Bibliography- runnerd4

Posted on November 16, 2020 by runnerd4

Annotated Bibliography

1. Garber, N., Ehrhart, A., & Virginia Transportation Research Council. (1970, January 01). The effect of speed, flow, and geometric characteristics on crash rates for different types of Virginia highways. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/19514

Background:

This essay is about a study conducted on how many aspects affect the crash rates for Virginia Highways. It was found that speed limits above 68 mph substantially increase the number of crashes. Figure 6 “shows that at a relatively high flow per lane, the crash rate decreases as the standard deviation of speed increases.” This study shows that highways need to be relatively clear for the increase of speed limit to be able to decrease accidents

How I Used It:

Although I did not directly cite this source in my writing, it helped lead me to the research I did later on for my writing about higher flows of traffic. This gave me a starting point in my research from which I branched out from in my further research.

2. Temp. (2004). The Speedo. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from http://www.safespeed.org.uk/speedo.html

Background:

This article included a lot of interesting information from a study on how checking the speedometer affects the amount of time the driver’s focus is taken off the road. The first fact is that it takes the on average .91 seconds to check the speedometer and refocus human eyes on the road. 0.91 seconds is a lot considering how much can happen in just a split second when driving. It also included this chart about driving in a 50 mph zone for 8.2 seconds. Just one speedometer check reduces the percent of road observation by 13%!! If someone checks the speedometer very often the amount of observation lost can be extremely dangerous, especially when driving on a highway.

How I Used It:

I used this source when I was discussing different distractions while driving. I used the example of checking the speedometer to display that even a seemingly harmless distraction can cause accidents. Anything that takes the driver’s full attention off of the road is considered a distraction. I also used this source to show that removing the need to check the speedometer would reduce accidents by removing the distraction.

3. Navon, D. (2002, January 30). The paradox of driving speed: Two adverse effects on highway accident rate. Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457502000118

Background:

This was a great study. It showed that how the idea of “speed kills” isn’t entirely true. The thing that kills is when two vehicles enter what is called an accident prone interaction, or an API. APIs include ” (a) when cars moving on intersecting roads come at about the same time to an intersection, (b) when cars moving in opposite directions on the same undivided road pass each other, (c) when cars moving in the same direction on different lanes of the same road momentarily drive next to each other, and (d) when a car coming from the rear of another one switches lanes next to the other one (either by switching to an adjacent lane to overtake it, or by returning to the original lane).”  In the study it showed that traveling at higher rates of speed actually significantly reduced the amount of APIs a driver encounters. The faster the vehicles are going, the less time they spend near other cars. The less time they spend near other cars, the risk of accidents is greatly decreased. It also mentioned how speed limitless roads such as parts of the German autobahns had extremely low accident rates. When the traffic levels are high on those roads, the drivers naturally reduce their speeds to avoid accidents, which seems like common sense.

How I Used It:

I used this source multiple times throughout my paper. I used this source as evidence to explain how there are many other, much more important, factors to causing accidents other than speeding. I also used the topic of APIs to prove how traveling at faster rates of speed actually can reduce the accident rate. The sections of the article on the German Autobahn motivated me to do further research on the German Autobahn.

4. Houghlen, M. (2019, October 29). Is the Autobahn Safer Than U.S. Highways? Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.motorbiscuit.com/is-the-autobahn-safer-than-u-s-highways/

Background:

This article is about the German Autobahn. There are less vehicle related fatalities on the autobahn system than on the US highway system. This may be due to the fact that Germany takes great care of their highways and it is much more difficult and expensive to obtain a license in Germany than in the United States, costing up to $2000 and up to 6 months to complete. Germany also strictly enforces many traffic laws like no tailgating and the left lane is only for passing. Although the autobahn is not completely speed limitless, about 65% of the highway system is unrestricted.

How I Used It:

Although I did not cite this source in my writing, I used this source to research the German Autobahn. My research on the German Autobahn gave me a better understanding of what increasing the speed limit looks like in real life.

5. U.S Department of Transportation. (2000, November). Road Function Classifications. Retrieved October 9, 2020, from https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/speedmgt/data_facts/docs/rd_func_class_1_42.pdf

Background:

This infographic gave information about different categories of roads. The first type of road is the interstate system. The interstate system is characterized by a high level of mobility and high speeds over long distances. The next type is other arterial roads such as freeways and highways that supplement the interstate system. These types of roads connect major cities, movability is limited, and speeds are generally pretty high. Next, there are collectors that connect local roads with arterials. Collectors have lower mobility and lower speeds than arterials and the interstate system. Finally, there are local roads which are the types of roads that give access to residential areas and businesses. They have a lower speed limit than the other road types. The last bit of information given is about the distance traveled on each type of road and the fatality rates on these roads.

How I Used It:

I used this source to define which type of road would be reasonable to increase the speed limit on. I came to the conclusion that it would be safe for arterials, most especially the interstate system to increase their speed limits.

6. Intersection Safety Issue Briefs. (2009, November). Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/other_topics/fhwasa10005/brief_2.cfm

Background:

This source is from the Federal Highway Administration. The author(s) purpose of this piece is to give people information about the issue of safety in intersections. Intersections are very complex areas and it is important to make the correct decision at them. Adding the possibility of people making bad decisions at an intersection makes it even more difficult. It provided many important statistics dealing with crash rate at intersections, rate based on age and gender, rate based on type of traffic signal, rate over the years etc..

How I Used It:

I used this source to describe the importance of the decisions that people make when they are driving. I called these decisions critical decisions. Drivers have to make these decisions constantly. Making the wrong decision could very easily lead to an accident, while making the right decision could avoid an accident, as long as the other drivers make the right decision as well.

7. Virginia Tech. (2006, April 21). Findings Released On Real-world Driver Behavior, Distraction, Crash Factors. Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/04/060420233031.htm

Background:

This article went over the issue of driver inattention. Driver inattention is the leading cause in accidents and near accidents. One important fact from this article is that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some form of driver inattention. There are many activities that could cause a driver to be inattentive such as using a cell phone. Another important aspect is that drivers cannot ever truly find a safe time to take their eyes off of the road because the driving situation can change in a split second.

How I Used It:

I cited this source in my work using the statistic that 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some form of driver inattention. I used that statistic to display the issue of driver distraction in the causation of accidents. I used it to back up the idea that accidents are not simply caused by speeding, but there are many other, more important, aspects in the causation of accidents.

8. Currin, A. (2020, October 05). U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

Background:

This article is based on the concept of the dangers of distracted driving, especially texting and driving. Texting and driving is very common nowadays. One very concerting fact is that sending or reading a text takes the driver’s eyes off of the road for five seconds and at 55 mph for 5 seconds is the distance of a football field. Distracted driving puts so many people in danger, including the people in other cars. In 2018 alone there was 2841 people killed in accidents involving distracted drivers. The article also included information on how to work against distracted driving.

How I Used It:

I cited this article in my work by using the fact about how at 55 mph, checking a text causes someone to drive the distance of an entire football field without paying attention to the road. I also used this statistic to point out the issue of distracted driving and how it can cause many deadly accidents.

9. Choi, E. (2010, September). Crash Factors in Intersection-Related Crashes: An On-Scene Perspective. Retrieved October 26, 2020, from Crash Factors in Intersection-Related Crashes: An On-Scene Perspective, from https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/811366

Background:

This study was about the important decisions made before an accident occurs or is possibly avoided. Choi focused on intersection related crashes. There are many different decisions that can be made at an intersection. It was found that most accidents occur at an intersection when a driver is turning left at 22.2% of accidents.

It was also found that the poor decisions made by male and female drivers at traffic signals are different. For females, some of the poor decisions are “inattention” or “internal distraction” while for males some examples are “illegal maneuver” or “too fast for conditions or aggressive driving.” It seems based off of this study that women are more likely to be distracted while driving.

How I Used It:

I also used this source to display the importance of the decisions made before an accident. I used the example of how even making the wrong decision while turning left is the leading cause in 22.2% of intersection accidents. Making the right decisions could avoid accidents, but making the wrong one could end with a fatality.

10. Dangers of Increasing Highway Speed Limits. (2015, April 02). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://drivingschool.net/dangers-increasing-highway-speed-limits/

Background:

This source was focused on the possible dangers that could result from increasing the speed limit. The writer believed that increasing the speed limit would lead to more accidents and more deadly ones. He was irritated that states continue to increase their speed limits although he believes that there is enough evidence to prove that increasing the speed limit is dangerous. The writer stated the painfully obvious fact that as the speed at which crashes occur is raised, the higher the fatality rate of the accidents would be. He stated that as a result of the 1996 speed limit increases, the fatalities increased by 15%.

