After thoroughly reading through my essay and getting feedback from my professor, I realized I had a strong argument but so much more I could improve on such as clarity, more personal voice, and more of a counterclaim. After spending an hour making revisions on my paper I am much more confident about it. I added more personal examples and used my research more to support my argument whether than making it the argument itself.

Victoria Vitale

N. Bhandari

English Composition 1030

20 November, 2018  

                Double the Parents = Double The Success?

For many years, growing up in a single-parent family has been a foreign idea to most. However, it is not just a concept, but it is also extremely prevalent. In today’s society, many children have grown up to become emotionally stable and successful whether they have had one or two parents to show them the rocky path that life bestows upon all human beings. The problem lies in the difference of children raised by single parents versus children raised by both a mother and a father (or two parents in general). This problem tends to raise a commonly asked question regarding single-parent families; Does a child need two parents? What a lot of people seem to look over is the fact that properly raising a child does not solely rely on family structure, but is more dependent on the parenting process or values that are taught to these children as they mature. Children of single parents can be just as progressive with emotional, social and behavioral skills as children with “stronger” family structures. This is due to the fact that children don’t most benefit from the number of parents they have, rather what they make of what their parent(s) teach them, how much they are given and how effective these given things are.

People claim that the only way for children to achieve great behavioral and emotional skills is to be raised by two parents. A problem such as this one has too many variables to directly associate the problem with a single variable (such as strength of family structure). Robert L. Maginnis states in, “Single-Parent Families Cause Juvenile Crime”, “Children from single-parent families are more likely to have behavior problems because they tend to lack economic security and adequate time with parents” (Maginnis, Robert. “Single Parent Struggle”). Stating that single-parent adolescence creates an excess of pure criminals is absurd. What Maginnis fails to comprehend is the difficulty of raising the child as a single parent. For starters,  a single-parent must work full time to be able to pay the bills and provide for themselves and also their child; sometimes they even have to work two jobs to financially provide for their child due to lack of help from a spouse. At the same time, they must also find time to provide emotional support and spend time with their kid. Some other examples of this sort of bias is represented through kid’s grades and other relationships. According to Dr. Bella DePaulo, studies were done on grades between kids with two parents and kids with a single parent and states, “What mattered was NOT how many parents there were, or whether the parents were biologically related to the children”. Instead, what determines a child’s success is their determination and as much support from their parent(s) (DePaulo, Bella. Single Parents and Their Children).  A child with one parent is just as capable as receiving the same amount of support than those with two parents; it’s all about the quality of parenting, not the quantity.

                   

Another factor that must be taken into account is the density of single-parent families in our modern society. Since 1995,  the United States Census shows that out of children from ages 14-18, 42% live in a first marriage family with two parents, 22%  live in a second marriage step-family, 21% live in a single parent, divorced or separated family, 6% live in a single parent never married family and 3% live in a single parent widowed family (Kreider, Rose. “Adopted Children and Stepchildren: 2010). These are horrifying statistics as they show that 58% of children in America are living in a single parent family. This percentage is frightening because it shows how little faith is put into a relationship or marriage before deciding to have children. Unfortunately, not ALL single-parents take out time in their day to properly raise their children. However, at the same time, not all married parents take time out in their day to properly raise their children either. Parents who thought they wouldn’t ever be able to provide emotional or financial stability for their children by themselves should have taken the time to think through what parenting alone would entail, as it is extremely unfair to the poor child who ends up having to suffer. Accidents do happen once in awhile, however, in most cases, the to-be parents  know what’s at stake when settling to have children. Simply, if you’re not ready, then wait until you are. There are countless ways to enhance the life of your child if you simply learn to love and care for him/her and provide them with the proper morals and support.

Many will argue that a child with one parent will undergo greater mental illness, financial, and academic problems than those with two parents. According to Yulia Vangorodska, adolescents from single parent families were found to be three times more likely to be depressed than those living with two parents. For those with single mothers, nearly 70% of single parent mothers live in poverty and earn less than $13,000 annually. They have a tough time providing for their families because they usually have lower paying jobs. Due to these economic hardships, the children suffer by facing lower education levels and may have a harder time getting accepted to certain colleges.  For those with single fathers, however, there is less communication and nurture provided to their children. (Vangorodska – “How Single Parent Households Affect Children”).

