Final Draft & Cover Letter

Project 2: Culture and Community in Academia

ENGL 101 / Fall 2019

1. Tow revisions that I made was further analyzing the similarities and differences within the two
articles this was prompted by self-revision, along with further analyzing the details of each
component in part 2. In my draft I didn’t not answer all questions provided and when I revised it
I answers all questions provided for each component and provided examples, this was prompted
by peer revisions done in class.

2. I began this project by finding two sources that relate to the community that I will be talking
about as well as finding these sources to connect to each other yet have multiple differences
within them. I then began my analysis by filling out the chart. After getting peer feedback I was
able to revise my chart and create a deeper analysis of these two articles. Then from this strong
analysis I was able to complete part three where I synthesized and reflected on these two
articles and what I have learned from them, also the impact that they have on this community. I
believe that my revision of my chart in part two was the most important because without this
stronger analysis that I created I would not have been able to fulfill the requirements of part
three where I use my strong analysis two further identify other features from the articles.
3.

4. In this entire project I am most proud of my analysis of each article within my analysis chart. I’m
proud of how I was able to break down each element and also find the similarities and
differences within each element between the two prompts.

5. I believe that the strongest part of my projects is part 2, my chart. I believe that my chart is
strong in the sense that it easily conveys each element and how they are seen in the articles.
This section also does a good job in helping better my understanding of each element and how
they connect to the project as a whole.

6. I wish that I had more time to expand on my analysis of the two articles and the way effect
people from the community today. The articles mostly expand on how the changes effect
people just now entering the community and thus where my analysis lies, but this change also
effects people already in the community and it wish I had time to expand on the kinds of
impacts it has. I think this could make the connections with the articles and todays society
stronger and more interesting and powerful.

7. During this project I learned many things about myself. One of these things is my ability to
analyze articles and identify components within articles like context, descriptive language,
structure and more. However, I did not do well the first time I analyzed these articles I did
 however do better after revising my chart, where I was able to find my strength in my analysis.
One thing I want to continue to work on is being able to use these analyses that I make and
apply them other prompts.

8. This project has helped me clarify my knowledge of rhetorical devices and components used
within articles. This has extended my knowledge of what these components are as well as
finding these components within other writings. I can also use this knowledge to then apply
these analyses of the components to other situations and questions.

9. Compared to the beginning of the semester I feel like I have grown as a writer. I believe that I
have better improved my analysis of different writings and being able to identify components
within writings. One example of this would be my Part 2 analysis chart within this project. One
thing That I believe I can improve on is furthering my analysis of writings and being able to apply
them to other situations and prompts. I believe that I have made progress towards this goal.
This project specifically has forced me to further my analysis and apply it to other questions.
Because of this I was able to identify where a struggle and now how to improve and work on
this.

10. One thing I would like my instructor to know about this project is that it was a very interesting
project to do and I believe that my improvement of my analysis was very great compared to my
draft and that I have learned much about identifying components within writings. And I now feel
confident in using these skills in the future with other forms of writing.