How I Used It:

I used this piece in my rebuttal essay. Although it is obviously true that fatality rates increase, he provided no evidence to back up his claim that increased speed limits increased crash rates. Luckily for me, I had the evidence that directly refuted his claim. I used my evidence to refute what he was saying.

11. Gao, C., Li, Q., & Yang, J. (2019). The Effect of Posted Speed Limit on the Dispersion of Traffic Flow Speed (Rep.). MDPI, from https://bit.ly/38LDF4a

Background:

This study focused on traffic flow when speed limit is increased. For every 20km/h increase in the speed limit, the average speed is increased by about 18 km/h, which is generally consistent with the increase of the speed limit value. It can be inferred that the average speed of the traffic flow has a high correlation with the speed limit.

How I Used It:

I used this source in my rebuttal to point out the positive effects of increasing the speed limit, in particular increased traffic flow.

12. Think driving stress is ruining your life? Apparently it is. (2014, August 22). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from http://www.cityclock.org/driving-stress/

Background:

This source focused on the negative impacts that a long commute can have on someone’s mental and physical health. Long commutes can lead to high levels of stress with indicators such as high blood pressure, high heart rates, and anxiety. People with longer commutes also experience more sick days. More sick days would lead to a lower rate of productivity for a worker. People with longer commutes also have much less patience which can affect the attitudes of the people around them.

How I Used It:

I used this source to point out another possible positive effect of increasing the speed limit. Increasing the speed limit would lead to higher traffic flow which would in turn lead to shorter commute times. Shorter commute times would help to increase the mental and physical health of the drivers.

13. “Distractions: In and Out of the Vehicle.” NHTSA, www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/driverdistractions.pdf.

Background:

This article from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is about multiple types of distractions that a driver can be subject to. The article pointed out that the driver also faces distractions outside of the vehicle such as crash sites, construction, and people, places, or things of interest on the roadside. The article also explained how drivers younger than 20 are at greater risk for distracted driving. The article then gave examples of a few consequences of distracted driving such as inability to avoid collision with stopped vehicles and reduced situational awareness. Finally, the article made a list of tips for drivers to help avoid distractions.

How I Used It:

I used this article to point out the fact that distractions also occur outside of the car, not just inside. I listed the examples of outside distractions included in the article to give my readers a better idea of what outside distractions could be.

14. “Distracted Driving.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Oct. 2020, http://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/Distracted_Driving/index.html.

Background:

This article from the CDC was about the topic of distracted driving. The article put distractions into three different categories; visual, manual, and cognitive. Next, the article went into the statistics about how dangerous distracted driving is with 2,800 people killed and 400,000 people injured in distraction related accidents in 2018 alone. Next, the article explained that young adult and teen drivers are more likely to be distracted while driving. Finally, there were ways listed that individuals, states, and the federal government can/are helping to prevent distracted driving.

How I Used It:

I used this article to put distracted driving into three different categories. Providing the categories makes it easier to understand different types of distractions and to go into more detail.

Posted in Bibliography, Portfolio RunnerD4, runnerd4 | 6 Comments

Bibliography-rowanstudent24

Posted on November 14, 2020 by rowanstudent24
  1. Nelson, D. (2011, October 31). The Cruelest Show on Earth. Retrieved from https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2011/10/ringling-bros-elephant-abuse/

Background: It seems counterintuitive that circus’ would treat their show animals with cruelty, however it is more common than people think. These animals are constantly chained up and are not taken care of when they are ill. They are even shocked and whipped constantly. They are even put on 3 day train rides without any breaks. For example, an elephant named Kenny was a show animal in “The Greatest Show on Earth” put on by the Ringling Bros. but unfortunately one day he had fallen sick. He had stomach problems after the morning show and after the afternoon show, he began bleeding from his bottom. He also started to struggle to even stand up. Under law, animals are supposed to get medical attention and a veterinarian’s approval before performing again. After looking at Kenny, the Vet said that he was not able to perform the evening show and prescribed him antibiotics. Unfortunately, they made Kenny perform anyway but he couldn’t do any stunts because he was too weak. After the show, they gave him some fluids and put him in his stall. Hours later, they sadly found his body in his stall. The U.S. Department of Agriculture charged Feld Entertainment with 2 violations for making Kenny perform when he was sick and could barely stand. This was just one of many examples of how elephants are mistreated. There are tons of videos showing them being shocked and whipped. It takes a lot for the USDA to do something about it. Even that isn’t much by just fining them tons of money.

How I used it: I used this article as background information. It helped me determine some different ways of abusing an animal as well as how the abuse is in a different environment.

2. Denham, B. E. (2014). Intermedia attribute agenda setting in the new york times: The case of animal abuse in U.S. horse racing. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 91(1), 17-37. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/docview/1515694974?accountid=13605

Background: It seems counterintuitive that people in horse racing would treat the horses extremely poor however it happens more than people think. The horses are whipped constantly whipped and treated with disrespect. For example, in 2012, the New York times published a lot of investigative reports, news articles and editorials addressing the problems with U.S. horse racing. Deceased and injured horses, equine drug use and the way trainers handled the horses was all written about by the times. Other news stories caught on to this topic as well. They treat their animals that make them lots of money like they’re nothing.

How I used it: I used this article as back ground information. It allowed me to familiarize myself with the abuse in another area besides the home and how different it is compared to abuse at home.

3. Mcphedran, S. (2009). Animal abuse, family violence, and child wellbeing: A review. Journal of Family Violence, 24(1), 41-52. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rowan.edu/10.1007/s10896-008-9206-3

Background: Family violence and Animal abuse tend to exist in the same household more often than people think. A poor childhood can result in bad parenting and bad care of pets. This leads to animal abuse which causes injured pets and maybe even deceased. Pets are often thought as other family members so if family violence is present within the house then you can assume that animal abuse should be present as well. As stated within the article, Animals can become victims within a troubled household because some people think of them as property.

How I used it: I cited information from this article. This one really helped convey my paper because it talked a lot about how animal abuse exists within the household and how it affects the people within the household. This gave me some great background information as well.

4. Georgina Mills. Reporting cases of animal abuse. (2019). The Veterinary Record, 185(17), 524. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.rowan.edu/10.1136/vr.l6294

Background: It is counterintuitive that Vet’s wouldn’t report all suspected cases of animal abuse, however they don’t report it as much as people think. It’s not proven but it is strongly suspected by these vets from the owners. For example, in a study, they found that a third of vet’s have had at least one case of suspected animal abuse in the past year but only half of them reported it. Vet’s only receive two hours of training on this topic which really isn’t enough. This is an important part of caring for animals. The vet’s are only making their job a lot harder and causing more pain for the animal if in fact it is being abused.

How I used it: I cited information from this article. This talks a lot about how suspected animal abuse goes unreported which I think is an important aspect to my paper. It shows that this can be one more thing that can prevent animal abuse from continuing.

5. Thomas J. Mowen, John H. Boman. (2020) Explaining Animal Abuse Among Adolescents: The Role of Speciesism. Journal of Interpersonal Violence 36, pages 088626052095964. https://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/doi/full/10.1080/01639625.2019.1595373?scroll=top&needAccess=true

Background: Animal Abuse can be caused to a variety of different things. Social scientists have tied it to interpersonal violence, illegal gun possession, substance use, and anti social behaviors as well. The FBI did a study to gather more data about animal abuse and the big broad topic that was picked was “other” for reasons why they chose to abuse the animal. It shows that people still really don’t know much about this topic and why it happens. All the topics listed previously however, are some of the main reasons.

How I used it: I cited this information within my paper. This article really points out some other reasons on why the animal is abused. It shows that there are still unknown factors of why people abuse animals.

6. AGNEW, R. (1998). The Causes of Animal Abuse: A Social-Psychological Analysis. Theoretical Criminology, 2(2), 177–209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362480698002002003 

Background: This article talks a lot about the Psychological stand point of animal abuse. It shows that some people like cock fighters and hunters have a mind set where these animals were put on this planet for these very reasons. They are put on this planet to fight and be killed. They believe that the abuse is justified. It talks a lot about how certain people think that the abuse is beneficial and why it is.

