March 25, 2007
Intro & Thesis
A smile is one of the most contagious things that exist in this world. It doesn’t matter where you are; a beautiful smile means the same thing to everyone – everywhere! Unfortunately, those pearly whites require maintenance that many people are unaware of. When teeth aren’t given the proper care that they deserve, gum disease is typically a consequence. Gingivitis and Periodontal disease are two of the most common types of gum diseases that exist among Americans today. In fact, it is hard to believe that 90 percent of America’s population suffers from some type of gum disease!
February 25, 2007
Tompkins Article
During research it is often hard to find articles that are completely reliable. Even scholarly articles aren’t completely facts – they too hold bias opinions. In Tompkins article about the Indians and the Puritans in the 17th century, she ran into the problem of whether or not she could believe the readings of the other authors. Francis Jennings, Perry Miller, Calvin Martin, Norman Heard and James Axtell are a few of the authors whose views she chose to research. It seemed that each author added his or her personal biases into their books, which sometimes made it hard for Tompkins to see the “whole truth” about the topic. During Tompkins research, she felt that she did not have correct information about the Indians and the relationship that they had with the Puritans. To solve this issue, she chose to take bits and pieces of the research that she had accomplished and at the same time, add her own opinions into the article.
I can very easily see how this could be a problem that anybody doing research would encounter. It seems that every book or article may include some opinions and biases, and the best thing to do is collect as many sources as possible, and like Tompkins ….. pick and chose the information that you feel is the “most accurate & usable.”
I can very easily see how this could be a problem that anybody doing research would encounter. It seems that every book or article may include some opinions and biases, and the best thing to do is collect as many sources as possible, and like Tompkins ….. pick and chose the information that you feel is the “most accurate & usable.”
Annotated Citations 2
Article 1:
Kesel, Robert G. Sreebny, Leo M. “Periodontal Diseases.” The American Journal of Nursing 55.2(1955): 174-175. JSTOR. Helmke Lib.,
Article 2:
Burt, Brian A. “The Scientific Basis for Plaque Control in the Prevention of Oral Disease.” Journal of Public Health Policy 4.3(1983): 298-312. JSTOR. Helmke Lib.,
Article 3:
Chrisman, Noel J. “Dental Difficulties: Americans’ Explination of Peridontal Disease.” Anthropology Today 5.11989): 14-16. JSTOR. Helmke Lib.,
Annotated Citations
Article 1:
Yu, Winnie. “Tooth Truth.” Woman’s Day 70.3 (2007): 98-98. JSTOR. Helmke Lib.,
Article 3:
February 4, 2007
Bruce Ballenger Article
Once again, this was another article that I really enjoyed. I am a huge fan of photography, so I thought it was very neat that Ballenger could create such a relationship between that and writing. It made the reading very interesting for me! My dad and I were just having a conversation about Edward Weston about 3 days ago; it was extremely ironic to see his name at the beginning of this article!
I think the thing that stuck out to me most in this article is when Ballenger said, “A close shot can be richly detailed. Narrowing your focus in writing has the same effect – you begin to notice what most people miss.” During the last week when I had been attempting to narrow my topics down to 3, I was having a real hard time deciding “what exactly” I would be addressing on each topic. When I think about any specific topic as a whole, it’s tuff to focus on the “close shot” of it. Indeed though, the “close shot” is exactly what it’s going to take to make any paper interesting. This really helped me realize what exactly I need to go back and look for in each of my 3 topics before I can actually narrow it down to my final choice!
I think the thing that stuck out to me most in this article is when Ballenger said, “A close shot can be richly detailed. Narrowing your focus in writing has the same effect – you begin to notice what most people miss.” During the last week when I had been attempting to narrow my topics down to 3, I was having a real hard time deciding “what exactly” I would be addressing on each topic. When I think about any specific topic as a whole, it’s tuff to focus on the “close shot” of it. Indeed though, the “close shot” is exactly what it’s going to take to make any paper interesting. This really helped me realize what exactly I need to go back and look for in each of my 3 topics before I can actually narrow it down to my final choice!
Voices Arguments
“Oral hygiene is important to everyone because without proper oral hygiene one’s teeth will fall out.”
Comedic:
Are you kidding? If oral hygiene was really important to everyone, I would never be writing about this issue today! Now, to me, I can’t even begin to tell you how important I feel oral hygiene is. However, try asking the crack addict that’s standing down on the corner with his four front teeth missing, trying to collect money for his next drug deal, just how important his oral hygiene is to him! I’m pretty sure you can assume the opinion is not going to be mutual.
