One of the arguments in my research paper.

Taxpayers are giving their taxes to people that are struggling to assist them during hard times. The hope is that they will lift themselves up, get a job and be able to get to a place where they do not need public assistance. When someone abuses that right and takes that money and assistance and uses their time to get high and drunk instead of trying to make their lives better, then drug testing is necessary.

Having food stamp recipients submit to drug testing would help to identify high-risk individuals of the welfare population that are in need of alcohol and drug prevention, intervention, and/or treatment programs.

Education programs, counseling and other forms of treatment of alcohol and drug problems could be added into the welfare system. If there were prevention programs and treatment services for alcohol and drug problems among welfare recipients that would help to those individuals reach the goals of work, responsibility, and reduction of dependency on the food stamp program.

Logical Fallacies

I do not think people as a whole are aware of logical fallacies. I think logical fallacies sill work, even if there are errors because I don't think people use critical thinking that I have learned in this class. I don't think they try to find out if the person who is arguing their point has experience with the subject or is familiar with other points of view. Maybe people do not want to make the effort to challenge the statements.It may be easier to just accept the material.

Exercises 6.1, 6.2 and 6.6

6.1
1. a. I think the author is using the method of Contradictions and Oversimplifications.
    b. I think the author is using the method of Inconsistencies.
    c. The author is using the method of Omissions or Oversights.
    d. The author is using the method of Oversimplifications.

6.2
1. Buying a new or a used car.
Sample or survey different age groups of people who have owned or own the type of vehicle I am thinking of buying. I would make sure that those who I spoke to actually had experience with the type of vehicle in question. Get information and statistics from the manufacturer of the vehicle. Look for reliable reviews of the vehicle.
2. Choosing a birthday gift for a friend or parent.
I would come up with ideas based on things I have experienced being around this person. I would take a survey of the people who are also friends or family of the individual and based on the majority, would purchase a present.
3. Determining the chemical composition of an unknown gas.
I would likely get statistics and information from at least 20 to 30 studies that have been done on the chemical composition.
I would make sure that the studies were performed by reliable sources such as scientists or experts in chemical compositions.

6.6
1. An article on improving airport security
I could create a scenario of a family traveling to see their grandparents for the 1st time in 10 years and the need for people to feel safe on the airplane with their children.
2.An article on preserving the individuals right to privacy
I could tell a story of someone whose privacy was invaded and how it has changed their life since then.
3.An article an teaching children to swim before age five.
I could dramatize how the brain learns better at age five or that it gives children better coordination skills at an early age.
4. An article on reducing the risk of drowning accidents among children.
I could tell a story of a family that has had a child drown and how it could have been prevented if the precautions were in place at the time.

Outline of my paper

I. Introduction
 A. Half of American children will live in households receiving food stamps before age 20, according to a study reported in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. With that statistic in mind would it be important to American citizens to make sure that those families who receive assistance are not using drugs while getting assistance?
 B. Stories of those who have seen for themselves the abuse that exists in the system and the families and children who suffer because of drug addiction.
II. Thesis statement
 A. Drug testing should be mandatory for individuals that apply for or currently are receiving food stamp benefits.
III. Appeals
 A. Appeal to emotion - Drug testing can open a door for individuals to access additional services to help overcome drug abuse.
  1. Those with substance abuse problems need access to treatment, not the removal of their food supply.
  2. Taxpayers are giving their taxes to people that are struggling to assist them during hard times. The hope is that they will lift themselves up, get a job and be able to get to a place that they do not need public assistance. When someone abuses that right and takes that money and assistance and uses their time to get high and drunk instead of trying to make their lives better. Then drug testing is necessary.
  3. Drug testing would be a good door to find people who may need assistance in help better their lives.
 B. Appeal to reason - If so many jobs require random drug tests these days, why not these benefits?
   1. Why is "drug-free" a meaningful requirement?
   2. I don't care what people do with their lives, it is their lives. But when they are using my tax dollars to do it that is when I care.
   3. Drug abuse is highest among unemployed individuals.
 C. Evidence: cite statistics
IV. Refutation
 A. Some people would argue that drug testing the poor puts a stigma on all those who get food stamps. It is know that drug use is most prevalent within the unemployed.
 B. Yes it is true that my proposal will not be the best thing for everyone but consider the opportunities to help families that have drug problems.
V. Conclusion
 A. We all want to feel like we are strong and capable of being self-sufficient and to nurture our children to become successful adults.
 B. Having a drug test is not impeding on the rights of individuals but is a way to show that during this time of needed assistance, the individual is not making their situation worse and harder to find employment.

Rogerian approach

I think that the Rogerian approach is not more widely used because I think society likes to debate and prove that they are right and show evidence why their side is right. I also think society doesn't take the time to establish common ground.
I could use the Rogerian approach in my own home setting. It would be better for me and my husband to decide how to discipline the kids based on our common views of raising our children to be responsible, loving adults. If we work together to solve the issues of how to discipline, it would be much less competitive between who's discipline works the best. Also this could work with my teenage daughter. If I use this method it would help me to hold off my opinions and not prematurely judge her views before I consider them carefully.