How I used it: I cited this information from this article. It points out some different mindsets on why these people abuse animals. It points out how some people where their job requires abuse find that the animal abuse is beneficial.

7. Gullone, E. (2011). Conceptualising Animal Abuse with an Antisocial Behaviour Framework. Animals (Basel), 1(1), 144–160. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani1010144

Background: This article points out how a mental illness can cause animal abuse. It talks about how Antisocial behavior is the main illness that conveys the abuse. It also talks about how aggressiveness is another big thing that causes animal abuse. People with these mental illnesses unfortunately tend to commit animal abuse a lot more often.

How I used it: I cited from this article in my paper. It really helped me point out some other reasons on why animal abuse is committed. Antisocial tends to be the big mental illness that causes this abuse.

8. Hughes, L. (2020). The Crime of Animal Abuse in Two Nonwestern Cities: Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Pathways. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 36(1), 67–94. https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/article/10.1007/s10940-019-09417-w

Background: This article talks a lot about how some people believe there are some kind of rewards to animal abuse. The perpetrators feel that they are impressing others by abusing animals. It’s like they’re trying to show a type of dominance over others and using the animal as an example. This article also talks about how people with very little self control tend to commit animal abuse as well.

How I used it: I used this article as background information. It helped me how and why people abuse the animals. It gave me some great information of how the perpetrators think when abusing an animal.

9. Dedel, K. (2012). Center for Problem-Oriented Policing. Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://popcenter.asu.edu/content/animal-cruelty-0

Background: This article talks a lot about the overall problem of animal abuse. The abuse animals go through, what counts as animal abuse, and what causes it. It also includes a bunch of different questions for people to ask themselves to determine if they are abusive towards animals or not. It also talks about some warning signs of animal cruelty which can help stop the abusive behavior.

How I used this: I used this article as background information. This article was a big help when writing my paper. It helped to identify some of the big reasons why animal abuse is committed as well as some of the warning signs of animal abuse.

10. Sentient Media. (2020, October 08). What Is Animal Cruelty and How Can We Stop it For Good? Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://sentientmedia.org/animal-cruelty/

Background: This article is another article that talks about the overall problem of animal abuse. It explains a lot of the different forms of animal abuse and how it’s caused. It talks about why people abuse animals and what the predators believe they’re gaining from abusing the animal. It also talks about how other crimes are related to animal abuse. It also points out some of the animals that suffer the most from the abuse.

How I used this: I used this article as background information to further my knowledge on animal abuse. This really gave me a lot of detail on animal abuse and a lot of the different aspects of it like what kind of abuse there is, how the abuse is caused and even which animals suffer the most from the abuse.

11. Hrubenja, A. (2020, July 14). 37 Deeply Disturbing Animal Abuse Statistics & Facts. Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://petpedia.co/animal-abuse-statistics/

Background: This article talked a lot about the different aspects of Animal Abuse. There are 34 facts stated as well as 3 frequently asked questions. The article goes into depth in every one of those. It talks about a lot of different kinds of animals and how they’re abused and how often they past away due to the abuse.

How I used it: I cited information from this article. This article was very helpful and the information I found in this really helped support my argument. Pointing out all the different aspects of Animal Abuse really helped me find some great information.

12. Wisch, R. F. (1970, January 01). Full Title Name:  Table of Veterinary Reporting Requirement and Immunity Laws. Retrieved November 4, 2020, from https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-veterinary-reporting-requirement-and-immunity-laws

Background: This article talks about Veterinarians reporting animal abuse. It goes by state on what the laws are regarding animal abuse and how to report it and whether it’s even necessary. It states that 20 states are required to report suspected animal abuse and 14 that don’t require it to be reported.

How I used it: I cited this article in my paper. It was very helpful when I brought up points about Veterinarians reporting animal abuse to the authorities. It really helped me to support my argument.

13. Humane Society. (n.d.). Animal cruelty and neglect FAQ. Retrieved November 18, 2020, from https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/animal-cruelty-and-neglect-faq

Background: This article has a lot of different frequently asked questions about animal abuse. Under each question it has an answer and goes into depth. The questions talk about a lot of different ways how people can help with animal abuse like how to report it and what they can do to help fight it. It also talks about what animal abuse is and why it is a concern.

How I used it: I cited information from this article. This helped support my argument and I was able to put myself in the readers point of view. I believe it helped answer some questions my readers may have.

14. Hovel, H. (2019). The Connection Between Animal Abuse and Human Violence. Kingston, New York: New York State Humane Association. doi:https://www.nyshumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Hovell-H-Animal-Abuse-Web-print-2-2020-edition-OPTIM-ToC-revised3.pdf

Background: This article talks all about animal abuse and all the aspects of it. It talks about how stopping animal cruelty can help humans as well. It also explains how animal cruelty is linked to many different crimes and how domestic violence factors in to animal abuse. It explains how psychiatric patients were abused as children and committed animal abuse at a younger age.

How I used it: I cited information from this article. There is a lot of information in this article which really helped me to cite a lot of important information to help support my argument.

Posted in Bibliography, Portfolio RowanStudent24, rowanstudent24 | Leave a comment

Bibliography- cardinal

Posted on November 14, 2020 by cardinal7218
  1. Famurewa, J., Maoui, Z., & Johnston, K. (2020, September 02). John Boyega: ‘I’m the only cast member whose experience of Star Wars was based on their race’. Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/john-boyega-interview-2020

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/john-boyega-interview-2020

Background: Actor John Boyega recently made headlines with a spontaneous, vulnerable speech at a Black Lives Matter protest in London. Now, he is also speaking out about his experience as a Black man in Star Wars. In 2015, he was marketed and written as a lead character for the first film in the new Star Wars trilogy. However, in the next film, his character was turned into a sideplot, and a white character took his leading spot in the narrative. The third film couldn’t quite give back to him what had been lost. In addition to that, Boyega was sent death threats from hateful fans upon his casting reveal because of his race. People even tried to boycott that first movie because he was in it. As if that weren’t enough, when press tours came around, stylists didn’t want him to dress too ethnically and didn’t know how to style his hair. Perhaps Boyega is expected to smile and say that working on Star Wars was an amazing experience and opportunity, but he is not one to be silenced. These days, he is taking on projects that inspire him, challenge him, and embrace Blackness. He doesn’t stand aside when he sees something is wrong, and there is certainly something wrong in Hollywood. He experienced it firsthand.

How I used it: I used Boyega’s experience as an anecdote to open my discussion about what good representation looks like and means. I directly quoted him from this article’s interview to show how a real actor actually experiences racism in Hollywood and it’s not just a myth made up by “social justice warriors” to “push an agenda.”

  1. White, A. (2017, August 28). How can TV and movies get representation right? We asked 6 Hollywood diversity consultants. Retrieved October 09, 2020, from https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/28/16181026/hollywood-representation-diversity-tv-movies

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/8/28/16181026/hollywood-representation-diversity-tv-movies

Background: Six diversity consultants sat down with Vox to discuss what good diversity is. What it really comes down to is characters that are not only diverse but that also have meaning and personal weight in the story. A character may be Black, but does she have her own character arc and have narrative significance separate from a white character? Is that character’s experience written authentically and respectfully, or does it play into stereotypes? Will a white audience gain understanding about another person’s experience and sympathize with it? These are questions that need to be asked when tackling diversity in a story. The people working behind the camera are a huge part of the issue. A white writer or director can talk to a person of color when developing a story in order to write a more accurate non-white character, but there is a significant difference between a white creator respectfully writing a Black character and a Black creator writing a Black character. A writer who writes from experience can add natural authenticity to a story on a level unmatched by someone who doesn’t share that experience, so what really needs to happen is getting more writers and directors of color behind the camera.

How I used it: One of the consultants on this article was Rashad Robinson, who is an executive at racial representation organization Color for Change. I used a direct quote from him from this article to establish one definition of good representation. His job is to encourage good representation in the industry, so I thought he had a trustworthy take on what good representation is. This article also gave me a good foundational understanding of what good representation is both in front of and behind the camera.

  1. Low, E. (2020, June 30). The Reckoning Over Representation: Black Hollywood Speaks Out, But Is the Industry Listening? Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/black-representation-hollywood-inclusion-diversity-entertainment-1234693219/

https://variety.com/2020/biz/features/black-representation-hollywood-inclusion-diversity-entertainment-1234693219/

Background: This article relayed experiences directly from several Black artists working in the TV and film industry. Black actors are often mistreated and feel “disposable” compared to their white counterparts. Black writers and directors even get blocked from telling Black stories in favor of signing a more well-known and accomplished white name onto a project. Since creators of color get less opportunities to build their resume, they can’t build a reputation grand enough to entice producers in need of writers and directors. As far as writing and directing is concerned, there are some inclusion initiatives in the TV industry especially, but they don’t often make real change. Writers and directors of color can get their foot in the door, but are often kept in low-level positions and aren’t kept around for long.