Involved and Angry:
How can people not care about their oral hygiene? So many first impressions come from that first smile when you meet somebody! There are so many opportunities out there for people to get cheap care for their oral well being, and it starts with a toothbrush, $3.49 at your local Wal-Mart!
Distant and Balanced:
Oral hygiene may not be important to everyone; however, people should take the time to realize how it truly affects your overall well being. It may be true that “…without proper oral hygiene one’s teeth will fall out,” but this isn’t the first consequence to poor oral health. There are so many problems that will occur first, but will eventually lead up to this severe travesty.
*** I believe that I will use the Distant and Balanced voice. To tell you the truth, I had a very hard time coming up with an argument for the other two voices! Nothing about my topic comes off to me as Comedic or Angry! In fact, I think that while attempting to write those responses, they came off ruder than anything else …. And I really don’t like that!
Comedic:
Are you kidding? If oral hygiene was really important to everyone, I would never be writing about this issue today! Now, to me, I can’t even begin to tell you how important I feel oral hygiene is. However, try asking the crack addict that’s standing down on the corner with his four front teeth missing, trying to collect money for his next drug deal, just how important his oral hygiene is to him! I’m pretty sure you can assume the opinion is not going to be mutual.
Involved and Angry:
How can people not care about their oral hygiene? So many first impressions come from that first smile when you meet somebody! There are so many opportunities out there for people to get cheap care for their oral well being, and it starts with a toothbrush, $3.49 at your local Wal-Mart!
Distant and Balanced:
Oral hygiene may not be important to everyone; however, people should take the time to realize how it truly affects your overall well being. It may be true that “…without proper oral hygiene one’s teeth will fall out,” but this isn’t the first consequence to poor oral health. There are so many problems that will occur first, but will eventually lead up to this severe travesty.
*** I believe that I will use the Distant and Balanced voice. To tell you the truth, I had a very hard time coming up with an argument for the other two voices! Nothing about my topic comes off to me as Comedic or Angry! In fact, I think that while attempting to write those responses, they came off ruder than anything else …. And I really don’t like that!
Finding Fallacies
Article 1: Global News Wire. Proper Oral Hygiene Will Save Your Teeth From Falling.
August 21, 2006.
Summary: I only found, what I believe to be, one fallacy in this article.
“Oral hygiene is important to everyone because without proper oral hygiene one’s teeth will fall out.”
Although this statement is true to an extent, I believe it fits the description to be an oversimplification fallacy. It is true that without proper oral hygiene, your teeth could eventually fall out, but it is nothing that will happen like, tomorrow, if you don’t take care of them.
The rest of this article went on to give brushing instructions such as, your teeth should be brushed after every meal and at bedtime, and flossed at least once per day. There are also special supplements that can help with oral hygiene, such as, special toothpicks, water irrigation, or other devices. It was also made clear that dentists recommend having your teeth cleaned professionally every six months, and personal toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months. Lastly, they end the article by letting us all know, “neglect is the only thing really that can lead to poor oral health.”
Article 2: PR Newswire US. Guardian Dental Survey Reveals: Most Americans Connect Oral Health to Overall Health. Boomers confident They’ll Have Most of their Teeth in Retirement, Gen X and Y less optimistic. November 9, 2005
Summary: This is where I started having problems. I did not find a single fallacy in this article. This was strictly a medical/professional reading that was full of exact statistics. (Or what I can only assume to be “exact” statistics)
This article, as I said, gave a lot of statistics after interviewing everyday Americans. According to PR newswire US, 89% of Americans make the connection that their overall health is linked to their dental hygiene according to a consumer dental survey.
Guardian Dental, is actually the insurance that hosted this survey, and it turns out that, seven in ten adult consumers report making a visit to the dentist at least annually, with a surprising 47% of consumers saying they visit the dentist every six months. They also discovered that the biggest reason people without insurance limit their dental visits, is due to the lack of coverage.
For more information on Guardian Life Insurance, please visit http://www.guardianlife.com/
Article 3: Canadian Corporate Newswire. Brush, Floss and Butt Out for a Whiter Smile. April 10, 2006
Summary: Once again, I was only able to find one fallacy in this article, and it was right in the opening statement.
“There is nothing more contagious than a beautiful smile.”
Although smiles are extremely contagious, I can think of a lot of things that are more contagious than a smile. I believe that this fallacy is an oversimplification fallacy.