Exercise 5.2 Martin Luther King, Jr Letter

1. I think it can be explained as Rogerian because as he wrote he was finding common ground by talking about the common beliefs of Christians and the same beliefs as Americans.
2.  He made and effort to establish common ground when he quoted from the Bible and from the former Presidents and from the Declaration of independence. He did succeed in establishing common ground because most Americans have the same beliefs as well as Christians.
3. The moments that seemed un-Rogerian were when he spoke of the clergymen commending the Birmingham Police Department. He did not see common ground on that at all and it could have had a negative effect on the reader.
4. King definitely used ethos and appealed to emotions when he was writing of how it feels watching the violence against blacks. He also appeals to logos when he was writing about how we all have not only a legal but moral responsibility to obey just laws. I think he uses those appeals to get the readers to agree that there are just and unjust laws and the reasons needed to break the unjust laws.
5. He seemed to make a special effort to reach his audience of fellow clergy when he spoke of how disappointed he was in the white church and its leadership.
6. In his essay, King’s sequence was Rogerian because he started with identifying the shared problem of just and unjust laws and problem of unequal rights. Then he stated Christian beliefs that they all agree on from the Bible and Apostles and Christ.  Further on he spoke of the misunderstandings of how the clergy saw his actions as “unwise and untimely” but explain why he chose that time. He found common ground in human rights for everyone and how they could all work together.
7. I think he did not have to take a more aggressive approach in his letter. His appeals to emotions seem to really work for me. Also the common ground he stresses that all mankind deserve equal rights. I think it was an important time to find common ground and take the Rogerian approach because it would have made white people mad if he took a different approach.

One source of research in my topic

 One of the sources I found was an article from Becky Bowers in the St. Petersburg Times.

Bowers, Becky. "Florida is not the first state to require drug testing of welfare applicants." St. Petersburg Times 10 October 2011.

Toulmin's method of argumentation

The Toulmin's method of argumentation is different from the classical method because it makes the writer make an effort to ensure that the supporting evidence fully validates the claim. It would have the writer articulate the argument clearly and as accurately as possible.
I find myself using the Rogerian model in my day to day communications because it seems more cooperative. I find myself trying to work together with someone else to fix the problem. I use it with my kids. I state a problem, like the house being dirty, and then finding ways we can work together to fix it.

Exercise 4.2

1.       A. Qualifier - When a mayor has not disclosed past criminal history, he should be removed from office.

Evidence-Legal data - Policies that govern elected officials.

Statistical data – opinion polls

Warrant- may be implied - elected officials should not have an arrest record.

 Counterclaim – Elected officials should not be judged for past mistakes.  Counter data- testimonial data, maybe firsthand experience.

Counter Warrant- Although some individuals have had prior criminal records, they should still be able to hold a position as mayor.

B. Qualifier- Novels that include the use of racial slurs should be banned from public school classrooms if they are not for educational purposes.

Evidence-scholarly data and statistical data

Warrant – Society is obligated to ban the use of novels that use racial slurs if they are not for educational purposes.

Counterclaim- Public schools should give students access to all literature, even if racial slurs are used.

Counter data-statistical data

Counter warrant – Public schools are obligated to allow all literature in classrooms.

C. Qualifier- Beef in restaurants should be prepared well-done unless requested by the consumer.

Evidence- scientific data and experiential data on beef undercooked

Warrant-Undercooked beef  has dangers of E-coli and society is responsible to protect individuals from eating it.

Counterclaim – Regardless of the dangers of E-coli, individuals should be able to choose to eat undercooked beef.

Counter data– statistical data, like opinion polls

Counterwarrant- Individuals have the right to eat undercooked meat.

2.       Classical Model

 Issue –Living conditions in Pocatello

 Thesis -It is important to improve the conditions of Pocatello for our future generations

Evidence- Reports of poor living conditions in Pocatello that explain why they are poor.

Opposing views- The argument that the living conditions in Pocatello are good.

Refutation of opposing views and recommendations for resolving the problem.

Conclusion

 Toulmin Model

 Claim – Persuade you to believe that the living conditions in Pocatello are poor and need to          be improved.

Data/Grounds- Scientific data form reports from environmental agencies. Statistical data from laboratory experiments of Pocatello water and soil.

Warrant – It is society’s obligation to improve living conditions in Pocatello for the future generations.

3.       A.Books are an environmental problem when they start to destroy trees at an alarming rate.

 B. Cats make better pets than dogs because they are easily house trained.

 C. Students should be admitted to college on merit only because the students would be better    prepared for college.

4.      A. Learning about economics is college better prepares students for their careers.

B. College courses over the internet make is easier for individuals to get an education.

C. Sex-education courses need improvement in high school to better educate those individuals.

    5.   Backing

A . Scientific backing from studies of college students

B.  Backing can come from testimonials.

C. Backing can come from own experiences.