Research

Works Cited

"Permission to Live My Dream: All It Took Was Breast Cancer | No Boobs About It." Breast Cancer Blog: No Boobs About It – Navigating Breast Cancer. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://noboobsaboutit.com/about/>.

"Probability of Breast Cancer in American Women - National Cancer Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information - National Cancer Institute. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/probability-breast-cancer>

“Mastectomy: MedlinePlus." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mastectomy.html#cat27>

"Mastectomy vs. Lumpectomy." BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mast_vs_lump.jsp>

"Breast Cancer Guide - Treatment." Continuum Heath Partners - Homepage. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.chpnyc.org/directory/combsite/treat.html>

"History of Breast Cancer." THE MEDICAL NEWS | from News-Medical.Net - Latest Medical News and Research from Around the World. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Breast-Cancer.aspx>

"Lumpectomy." BreastCancer.org - Breast Cancer Treatment Information and Pictures. Web. 24 Oct. 2011.

<http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/lumpectomy/>

Style

After reading “An Approach to Style (With a List of Reminders)” the one that spoke out to me the most was #6. Do not overwrite. I find myself adding in unnecessary words just to get the point across. Sentences don’t need to be lengthy to make a point/statement. Although not a lot of suggestions were made, it is the only thing I struggle with the most when writing papers. I agree when they say to reread your writing later and delete excess wording.

Effective Argument

Martin Luther King, Jr. is addressing all Americans. In his letter, he is addressing his beliefs and struggles he is facing. Back then, change wasn’t spoken of. It didn’t matter what the person’s race, skin color, religion, etc was… peers weren’t going to change. The tone of this letter was very informative coming across as an upset man. I think Martin Luther King, Jr.’s letter was very effective. Nowadays, racism is rarely seen and different racial groups are interacting together. Color isn’t the main key to friendships, jobs, etc; it’s a person’s personality and aspects towards life. Throughout his letter, King uses several logical fallacies as well as ethos, pathos and logos among his arguments.  Begging the question was used when King was trying to get the message out that just because some are colored, doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of being as good as whites. Blacks should have equal rights as do whites. The color of one’s skin should reflect one’s freedom. Either-or fallacies were used when King was expressing that changes be made now or our peers will stay the same.  

Logical Fallacies

I could have made it to work on time if I didn’t have to stop and get gas.

This is an example of rationalization. This is a very weak explanation as to why one was late for work. Regardless of the excuse, they could’ve easily left a little early to stop and get gas and still make it to work on time.

I can speed even though it will risk a fine because everyone else does it.

This is an example of a bandwagon appeal because assumptions are being made that everyone else who drives speeds therefore making it okay that they speed as well. However, in reality, not everyone out there driving speeds. It could be that their friends/family speeds so they need to “fit in” making the thought more agreeable.

Only females can become nurses.

This is an example of polarization. This might’ve been the case several years ago however in today’s society, a male can be just as good of a nurse as a female. Even though female nurses are more commonly seen, males are just as capable of becoming a nurse as well.

Topic

The topic I chose to write about is “why mastectomies are better than lumpectomy’s.” I think this is a very serious topic when it comes to those suffering from breast cancer. I’ve done research about my thesis as well as have had a personal experience with a family member who chose a mastectomy. Some examples through research indicate that with mastectomies, cancer is at a lower to none risk of returning whereas with lumpectomies the risk is greater for the cancer to return there for then having to undergo another surgery and receive a mastectomy. There are many reasons to my thesis that I think will affect those who are placed with the question to choose one or the other. Besides the research, I think with my personal experience, I can include personal opinions from myself as well as my mother who experienced it to help influence others.

My Opinion

I work at a retail pharmacy and decisions are made continuously. There are several instances where a patient drops of a prescription and comes back later to pick it up being informed that we currently don’t have that medication in stock. As techs, we see instances like this differently. Some would leave the prescription alone and deal with it when the patient returns, others would call other pharmacies to see if they have that certain medication in stock, while others would directly order the medication from our warehouse so we could keep the patients business and fill their prescription in 2 to 3 days when the medications arrives. In my opinion, I suggest to all techs that we check each medication for each prescription making sure it’s in stock before the patient’s leaves so problems don’t get piled up. I voice my opinion about this particular problem because as a business, I look at it as being better to order a medication and filling it in the next couple of days rather than calling other pharmacies and wind up losing business. I work with techs who are all for my thoughts and ideas while others are totally against it and only care about not upsetting the patient whether we lose their business or not.

"Muddiest Point"

                I think this assignment is pretty straight forward. The instructions and guidelines were very clear and thorough. I understand what’s expected for this essay, when the due dates are and the layout required.

            The “muddiest point” for me to conquer for this assignment is going to be choosing a topic. Since this essay is a minimum of five pages, I have to make sure I pick a topic where I can expand my knowledge on to fill those pages. The instructions for choosing a specific topic were clear giving examples of certain topics to stay away from.

            One thing that I think would’ve been helpful would’ve been some sample topics to get us on track to picking a successful topic. Another thing that would’ve been helpful is a sample essay so we students could see the layout and flow of an essay with these guidelines. I find it useful to look back on a sample essay to make sure organization and flow is proper.