The remainder of this article addressed the downfalls of smoking, and the different health issues that can be associated with smoking. This author was trying very hard to encourage people to quit smoking. “Not only is quitting smoking one of the best ways to improve overall well-being, but kicking the habit will also improve the health of your teeth and mouth,” as quoted by Canadian Corporate Newswire. They also state that by quitting smoking people can improve their breath and the color of their teeth, while at the same time reducing the rate and incidences of gum disease and oral cancer! The last part of the article was promoting Nicorette (x) gum, claiming that it will help brighten smiles.
August 21, 2006.
Summary: I only found, what I believe to be, one fallacy in this article.
“Oral hygiene is important to everyone because without proper oral hygiene one’s teeth will fall out.”
Although this statement is true to an extent, I believe it fits the description to be an oversimplification fallacy. It is true that without proper oral hygiene, your teeth could eventually fall out, but it is nothing that will happen like, tomorrow, if you don’t take care of them.
The rest of this article went on to give brushing instructions such as, your teeth should be brushed after every meal and at bedtime, and flossed at least once per day. There are also special supplements that can help with oral hygiene, such as, special toothpicks, water irrigation, or other devices. It was also made clear that dentists recommend having your teeth cleaned professionally every six months, and personal toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months. Lastly, they end the article by letting us all know, “neglect is the only thing really that can lead to poor oral health.”
Article 2: PR Newswire US. Guardian Dental Survey Reveals: Most Americans Connect Oral Health to Overall Health. Boomers confident They’ll Have Most of their Teeth in Retirement, Gen X and Y less optimistic. November 9, 2005
Summary: This is where I started having problems. I did not find a single fallacy in this article. This was strictly a medical/professional reading that was full of exact statistics. (Or what I can only assume to be “exact” statistics)
This article, as I said, gave a lot of statistics after interviewing everyday Americans. According to PR newswire US, 89% of Americans make the connection that their overall health is linked to their dental hygiene according to a consumer dental survey.
Guardian Dental, is actually the insurance that hosted this survey, and it turns out that, seven in ten adult consumers report making a visit to the dentist at least annually, with a surprising 47% of consumers saying they visit the dentist every six months. They also discovered that the biggest reason people without insurance limit their dental visits, is due to the lack of coverage.
For more information on Guardian Life Insurance, please visit http://www.guardianlife.com/
Article 3: Canadian Corporate Newswire. Brush, Floss and Butt Out for a Whiter Smile. April 10, 2006
Summary: Once again, I was only able to find one fallacy in this article, and it was right in the opening statement.
“There is nothing more contagious than a beautiful smile.”
Although smiles are extremely contagious, I can think of a lot of things that are more contagious than a smile. I believe that this fallacy is an oversimplification fallacy.
The remainder of this article addressed the downfalls of smoking, and the different health issues that can be associated with smoking. This author was trying very hard to encourage people to quit smoking. “Not only is quitting smoking one of the best ways to improve overall well-being, but kicking the habit will also improve the health of your teeth and mouth,” as quoted by Canadian Corporate Newswire. They also state that by quitting smoking people can improve their breath and the color of their teeth, while at the same time reducing the rate and incidences of gum disease and oral cancer! The last part of the article was promoting Nicorette (x) gum, claiming that it will help brighten smiles.
January 28, 2007
WORKING THESIS
1. DENTAL:
People everyday wonder what the benefits of going to the dentist are - Truthfully, oral health affects not only your teeth and gums, but your overall well-being!
2. CYSTIC FIBROSIS:
This devastating disease that conquers the lungs of so many young children in America, is too often unheard of – Awareness needs to be raised to give hope to these young lives.
3. WOMEN IN THE MILITARY:
Although women endure the same blood and turmoil as men, when it comes to war, Americans still feel that there should be restrictions against them!
People everyday wonder what the benefits of going to the dentist are - Truthfully, oral health affects not only your teeth and gums, but your overall well-being!
2. CYSTIC FIBROSIS:
This devastating disease that conquers the lungs of so many young children in America, is too often unheard of – Awareness needs to be raised to give hope to these young lives.
3. WOMEN IN THE MILITARY:
Although women endure the same blood and turmoil as men, when it comes to war, Americans still feel that there should be restrictions against them!
ARGUMENTS
1. DENTAL:
How does oral health affect our overall well-being?
2. CYSTIC FIBROSIS:
Is there enough awareness and research “out there” on the Cystic Fibrosis disease?
3. WOMEN IN THE MILITARY:
Should women in the military be restricted to their jobs and qualifications due to their gender?
How does oral health affect our overall well-being?