I myself am a victim of a torn apart family as my parents underwent a divorce as well. Therefore, I understand what it’s like to be parented by two parents as well as one at a time. It is a very significant change; my household situation, my family’s financial situation, separate holidays, etc. Although it took an emotional toll on me at first, I was eventually able to get through it and accept the change. My GPA remained a 4.0, I played on my school soccer team, I never drank or did drugs, and I got my high school diploma. You see, a family dynamic with only one parent doesn’t put the child at a behavioral or academic disadvantage. I happened to be lucky enough to still get to attain the support from both my mother and father figure even though it is separate, and in a way, it changed who I am as a person today. This was possible because both of my parents have very different outlooks on life and they each have taught me different life lessons, using their own values to guide me through life.

                   

Today, 25% of  American children will spend some time of their childhood  in a step-family (The Stepfamily Foundation.“Stepfamily Statistics”). Single parents tend to find ease in remarrying because they feel like they have a chance to start over in a new relationship and receive aid from their new partner both financially and emotionally. However, a step-parent can cause confusion and internal conflict with a child since it requires them to constantly adjust. From having only one parent to now having to a new parental figure, it can be emotionally stressful. Another result of bringing a new parent into a single family is the introduction of stress and annoyance from step-siblings. It may not be justified for a step-parent to discipline their step-child as if he/she was their own. As long as both parents understand that their family comes first and the importance of  communication between themselves and the children, a step-family can survive and thrive.

Children who are raised with both a mother and a father (or two parents) get more attention from both parents and therefore get the required emotional time they need. This tends to be true,  but not in all cases. It isn’t beneficial to grow up in a two parent family that does nothing but argue and destroy each other mentally. Naturally, a child who lives with this from a young age to when they’re ready to be released into the world would demonstrate what they saw since childhood. Behavioral patterns from a child’s household can make the same transition when it comes to real life problems, because they don’t know any better. Children who are raised by a single parent, who devotes their heart and soul into their child, benefit much more than a child who has two parents who demonstrate poor values.

However, a single parent household can actually enhance the child’s behavior, making them more mature and responsible for when they need to face real world problems. According to Modernmom, single parent households teaches independence and responsibility to children. Because single parents are already so busy, children should be encouraged to be like the member of a team and learn to do some things by themselves. Feeling part of a team helps children consider others, establish a good work ethic, and improve self-esteem and self-worth (Modernmom – “Advantages and Disadvantages for Children in A Single-Parent Family”).

Not all families are lucky enough to have a healthy and strong backbone. It is vital that society and the government notices these differences and takes immediate action. The government can fund programs to assist single-parent families with their childcare and finances. Whether it’s a mother and a father, a single mother, or a single father, or two mothers, or two fathers, guidance is a necessity for children. Children are products of the values they are taught from their parental figures starting from a young age. Children are also heavily affected by the amount of love and compassion that is put into them throughout their life. Whichever family structure is implied, it must be filled with a plethora of respect and strong moral values that they can pass on to their family and last forever.

               

           

       

After researching multiple topics, I found one that I really appreciated since I can relate to it. The topic I chose was “Are children with single parents as successful as those with two parents”? After researching this topic for quite some time, I found very good articles with lots of information. There were a lot of detailed articles with credible sources that talked about how a single parent can do just as good of a job as two parents. This is the side that i’m choosing to support and argue for. However, I also found many articles that talk about how children with single parents are at a disadvantage to those who have two parents, which I will be using as a strong counterclaim. I am looking forward to writing this essay, as the topic serves importance to me since I have divorced parents.

Victoria Vitale

N. Bhandari

English Composition 1030

19 October 2018

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Lou Gehrig, nicknamed “the Iron Horse,” was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Unfortunately on July 4, 1939, this career had to come to a close. Gehrig stood front and center at Yankee Stadium to deliver his “farewell to baseball” speech after recently being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.). His speech was targeted toward his baseball fans, his teammates, team faculty, and any person that has been similarly affected by ALS. Gehrig delivers this speech in purpose of showing the world how strong willed and fearless an individual can be when having to face adversity, and to explain to his audience that his life isn’t overshadowed by his disease. He also powerfully expressed his gratitude towards his family and his team for always looking out for him and supporting him throughout his baseball career, and now for helping him deal with his ALS. Gehrig incorporates multiple strategies in his speech to effectively deliver it to his audience. He uses very logically and emotionally appealing word choice and language to touch the hearts of all of his fans by inspiring them to stay positive even after a tragic event.

“I have been in ballparks for seventeen years now” was one of Gehrig’s opening sentences to his loving crowd. Gehrig immediately gains trust from his audience by establishing his credibility as a respected, well-known baseball player. Who wouldn’t want to listen to, or believe what an incredibly famous major league baseball player has to say? Gehrig also mentions the New York Giants in his speech. “When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift, that’s something!” Here, his credibility is even further established by showing how important he must be to be receiving a gift from the New York Giants. This also enables his audience to trust him because most people probably had no idea that the Giants sent him a gift until he mentioned it in his speech. In most cases, this statement would be hard to believe. I mean, come on, it’s the New York Giants! But since Gehrig is who he is, the audience knows that what he is saying is true.

