Dear Clint,

A Narrative is a story with a plot, a driving force, characters, a climax, a

resolution and dialogue. My writing for a Narrative was a personal story from my
days on my high school drill team. I felt it was easier to use my story with the real
emotions I had felt. But once I had finished I had almost wished I just created a
story of my own. I felt like the strengths I had in this text was the flow of the story, it
didnt jump around from one thing to the next, but I think I need more work on the
dialogue. Both the set up of whos saying what and what to say; which was actually
a big factor in why I didnt want to create a fictional story. If I had the chance to
continue with this type of writing I think Id try to get out of my comfort zone and try
to create more than what I already know how to do. My process for this writing was
just to first think through what had happened that day and then just type it all out.
Once I had it all typed out I only had to go back and think about who was saying
what and where to fit it in and make it a little more interesting, I believe thats
where most of my points were taken away. I think building the dialogue after the
base of my story had been made helped, but I would take more time to create
better dialogue and a more exciting story.
My Rhetorical paper was off of Obamas speech A More Perfect Union. This
was the hardest of all papers for me to write. I understood the basis of it, how you
needed to look at his rhetorical situation and then create your own separate
situation off of what he said to a whole new audience. But once I started my brain
was going crazy, it was this weird English paper inception that my brain couldnt
grasp once I started reading Obamas speech. I felt as though I could pick out some
good information and make notes, but then putting it all together was messy. If I
had to write another one of these papers in the future I think I would benefit more
from learning the Logos, Pathos and Ethos better in text, because when I had heard
them in class and the examples in the writing it all was so clear; I just gummed it up
in my head. This paper took a lot more patience and preparation than the Narrative
had. First I had read through Obamas speech taking notes along the way and then I
realized I hadnt written much, so after reading it several times and listening to it a
couple more I had gathered enough information. Once I had annotated the text I
looked through the paper and decided who my audience was and the purpose
behind it and put together my pathos, ethos and logos in the paragraphs.
Throughout this paper I had gone back and fixed hundreds of things, had people
reading it and helping me to understand what I pretty much already knew. I think I
would read it a lot slower next time and take notes on even the smallest of things;
the notes at the beginning make the rest of the work a piece of cake.
The Issue Exploration was easy to understand, I just had to have an
audience/purpose with a good question; the research would come easy after all
that. I just dont think my question was very original, I couldnt find anything I cared
enough about, like I had the topic of abortion. I read all these ridiculous stories
online and it just starts a fire in me, so I thought that it would be an easy paper

since I cared for it. I was wrong. I found my mind sliding from one topic in abortion
to the next instead of just staying on the one specific thing I was trying to write
from the very beginning. But to be honest its hard to find anything on this topic
that isnt someones straight up opinion on why its a good or bad thing and that
always lead into the politics of abortion. So next time I think Id try to find
something a little less debated about to research. To start the paper I struggled
picking the topic and a question, but once I got that I started researching it. I took
notes and saved the website along with it because I knew Id need to cite it if I used
anything. To write the perspectives I just used the two sides to the argument
already and jumped into writing them. The quotes from the sources became a little
hard to do when I couldnt find the author or the publisher. So if I were to do this
again I would work more on the quotes and citing the webpage I got information
from. Because I found it hard to fit my words in with the facts I had. I made this
writing a lot harder than it should have been because I didnt keep my process clean
and to be honest I was just ready to be done!
I think I improved more with the thought process of writing because I
normally just write something and turn it in just to get a grade, but you would have
us resubmit it if you felt that that was what we were doing. With my Rhetorical
paper I definitely learned how to listen more and pay more attention to what was
being said and why they decided to say it the way they did to that certain audience.
And overall I think I found a way to organize and take notes that works best for me,
because note taking in a text is not a strong suit of mine. But as I go into a different
English class, and really any other writing class, I think Ill focus more on the quality
of my writing, I still get into the mindset of my grade and not as much into what Im
creating.
Thank you,
Baelee Hatch