2. CYSTIC FIBROSIS:
Is there enough awareness and research “out there” on the Cystic Fibrosis disease?
3. WOMEN IN THE MILITARY:
Should women in the military be restricted to their jobs and qualifications due to their gender?
LexisNexis SUMMARIES: MILITARY WOMEN & THEIR WAY OF LIFE
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. Military defends way of life. November 9, 2006
This was a very touching article for me, because it was written by a military family member. These articles always seem to “move” me. Like many active military members and their family, this person felt that the men and women of the armed forces are not given enough credit for their everyday sacrifice. They say, “The service men and women have put their lives in danger. They have done that for you. That is an amazing thing when you think about where and how we live today. Most people are ignorant of the military. Ignorance breeds fear and distrust.” There are also statistics given in this article stating that at one point in the US, one in every seven Americans had served in the military, today, it is more like one in three hundred. I can not believe that!!!
US Fed News. U.S. MILITARY WOMEN: TOO CLOSE TO COMBAT ZONE? May 25, 2005.
In this article, I learned that today our military forces are made up of nearly 15% women. Yay for us! :o) Over the years we are crossed many barriers and are now able to hold MOST positions that are offered, except in units that engage in ground combat. There is currently a bill in the US Congress that is seeking to restrict the role of female troops in combat zones. If this bill is passed, it will affect more that 20 thousand women in the service. Sometimes I wonder how the men serving truly feel about this. Maybe I should call up some of my military boys and ask them. I never really thought about it until I started researching this. To date in Iraq, more than 11 thousand US military women are serving and more than thirty have died, mostly near combat zones. This bill that is in office right now was started because of people like Professor Hanson, who stated, “Women in the military are shown to be either too vulnerable and too weak or somehow too strange and aberrant. Too much focus on sex scandals, rape and other problems gives the impression that women hinder rather than contribute to the success of the armed forces.” This statement really made me angry. If it weren’t for the women in the military, many of the hospitals and medical facilities wouldn’t be “manned”!!! Then what?
The Record. Women becoming a lethal force in military. Tom Davis. February 21, 2005.
I learned many great statistics in this article. Of the nearly 200,000 US troops deployed in Iraw and Afghanistan, about 13,000 are women. While most of the women there are performing supporting roles such as nurses, clerks, administrators, and other related jobs, there are just as many that are armed and prepared to preserve security! (good for them!) After more than 2 years of conflict in Iraq, nearly three times as many women have died in Iraq as in the entire Vietnam War. YIKES!!! Tom Davis stated, “Their role (women) on the battlefield remains restricted, even though they endure the same blood and turmoil as men. Women still can’t serve in combat positions, such as the Special Forces or Infantry, or ride in tanks though, according to the Pentagon.” Women were not allowed to join the military until the World War I era, and they weren’t permitted in service academies until 1976!
This was a very touching article for me, because it was written by a military family member. These articles always seem to “move” me. Like many active military members and their family, this person felt that the men and women of the armed forces are not given enough credit for their everyday sacrifice. They say, “The service men and women have put their lives in danger. They have done that for you. That is an amazing thing when you think about where and how we live today. Most people are ignorant of the military. Ignorance breeds fear and distrust.” There are also statistics given in this article stating that at one point in the US, one in every seven Americans had served in the military, today, it is more like one in three hundred. I can not believe that!!!
US Fed News. U.S. MILITARY WOMEN: TOO CLOSE TO COMBAT ZONE? May 25, 2005.
In this article, I learned that today our military forces are made up of nearly 15% women. Yay for us! :o) Over the years we are crossed many barriers and are now able to hold MOST positions that are offered, except in units that engage in ground combat. There is currently a bill in the US Congress that is seeking to restrict the role of female troops in combat zones. If this bill is passed, it will affect more that 20 thousand women in the service. Sometimes I wonder how the men serving truly feel about this. Maybe I should call up some of my military boys and ask them. I never really thought about it until I started researching this. To date in Iraq, more than 11 thousand US military women are serving and more than thirty have died, mostly near combat zones. This bill that is in office right now was started because of people like Professor Hanson, who stated, “Women in the military are shown to be either too vulnerable and too weak or somehow too strange and aberrant. Too much focus on sex scandals, rape and other problems gives the impression that women hinder rather than contribute to the success of the armed forces.” This statement really made me angry. If it weren’t for the women in the military, many of the hospitals and medical facilities wouldn’t be “manned”!!! Then what?
The Record. Women becoming a lethal force in military. Tom Davis. February 21, 2005.