Always known as an individual who could persevere through anything, Gehrig indirectly tells his audience that this battle is going to be one that he simply cannot win, and one that is going to prevent him from continuing to pursue his baseball career. His audience connects to him through this by seeing a respected man, husband, and baseball player still find the good in life after battling consecutive hardships. Gehrig also places strong emphasis on his family throughout his speech, as he constantly mentions how much he appreciates the love and support they’ve provided for him. He explains how his wife has been a “tower of strength” for him throughout his entire career. Gehrig is also granted the audience’s sympathy as he talks about his disease. He ends his speech by saying, “I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break but I’ve got an awful lot to live for”. This automatically makes his audience feel bad for him, due to the fact that he has to give up playing the game he loves over a situation he cannot control.

Gehrig speaks with a very optimistic voice while delivering his speech. He constantly reminds his audience how lucky he is to be living the life he has, despite the unfortunance of being diagnosed with ALS. This is obvious due to his repetition of the same positive phrase over and over again. Gehrig says, “Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.” Again, he reminds his audience that he is grateful for all the opportunities he’s had in his life and that he still has a lot to live for and appreciate, including his love of the game.

He also expresses his gratitude using syntax by stating a rhetorical question. “Wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such fine looking men as they’re standing in uniform in this ballpark today? Gehrig didn’t respond to his diagnosis by considering himself unlucky, instead he looks around and appreciates everyone and everything that has stumbled across him along his journey of baseball. He knows his loved ones are going to be there for him through dealing with his disease, and for that he is grateful.

Gehrigs use of diction also makes it easy for the audience to understand exactly what he is trying to say. He uses words like “lucky” and “blessing” and “honor” to project to his audience the fact that he is still being optimistic and looking at the big picture despite his unfortunate diagnosis. Although he loved the game of baseball, he realizes that there are more important aspects of life to be considered, such as his family and the opportunities that were granted to him. As heartbreaking as it must’ve been for him to give up the game he loves, the love and support from his loved ones is a more accurate measure of his happiness and fortune. Most people don’t get nearly the amount of opportunities that Gehrig was able to have, so the fact that he even got to experience what he experienced makes him the “luckiest guy on the face of the earth”.

Though Gehrig begins his speech by effectively touching the hearts of his audience by saying his farewell, he more importantly encourages them to always look at the positive aspects of life no matter what happens, and reminds them that there is always a lot to live for. The audience can see the pain that exists in Gehrig’s heart; however, his shift from a “bad break” to “i’m the luckiest guy on the face of the earth” makes the audience sympathize for him yet respect him. Gehrig couldn’t have more seriously driven home the point that life is literally what you make it. He inspires thousands of people by turning unfortunate situations into positive ones.

I am very excited to start our argument essay. I can’t wait to pick a topic that I feel strongly about and try to convince my audience on my point of view using strong evidence and rhetorical techniques. So many topics are controversial so it’s interesting to see different sides and opinions of a topic. I like writing argument essays because as I writer, I can strongly create an argument regarding my side, but also respectfully acknowledge the counter-argument to further strengthen my essay. I am also eager to read my classmates essays and see what topics they chose to write about. I would like to see if I agree or disagree with their points of view. One thing I am concerned about is the fact that argument essays can sometimes be very complex to write. I am hoping that my professor takes us step by step so we can all construct a well-written essay.

So far I really enjoy taking this class. I like how we all work together to help improve each other’s writing on a daily basis. I also appreciate how our professor is so helpful and gives us so much time to make improvements so we can get the best grade possible. Although I feel that I am a pretty decent writer to begin with, I feel that this class has already helped me improve my writing, making it sound more mature and academic. As much as I wish we were able to do some creative writing as well, I feel stronger about dissecting essays written by other authors to really get inside their head and understand their claims, strategies, use of rhetorical devices/reasons behind using them, etc. I hope this continues throughout the remainder of the semester.

I thought my rhetorical analysis essay went really well. For starters, I really enjoyed the speech i listened to. This is mostly because I am an athlete and can relate to the things that were said in the speech, even though I didn’t go through exactly what Lou Gehrig went through. I can relate to how he must feel. Also, writing a rhetorical analysis at the college level taught me a lot. During high school we would be encouraged to actually use the words “pathos ethos and logos.” However, implying those 3 rhetorical appeals without actually saying the words made my writing sound more mature. I enjoyed making revisions because it gave me the satisfaction of improving my piece of writing. There are just so many ways authors/speakers reach out to their audience using different techniques, and being able to dissect these techniques and create a conversation out of it just makes us appreciate the author/speaker and what they’re trying to say. I wouldn’t mind writing another rhetorical analysis. I actually somewhat enjoyed it. I also liked how our professor gave us the luxury of choosing our speeches, instead of assigning us one and forcing us all to analyze the same one.