Project 2: Culture and Community in

Academia
ENGL 101 / Fall 2019

Part 2: Analysis Chart

Rhetorical
Situation Source 1 Source 2 Comparison
Source Adoptions in America are declining Adoption trends today
Name
Source www.google.com/amp/s/amp.economist.com/unite www.socialworktoday.com/archive/111715p
URL d-states/2017/06/24/adoptions-in-america-are- 18.shtml
declining
Academic academic popular
or
Popular?
Summary The article describes how and why adoptions in The article describes the trends of adoption
of topic, America are declining and that it’s due to the now. It describes the language barriers,
argument lowered amount of teen pregnancies. And it also along with the internet’s impact on the
(s), describes how it is more difficult to adopt from adoption rates. It also described who is
content outside of the country. this article also explores the getting adopted and why. "Over the past
statistics among foster care and how the number of several decades, views about adoption, the
kids in foster care are changing as well. language of adoption, who is adopting, and
who is being adopted have all changed" as
well as what to expect in the future.
Purpose The purpose of the article is not only to inform
people of why the adoption rates are declining but
also to explain why they are declining and then
because of this we can conclude where most
adoptions are coming from. This article's purpose is
also to encourage a change within the government
to create laws to give kids in foster care permanent
homes and to make people aware of the changes
within this community and mostly to create changes
to provides children all over the world a permanent
home.
Audience The audience of this seems to be general people of
the US who seem to be interested in the topic, but
also people who are looking into more information
about adoption and fostering. As well as people
within the government to create a change within
these communities of foster care and adoption. as
well as people to have then work to make a change
within their own government.
Context The context of this article is more recent and up to
date, so they are basing it off of the stigmas that
there are in today’s society within the culture of
adoption. the context also has to do with the stigmas
of adoption, foster care, and young parents. the
political purposes within this text is also included as
the author is attempting to create a change within
these communities to provide children with
permanent homes and to provide parents and
families, who are unable to have children, with
children.
Descriptiv Within this text there is much logic and statistics that
e the author uses. The article is mostly based upon
Language statistics with exception of the first paragraph and
last paragraph that include person arguments from
the author to create a change. Because of this while
it is mostly statistical language there is also emotion
and passion within this article, to convey the author's
purpose.
Design In this article there are no visual elements like tables,
figures, or animations. there is, however, one picture
at the top of the article that has a picture of 3
children all of different ethnicities, most likely to
reinforce the diversity that comes with adoption.
When it comes to the arrangement of the text on in
the article it is set up like a basic news article. So
there is nothing too interesting when it comes to the
design within the article.
The purpose is to inform people of the Similarities: both
barriers that come with adoption and the informative
impact it has on adoption rated and is Differences: article 1 is
informative on the kids that do get adopted. more news like opposed
This article is also meant to be informative to 2 that wants to just
to those already around or who are inform people more on
expecting to be around the adoptive culture the topic
and inform then on the languages used
today when it comes to the adoptive
community.
The audience seems to be directed more Similarities: they are both
towards people who want to know about for an audience that
adoption and the community/culture of wants to learn more
adoption. as well as to people who are about the topic sand why
expecting to be part of this community may be looking to adopt
weather it be a family member, friend, or Differences: artcle 1 can
prospective parent, as it also provides the be more for general
change in language used in this community. audience as well
This is shows as it informs people on what to
expect rather than informing a general
audience of the community and the way it
changes.
Bases upon today's society and on more Similarities: both based
recent changes and stigmas. "There are also upon same time and
changes today in who adopts. At one time, precedence
only young, infertile, married couples were Differences: the 1st
allowed to adopt; today, adoptive parents article is done by a
are an extremely varied group, including general author conveying
people who are beyond childbearing age, news, while the author of
divorced, unmarried, gay, lesbian, and article 2 is connected
fertile." and "Many of today's adoption- more with this topic.
related laws, policies, and practices, created
decades ago, no longer fit today's adoption
realities, according to Adam Pertman of the
National Center on Adoption and
Permanency."
while this text is filled with facts it's less Similarities: both use
statistics and numbers, rather, its logic and facts and quotes and
conveying an understanding of how and why outside sources
this culture/community had changed. it Differences: the fist used
includes many quotes and facts like ", more for statistics and
children today remain in orphanages abroad numbers and the article
for longer periods of time, suffering the is based upon these
negative impacts of institutionalization statistics, while the
(Pertman, 2015). " the author includes many second used facts and
sources and facts along the way but only to quotes to further he own
further the authors own argument and not article.
to create the paper.
There are not visual elements seen like Similarities: both don't
tables, figures, pictures, special fonts, or use visuals (article 1 used
animations. however the way the article is 1 picture)
set up and laid out is more like a paper Differences: article 1 is
rather than a news article. As the author laid out like a news
breaks down the topics into different article 2 is laid out more
sections, all with their own title that is in like a paper with
bold, like "Who Gets Adopted" and subtopics.
"Language and Views Have Changed" as well
as "A Peek at the Future"
Structure The article begins with a question about government The structure of this article is that is behind Similarities: both begin
intervention in adoption, the author then ends with with the general idea that will be conveyed with a summary of their
a question about government intervention in throughout this article and then it breaks topic
adoption and foster care however the questions are down into the categories it will be talking Differences: article 2 is
not the same. this could be to make the audience about, ultimately ending in what we are to broken down into
think about government intervention and then after expect in the future. The author then ends subtopics, article 1
hearing the facts that the author conveys; the the paper with her name and knowledge on begins with and question
audience can then think about this topic again. The the topic. And lastly provides the sources and then lease back to
author then goes on to talk about adoption and why that the author got her information from. that question in the end
the numbers are declining, then provided fact and with statistics in
statistics, then transitions into facts and statistics between.
about foster care and then the sad truth about foster
care. Ultimately leading back to a question about
government intervention within the foster care
system.
Style This piece of writing is mostly formal as it included The article's style is not completely formal; Similarities: both use
many statistics and quotes from outside sources, however it does include outside source that formal language
while there are some personal opinions conveyed by provide adequate information and the Differences: article 1 uses
the author this is done in a professional manner and references used are all educational. the more formal language
with facts to back up the authors ideas. The article article is formal however in the sense that and statistics while
does not include any slang other than short terms there is not use of passive tense nor slang or article 2 is not as formal
that apply to the community/culture that are used in abbreviations. The sentences are also more but does provide
quotations showing these are not the author's use of complex than the first. and there are no sufficient academic
slang, but the normal terms used in the specific patterns see in the punctuation. However, information.
community/culture. there are many more references used in this
than the first.
Rhetorical the author uses mostly the rhetorical appeal of logos There is many use of rhetorical appeals Similarities: both use
Appeals as the whole article is based upon logos with within this article. There is a lot of use of mostly logos and some
statements like "almost 23,000 children were logos, as there are many references to ethos
adopted from abroad in 2004; last year, only 5,400 outside texts and facts. the author conveys Differences: article 1 uses
were" there are many statistics that create the her ethos as she states at the end her statistical logos while
authors argument and purpose and the logos of also credentials and why she has credible article 2 used informative
using a quote form a person knowledgeable of this knowledge on this article. There is also the logos like quotes. article
topic also creates the author's ethos, proving the appeal of pathos through the emotion 2 also uses more pathos
authors knowledge but also that the ideas of the conveyed by the author when providing the than article 1. While
author are also based upon other people who are audience with the sad are involved within article 1 used pathos
knowledgeable. Lastly the author conveys the idea of the community/culture of adoption. article 2 used stronger
pathos through the last paragraph where the author and more pathos
pushed for a change within the government and
does three through the emotion of sadness and
makes the audience sad about the situation that
children in foster care are put into.
Literacies in order to understand this text not many literacies in order to understand this text not many Similarities: both are very
are needed. Everything that the author conveys in literacies are needed. Everything that the similar in this category as
this text are basic knowledge and if it is not the author explains is new information, as it no kind of literacies are
author explains and expands on these topics that describes recent changes and so the author needed to understand
may be seen as confusing. The author speaks about expands on these topics that may be seen as the texts
the culture/community of foster care and adoption; confusing. The author speaks about the Differences: article 2 is
however he explains these concepts and make then culture/community of foster care and directed more towards
understandable to the general audience. adoption. people who are closely
related to the topic so
the author goes more
into depth for this
audience rather than the
first that just gives facts
and doesn't go into too
much depth as it is more
informative towards a
general audience.
 Communi the culture/community that appears within this text
ties/Cultu is the adoptive community and those who connect
res with adoption weather they are adopted or have
adopted children or are related to a person that is
adopted. the author describes adoption as it is in
today's society referencing how it was in the past.
the idea that, generally, kids that get put up for
adoption are from young single pregnant women,
but while the stigma among young single mother’s
change, so does the kids that get put up for
adoption. and thus, the community of young single
mothers also exists among this article. also, the
community of foster care and foster children appears
in this article, and the idea that many foster children
age out of the system and are often forgotten about
and left behind. as most kids in foster care do not get
reunited with their birth parents.
Personal this article was very interesting and i likes reading it
Notes/Th as it talked about the community i am part of along
oughts as with the community that some of my family
You Were members are part of. It was very interesting to know
Reading more about the foster system and the many
problems that come with it as well
the culture/community that appears within Similarities: Both about
this text is the adoptive community and the community/culture
those who relate or are connected with of adoption along with
adoption weather they are adopted or have the community/culture
adopted children or are related to a person of those who adopt
that is adopted, mostly if they are planning Differences: article 2 also
on adopting. the author describes adoption included the
as it is in today's society referencing how it community/culture of
was in the past. And what we are expected foster care and foster
to see it be in the future. The community children. while article 1
that also briefly exists among this article are did talk about this
the diverse communities of people who community it did not go
adopt children for example "including into depth as much as
people who are beyond childbearing age, article 1 did.
divorced, unmarried, gay, lesbian, and
fertile"
I was very interested in this topic. coming
from someone in this community i was very
interested in seeing how it has changed as i
was adopted 18 years ago. This article was
more in depth on more of the changes
within adoption. this was very interesting to
see. It was not just about the numbers or
statistics. as these are kids we are talking
about, but it is about the culture of adoption
and the other struggles that come with in in
today's society and i think that is so
important.