I learned many great statistics in this article. Of the nearly 200,000 US troops deployed in Iraw and Afghanistan, about 13,000 are women. While most of the women there are performing supporting roles such as nurses, clerks, administrators, and other related jobs, there are just as many that are armed and prepared to preserve security! (good for them!) After more than 2 years of conflict in Iraq, nearly three times as many women have died in Iraq as in the entire Vietnam War. YIKES!!! Tom Davis stated, “Their role (women) on the battlefield remains restricted, even though they endure the same blood and turmoil as men. Women still can’t serve in combat positions, such as the Special Forces or Infantry, or ride in tanks though, according to the Pentagon.” Women were not allowed to join the military until the World War I era, and they weren’t permitted in service academies until 1976!
LexisNexis SUMMARIES: CYSTIC FIBROSIS
The Gardian. Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis Rages on Across the Nation. May 16, 2006.
When the CF Foundations was founded in 1960, it was nicknamed “65 Roses”, because many of the children diagnosed with this disease would never live long enough to even be able to correctly pronounce the name. Cystic Fibrosis is a fatal inherited disease affecting young children. The disease causes a build-up of thick mucus in the lungs causing extreme respiratory problems. Lung disease is the leading cause of people with CF because years of chronic lung infections are so damaging to the lung disease. Tremendous accomplishments have been made in the battle against CF in the recent years and many are even living to the age of 37.
Science Letter via NewsRx.com and NewsRx.net, Science Letter. CYSTIC FIBROSIS; special supplement on cystic fibrosis published by Journal of Pediatrics. October 25, 2005.
This article stated that approximately 30,000 people have cystic fibrosis, and roughly one child of every 3,500 is born with it. Children with CF have a higher risk of being preterm with a relative risk of 2.62 associated with a lower birth weight and increased risk of being small for the rest of their life. This article was filled with many birthing and weight statistics. There is also a new screening that can be done on newborns for CF. The strategy combines (PAP) and (IRT) assays on newborn blood screening cards.
Global News Wire. ACN Newswire. FIRST CYSTIC FIBROSIS CORD BLOOD COLLECTION BY CYGENICS. April 27, 2006.
This was a fascinating article about precious stem cells from the cord blood of a new born baby. This clinical history was made at The Mercy Hospital in Werribee, Australia. A baby boy, Aiden Brundell, donated his cord blood to his sister Mikaela, who’s lungs were failing from Cystic Fibrosis, in hopes of one day saving her life. This was the first collection of cord blood ever taken from a sibling. Australians believe that this may be a major step towards treating the deadly effects of their most common severe genetic condition among children, for which there is no cure! :o( Professor Bob Williamson, spokesperson for CF stated, “Cord blood stem cells represent a real glimmer of hope for cystic fibrosis sufferers, with their potential to physically rebuild lungs previously considered damaged beyond repair.”
When the CF Foundations was founded in 1960, it was nicknamed “65 Roses”, because many of the children diagnosed with this disease would never live long enough to even be able to correctly pronounce the name. Cystic Fibrosis is a fatal inherited disease affecting young children. The disease causes a build-up of thick mucus in the lungs causing extreme respiratory problems. Lung disease is the leading cause of people with CF because years of chronic lung infections are so damaging to the lung disease. Tremendous accomplishments have been made in the battle against CF in the recent years and many are even living to the age of 37.
Science Letter via NewsRx.com and NewsRx.net, Science Letter. CYSTIC FIBROSIS; special supplement on cystic fibrosis published by Journal of Pediatrics. October 25, 2005.
This article stated that approximately 30,000 people have cystic fibrosis, and roughly one child of every 3,500 is born with it. Children with CF have a higher risk of being preterm with a relative risk of 2.62 associated with a lower birth weight and increased risk of being small for the rest of their life. This article was filled with many birthing and weight statistics. There is also a new screening that can be done on newborns for CF. The strategy combines (PAP) and (IRT) assays on newborn blood screening cards.
Global News Wire. ACN Newswire. FIRST CYSTIC FIBROSIS CORD BLOOD COLLECTION BY CYGENICS. April 27, 2006.
This was a fascinating article about precious stem cells from the cord blood of a new born baby. This clinical history was made at The Mercy Hospital in Werribee, Australia. A baby boy, Aiden Brundell, donated his cord blood to his sister Mikaela, who’s lungs were failing from Cystic Fibrosis, in hopes of one day saving her life. This was the first collection of cord blood ever taken from a sibling. Australians believe that this may be a major step towards treating the deadly effects of their most common severe genetic condition among children, for which there is no cure! :o( Professor Bob Williamson, spokesperson for CF stated, “Cord blood stem cells represent a real glimmer of hope for cystic fibrosis sufferers, with their potential to physically rebuild lungs previously considered damaged beyond repair.”