Victoria Vitale

N. Bhandari

English Composition 1030

19 October 2018

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Lou Gehrig, nicknamed “the Iron Horse,” was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Unfortunately on July 4, 1939, this career had to come to a close. Gehrig stood front and center at Yankee Stadium to deliver his “farewell to baseball” speech after recently being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS – a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.). His speech was targeted toward his baseball fans, his teammates, team faculty, and any person that has been similarly affected by ALS. Gehrig delivers this speech in purpose of showing the world how strong willed and fearless an individual can be when having to face adversity, and to explain to his audience that his life isn’t overshadowed by his disease. He also powerfully expressed his gratitude towards his family and his team for always looking out for him and supporting him throughout his baseball career, and now for helping him deal with his ALS. Gehrig incorporates multiple strategies in his speech to effectively deliver it to his audience. He uses very logically and emotionally appealing word choice and language to touch the hearts of all of his fans by inspiring them to stay positive even after a tragic event.

“I have been in ballparks for seventeen years now”, was one of Gehrig’s opening sentences to his loving crowd. Gehrig immediately gains trust from his audience by establishing his credibility as a respected, well-known baseball player. Who wouldn’t want to listen to, or believe what an incredibly famous major league baseball player has to say? Gehrig also mentions the New York Giants in his speech. “When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift, that’s something!” Here, his credibility is even further established by showing how important he must be to be receiving a gift from the New York Giants. This also enables his audience to trust him because most people probably had no idea that the Giants sent him a gift until he mentioned it in his speech. In most cases, this statement would be hard to believe. I mean, come on, it’s the New York Giants! But since Gehrig is who he is, the audience knows that what he is saying is true.

Always known as an individual who could persevere through anything, Gehrig indirectly tells his audience that this battle is going to be one that he simply cannot win, and one that is going to prevent him from continuing to pursue his baseball career. His audience connects to him through this by seeing a respected man, husband, and baseball player still find the good in life after battling consecutive hardships. Gehrig also places strong emphasis on his family throughout his speech, as he constantly mentions how much he appreciates the love and support they’ve provided for him. He explains how his wife has been a “tower of strength” for him throughout his entire career. Gehrig is also granted the audience’s sympathy as he talks about his disease. He ends his speech by saying, “I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break but I’ve got an awful lot to live for”. This automatically makes his audience feel bad for him, due to the fact that he has to give up playing the game he loves over a situation he cannot control.

Gehrig speaks with a very optimistic voice while delivering his speech. He constantly reminds his audience how lucky he is to be living the life he has, despite the unfortunance of being diagnosed with ALS. This is obvious due to his repetition of the same positive phrase over and over again. Gehrig says, “Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.” Again, he reminds his audience that he is grateful for all the opportunities he’s had in his life and that he still has a lot to live for and appreciate, including his love of the game.

He also expresses his gratitude using syntax by stating a rhetorical question. “Wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such fine looking men as they’re standing in uniform in this ballpark today? Gehrig didn’t respond to his diagnosis by considering himself unlucky, instead he looks around and appreciates everyone and everything that has stumbled across him along his journey of baseball. He knows his loved ones are going to be there for him through dealing with his disease, and for that he is grateful.

Gehrigs use of diction also makes it easy for the audience to understand exactly what he is trying to say. He uses words like “lucky” and “blessing” and “honor” to project to his audience the fact that he is still being optimistic and looking at the big picture despite his unfortunate diagnosis. Although he loved the game of baseball, he realizes that there are more important aspects of life to be considered, such as his family and the opportunities that were granted to him. As heartbreaking as it must’ve been for him to give up the game he loves, the love and support from his loved ones is a more accurate measure of his happiness and fortune. Most people don’t get nearly the amount of opportunities that Gehrig was able to have, so the fact that he even got to experience what he experienced makes him the “luckiest guy on the face of the earth”.

Though Gehrig begins his speech by effectively touching the hearts of his audience by saying his farewell, he more importantly encourages them to always look at the positive aspects of life no matter what happens, and reminds them that there is always a lot to live for. The audience can see the pain that exists in Gehrig’s heart; however, his shift from a “bad break” to “i’m the luckiest guy on the face of the earth” makes the audience sympathize for him yet respect him. Gehrig couldn’t have more seriously driven home the point that life is literally what you make it. He inspires thousands of people by turning unfortunate situations into positive ones.

