Education is important, and with our education today there are many requirements, and thankfully homeschooling has been able to mature and be able to meet those requirements through programs and tailored curriculum. This is very beneficial to children who excel in being taught at home rather than in public school, and this option should not be scorned.

Works Cited:

- “Homeschool Statistics” Time4Learning. Time 4 Learning. 2015. Web. Nov 24 2015.

- “Pros and Cons of Public School Attendance” PublicSchool.Org. PublicSchools.Org. 2012. Web. Nov 24 2015.

-“Disadvantages of Homeschooling” Homeschool Companion. Homeschool Companion. 2014. Web. Nov. 24 2015.

- Corner, James P. “The Home-School Team: An Emphasis on Parent Involvement” Edutopia. Edutopia. July. 1 1997. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Mhoon, Jim. "Home Schools" Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family, 2007. Web. Nov. 19 2015. 

- “U.S. Department of Education: Higher Educated Parents More Likely to Homeschool” Tea Party. Tea Party. May 24 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- “Social Disadvantages of Homeschooling” Successful Homeschooling. Successful Homeschooling. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Amy, “Homeschooling vs Public School” Mommy Edition. Mommy Edition. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015.

- Kochenderfer, Rebecca “What About Socialization?” Homeschool.com. Homeschool.com. 2015. Web. Nov. 30 2015. 

Developing your argument

Leah Nieman

English 101 – 5:30 –Developing your argument

Sonia Begert

11/23/15

Developing your argument

1.      I am trying to change the perspective people have on homeschooling. I want to point out that homeschooling can be just as effective or better than regular schooling and that it should not be looked down upon.

2.      I am writing to my English professor along with my classmates.

3.      I would appeal to their beliefs and values by telling them that a good education is essential to having a successful life, and the public schooling is not the only way to attain an education.

4.      My audience should believe me because I am an expert witness to homeschooling, for I have spent my entire education from Kindergarten to sophomore year being homeschooled.

5.      Homeschooling should be widely accepted as a good education because one, when homeschooled you have can tailor your curriculum to meet your child's needs; two, allows parents to be a part of their child's education, and; three, parents have better control over peer influence.

6.      A good point made on the other side would be that homeschooling deprives kids from real, experienced teachers and that the kids are not getting a full education from just their mother or father.

7.      To rebuttal the previous point, there are more ways to homeschool than just being directly taught by your parents. There are things like charter schools and co-ops where there are licensed teachers to teach your kids once or twice a week and the kids will be able to take their work home with them.

8.      Another point the opposing side could take is that it produces kids that are socially inept. Because the kids are from children their age they will have a harder time communicating and bonding with their peers.

9.      In answer to this I would say that this could be true, but in the majority it is not. Homeschooled kids have friends and peers, and they might even be spending more quality time with them.

10.  The benefit for this change would be that homeschooled kids would not feel excluded, and mothers and fathers would feel like they had more control over their child’s education.   

In class lab- analyzing a short essay (position)

Leah Nieman- Why you should not update you profile picture to the French flag. By Paula Lee
Annotation: Explicit position on how French flag profile picture is for self appraisal. No evidence to back it up, however in comparison to Katherine Spriggs, Spriggs listed several more facts to back her arguments up, which is linked to logical appeal. Lee gives no clear understanding of why the subject matters, other than that it doesn't benefit France in the slightest. Lee writes with authoritative tone, and talks generally about the public.

Holly Snider- Why Bernie Sanders is a better choice than Hilary Clinton, and Paris explains why. By H.A Goodman.
Annotation: Explicit position that democrats need to be taught a lesson. She responds to others by saying "am I liberal enough fro you." Her evidence is decisions that past democratic presidents have made. Her indication was not clear besides politics, and she talks about current world issues. She does not give other side an opinion, mostly just hers, and there is an authoritative tone. There were more ethical and logical, not so much emotional. Katherine Spriggs uses more emotional and logical appeal

Bela Burns: How leaving public school saved someones life. By Diana Crandall.
Annotation: Diana shares her explicit position that if more teens could find a "haven" (charter school) like she did, we could prevent tragedies like teen suicides. There is an authoritative tone, and she gives background information into her situation. She gives details that many states won't let Charter Schools open, yet they are more cost effective, and it's hard to convince tax payers to fund charter schools. She ends with "having a choice meant the different between life and death." Katherine Spriggs uses much more logical and ethical appeal, and more evidence, as well as counterarguments, while this discusses more of a personal situation, and uses most emotional appeals.