LexisNexis: DENTAL SUMMARIES
High-Risk Medical Patients to Benefit From New Delta Dental Coverage. Business View. October 26, 2006
This article talked mainly about a new insurance policy with Delta Dental, however, there were many good statistics and information about overall oral heath. Such as; evidence has shown that early treatment and prevention of oral disease can improve quality of life and prevent premature death. Patients with serious health conditions such as kidney failure, HIV, organ transplant, and stem cell transplant can benefit from having their teeth cleaned professionally to reduce the build-up of bacteria in their mouth: This can help decrease the risk of bacteria getting into their bloodstream. Some research as also shown that an increased frequency of cleanings can help pregnant women give birth to full-term, healthy babies. Cleanings can decrease the risk of gum disease, a condition that causes pre-mature births.
Beyond a Bright Smile. Business Wire. October 20, 2006.
This was an amazing article. There were so many good points made. It reminded me of my days back in the military, doing dental hygiene, counseling my patients! :o) Oh how I miss those days.
Oral health plays a huge role in more than just your gums and teeth, but your overall wellness. Routine dental checkups can help prevent serious health issues such as early detection of oral and throat cancer. One interesting fact that I learned is that 2.5 miliion dorkdays are lost each year due to oral health problems! How crazy is that? Many of these days could have been prevented by routine dental exams.
The Whole Tooth. Sunday Herald Sun. Helen Signy May 28, 2005.
“A bright, white smile looks great, but can also keep your body in tip-top shape.” Helen Signy. Again, this article reitterated that fact that maintaining good oral heath is essential for your general wellbeing. Neglecting your mouth can result in many other illnesses that are otherwilse unexplainable. Dr. Ron Ehrlich said, “A third of your body’s neurology is focused around the mouth. Your mouth is the start of your digestive tract, there are lots of blood vessels and bacteria, and it’s where we get our air supply. If you havfe fillings, their wear may cause you to inhale or swallow the by-products and any infection in the mouth can predispose you to other things.” I think that statement alone said SO MUCH! Many people would never have any idea that there are so many heath issues that can be related to your mouth!
This article talked mainly about a new insurance policy with Delta Dental, however, there were many good statistics and information about overall oral heath. Such as; evidence has shown that early treatment and prevention of oral disease can improve quality of life and prevent premature death. Patients with serious health conditions such as kidney failure, HIV, organ transplant, and stem cell transplant can benefit from having their teeth cleaned professionally to reduce the build-up of bacteria in their mouth: This can help decrease the risk of bacteria getting into their bloodstream. Some research as also shown that an increased frequency of cleanings can help pregnant women give birth to full-term, healthy babies. Cleanings can decrease the risk of gum disease, a condition that causes pre-mature births.
Beyond a Bright Smile. Business Wire. October 20, 2006.
This was an amazing article. There were so many good points made. It reminded me of my days back in the military, doing dental hygiene, counseling my patients! :o) Oh how I miss those days.
Oral health plays a huge role in more than just your gums and teeth, but your overall wellness. Routine dental checkups can help prevent serious health issues such as early detection of oral and throat cancer. One interesting fact that I learned is that 2.5 miliion dorkdays are lost each year due to oral health problems! How crazy is that? Many of these days could have been prevented by routine dental exams.
The Whole Tooth. Sunday Herald Sun. Helen Signy May 28, 2005.
“A bright, white smile looks great, but can also keep your body in tip-top shape.” Helen Signy. Again, this article reitterated that fact that maintaining good oral heath is essential for your general wellbeing. Neglecting your mouth can result in many other illnesses that are otherwilse unexplainable. Dr. Ron Ehrlich said, “A third of your body’s neurology is focused around the mouth. Your mouth is the start of your digestive tract, there are lots of blood vessels and bacteria, and it’s where we get our air supply. If you havfe fillings, their wear may cause you to inhale or swallow the by-products and any infection in the mouth can predispose you to other things.” I think that statement alone said SO MUCH! Many people would never have any idea that there are so many heath issues that can be related to your mouth!
Fulkerson's Article
WOW! What a great and informational article! It seems that with each new article I read for this class I say to myself, “gosh, if only I had known all of these things a couple of years ago!” :) I can only imagine the improved quality of those research papers!
