Lesson #8

Journal

Respond to each of the prompts below.

1. Preview, read, and annotate a package of food. What is its strongest argument? Why? Would its packaging prompt you to buy it again? Why?

2. Read any article pertaining to your research topic that contains a visual element (a graphic). Explain why the visual is effective or ineffective in swaying your view on the topic. Make it interesting for the reader who does not already know your thesis.

3. Is your thesis weak? Hacker can help you figure out what is wrong with your thesis. Is it too broad or too narrow in focus? is it grounded or too speculative to be researched? For practice recognizing good thesis statements, go to http://www.dianahacker.com. Choose student sites, click on the icon representing our textbook, click on Writing Exercises. You can click Cancel when the login prompt appears. Complete the 10 Thesis Exercises, click Score, save the page, and attach it to lesson for 10 extra lesson points. BE SURE to mention the extra credit points in the message box on the transmittal page when you attach the Thesis Exercise. [According to my calculation there should be 24 separate entries in your blog by now.

1) I am currently looking at a container of shake mix. The label goes like this:

Nature's Plus. The Energy Supplements
Vegetarian
FRUITEIN
High Protein Energy Shake
BANANA ORANGE CREME
Incredibly Delicious

The can is an attractive orange, yellow, and white one with pictures of oranges and bananas decorating it. When I first opened it there was a little certificate inside saying:

Your Guarantee of Quality
~
From an Independent FDA Approved Testing Laboratory

It's supposed to be a healthy energy shake full of protein to sustain you and help you lose weight along the way. On the side is a logo saying Healthy Heart and above that is another logo saying Non-GMO (Natural Soy). There are only 99 calories per serving, and it only takes one or two servings to feel full.
I think that it's strongest argument is that it is a healthy shake, healthy for your digestive system, heart, metabolism, and mind.

2) My thesis is that the media has a negative effect on the body image of its viewers. Every time a "regular sized person" looks at a fashion magazine, watches a TV add or movie, they feel dissatisfied with themselves. On the link below there are plenty of visual images backing up the statistics that are listed. I think the images are effective because they show what the media shows, but the pictures are shown in a different light so to speak, they're pretty "weighty" once they're taken into perspective.

http://momgrind.com/2009/01/28/women-body-image/


3) I do believe I have a strong thesis that I will be able to do research on and back up with what I find.