Week 5M

Journal Writing

"The Story We Tell About Poverty Isn't True" Mya Birdsong

Some Statistics

Source: The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
% in poverty
Race US CA
Total 15% 15%
White 10% 11%
Black 27% 29%
Hispanic 24% 20%
Other 14% 10%
White Black Hispanic
Median income $55,412 $32,229 $38,624
% of white 58% 70%
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011.
Source: US Census Bureau, 2011, via PrisonPolicy.org
Race/Ethnicity % of US population % of U.S. incarcerated population
White 64% 39%
Hispanic 16% 19%
Black 13% 40%

Claims and Support

Claims

A claim is:

  • a statement
  • that takes a position on an issue
  • which the audience is not likely to accept as true.

Some things that aren’t claims:

  • “Is vegetarianism healthy?” A claim is never a question.

  • “Many Americans are vegetarians.” If everybody will agree with it, it’s not a claim.

  • “Vegetarianism has its pros and cons.” A claim takes a position; this kind of statement works extra hard to avoid coming to a decision. Or, just as bad,

  • “Some people think vegetarianism is good for you, but others worry that it is not.” My least favorite thing. The question is what you want your readers to think–not what other people think.

Your thesis is the main claim of your paper. You can, and should, make other claims as well. Your thesis, however, should always be a claim, and should be the central claim of your paper.

Support

When we talk about claims, the usual next step is “evidence.” But I’d like to use a slightly broader word: support. For our purposes, support will describe those statements:

  • that the audience is likely to accept as true, and
  • which is used to demonstrate the truth of a particular claim.

Which of these claims would my birth certificate support?

  • I am a United States citizen.
  • I was born in California.
  • California is a great place to be from.
  • I can legally drink in California.
  • I can legally drive in California.
  • I am eligible to run for the Senate in Maryland.

"Government Programs Should Be More Tailored to America's Poor" Margaret Simms

Main Claim: Government Programs Should Be More Tailored to America's Poor

The poor are diverse, and we must understand that diversity in order to design effective policies.

  • Population statistics explaining the key factors affecting poverty
    • Chances of being poor higher for African American and Hispanic children
    • 59% of poor children in female-headed families

African American and Hispanic families need different types of support.

  • Arcs and Loprest: "low-wage work opportunities are different for the two groups."
  • Both groups likely to have lower levels of education compared to white counterparts
  • Effective support for Hispanics might include "improving their educational and skill levels and, for immigrants, also improving English language skills."
  • Many poor African Americans live "in relative isolation from places of economic opportunity," and so would best be supported by increasing available housing in high-opportunity areas, improving job opportunities in African American communities, and improving transportation.

Single moms need support to enable kids to do their best in school.

  • Single moms need access to affordable quailty childcare and early education programs.
  • Boots, Macomber, and Danziger: flexible work schedules, paid leave, comprehensive family support through Early Head Start, childcare subsidies, etc.

¶S4 Spotlight Volunteers

Today by 11:59 PM

  • Turn in ¶S4 - Attempt 1 on Canvas (if you haven't already)

For Tomorrow

  • Writing Project 4 - First Attempt due on Canvas
  • Bring a hard copy for workshop