Ryan Lee
Images, Media & Privacy
Professor Gill-Mayberry
ENG 105 10am-11:50 am
“The best writing is re-writing”: 1st Draft, 1 Tutorial, 1 Teacher Conference, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the divided stasis-opponent’s claim and rhetor’s main claim with 3 supports
Mother, May I?
(Introduction) (Hook) While many people debate over whether or not graphic war images should be allowed to be published in newspapers, the United States Constitution clearly states that “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press” (Constitution).  (Bridge) The Constitution’s message is clear, the government cannot, will not, and should not make any law that will limit what newspapers can print, as long as what is printed follows other existing laws.  (Divided Stasis) (Opponent’s Claim) Although opponents will claim that giving the media permission to display such images is harmful to society, (Rhetor’s Main Claim) in fact the opposite is true, as (Reason/Support 1) it educates public on the consequences of certain choices, (Reason/Support 2) it informs the public on the severity of war, and (Reason/Support 3) it brings the public out of ignorance.

 

Ryan Lee
Images, Media & Privacy
Professor Gill-Mayberry
ENG 105 10am-11:50 am
“The best writing is re-writing”: 1st Draft, 1 Tutorial, 1 Teacher Conference, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the divided stasis-opponent’s claim and rhetor’s main claim with 3 supports
(Narration)  On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights was adopted into the United States Constitution, forever changing the ways in which the country would be governed.  In a society where the government has a hand in all areas, it is obvious how important the limiting rules upon said government are.  Notably, the government is not allowed to abridge the freedom of speech, or of the press.  On one side of the debate, supporters claim that this freedom of the press is all-inclusive, and there should be no restrictions at all, while opponents claim that there should be limits to what the press can release, as the media can be a powerful tool to manipulate the public, as well as a danger.  This issue has relevance, because the media does indeed have the power to sway public opinion and thought, and influence decisions.  However, what opponents to the freedom of the press don’t seem to understand is that this same power that can be used to manipulate public opinion by twisting interpretations can also be used to inform and educate the public, bringing them out of ignorance.

 

Ryan Lee
Images, Media & Privacy
Professor Gill-Mayberry
ENG 105 10am-11:50 am
“The best writing is re-writing”: 1st Draft, 1 Tutorial, 1 Teacher Conference, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the divided stasis-opponent’s claim and rhetor’s main claim with 3 supports
(Confirmation) The Bill of Rights radically changed how the government functioned, from being simply a limiting entity on the people, to being more like a protector of the people, with the purpose to guarantee certain rights.  The right of freedom of speech is one of the most important rights, as it is through speech that ideas are communicated, as well as deliberated upon.  Through the media, issues can be brought to the public’s attention, and the public can be informed of the situation.  It is necessary for the freedom of speech and press to be upheld, else the control of information would quickly fall into the wrong hands, and many people would quickly become ignorant on many important topics.

 

 

Ryan Lee
Images, Media & Privacy
Professor Gill-Mayberry
ENG 105 10am-11:50 am
“The best writing is re-writing”: 1st Draft, 1 Tutorial, 1 Teacher Conference, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the divided stasis-opponent’s claim and rhetor’s main claim with 3 supports
(Concession/Refutation) It is, indeed, true that opponents will claim that giving the media permission to display such images is harmful to society.  (1) Journalist Ken Johnson  describes “photography in this vein [as] vulturelike. It feeds on what remains. Effects of morbid intensity and gothic romance are enhanced by the high-resolution and sharp focus of the large-format cameras” (8).  People see photography practically as a form of entertainment through morbid fascination, instead of as a means to learn more about the facts of a particular subject or situation. (2) Adam Liptak, a journalist, makes the claim that “The asserted harm can’t be vague or speculative; it must be immediate and concrete” (6). These images do indeed have impacts, and they affect viewers directly, sometimes in unspoken ways.  (3) Journalist Ken Burns notes how “certainly there are unforgettable pictures even now” (8).  These images are lasting, and thereby have lasting effects.  Opponents note how the display of such graphic images can be harmful to society.
(Refutation: Rhetor’s Main Claim + Support 1)  The freedom of press is important because it leads to a more educated public.  (Toumlin Warrant) A public that is well educated can in turn make more educated decisions, and advance as a whole.  (1) Journalist Clark Hoyt makes the claim that “before war photographs pass into history, they are news and records of events that are still raw for everyone involved — soldiers, families and journalists” (7).  By recording history through photographic images, these events can be remembered more distinctly, and have a greater impact on all involved.  (2) David W. Dunlap notes how although some graphic images are in fact published, “what remains to be seen is whether the publication of this picture has any effect on the broadening debate over American policy in Afghanistan, by conveying in such an awfully memorable fashion the price being paid by individual marines and soldiers” (15).  The severity of the images easily has an impact on viewers, and whether or not this impact prompts them to make decisions one way or another, they are now capable of making a more informed decision based on actual events, rather than simply an idea of them.  (3)    A journalist from the Associated Press describes how Egyptian leaders “have complained about negative news coverage” (1).  Simply from the fact that there are complaints that have been made, shows how the media has a reaching effect.  (Conclusion)  From the above information, we can conclude that freedom of the press has led to a more educated public.

 

 

Ryan Lee

Images, Media & Privacy
Professor Gill-Mayberry
ENG 105 10am-11:50 am
“The best writing is re-writing”: 1st Draft, 1 Tutorial, 1 Teacher Conference, 12 scholarly sources were used to inform the divided stasis-opponent’s claim and rhetor’s main claim with 3 supports
(Summation)  The Constitution’s Bill of Rights’ guarantee of the freedom of speech and of the press has led to many positive results.  Many civil rights movements, for example, were able to gain recognition through media, and thereby harness a greater base of support.  Is it better for the public to be shielded from all information, or for that information to be made available to them, that they may make an informed decision based on fact, rather than presumption or feeling?  It is clear to see that the freedom of speech and press are necessities in the growth of a society, and that through these freedoms we continue to develop daily.  The presentation of information to the public can only result in a more informed, educated population, albeit one that can make the wrong choice, but still has a choice nonetheless.  To guarantee the freedoms of speech and press is to believe in the reasoning capabilities of people in a developing world, and to allow for the investment of a more positive world for everyone.