My Portfolio by Emily Lauch

Emily Lauch

ylaucheg — 2025-01-23 02:34:19 UTC

I'm a high school student taking dual enrollment classes at Greenville Technical College. I plan on earning my associate's degree at Greenville before pursuing further education at the University of South Carolina. My hopes for the future are either to become a librarian or a history professor. Although I have not yet had the opportunity to achieve professional milestones for my desired career, I have developed a strong sense of resilience and determination through overcoming significant personal challenges. Having undergone two back surgeries and faced a range of medical issues, I have built a deep understanding of perseverance and adaptability. These experiences have driven me to pursue higher education and empowered me to work three jobs, further strengthening my work ethic and commitment to success. I am now fully dedicated to my studies and eager to apply the skills I’ve gained to my future career.

Module 1- Cover Letter

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 13:57:40 UTC

Module 1- Identify Logical Fallacies and Appeals

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:01:37 UTC

One of the logical fallacies in the Snickers commercial is the Hasty Generalization Fallacy. The ad suggests that whenever someone is tired, weak, or irritable, the solution is to eat a Snickers bar. That’s a big assumption—there are plenty of reasons someone might feel off, and a candy bar isn't always the answer. The commercial exaggerates the idea that hunger completely changes a person’s personality, and that Snickers is the instant fix for everyone. This fallacy was almost certainly intentional, as the ad is meant to be funny and exaggerated rather than realistic. The over-the-top transformation (from Betty White back to a young football player) makes the message more memorable and entertaining rather than factual.

Logos: The ad suggests that food provides energy, but it doesn’t use facts or statistics, just humor and exaggeration.
Ethos: Featuring Betty White, a beloved and well-known celebrity, adds credibility and familiarity. The Snickers brand is also widely recognized, reinforcing trust in the product.
Pathos: Humor is the biggest strength of this ad. Seeing Betty White in a football setting is unexpected and funny, which grabs the audience’s attention and makes the ad more engaging.

Module 1- Identify the Rhetorical Situation

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:12:00 UTC

The rhetorical situation of this job posting is for a Part-Time Library Assistant at the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, SC. The job posting is asking for someone who can fill a part-time library support position that focuses on customer service, circulation assistance, and maintaining library materials. The audience for this posting is mainly individuals with a high school diploma and at least two years of college or business training, preferably with experience in a school setting, the service industry, or library work. Applicants should have strong communication and technical skills and be comfortable working with high school students. This posting uses the school’s official website and email applications, which primarily target individuals who are already familiar with the school or looking for positions in education and library services.

For this job position, I would mainly have to use ethos, as credibility and experience are important factors in securing a role that involves student interaction and library management. To build my credibility, I would highlight any relevant experience in education, customer service, or library work, as well as my technical skills and ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. Though I don't have any experience in education, I do have a lot of experience in customer service. I would bring that up on my application and explain how my past jobs have taught me a lot of important social skills for a position like this.

Module 2- Essay 1 Critical Response

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:14:50 UTC

Module 2- Brainstorm and Thesis for Essay 1

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:15:45 UTC

Arthur Brooks argues that being an outsider, though challenging, fosters resilience, adaptability, and long-term happiness.
I agree that adapting to new environments builds strength, but Brooks downplays the emotional toll of isolation and stress.
He uses rhetorical questions, historical references, personal anecdotes, and psychological research to engage and persuade.
Brooks cites studies on Third Culture Kids (TCKs) and acculturation, showing that adapting to different cultures enhances cognitive and social skills.
His use of empirical studies effectively supports his claim that being an outsider improves adaptability and personal growth.
He minimizes the emotional struggles of isolation and assumes that adaptation is always a positive outcome.
Brooks assumes everyone benefits from being an outsider, overlooking those who face long-term isolation or discrimination.
His argument is grounded in psychological research and logical reasoning, making it credible and well-supported.
He builds credibility through research and personal experience while appealing to emotions with relatable anecdotes. However, his lack of counterarguments weakens his perspective.

Thesis: Arthur Brooks’ argument in "How to Build a Life" is mainly effective because of his strong use of psychological research, logical reasoning, and personal anecdotes, which make his claims both credible and engaging. However, his failure to fully address the emotional and psychological struggles that come with being an outsider weakens his argument, as he assumes that adaptation is always a positive and attainable outcome.

Module 2- Applying Literary Devices

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:17:50 UTC

Module 3- Annotated Bibliography

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:20:19 UTC

Module 3- Who's Behind the Information?

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:30:55 UTC

To evaluate the credibility of the tweet by @LeeSutton4 on X, I conducted lateral research by exploring multiple sources to verify the context and validity of the claims. I first checked the user's profile and background, which gave me insight into their political affiliations and potential biases. Since the tweet advocates for armed security or teachers in schools, I researched statements from organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety, the NEA, and other experts on educational and gun safety issues.

I also explored news outlets like EducationWeek and neaToday, which cover school safety policies and educators' concerns. "Teachers are not trained to be armed law enforcement officers, and adding guns to classrooms increases the risk of tragedy, including accidental shootings and confusion during emergency situations." (Everytown for Gun Safety, 2024). While the tweet suggests some students support armed security or teachers, studies from sources like Everytown and the NEA show that arming educators introduces risks, including accidental shootings and an unsafe emotional environment for students.

The lateral research revealed a significant contrast between the tweet's viewpoint and the majority opinion from experts focused on school safety. The tweet reflects a political stance, not evidence-based research, raising concerns about its credibility.

Based on this, I would evaluate the credibility of this post as low, as it aligns with a particular political viewpoint rather than research from trusted safety experts. It's important to consider the source's biases and cross-check claims with reputable organizations before forming an opinion.

Module 3- Research Questions for Argument Essay

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:32:36 UTC

How does A Good Man Is Hard to Find portray violence as a means of revealing character, and how does this relate to real-world debates on whether extreme situations expose true human nature?

In what ways does A Good Man Is Hard to Find explore the theme of redemption, and how does this compare to modern perspectives on personal growth?

Module 4- Argumentative Essay 2

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:35:26 UTC

Module 4- Revised Annotated Bibliography

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:36:52 UTC

Module 4- Argument and Counterargument

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:39:02 UTC

In Theodore Roethke’s poem My Papa’s Waltz, the imagery and word choices imply that the child's experience is more worrisome than playful. While some might interpret the poem as a fond memory of father-son bonding, the darker undertones seem to hint at a more troubling relationship between the two. The use of certain words throughout the poem creates an unsettling tone, and the phrase “The whiskey on your breath / Could make a small boy dizzy” (Roethke 1-2) immediately establishes a setting where the father is intoxicated, bringing his behavior into question. The son’s description of "hanging on like death" (Roethke 3) infers fear when it should be joy, suggesting the dance is not entirely willing. Additionally, the phrase “My right ear scraped a buckle” (Roethke 12) portrays a physical aspect that feels rather rough. The tone of this poem feels strained, rather than the positive mood that would be felt by a reader if it was about a happy father-son connection. Although the poem is called a “waltz,” which is typically associated with elegance and harmony, the movements cause pans to fall from the shelves, further suggesting more chaotic rather than affectionate dancing. The wording and imagery Roethke uses suggest a deeper, more complex father-son relationship, one that may involve both love and intimidation.

“My Papa’s Waltz.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43330/my-papas-waltz. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Portfolio Reflection

ylaucheg — 2025-05-01 14:46:48 UTC