How I used it: There were some very useful ideas here that illuminated diversity-related problems in Hollywood. I referenced the problems of non-white creators getting blocked from telling non-white stories and how attempts at diversity when hiring are often futile in the long run. There were also a lot of Black creators quoted in this article, so I was able to quote people who actually experienced the things I talk about in my essay. It was important to me to use the real words and experiences of creators of color since I’m a white person writing  about this topic.

  1. Umstead, R. (2019, December 07). Diverse Characters Increasing On-Screen, but Viewers Want Better Portrayals. Retrieved October 15, 2020, from https://www.nexttv.com/blog/diverse-images-increasing-screen-viewers-want-more

Background: A Horowitz Research report revealed that TV casts are growing more diverse, but many people of color and white people alike felt offended by the way people of color were portrayed in media. However, premium channels and streaming services have the edge- over half of the people of color surveyed for the report said that premium or streaming content had the best portrayals of people of color.

How I used it: I just wanted the statistics revealed in the Horowitz report, but I couldn’t gain direct access to the report. Their website said that I had to contact the organization to discuss pricing if I wanted a report and it was very confusing. It’s not ideal, but finding another source that quoted the report was my next best option.

  1. Rajan, A. (2020, August 05). TV watching and online streaming surge during lockdown. Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53637305

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53637305

Background: According to data collected by the UK’s Office of Communications, streaming services surged during COVID lockdowns. Netflix gained 10 million new subscribers between March and May. Over half of the UK’s new streaming subscribers said they’d keep their subscriptions even after lockdown measures let up. People seem to be realizing the convenience and quality of streaming services because of the pandemic, and if that attitude grows it could lead to streaming overtaking Hollywood.

How I used it: This article had useful statistics from the UK’s office of communications to support my idea of streaming services gaining prominence and possibly growing more favorable than Hollywood. I trust the BBC as a source as well as the government-run Office of Communications.

  1. Molina-Guzmán, I. (2016). OscarsSoWhite: how Stuart Hall explains why nothing changes in Hollywood and everything is changing. Critical Studies in Media Communication, 33(5), 438–454. https://doi.org/10.1080/15295036.2016.1227864
https://web-a-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=06f707b3-344f-4412-a1cf-185eb03a0779%40sdc-v-sessmgr03&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=119615795&db=ufh

Background: This article talked about the slow progress of diversity in Hollywood. One reason for the slow progress is that the narrative archetypes and conventions established in old movies still influence movies today. Another reason is that journalism praises even minimal attempts at diversity and celebrates individual successes of creators and actors of color, thus pushing the struggle prejudice faced by such artists under the rug. Streaming services appear to be a solution. They are less restricted and regulated than conventional Hollywood and therefore have an easier time with pushing boundaries and telling authentic, diverse stories.

How I used it: This article was really useful background information for me. It gave me an understanding of how racism is ingrained in Hollywood’s structure, and it also helped me to see how and why streaming services are better at diversity than Hollywood. The article gave me information that supported multiple parts of my hypothesis, so it was a helpful resource to read early on in my research.

  1. Burroughs, B. (2018). House of Netflix: Streaming media and digital lore. Popular Communication, 17(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15405702.2017.1343948
https://primo.rowan.edu/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=cdi_crossref_primary_10_1080_15405702_2017_1343948&context=PC&vid=01ROWU_INST:ROWAN&lang=en&search_scope=MyInst_and_CI&adaptor=Primo%20Central&tab=Everything&query=any,contains,house%20of%20netflix

Background: The emergence of the streaming industry challenges the long-held practices of Hollywood. As services like Netflix gain cultural impact, things like cable subscriptions lose their appeal. Younger people are leaning towards relying on streaming. With a streaming service, a person can access content from the past or present, at any time he wants, on several different devices, and also get recommendations on what to watch based on an algorithm. That on-demand capability is more appealing to many than, say, network television. The theory of “industry lore” is the knowledge of what kinds of media are possible and attractive, often looked at as what is possible and attractive in the eyes of industry executives. Since streaming has completely changed what kind of media is possible, industry lore has to adapt.

How I used it: This article had some great quotes from a book that I used in my essay. I wouldn’t have been able to find those quotes otherwise because I really didn’t have the time to read an entire book just to find a couple quotes to use in my essay. It was also useful in showing me how streaming services can overtake Hollywood in a way unrelated to diversity, and I applied what I learned in this article to the topic of diversity. 

  1. Hunt, D., & Ramón, A. (2020, October 22). Hollywood Diversity Report 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020, from https://socialsciences.ucla.edu/hollywood-diversity-report-2020/
Hollywood Diversity Report 2020

Background: This study covers 286 theatrical releases in 2018 and 2019, and it proves that diverse films perform well worldwide. Films with 21-51% minority casts performed the best overseas. Even on the extreme ends, diverse films performed better. Films with over 50% minority casts did better overseas than films with less than 11% minority casts. It’s a bit confusing that Hollywood studios still struggle to embrace diversity given these facts, but a look at the people in power makes the picture clearer. The overwhelming majority of studio executives and CEOs are white.

How I used it: This report gave me strong statistical evidence to prove that diversity is marketable not only domestically but also internationally. It was important to me to have statistical facts supporting my claims since they’re hard to dispute.

  1. Erigha, M. (2015). Race, Gender, Hollywood: Representation in Cultural Production and Digital Media’s Potential for Change. Sociology Compass, 9(1), 78–89.

https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12237https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/doi/full/10.1111/soc4.12237

Background: Hollywood has played an integral role in shaping popular culture and the minds of the general public, but the most prominent of Hollywood’s stories are told by white men in an overwhelming majority. Non-white creators are underrepresented even today, despite a push from activists and general audiences for more diversity. Numerical representation is a part of the battle. Minorities in entertainment are represented at a lower percentage than their share of the U.S population. Quality is another important aspect of representation. Characters of color who are multi-faceted and have fully realized arcs separate from a white counterpart are accepted as “good representation” as well as creators of color getting opportunities to tell stories across a plethora of genres with as much creative control as possible. Another facet of diversity is about minorities having access to the core of Hollywood production. Currently, minorities struggle to gain access to positions of power at major studios or get signed to major talent agencies in comparison to their white counterparts. Streaming services are a light at the end of the tunnel, though. Since it’s a new medium, creators of color can take advantage of it with less resistance than they face in Hollywood.

How I used it: There were useful ideas and definitions presented in this article that I quoted in my essay. It gave me a really solid handle on why diversity is important, what Hollywood is doing wrong, and how streaming services open the door for better diversity, all topics that make up the foundation of my hypothesis/argument.

  1. Kay, J. (2020). Streaming is transforming hollywood’s outdated ideas about inclusion, says TIFF panel. Screen International, Retrieved from http://ezproxy.rowan.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fdocview%2F2441876992%3Faccountid%3D13605 
https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/docview/2441876992?accountid=13605&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Aprimo

Background: Streaming services are challenging the long-held entertainment industry belief that minorities don’t sell, according to Stephanie Allain, the producer of Netflix’s Dear White People. One of her movies, featuring a black female lead and streamed on Netflix, found success in Brazil. The movie likely wouldn’t have gotten the backing to be produced theatrically, and therefore wouldn’t have been seen by a Brazilian audience. Netflix gives creators of color and stories about characters of color the chance to not only be made but reach audiences around the world, offering many more opportunities for success. Theatrically released diverse movies face scrutiny that they don’t always face in streaming. If a movie is unsuccessful theatrically, people point to the minorities in it as the reason. In reality, there are many reasons for a movie to not land unrelated to gender or race. Then, when a movie is successful and has a diverse cast, it is often considered an isolated incident.

How I used it: This article was very useful to me as background information. It informed me on how streaming services promote diversity in a way that Hollywood cannot with the information coming right from a creator of color who experienced it firsthand.

