The Rogerian Argument

Carl Rogers, an American psychologist, would look at a topic from different points of view and use rhetoric and / or information to determine if it was valid.  In doing so, "naysayers" are used to oppose your point of view on the topic in order to see both sides of the argument.

My paper is regarding the difference between fad diets and lifestyle changes.  Personally, I feel a lifestyle change is the healthier, more logical option, however, there may be some "naysayers" out there who believe differently than I do regarding fad diets. 

For my paper, I will need to convince the reader of my opinion by utilizing logos, pathos, and ethos.  I will also need to show the "naysayers" point of view.  I will need to utilize more sources in order to do this. In order to be fair,  I will most likely use examples or success stories of situations where fad diets worked for someone.  However, I will also need to show why my viewpoint is better than theirs.  For this, I may need additional sources as well.  This paper isn't just informational, it is about looking at the topic from both sides, and backing up my point of view. 

The paper still needs to be in MLA format and a minimum of two thousand words, and will require a minimum of eight sources.  This paper will not only be informative like the research paper was, this will be based off my opinion as well as the "naysayers". 

         I chose my topic for the Research Informative Paper to be regarding the difference between fad diets and lifestyle changes.  It will provide information regarding the various fad diets we have available to us today, as well as the different lifestyle changes that you can make to improve your health.  I will compare the two options and how each affect your health.
         According to "Lifestyle Changes vs. Diet to Prevent Heart Disease", lifestyle changes are long-term whereas a diet is only shortterm.  It calls a lifestyle change a gradual implementation (Nelson).  Through my research, I found that lifestyle changes aren't only limited to what you eat and how much you excercise.  And with a lifestyle change, you don't have to eliminate a certian food group, etc, from your daily life, as you would in a diet.  A lifestyle change doesn't limit you, however, you may make changes such as eating smaller portions, drink more water, and quitting smoking. 
       Whereas a diet eventually ends, and most people regain back the weight.  Some diets include:  low-carb, low-fat, vegetarian, and high protien diet, to name a few.  A diet usually nevers lasts that long, and does not provide long term results. 
      
Nelson, Lisa.  "Lifestyle Changes vs. Diet to Prevent Heart Disease"  healthcentral.com  WEB  28 August 2013.
      

Does It Work For Everyone?

         The article I chose to read "Why-One-Size-Fits-All May Not Work" written by Sherri Khun, found on sheknows.com, refers to Michele Obama's school lunch program and how it is affecting children.   The article starts with a question, "Can you really mandate meals that will be appropriate for both an 80-pound girl and an athletic, 130-pound boy?", causing you to question the policies of the program.  It first states the facts of the program and that is meant to give children from low-income families at least two healthy meals a day - breakfast and lunch.  However, there are guidelines to how many calories are allowed in each meal.  The articles briefly reflects that students have complained about the new program, and that the USDA provides information for free regarding it.  It also lets you know that students can bring their own snacks, etc., to school if wanted. 

       I found the reading to be strictly fact-based and informative.  It didn't go into very much details regarding the student's complaints about the new program and focused more on what the program was about and why it was created. 

       I like that the article is straight to the point and factual.  It is there to provide information and answer questions regarding the program.  It is actually a benefit to parents to read the article.  It was informative.  Does it persuade me that the lunch program is a good fit for everyone?  No.  I feel it could have warranted information or details regarding the program. 

Title:  Why-One-Size-Fits-All May Not Work
Author:  Sherri Khun
Site:  sheknows.com
Date:  Nov. 1, 2012

       

Either Way You Vote, You Still Get A Politician

In the article "The Real Loser: Truth", I believe the writer, Kevin M. Kruse, was discussing how politicians over time, in the past as well as now, have used deciet to gain votes. They not only lie to us but they lie about eachother. It makes it difficult when weighing your options on who to vote for in an upcoming election. I think the article reminds us, with various examples, to look at the facts, not the "he said, she said", when making a decision. And it sheds light, that will all politicians, not everything is what it seems. My reaction to this article wasn't so much regarding the topic that was written about, but the way it was written. I honestly had to read it several times to decipher what it was actually about. I honestly felt a better introduction was needed. The way that it jumped from example to example, I felt that I was reading a list rather than an article. As I said before, I had to read it several times to get even a small understanding of what it was about. As for my reaction to the topic, I am in agreement that politcians lie just as well, if not more, as they did in the past. You really have to educate yourself with alot of research regarding anything to do with politics or politicians.

Does Technology Control Us, or Do We Control Techonolgy?

For myself, personally, I find my phone is attached to my hip.  I call it my "lifeline".  I live by my phone.  It holds my notes, my calendar, my contacts, my alarm clock, etc.  I have apps that connect to social networking, my bank, music, Google+, and even my fitness tracker that includes where I track what I eat daily.  And it even holds photos. I am pretty sure that if I lost that phone, I would be in total mortification. 

However, I make a point, when I am spending time with my daughter, to put the phone away.  In fact, she makes it a rule that when we are together, no phone.  Dinner time is no phone time. 

It is convenient, to say the least, everything all nice and compacted into one little black device.  All within my reach.  Now, can I put the phone down anytime I want?  Yes I can, and I have. 

I won't deny that I have come to depend that little black device of many "talents". 

I asked a friend this same question, does she feel that technology controls or does she control technology?  She feels the two are intertwined and that one doesn't work without the other.  We control technology because it is improved everyday. However, we become reliable upon technology, such as our phones, to make things more convenient for us.