Victoria Vitale

N. Bhandari

English Composition 1030

19 October 2018

Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Lou Gehrig, nicknamed “the Iron Horse,” was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Unfortunately on July 4, 1939, this career had to come to a close. Gehrig stood front and center at Yankee Stadium to deliver his “farewell to baseball” speech after recently being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His speech was targeted toward his baseball fans, his teammates, team faculty, and any person that has been similarly affected by ALS. Gehrig delivers this speech in purpose of showing the world how strong willed and fearless an individual can be when having to face adversity, and to explain to his audience that his life isn’t overshadowed by his disease. He also powerfully expressed his gratitude towards his family and his team for always looking out for him and supporting him throughout his baseball career, and now for helping him deal with his ALS. Gehrig incorporates multiple strategies in his speech to effectively deliver it to his audience and to touch the hearts of all of his fans by inspiring them to stay positive even after a tragic event.

“I have been in ballparks for seventeen years now”, was one of Gehrig’s opening sentences to his loving crowd. Gehrig immediately gains trust from his audience by establishing his credibility as a respected, well-known baseball player. Who wouldn’t want to listen to, or believe what an incredibly famous major league baseball player has to say? Gehrig also mentions the New York Giants in his speech. “When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift, that’s something!” Here, his credibility is even further established by showing how important he must be to be receiving a gift from the New York Giants. This also enables his audience to trust him because most people probably had no idea that the Giants sent him a gift until he mentioned it in his speech. In most cases, this statement would be hard to believe. I mean, come on, it’s the New York Giants! But since Gehrig is who he is, the audience knows that what he is saying is true.

Always known as an individual who could persevere through anything, Gehrig indirectly tells his audience that this battle is going to be one that he simply cannot win, and one that is going to prevent him from continuing to pursue his baseball career. His audience connects to him through this by seeing a respected man, husband, and baseball player still find the good in life after battling consecutive hardships. Gehrig also places strong emphasis on his family throughout his speech, as he constantly mentions how much he appreciates the love and support they’ve provided for him. He explains how his wife has been a “tower of strength” for him throughout his entire career. Gehrig is also granted the audience’s sympathy as he talks about his disease. He ends his speech by saying, “I close in saying that I might have been given a bad break but I’ve got an awful lot to live for”. This automatically makes his audience feel bad for him, due to the fact that he has to give up playing the game he loves over a situation he cannot control.

Gehrig speaks with a very optimistic voice while delivering his speech. He constantly reminds his audience how lucky he is to be living the life he has, despite the unfortunance of being diagnosed with ALS. This is obvious due to his repetition of the same positive phrase over and over again. Gehrig says, “Sure, I’m lucky. Who wouldn’t consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball’s greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I’m lucky.” Again, he reminds his audience that he is grateful for all the opportunities he’s had in his life and that he still has a lot to live for and appreciate, including his love of the game.

He also expresses his gratitude by use of a rhetorical question. “Wouldn’t you consider it a privilege to associate yourself with such fine looking men as they’re standing in uniform in this ballpark today? Gehrig didn’t respond to his diagnosis by considering himself unlucky, instead he looks around and appreciates everyone and everything that has stumbled across him along his journey of baseball. He knows his loved ones are going to be there for him through dealing with his disease, and for that he is grateful.

Gehrigs use of diction also makes it easy for the audience to understand exactly what he is trying to say. He uses words like “lucky” and “blessing” and “honor” to project to his audience the fact that he is still being optimistic and looking at the big picture despite his unfortunate diagnosis. Although he loved the game of baseball, he realizes that there are more important aspects of life to be considered, such as his family and the opportunities that were granted to him. As heartbreaking as it must’ve been for him to give up the game he loves, the love and support from his loved ones is a more accurate measure of his happiness and fortune. Most people don’t get nearly the amount of opportunities that Gehrig was able to have, so the fact that he even got to experience what he experienced makes him the “luckiest guy on the face of the earth”.

Though Gehrig begins his speech by effectively touching the hearts of his audience by saying his farewell, he more importantly encourages

them to always look at the positive aspects of life no matter what happens, and reminds them that there is always a lot to live for. The audience can see the pain that exists in Gehrig’s heart; however, his shift from a “bad break” to “i’m the luckiest guy on the face of the earth” makes the audience sympathize for him yet respect him. Gehrig couldn’t have more seriously driven home the point that life is literally what you make it. He inspires thousands of people by turning unfortunate situations into positive ones.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pYyUWn224AE