Although I did find this article very helpful, it also left me in a state of confusion. I thought that I had my topics narrowed down for the most part, but I’m not so sure anymore! I think that I may not have thought in depth enough about what really interested me! Fulkerson said that when picking a topic, make sure it matters to you because; you have to live with it for the rest of the semester, you’re going to learn a great deal about the topic, and if you care about the topic, it will probably come through in the writing! These things are all so true! He also made a statement about doing research on some disease that has affected a friend or family member, and this interested me a lot. One of my best friends has suffered from Cystic Fibrosis all of her life. The disease has always intrigued me: I even became an active member in donating to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund. After reading Fulkerson’s article, I thought that this topic might me a good choice for me - or at least a good choice for my final three!
I also learned more about how research papers are arguments! This is something else that I never realized until the book reading from last week. I guess I always thought that the purpose of a research paper was just to provide as much information on the topic as possible – this is so, not true though! I also learned that there are a number of different ways to approach a research paper, and I thought it was great that Fulkerson gave so many examples in his article, I found this very helpful.
Lastly, the entry on “Five Ways That a Research Paper Can Go Wrong,” was very helpful! Fulkerson said, “The goal is to find the best answer currently available to the question you are dealing with.” This statement helped point me in the right direction in starting the actual research and thesis for my narrowed topics! Overall, what a great informational article this was! :)
Although I did find this article very helpful, it also left me in a state of confusion. I thought that I had my topics narrowed down for the most part, but I’m not so sure anymore! I think that I may not have thought in depth enough about what really interested me! Fulkerson said that when picking a topic, make sure it matters to you because; you have to live with it for the rest of the semester, you’re going to learn a great deal about the topic, and if you care about the topic, it will probably come through in the writing! These things are all so true! He also made a statement about doing research on some disease that has affected a friend or family member, and this interested me a lot. One of my best friends has suffered from Cystic Fibrosis all of her life. The disease has always intrigued me: I even became an active member in donating to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Fund. After reading Fulkerson’s article, I thought that this topic might me a good choice for me - or at least a good choice for my final three!
I also learned more about how research papers are arguments! This is something else that I never realized until the book reading from last week. I guess I always thought that the purpose of a research paper was just to provide as much information on the topic as possible – this is so, not true though! I also learned that there are a number of different ways to approach a research paper, and I thought it was great that Fulkerson gave so many examples in his article, I found this very helpful.
Lastly, the entry on “Five Ways That a Research Paper Can Go Wrong,” was very helpful! Fulkerson said, “The goal is to find the best answer currently available to the question you are dealing with.” This statement helped point me in the right direction in starting the actual research and thesis for my narrowed topics! Overall, what a great informational article this was! :)
January 21, 2007
7 Possible Topics
1- Life in the military (the differences in ways of life from being a civilian – being a female in the military)
2- How the military changed my life
3- The UN as a peace keeping force
4- Traveling (not exactly sure where to go with this topic?)
5- Comparing ways of life in the different countries I have traveled to
6- the benefits of coaching and mentoring “low income” children
7- Advancements in technology in the dental career field
2- How the military changed my life
3- The UN as a peace keeping force
4- Traveling (not exactly sure where to go with this topic?)
5- Comparing ways of life in the different countries I have traveled to
6- the benefits of coaching and mentoring “low income” children
7- Advancements in technology in the dental career field
Critical Reading
Critical reading is important for many different reasons. I tend to always read through things several times, but I thought it was because my mind wandered too much while I was reading! J That may be part of the problem, but for critical reading, it is suggested that you read through several times anyways. The first time through should be to get a grasp of the article, the second time through should be a “slower read”, and is to evaluate words that may not be common and to get a better grasp or the reading. Another aspect of critical reading is analyzing and jotting down notes while you are reading - this can help you remember important points!
Global Warming
To tell you the truth, I have always thought that the whole “global warming” issue was a hoax! It sounds like a bunch of babble that someone decided to throw together one day for, what I see, as no reason what-so-ever. It is very possible that I feel this way because it doesn’t interest me in the least bit. However, I find it hard to believe any of the arguments. The website most certainly has good points to make, and the topic has clearly been researched in depth. Unfortunately, like I said before, The topic is just not interesting to me!