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Bibliography- oaktree1234

Posted on November 12, 2020 by oaktree1234
  1. Newman, Christine, et al. “Realities of Mentoring High School Students from Inner City Public Schools vs. Private Schools in STEM Research at an R1 University.” ASEE PEER Document Repository, 13 May 2019,

Background: This article explores a program called WISE that was implemented in public and private high schools in Virginia. Through this new program, students were able to get exposure to STEM before graduating and possibly pursuing a career in it. The article details the differences between the public and private school participants as well as the outcome of the program as a whole. 

How I Used It: This piece of writing was extremely useful in demonstrating that students who attend a private school do not have an advantage over those who do not. The results of the program showed equal success among both groups despite the private school students having many more resources. Also, this article demonstrated that the public school students had to work harder to perform at the level of their private school counterparts.

  1. Strauss, Valerie. “The Problem with Teaching ‘Grit’ to Poor Kids? They Already Have It. Here’s What They Really Need.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 18 Apr. 2019, http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/05/10/the-problem-with-teaching-grit-to-poor-kids-they-already-have-it-heres-what-they-really-need/. 

Background: In this article, the topic of teaching grit to underprivileged students is addressed. This has been practiced in many low-income public schools across the country. The authors of the article explain that these kids already acquired grit through the challenges of their everyday lives and this type of counseling is a waste. 

How I Used It: I used this article to demonstrate the difference between grit in underprivileged children and privileged children. Those who grow up in less favorable conditions are forced to develop grit while those in favorable conditions never have to worry about these hardships. This helped prove that disadvantaged children end up being more motivated and have a leg upin the workforce. 

  1. Cupitt, Cathy, and N. Golshan. “[PDF] Participation in Higher Education Online: Demographics, Motivators, and Grit: Semantic Scholar.” [PDF] Participation in Higher Education Online: Demographics, Motivators, and Grit | Semantic Scholar, 1 Jan. 1970, http://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Participation-in-higher-education-online:-and-grit-Cupitt-Golshan/2887cbbe91f91da12f8c67b44da3fc01009b0d56. 

Background: A survey of students at Curtin University showed that students who were not the first in their family to go to college were more likely to display grit. Also, their biological parent’s level of education directly correlated to their own grit.

How I Used It: I countered the argument this article makes by pointing out that second generation students don’t necessarily have grit rather the resources to attend college, such as money. The “grit” they are describing is simply the expectation that they will attend college like their parent(s). Meanwhile, first generation college students often have to overcome more to attend college.

  1. Grant, Adam. “What Straight-A Students Get Wrong.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Dec. 2018, http://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/08/opinion/college-gpa-career-success.html. 

Background: Dr. Grant, organizational psychologist, explains in this article that good grades are only so beneficial. After your first year out of college there is almost no correlation between grades and job performance. The issue is that those who get good grades aren’t necessarily prepared for the workforce, they just know how to memorize information.

How I Used It: This article distinguishes the difference between success in school and success in the workforce. I used it to highlight how good grades actually translate to the real world. 

  1. “The Effect of Taking Paid Employment During Term-Time on Students’ Academic Studies.” Taylor & Francis, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03098770220129406?src=recsys. 

Background: This article discusses that more students than ever are working while in school. Despite having slightly lower grades, students report that working has aided them overall. These students are said to range from confidence to business and social skills. 

How I Used It: I used this article to show that straight A’s and perfect attendance won’t build the skills you need in the workplace  Although these students do believe their grades would be a little higher if they weren’t working, the benefits outweigh this. The small decrease in GPA won’t matter in the long run when you’ve earned real world experience through working.

  1. Beth Arky is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer and editor covering parenting, health and children’s learning and developmental issues. “Help Kids Learn to Fail: Building Self-Esteem in Children.” Child Mind Institute, 29 June 2020, childmind.org/article/how-to-help-kids-learn-to-fail/. 

Background: Beth Arky with the Child Mind Institute explains how constantly helping your child to succeed is hurting them in the long run. At a young age, children need to learn how to accept failure. If they don’t do this, challenges in the future will be extremely hard to overcome 

How I Used It: I used this piece of evidence to support my claim that a more challenging educational career is setting a student up for success. Once the child learns how to handle failure they will be better prepared for the future in regards to college, work, and life in general. 

  1. Giang, Vivian. “14 Things High Schoolers Should Know Before They Go To College.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 16 July 2013, http://www.businessinsider.com/what-young-people-should-know-before-going-to-college-2013-7. 

Background: Good grades in highschool and college doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a great employee. Often, the best employees did not thrive in the classroom because they go against the grain and think outside the box. 

How I Used It: I used this article to explain the difference between a good employee and a great employee. The employees who are “people pleasers” often did very well in the classroom. Once they enter the workforce, these individuals don’t have the ability to go above and beyond

  1. “The NCES Fast Facts Tool Provides Quick Answers to Many Education Questions (National Center for Education Statistics).” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a Part of the U.S. Department of Education, nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=84.

Background: This website offers statistics about educational institutions in the US. The focus of this page was the number of high schoolers that graduate each year/ the number of high schools in the country. 

How I Used It: For the purpose of my argument, I focused on the number of valedictorians and salutatorians that graduate each year. This demonstrates the point that although being in the top of the class is an accomplishment in highschool, when applying for a job there will be plenty of others with the same accomplishments. 

  1. Karantzas, Myra “Gifted and Talented Students Will Succeed Anyway, Won’t They? Helping the students you might think don’t need any help.” Agora; 2019, Vol. 54 Issue 2, p49-52, 4p https://web-a-ebscohost-com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=0&sid=7262035e-e731-4d5a-b694-54f69efdb2b5%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=139131596&db=eue

Background: This article talks about how gifted and talented students often get overlooked by administrators simply because they’re viewed as self sufficient. The less academically gifted children are often focused on and given the most guidance. This can lead to emotional issues for the GT students.

How I Used It: This article was a great indication of how being a star student can have adverse effects. It’s reasonable to say that this lack of support from teachers would lead to low self esteem. This source helped solidify some of my claims about a rigorous educational track taking a negative toll on students. 

  1.  “Figure 2—Source Data 1. Distribution of Edu + and EdU- Spermatocytes at the First Prophase 40 Hr after EdU and CisPt Injection.” doi:10.7554/elife.42511.004

Background: This paper discusses some of the flaws within the education system. For example, grit is often taught in the classroom like any other lesson. This is said to be ineffective since grit essentially cannot be taught.

How I Used It: This piece was very helpful in defining what is and isn’t grit. It’s important, for the purpose of this argument, to acknowledge that students cannot learn grit rather acquire it through experiences 

  1.  Sharon Field, Mary D. Sarver. “Self-Determination: A Key to Success in Postsecondary Education for Students with Learning Disabilities – Sharon Field, Mary D. Sarver, Stan F. Shaw, 2003.” SAGE Journals, 1 Jan. 1997,

Background: This piece of writing focuses on students with disabilities and their educational journeys. There are different methods of teaching. Some of which are more effective for students with disabilities and vice versa. Overall, students with disabilities exhibit more determination than other students. 

How I Used It: I focused on the portion of the article that discussed grit in students with disabilities. Studies show that these students exhibit much more self motivation in order to achieve good grades. This helps demonstrate how those who face adversity are far more likely to be “gritty” than those who don’t

  1.  Beshara, Tony. Unbeatable Résumés: America’s Top Recruiter Reveals What Really Gets You Hired. American Management Association, 2011. 

Background: This book covers the do’s and don’ts of applying for jobs. The author covers what employers look for in their applicants and how to get the job every time. Most importantly, the unlikely assets that will stand out on a resume. How I Used It: The section of this book that was the most useful for me was the input from real bosses and employers. For the sake of my argument, it was important to have evidence straight from the corporate world. The interviews conducted in the book justified my stance on how little importance grades have during the hiring process.

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Visual Rewrite—Goldin92

Posted on November 12, 2020 by goldin92

Mask Up America

The ad begins with empty spaces, much like the emptiness we can imagine businesses, venues, parks, and the like are experiencing during the pandemic. By displaying these spaces as empty, we can understand the juxtaposition without the people occupying them. These spaces are not meant to be empty, and our response to the virus made them just that.