Grace deMeurisse: How the Western Foreign Policies formed Middle Eastern extremist groups
Annotation:  Gives background information into the 1980's, when The United States was allied with Osama Bin Laden in eliminating The USSR from The Middle East, and how our foreign policies later backfired when we entered Saudi Arabia. It states an explicit position that we need to consider the history and our foreign policies when thinking about Middle Eastern Extremist Groups. The Author talks about how nobody is asking the question that is most important: What is the history behind the Extremist Groups. This can be compared to Katherine Spriggs, because while her essay states positions of both sides, this gives more background information and more evidence from credible sources, such as intelligence officers.

Incorporating Sources Effectively - English 101

My topic is the Benefit of Homeschooling

Google Three Sources -

First Source:

In an article written by Jim Mhoon published by Focus on the Family, Jim comments on how, "Home schooling has a long tradition in the United States. Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Theodore Roosevelt, and other greats were all educated at home." ("Home Schools")

Second Source:

In an article published by About Education, the author Kathy Ceceri talks about how home schooling statistics are not always reliable. ("Homeschooling Studies and Statistics")

Third Source:

According to Erica Ardnt, a wife, mother, homeschooler, and author of Home Schooling 101, she states in her book that, "The best way to begin homeschooling is to start with the basics." (2) She then suggests that, "...you start off by creating a vision for your homeschooling journey." (2)

Bibliography:

• Mhoon, Jim. "Home Schools" Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family, 2007. Web. Nov. 19 2015. 

• Ceceri, Kathy. "Homeschooling Studies and Statistics" About Education. About.com 2015. Web. Nov. 19 2015.

• Ardnt, Erica. Home Schooling 101: A Guide to Getting Started. Aurora: Erica Made Designs, 2013. Print. 

English 101: P. 100 Q. 1-4

Leah Nieman

English 101 – 5:30

Sonia Begert

11/18/15

Thinking About the Text:

“On Buying Local”

Katherine Spriggs

1.    -  It is clear that this topic matters to Katherine Spriggs. Has she convinced you that it matters-and if so, how? How does Spriggs establish the importance of her topic?

Katherine Spriggs was very clear that this topic mattered. Throughout her essay I was emotionally moved and once finished almost convicted. She did so by pointing out the importance of it, how shipping food is a huge contribution to Global Warming and how there are several health benefits.

2.   -   What counterarguments or positions other than her own does Spriggs consider – and how does she respond to each case?

The counterarguments Spriggs considered were arguments by Alex Avery, the director of research and education at the Center for Global Food Issues, and an argument by Jeffrey MacDonald. Alex Avery’s argument was toward how we should buy food from the places it grows best at and that it would be wasteful to grow crops that would not sustain in other parts of the country. Katherine responds by saying that his point is true, but that when we buy local we should focus on buying as much as possible from farmers nearby. The next argument was about how small farms are not as efficient with their resources as large farms are. Spriggs response to that was to state that this is a misconception and that small farms are inefficient in the total of crops outputted, but they are more efficient in total output of all crops per acre.

3.     - Choose a section of Spriggs’ essay that you find especially effective or ineffective. Referring to the genre features discussed on p. 66, describe what makes this part of her argument persuasive–or not.  

The section that I found most effective in Spriggs’ essay would have to be the conclusion. (p.99, paragraph 2) I found this to be effective because she told us the advantages of buying locally, but she didn’t just glorify it completely, she did tell us the cons of such a change in living would be. But then she concluded with the statement, “Buying local is an easy step that everyone can take towards “greener” living.”(1) Referring to page 66, in her conclusion she gave a specific position (buy local), included counterargument details, good reasons and evidence (environment, social, economic advantages), wrote in an authoritative tone, and appealed to the readers emotions (look to the quoted sentence above(1)).

4.   -   Spriggs includes several photos in her essay. How do they contribute to her argument?

Spriggs’ photos contributed to her argument by giving us an idea of the differences of small community farms towards large agricultural farms. She also showed us through the photos food being shipped by semi-trucks, an example of the burning of fossil fuel, and also a photo of beautifully colored organic winter squash which appears to be at a local farmer’s market. These photos showed the audience how the shipment of foods is causing global warming, and also the un-healthy effects of mass production of crops with large, corporative farms.