2. How do we describe/report
statistics in writing?
Textbook p. 51: World Population Growth
Phrases to describe graph data:
Increasing at geometric rate
Slow steady increase until 1950
Rapid, exponential increase from 1950 to
2050
As with quotations, we need to cite the
source of statistical data
3. Using Statistics and Data in
Writing
What reporting expression is used to identify the
source?
“According to statistics from XX,”
Are there other expressions we can use?
A graph produced by XX, on “World Population
Growth, 1750-2150,” shows a rapid increase from. . .
XX’s chart on “World Populations Growth”
displays/iilustrates a decrease in . . .
Two Parts: Introducing the Source AND expressing
what the statistic or diagram shows.
5. Should people become
vegetarian?
In 2010, each person in the US ate an average of 57.5 pounds of
beef, 46.5 pounds of pork, and 82 pounds of chicken. Vegetarians, about
3.2% of the US population, do not eat meat (including poultry and
seafood). The US Department of Agriculture includes meat as part of a
balanced diet, but it also states that a vegetarian diet can meet "the
recommended dietary allowances for nutrients."
Many proponents of vegetarianism say that eating meat harms
health, wastes resources, causes deforestation, and creates pollution.
They often arguing that killing animals for food is cruel and unethical since
non-animal food sources are plentiful.
Many opponents of a vegetarian diet say that moderate meat
consumption is healthful, humane, and that producing vegetables causes
many of the same environmental problems as producing meat. They also
argue that humans have been eating and enjoying meat for 2.3 million
years.
9. Write a SS and SSD
Now that you’ve seen two types of charts
that illustrate meat-eating habits, write a
Supporting Statement for your TS.
Then use specific information from the
graph to make a Specific Supporting
Detail.
The graph illustrates
Statistics show
Data collected from XX reveals . . .
10. Should we be vegetarian?
TS: It is impossible for all people in the
world to become vegetarian.
SS: Meat is an important cultural part of
peoples’ diet in many countries.
SSD: Statistics from the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization show that
countries around the world, including the
U.S., Ireland, Portugal, and Italy, ate more
than 80 kg of meat per person in 2007.
11. Other Topics
Should the legal drinking age in the be
lowered?
Are social networking websites good for
society? (e.g., facebook, twitter)
Can alternative energy effectively
replace fossil fuels (e.g., gas, coal, natural
gas)
12. Homework
Choose one of the three topics and form
an opinion. Then write a paragraph
OUTLINE, using SSDs to provide proof for
your Supporting Statements.
13. Should the drinking age be
lowered from 21 to a younger
age?
All 50 US states have set their minimum drinking age to 21 although
exceptions do exist on a state-by-state basis for consumption at home,
under adult supervision, for medical necessity, and other reasons.
Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21
argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed
underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments,
leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens.
Opponents of lowering the MLDA argue that teens have not yet reached
an age where they can handle alcohol responsibly, and thus are more
likely to harm or even kill themselves and others by drinking prior to 21.
They contend that traffic fatalities decreased when the MLDA increased.
14. Are social networking sites
good for our society?
The popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace,
Twitter, LinkedIn, and Classmates.com more than quadrupled from 2005 to
2009. Many users say the sites are good for our society, but others contend
that the dangers of social media outweigh the benefits.
Proponents of social networking sites argue that these online communities
promote increased communication with friends and family, familiarize
people with valuable computer skills, and allow contact with people from
around the world.
Opponents argue that social networking sites expose children to
predators, increase vulnerability to computer viruses, lower worker
productivity, and promote narcissism and short attention spans. Read
more...
15. Can alternative energy
effectively replace fossil fuels?
Whether alternative energy sources such as
biofuels, hydrogen, solar, geothermal, or nuclear energy can meet
energy demands better than finite fossil fuels such as oil and coal
remains hotly debated.
Proponents of alternative energy argue that fossil fuels are
inefficient, unsustainable, environmentally destructive, and the
primary contributor to global climate change. They say renewable
energies are a viable and immediately needed alternative to fossil
fuel use that could boost the US economy and reduce reliance on
foreign energy sources.
Opponents contend that many technological hurdles have to be
overcome before alternative energy can replace even a small
portion of the power provided by fossil fuels. They say that fossil fuels
will last hundreds of years longer, be made increasingly
efficient, remain the most economical choice, and that reliance on
inefficient alternative energies will hurt the economy.
Editor's Notes
US consumption of each food category. Exceeds recommendations for grains and meats!