From the get-go, it is clear that the ad is intended to bolster overall morale to mask up. The ad supposes that by masking up, we can come closer to getting back these places we know and love. The first few seconds are shots of empty concert venues, live theater, baseball games, etc. All of these shots art relatively still and the camera pans over, as if we are taking in the grandiose emptiness of these locations. By doing so, the ad reels in an ethos, allowing people to emotionally connect with the venues they love and have a reason to listen in on the ad. The ad effectively produces a mixture of nostalgia and guilt towards not having these things we love in the future. The nostalgia comes from the audience reminiscing that yes, these are things we love. The guilt comes from the audience realizing that yes, these are things we cannot actively love right now. By combining the two, the director grabs the audience’s attention by creating emotional conflict, as the guilt and nostalgia exist in the same system. The aim is to create an emotional resolve by the end of the commercial, acting as an “answer” to the conflict at hand. 

To amplify the stakes of COVID, the wide outdoor shots are met with indoor ones. The emptiness here is just as empty as the emptiness in the previous shots. There is no one, just the viewer stuck in the void. Not only are these venues inaccessible, but so are all of the small, quaint spaces. This introduction shows the desolation caused by COVID universally, appealing to audience members by showing the drastic emptiness from small to large, indoor to outdoor, that COVID has caused. The midpoint of the ad introduces the solution to problem by giving the audience a semblance of hope: a hand holding out a cup of coffee, the way coffee is meant to be served in a friendly, non-stressful manner. This image brings in a human hand, finally adding energy and humanity to the commercial. The hand pushes the coffee forward, as if offering the cup to the viewer. This could signify an offer towards progression to beat the virus, a jolt of energy to become one again. 

Immediately afterwards, we see shots of people looking optimistic while masked up. The narrator says that we need to mask up in order to get back to the things we love. We see people from various parts of the spectrum – white, black, female, male, friends, families, all united under their masks. Their composition is important, as they are all focused on with a shallow depth of field, standing center, allowing the viewer to see them unadulterated. These people face directly at the camera as if to look directly at the audience. Maybe it is to mirror the viewer’s image of what one could look like masked-up. This could also be a personal-recognition tactic, by displaying various types of races, groups, and faces, a viewer can tie the visual back into their own lives as there is almost certain likelihood that the viewer has a relationship with one or more of these people. This accents the message of needing to care for the community around us to ensure its survival through the pandemic.

After this series of shots we see shots of people at those venues, gathered before the pandemic, to bring the message home that if we mask up, we can soon become this society again. By juxtaposing the stark reality in which we currently find ourselves with a vibrant past, where these venues are filled with fun-having people, the director aims to show the world as it is intended to be enjoyed by humans. By following the shots of people in masks, the packed venues symbolize the future as much as they represent the pre-pandemic past, showing the views that there is something to look forward to just like we once did in anticipation of entertaining events. The ad ends with the logo of “Mask Up America”, bringing the ad full circle.

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Grammar Exercise- Thecommoncase

Posted on November 12, 2020 by thecommoncase

If primary caretakers have a negative attitude toward their child it increases the risk that their child will grow up hostile towards others. And its not just aggression toward others that results from child abuse; a large number of children raised by abusive parents also harm themselves. This negative behavior occurs because the children don’t learn appropriate techniques for handling life’s disappointments. If a child is not raised with coping skills, they’re much more likely to act inappropriately then if the child had developed these coping skills. The effect of poor parenting as reported by Dr. Geoffrey Dahmer in “The Bully Papers,” is that everyone gets the child they deserve.

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Rhetoric Workshop

Posted on November 12, 2020 by davidbdale

Workshop Example WED APR 07

As you read the following paragraph, ask the important questions about Rhetoric.

  1. Does the paragraph use precise language to emphasize its ideas?
  2. Does it make clear claims?
  3. Does the paragraph ask readers to accept a specific premise?
  4. Does the paragraph reveal (or does it hide) its arguments?
  5. Does the paragraph present a complex thesis?
  6. Does the paragraph employ its Scholarship effectively?
  7. Does the paragraph give readers time to disagree?

Many people money launder because, well, it’s an efficient way to increase and keep your funds increased. There many effects and consequences, however. The biggest consequence would most likely be getting caught and potentially serving jail time. In an article by Julia Layton and Oisin Curran, they say “the global effects are staggering in social, economic, and security terms.” When money is successfully laundered, it does in fact mean that the criminal activity does pay off, according to a socio-cultural approach. The success encourages criminals to continue this illegal activity and spend profit without any consequence. There are many negative consequences to this however. These consequences, according to Layton and Curran include, “more fraud, more corporate embezzling, more drugs on the streets, more drug related crimes, law enforcement resources stretched beyond their means, and a general loss of morale on the part of legitimate business people who don’t break the law and don’t make nearly the profits that the criminals do.” It is almost unfair. They are working illegally to get their money. Once they find success there is a high chance they keep going, and once again, continue their criminal activity.

Let’s Break it Down

Many people money launder because, well, it’s an efficient way to increase and keep your funds increased. 

We don’t use Second Person language in academic writing, so we’ll have to scrub the “your” from this sentence. It doesn’t indicate how money laundering works except to increase funds, but that’s not accurate. Money laundering hides the origin of illegally-obtained money before it’s used for legitimate purposes, so it doesn’t “increase funds”; it just makes them more useful.

There many effects and consequences, however.

Any sentence, however brief, that doesn’t advance the argument, should be eliminated. This one is completely contained in the one that follows, which identifies “the biggest consequence,” a claim that includes the idea that there are many consequences.

The biggest consequence would most likely be getting caught and potentially serving jail time.

We’re three sentences in, so this will probably be the focus of the paragraph: the threat of jail time for money laundering.

In an article by Julia Layton and Oisin Curran, they say “the global effects are staggering in social, economic, and security terms.”

But apparently, the scholarship cited will be used to prove something else: the global costs of laundering, not the threat to the individual launderer.

When money is successfully laundered, it does in fact mean that the criminal activity does pay off, according to a socio-cultural approach.

So instead of making a point about the costs to the launderer, we’re asked to consider that the launderer makes out well.

The success encourages criminals to continue this illegal activity and spend profit without any consequence.

Again, we’re offered the image of the arrogant money launderer who apparently cannot be caught and who scoffs at authority.

There are many negative consequences to this however.

We’re wasting another sentence.

These consequences, according to Layton and Curran include, “more fraud, more corporate embezzling, more drugs on the streets, more drug related crimes, law enforcement resources stretched beyond their means, and a general loss of morale on the part of legitimate business people who don’t break the law and don’t make nearly the profits that the criminals do.”

Since we’re uncertain what money laundering is, how and why it works, it’s hard for us to see how laundering results in any of these consequences. The sentence appears to prove NOT THAT MONEY LAUNDERING results in more crime, but that the LACK OF PROSECUTION for crime in general results in smug disregard for the supposed risks of breaking the law.

It is almost unfair.

Almost?

They are working illegally to get their money.

Unclear here is whether the author means drug dealers, embezzlers, or money launderers. They’re all illegal, but this paragraph was about the consequences of money laundering, not all money crimes. 

Once they find success there is a high chance they keep going, and once again, continue their criminal activity.

Again, we’re not sure whether the laundering is the crime, or whether it facilitates the commission of other money crimes.

Let’s Build it Back

First, let’s establish the function and value of money laundering.

Criminals launder money because, well, they can’t spend huge wads of cash at legitimate businesses, or deposit them in banks, without raising a lot of suspicion. Flashing a big roll or spending lavishly without a legitimate source of income is a good way to land in jail.

Next, we make the claim that money laundering is an effective way to evade detection and prosecution.

By operating legitimate businesses that could reasonably receive large amounts of cash (laundromats, car washes, small retail stores, for example), criminals create the appearance of having legal access to the funds they deposit into bank accounts.

After readers know the game, the scholarship makes more sense.

According to Julia Layton and Oisin Curran,  the global effects of this shadow economy are “staggering in social, economic, and security terms.”

But, aren’t the criminals worried they’ll get caught? Apparently not. We need to make that clear to our readers.

As Layton and Curran make clear, law enforcement,”stretched beyond their means,” are unable to keep up with the illegal activities of criminals who successfully conceal the source of their profits. And the consequence of being able to avoid detection is “more fraud, more corporate embezzling, more drugs on the streets, more drug related crimes.” 

The “larger social aspect” of despair among legitimate businesses isn’t a direct result of money laundering. It’s a reaction to the sense among law-abiding business people that they’re being chumps who could profit more if they didn’t follow the rules.

It’s no surprise, say Layton and Curran, that “legitimate business people who don’t break the law and don’t make nearly the profits that the criminals do,” are discouraged to see the criminals prosper, apparently without consequence.

Revised

Follow the causal claims in bold.