War in Iraq - Comparable Issue
I would agree that to an extent, the war may be a comparable issue to that of Carson’s article. It is something that has truly affected every aspect of the American life. After researching a little and also reading Elyse’s posting, she made some very good points that I would reiterate about the war. Unfortunately, when it comes to the war in Iraq, there are so many things that the American people do not know or do not feel that they need to take the time to truly “see” the situation. I am a supporter of the war in Iraq, probably because I am a veteran, and have 2 brothers that are also proudly serving. I may not agree with every reason that we are there, or exactly how things are being done, but in order to support our country I feel we also need to support what is going on. Our troops are over there fighting for our rights to be able to sit here today and bash on them as well as our leader – unfair!
The Stuart Greene article
I must admit, I never truly realized the “depth” that must go into a research paper. I have written my share of them, but now realize how much better they may have been given this information. Sure, I realized that all sides and aspects of the topic must me explored, but to the extent – I don’t think I realized the impact it may have! I thought the passage from Kenneth Burke about walking into a heated discussion was a great example of how research works. It is very important to research and cover all aspects of your chosen topic. Doing this will eliminate the likelihood of any argument arising about your topic that may have before caught you off guard.
Greene also opens with the statement, “Argument is very much a part of what we do every day.” I can’t tell you how much I agree with this statement! When I really thought about it I realized that the only way we truly get our points across about anything – is through argument!
Greene also opens with the statement, “Argument is very much a part of what we do every day.” I can’t tell you how much I agree with this statement! When I really thought about it I realized that the only way we truly get our points across about anything – is through argument!
Rachel Carson - Silent Springs
Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Springs”, affected Americans for a number of different reasons. She seemed to be able to take such an important issue and word it in a way that made is sound so simple, yet the importance of the message was never lost. I think that in many situations, this can be a tough thing to conquer. Until 1962 when people’s lifestyles were placed before them, many did not realize how harmful their lifestyle had been to their everyday surroundings. I also believe that here article had an impact due to the story she used in the beginning. Often times, stories can be used to grab the attention of the audience and possibly give them a reason to relate to the article or story.
January 14, 2007
Danielle Spratt - a little bit about ME!
My name is Danielle Spratt; I am 23 years old and from the small town of Bryan, Ohio - about 45 miles north east of Ft. Wayne. I grew up in a family of 5 as the middle child, the only girl, and best of all ... Daddy’s girl! I have an older brother, Chris- 25 years old, and a younger brother, Kevin- 22 years old. Both of my brothers are active members in the military. My brother Chris is in the United States Air Force and stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. My brother Kevin, is in the United States Coast Guard and stationed in the Virgin Islands. My parents are 2 of the most important people in my life; they also just recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary. 
I graduated from Bryan High School in 2001, and from there I joined the United States Air Force out of rebellion! I was trained as a dental assistant, and received my fist assignment in March of 2002, to Aviano Air Base, Italy. I lived in a small town in northern Italy, about an hour south of Venice for a little over two years. I met one of my best friends over there and we had a wonderful time traveling to different countries. During the 2 short years that I lived there I fell in love with every aspect of Italy, and traveling as a whole! I have been to Germany, Austria, Croatia, Switzerland, Slovenia, Sicily, San Marino, England, France, Spain, Africa- Tunis and Egypt, and all up and down the coast of Italy. I absolutely love traveling, and one day hope to travel as much of the world as possible!
In May of 2004 I was reassigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina, and remained there until September 2005. During my year there I focused a lot of my time on school and taking all of my prerequisite classes. In the summer of 2005 I decided that I was ready to move on with my life by completing my undergraduate studies, so I applied for an early separation program. My paperwork was approved by early August and I officially separated from the military on 15 September 2005. My parents were a big factor in helping me make the right decision with my life, so until about a month ago I was living with them. However, after one whole year, the hour commute to and from school each
day started to take its toll on me - so last month my friend Tiff and I moved in together and are enjoying our new apartment in Ft. Wayne! :)
My parents have recently sold our childhood home in Bryan, Ohio and moved to our lake cottage at Hamilton Lake in Indiana. It was a very emotional transition, but I look forward to watching the new construction!
As far as college, I am a junior at IPFW and a Biology/Pre-Dental major. I fell in love with the dental career field while I was in the military, and decided that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life!
I am a huge fan of the outdoors! I love running, gymnastics, all water sports, and just about any other sport that is played outside, except golf, I suck at golf!
Some of my other hobbies include scrapbooking an
djewelry making. I also have a 1 year old chocolate lab puppy that takes up a lot of my time! :) Her name is Bella, (which means beautiful in Italian), and she is my spoiled little baby …. I am absolutely obsessed with her! When I’m not at school, Bella and I are usually out playing fetch, running, or watching Disney & Pixar movies in bed!!! :)
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