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Integrating Statistics into Writing
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- 2. How do wedescribe/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 andData 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.
- 4. Try p. 52 Useful/CommonVerbs Decrease, decline, wane, diminish Increase, rise, grow, Useful/Common Adverbs Rapidly, dramatically, slowly, steadily
- 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.
- 6. Should we become Vegetarian? Take a position (yes or no) Write a TS with both the topic AND a controlling statement
- 7. What does thisgraph convey? US consumption of each food category. Exceeds recommended amount of grains and meats! Can it support your TS?
- 8. How about Meat consumption islarge in many this graph? countries
- 9. Write a SSand 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 bevegetarian? 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 Shouldthe 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 oneof the three topics and form an opinion. Then write a paragraph OUTLINE, using SSDs to provide proof for your Supporting Statements.
- 13. Should the drinkingage 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 networkingsites 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.