Criminals launder money because, well, they can’t spend huge wads of cash at legitimate businesses, or deposit them in banks, without raising a lot of suspicion. Flashing a big roll or spending lavishly without a legitimate source of income is a good way to land in jail. Instead, by operating legitimate businesses that could reasonably receive large amounts of cash (laundromats, car washes, small retail stores, for example), criminals create the appearance of having legal access to the funds they deposit into bank accounts. According to Julia Layton and Oisin Curran, the global effects of this shadow economy are “staggering in social, economic, and security terms.” As the authors make clear, law enforcement,”stretched beyond their means,” are unable to keep up with the illegal activities of criminals who successfully conceal the source of their profits. And the consequence of being able to avoid detection is “more fraud, more corporate embezzling, more drugs on the streets, more drug related crimes.”  It’s no surprise, say Layton and Curran, that “legitimate business people who don’t break the law and don’t make nearly the profits that the criminals do,” are discouraged to see the criminals prosper, apparently without consequence.

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Visual Rhetoric Rewrite — SmilingDogTheProfWants

Posted on November 11, 2020 by SmilingDogTheProfWants

:01 – The video opens with what appears to be some hair-covered 3D model of what seems to be the human lungs in front of a black wall with lights coming from above them. This imagery tells us that the lungs are the main focus of this image and the light above is only there to show you what is being displayed. The light only coming from above the lungs suggests that the whole image is not to be illuminated yet, possibly to give the viewers the time to adjust to the information you are about to receive.

There are particles floating around these lungs and the camera begins to zoom in showing more detail, making it seem as though the hairs are beginning to flow or that they are very grown on the surface of the lungs. This may indicate that the lungs have been in this state for a period of time or maybe that the image is soft and therefore delicate and should be taken care of gently.

The imagery of the lungs and the black background could indicate the inside of your body. If this is the case, the scenery of darkness surrounding the lungs is there to ensure you are focusing on the lungs over other important organs and bones.

:01- :03 – The image clears up and it is revealed that the “hairs” are actually matches. The viewer is now supposed to expect that the entirety of the lungs is constructed from matches. The idea of spending so much time on constructing something so large from so many individual matches may be hinting that this is done over time or with great precision and patience. The realization that the lungs are crafted out of matches confirms that the object is fragile and delicate regardless of the craftsmen’s intentions.

The particles in the air remain floating, and appear to be moving up in the forefront of the camera and falling in the background. This imagery may be a symbol of rising ash embers and falling ash. As we can see, the matches that make up the lungs (in this imagery) if lit, would cause something to burn and turn to ashes.

:03 – :07 – We now begin to see the matches lighting individually of one another without the fire spreading. This symbolism is most likely to make the viewer realize that every time they light up a cigarette they are setting one of the matches that makes up their lungs, on fire, destroying that part of it. Perhaps the numerous number of matches suggests that you only have a limited number of times you can light a match before serious damage occurs or that any number times you smoke will destroy a match inside you and you will never get it back.

The “particles” we saw have now disappeared from the video and have been replaced by embers that originate from the matches along with smoke that you would more likely see coming from a smoker’s mouth than a single struck match. The replacement of the particles to embers confirms the theory that those particles are ash and could be symbolic of showing that even though you are finished smoking, the residue from that time will remain inside your body forever.

:07 – :10 – We now see large areas of the matches lit and on fire with some spaced individual ones and a burnt out large patch on the viewers right. This is more than likely a culmination of all the times you’ve smoked and the damage it has caused your lungs. the large patch on the right could be telling the viewer that the damage that happened first is still there.

We also see the smoke surrounding the lungs and embers flickering and turning to ash. This visual effect is designed to portray the detailed visuals of the destruction of something that should be extremely important to you. The smoke filling the blacvk room may indicate that it is filling the inside of your body and possibly harming the rest of your organs as well.

:11 – We get a visual from above the lungs showing the entire thing with a raging fire coming from it. The tips of the matches glowing a bright red and some completely blackened and blurred form the viewers. This symbolism may show that the fire can get out of control, like the usual addicted smoker.

:11 – :13 – The side of the lung collapses and crumbles form the whole, matches both lit and blackened begin to fall to the ground, knocking other presumably loose and destroyed matches to the ground. This shows an out of control situation that has no way of returning to normal or even a stable state. We can only imagine that the lungs will completely collapse onto the floor.

:13 – :16 – A single lit match strikes the ground amongst a field of blackened matches with piles forming in the background with more blackened matches falling. This one light may be symbolizing your last chance to get help or your last moments where you witness the destruction that has been done and that this one match will mark the destruction of the entire being.

:16 – :22 – The room begins to light up revealing an ordinary room with windows emanating light onto the walls. The once burnt lungs now begin to form back into the perfectly normal ones we saw at the beginning of the video with a single match still lit with a small, barely visible, light emanating from it before it is snuffed out. The room could still be at the inside of your body as there are now multiple lights all over perhaps meaning that you or something else is keeping a close watch on them. The lungs now being fully restored may mean that there is a cure for the destruction we saw before thus the small flame being the last to be snuffed out as a sign that you’ve been cured or maybe that preventing it could be the only cause showing the one lit match being the progression of time in reverse.

:22 – :30 – The camera moves to behind the lungs to reveal an MRI scanner and the direction to where you could learn more about how it can help. This MRI scanner being behind the now healed or freshly new pair of lungs shows that this machine is responsible for them and it can be used to prevent or cure the issue in some way not explained in the clip. The imagery of the bright room showing a sparkling new MRI scanner displays the idea of hope and maybe the sanitary conditions of the device and the office you will have to go to to have the scan.

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Visual Rhetoric Rewrite- gabythefujoshi

Posted on November 11, 2020 by gabythefujoshi18

0:00-0:01 

From the first frame we see a red puppet that resembles Elmo, but taller with brown hair and bread. He’s wearing a blue, button down shirt with gold-colored stripes. The shirt resembles a typical dad shirt which I believe was done on purpose to let the audience know he is a dad. His similarities to Elmo would further indicate he might be Elmo’s dad. Elmo’s dad is staring straight at the camera, giving the audience his attention and is asserting a serious aura, that he has something important to say. Elmo is a beloved Muppet from the famous children’s show, Sesame Street, making the PSA a celebrity endorsement. Having not only Elmo but his dad appear grabs the attention of kids who love Elmo. Assuming the PSA would be played during other shows that perhaps are meant for a different demographic, kids would see a Muppet appear and stick around to watch the PSA, thinking Sesame Street is on.

The background appears to be a bedroom with mint green walls and dark teal doors. These are colors that aren’t normally used in the bedroom of a parent, they are more bright, leading us to conclude we are seeing Elmo and his dad in Elmo’s bedroom. Further evidence that we are in Elmo’s room is the shelf with books, a doll, and rocket ship toys in the background. There are stars on the left side of the frame and in the middle behind the dad, is a poster of space. All these little details are meant to depict a child’s room, establishing within the first second that this PSA is meant for children. Also, the director may have added the elements of space to get kids interested astronomy or due to a personal preference for space themed rooms. All this is done at the 0:00 frame.

At 0:01, I noticed Elmo’s dad angled his head to the right side of the frame.He started out looking straight at us, but he changes his direction, unable to look at the audience in the eye, almost like what he is about to discuss a controversial subject. Given the time the PSA was made, the difficult topic that Elmo’s dad is about to talk about is the ongoing Covid pandemic. He also has his mouth open, ready to say something, which we can assume is related to the pandemic. Also, his hand is against his chest, around where his heart is. The posture here perhaps is to suggest he’s a kind-hearted person. The posture can also suggest that what Elmo’s dad is going to say about the pandemic is heart-breaking to him, the situation pains him, establishing that the pandemic is something to be taken seriously.

0:02-0:04 

While Elmo’s dad is talking about how school is a lot different nowadays, he is looking down as the serious music is playing in the background. His hand that was originally on his heart, he is gesturing it in and out, removing his hand from his chest and putting it back. I believe this suggest that he is playing with the audience’s heart. This was done on purpose to invoke a sorrowful or downhearted emotion, suggesting that the changes made to how students learn is a bad thing. The PSA is emotionally manipulating kids by mentioning a new situation they are facing that they are confused and frustrated by. Kids no longer can go to school, see teachers, or play with their friends in the same way as before. Many kids can relate to this situation that Elmo’s dad is describing so seeing the PSA makes viewers connect on a personal level.