Part 3: Synthesize and reflect.

Connecting with a community or culture through academia is important in many ways, it allows us
to connect with people within the same community or culture but it also connects people from different
communities and cultures by helping others understand the community or culture better and provide a
better understanding of other people who may not be exactly like us. Within my two articles they
differed in many ways. The most prominent is the way the articles are arranged and what they are trying
to convey, and to whom they are conveying this idea to. The first article is arranging to inform a general
audience of the change within this society, and because of this change, to create a change within this
community. The second is more informative as it explained the changes within this community and
informed people what to expect from this community in today’s society, to do this the author arranged
the article by separating each change into a section. The texts are meant to bring to light the changes in
this community and the effects that it has had, the first article is important to the people in the
community because it is informative to a general audience and encourages everyday people to crate a
positive change for this community by insisting that “statehouses should be thinking hard about how to
find loving homes for more of these children” (the economist). While the second article is important to
those in the community because it addressed those connected to the community or those close to the
community and makes them aware of the changes that “over the past several decades, views about
adoption, the language of adoption, who is adopting, and who is being adopted have all changed" and
informs them on how to go about the changes within this community (Siegel). These two articles are
both very important to the community they are talking about at they both reach out to different people.
These articles encourage a shift within the community by addressing the changes that have been
occurring. The second article mostly wants to crate action within this community by informing the next
generation who is adopting ways to encourage positivity in light of these changes and to create an
understanding within this community. The author encourages “that accessible, affordable, high quality
services for both original and adoptive families are needed, so every child can be raised in a safe,
nurturing, permanent home in which all family members thrive” and that “when adoption is necessary,
lifelong access to high quality pre- and postadoption support services should be provided” (Siegel).