0:05-0:13

Suddenly, after the mode has been melancholic and serious about the changes of the learning system, Elmo appears. Elmo, a beloved Muppet from a beloved show, Sesame Street, which further establishes the celebrity endorsement utilized in the PSA. The director intentionally changed the mood with the arrival of Elmo because he is a beloved character and kids get excited seeing them on screen. However, he is wearing a mask, Elmo isn’t seen as kids normally see him. Change, the PSA is making the kids undergo more change by featuring Elmo with a mask, something that has not been seen before. Its purpose is to normalize the idea of wearing masks. In a way, it’s manipulating the audience’s emotions by associating COVID regulations with a kids show puppet.

Elmo goes on to joyfully explain the importance of wearing a mask while staying apart from his friends, further establishing that wearing masks is a norm that everyone does. What further validates the claim is Elmo’s dad nodding his head as Elmo is talking, agreeing with it. This will also gain the attention of parents in seeing a good father figure agreeing with the important Covid regulations. They will probably allow their kids to watch it more, making the PSA gain more views. If Elmo is wearing a mask, kids will want to wear one as well to be like their idol. To make the mask more appealing to wear, his mask is also quite colorful, with trucks on it. Making the mask look colorful and fun, kids will be more inclined to wear it.

I feel the director intentionally changed the mood with the arrival of Elmo because he is a beloved character and kids get excited seeing them on screen. Having Elmo explain the Covid-19 regulations in his recognizable and digestible voice, high energy, and radiating positivity, kids will be more susceptible to listen to those regulations.

0:13-0:20

Elmo’s dad agreeing to what Elmo said is a form of positive reinforcement as well as a parenting method to encourage children when they have done something admirable. The reinforcement to the viewers that wearing masks and staying six feet apart is something positive and will gain praise. Another form of asserting that these regulations are a positive thing is when Elmo is looking at his dad and nods his head when his father is speaking, agreeing with what he is saying. Elmo’s dad also points his finger upward in the direction of the viewer as a cue to remember what he is saying because it is important. They both take a breath, a way to show they are both relaxed, making also the audience relaxed. In Elmo removing his mask, the audience will be delighted in seeing the face of their favorite Muppet, making them want to stick around for the rest of the PSA.

0:20-0:30 

“We’re all in this together.” This line is that has been oversaturated in media, but it’s a line that gets the point across, both exclamatory and reassuring. It sets a common ground to a shared problem that everyone around the world has. It’s an inoffensive line which was delivered for this reason. Parents would want this kind of message to be pushed to their kids, so parents would be more inclined to let their kids watch this advertisement. Also, both Elmo and his dad are looking at each other as they laugh together at the end when he says it’s time for school. This establishes a friendly mood, a drastic change from the beginning of the PSA that started off serious. The director showcased Elmo’s dad moving his hand from and back to his heart in the beginning to symbolize how the audience’s emotions are swayed. The PSA was trying to sell the reinforcement of following Covid regulations to children, using celebrity endorsement to make it more enticing to the kids to follow.

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Visual Rewrite-shadowswife

Posted on November 11, 2020 by shadowswife

No Extra Life

0:00-0:01: At the beginning of the ad, the camera scans throughout the home’s lower level. The camera shows what seems to be a person opening the door to a house. Oddly, this person has no reluctance or difficulty entering this house. The person did not need an invitation to come in or unlock this door, so that this person must be familiar with the house layout or has some professional training in surveillance. The person appears to rush through the first floor in search of something. The camera scans the room at a frantic pace. Within view, there are a few chairs, a counter, refrigerator, lamp, and a sofa. As the camera continues to survey the living room, there is a quick but methodical overview of the entire space. The camera slows down only so slightly to take in the details of the room. It appears that the person is in search of something or someone in particular. There is a chat text box similar to an action video on the bottom corner left side of the screen. The word “cdrone714” and says, “Alright!” appears next to it. On the bottom right-hand corner, there is a circle that displays an odd shape that consists of squares and rectangles, a single white dot inside it, and it begins to reveal more of this shape and rotate as the dot moves forward. Since a house could have many rooms, this must be a map that displays a simple blueprint of what the inside of this house looks like and where this person is located. The floor plan appears to show an open format. The frantic pace of the camera and chat text box discussion gives the impression that this is the person’s perspective and is playing a video game with friends. The “cdrone714” might be this person’s username and is currently communicating with the other players that he has begun the first game stages.

0:02-0:04: The person’s gaze quickly but carefully shifts from side to side while approaching the two rooms in the house. The person has passed the kitchen and is currently in the room where the sofa is located. The room has a small bookshelf, another chair with a footstool, and three paintings. The textbox now shows more of this person’s conversation with someone elsewhere. This person confirms that entry has been made in the house, and another username, “jnixc,” asks about the person’s surroundings. With nothing out of the ordinary insight, the person’s response was, “nothing yet.” Based on the chatbox texts, it is evident that the other individual may be familiar with the house and search for the same thing or person. The other username is “jnixc.” They are probably playing a video game that involves stealth, based on how empty the house is, and their objective is to find something in this house without getting caught.

0:05-0:07: The person’s gaze shifts downwards to the sofa and small table. There is a blanket sitting on the sofa. On the table, there is an Xbox controller, some notebooks, and a small stack of magazines. This house is probably the home of three or four families because that Xbox and notebooks might belong to the kids’ and those magazines are for their mother or father. However, before it is assumed that the house is empty, the person indicates in the chat text box that there is a noise and lets the other person know that there is a sound upstairs. The camera shows the person’s position as the gaze shifts upwards to the stairs that lead to the second floor of the house. Therefore, there is a possibility that there are people in the house. Based on the reaction to the noise, it appears that the user is looking for someone.

0:08-0:09: The person going up the stairs alerts the second person in the chatbox that they are heading upstairs—the individual rushes to the top of the second floor. The second-floor hallway appears dark, but there are a couple of paintings or pictures on the wall. The second person responds, letting the person know that “jnixc” is nearby the house. With the newfound evidence that there are people in this house, these people are probably hiding from them.

0:10-0:11: The person rushes into an empty room with a small table. It turns out that the person has entered one of the bedrooms in the house, but there is still no sight of this family or anyone that possibly lives in this house.

0:12-014: As the person looks inside a drawer in the bedroom, he begins to yell. The drawer contains some clothes and a package of bullets, but the person claims that whatever is being searched for is “not here.”  It is unclear what this person is looking for, but it is clear that the objective is to find something in this house. However, the text box’s continuous chatter allows us to assume that the user is agitated about something and that this mission’s gravity is severe.

0:15-0:17: The camera scans the drawer frantically. “Cdrone714” gaze shifts upward, away from the drawer as the chatter exchange continues with the other person. “Cdrone714” exclaims to the person in the chat text box that the gun is not in the drawer and hastily exits the bedroom. It is at this time that I begin to wonder. Is this really a game? The urgent tone of the chat and frenzy in which the person is frantically ascertaining where the gun can begin to change the video’s narrative. Since this person’s gun is gone, that must mean someone is in very grave danger and desperate to seek answers and that this is possibly the person’s home. Based on both the individuals in the chat box’s frantic tone, the seriousness of this scene can make us assume that “cdrone714” is not in a video game.

0:18-0:22: The camera’s position shows “cdrone714” exiting the bedroom and rushing through the second-floor hallway. The individual’s gaze shifts in multiple directions, desperately trying to locate someone. The camera shows “Cdrone714’s viewpoint in a desperate attempt to locate someone. “Cdrone714” begins to approach a door that is at the very end of the hallway and yells out for someone named Cameron. Out of fear, “cdrone714” starts to bang on the door aggressively and continues to yell out Cameron’s name. The person desperately asks for a response on the other side of the door. That means that “cdrone714” was not the one in danger. However, it was possibly someone important to both people in the chat text box. With the gun gone, the door locked, it is a possibility that this Cameron person took the gun and purposefully locked the door to commit suicide when the other individuals were not home.

0:23-0:30: The final seconds of the ad ends with a melancholic atmosphere when the scene backs out. The person continues to bang on the door and ask for Cameron. The words “with gun suicide, there is no extra life” appear on the black screen with the addition of some advice on how to store a gun safely. It is now clear that the ad was on gun suicide and that people must be cautious with possessing a gun; however, with the child’s occurrences, it is possible that Cameron was probably depressed. The ad was most likely suggesting to be mindful of any signs of depression and be cautious about where to hide a gun because someone may use it to commit suicide.

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