On The Line
Today was the day I had been waiting for since I was a little girl in elementary school. My
mom had talked countless times about her experiences on the drill team and camp in high
school. She had pulled out blue, red and green sparkly costumes and here I was walking into
my high school sophomore year at 5:40 in the morning. I wasnt in any exciting costume, but I
did have a special outfit for this day. I had spankies, tights and a red and black shirt that the rest
of my team had on as well. As I turned the corner I could hear an echo of teenage girls through
the old brick high school.
As I walked down the hallway I could finally start making out who was who. The seniors
sat next to each other on one side of the wall and the juniors and sophomores had mixed
themselves in the bunch. Girls had sprawled out, lying on each other and up against the walls
and lockers. It was obvious most of them had been waiting here for a while. As I climbed over a
couple seniors I saw Claudia and Kelli talking to each other.
Claudia and I had been friends for as long as I can remember and it took a little
convincing to get her to join the team with me; it wasnt quite as hard for her to make it though.
She was insanely flexible, especially through her tiny feet. Kelli on the other hand wasnt too
flexible and had an I dont really care type of attitude. So the fact that she joined with me was a
surprise. After shuffling through the sea of girls, stepping on a few duffle bags and kicking a

couple water bottles; I plopped beside them and began discussing today. Do you really think
todays going to be as bad as they all try to make us believe?
Kelli was quick to answer Well my sister quit before she even made it to drill camp, so I
have no idea what people say. Claudia looked worried as she said, well Jenny told me that it
definitely kicked her ass. All I could think was how would Jenny know anything? She quit too?!
But as I was thinking about how annoyed I was, my concentration was shattered by the sound
of clicking heels in the distance. Instantly everyone had grabbed all their things off the floor and
began preparing themselves to go into the big blue gym. With a click of a key the door swung
open.
Rachel stood in the doorway almost towering all of us. I dont know if it was the heels or
just the fact that she was my coach, but I had never felt so intimidated. Everyone set your stuff
down and get ready to run. She yelled. As all 20 plus girls entered the gym everyone dispersed
to their own spot on gym wall and instantly grouped up at one corner of the gym. So I quickly
dropped my things and caught up with the group. You guys will just be running a mile today,
last three laps will be a sprint to the end. Start once you pass the red line As the group inched
closer to the line it set off like dominoes and everyone set off at a good pace.
After everyone had finished their run we had enough time to grab a thirty second drink.
So I ran and grabbed my water bottle. But the second I grabbed my bottle she began counting
down from 10. What the hell? So I gulped as much as I could before she began threatening
more sprints.
As everyone began making their way back, Rachel began, Well be doing circuits today.
So each of these four workouts will be in each corner of the gym and everyone will be timed.
Ive been pretty active all my life, so this honestly doesnt seem too hard or scare me. Rachel

continued The workouts will be squats, burpees, toe touches and handstands. My stomach
dropped.
Wait, Annie. Did she say handstands? Ive never done a handstand before. Annie was
the Vice President this year. She could turn almost nonstop! Which was insane to me, especially
do to the fact that she had a large brown bun on the top of her head. With as much hair as she
had youd think shed be falling over. Its okay Bae, well do that one first and Ill help you up!
And girls! If any of you stop or fall out, the time restarts and youll do it until you get it.
Rachel said as she sat back and drank her coffee. Instantly I began imagining just how many
times Id be redoing it and being so fresh and new on the team I worried how many people
would just have a grudge against me. As Annie and I ran to the corner with the handstands
Tealisha had already beat us there. Tealisha. Can you switch us? I stood behind Annie. Just
do it after? I dont have to switch? Tealisha scoffed.
Tealisha was the president of the team. Everyone had voted for her because she was
the best on the team, so I wasnt really willing to argue too much. Because not only was she the
president, she was also very pretty and her confidence scared the little sophomore me. And with
the coach yelling we had to run to any corner and start or thered be sprints for every second we
took. So we ran to the closest. Which just so happened to be the first one in the series of
workouts.
As we went through one circuit to the next I could feel the squats and burpees
weakening my arms and legs. This is the first Ive ever even heard of a burpee! Jumping up in
the air is no problem, but going to the floor and doing a push up before jumping back up again
IS just as hard as it sounds. After about 10 or so my legs began to shake on my way down, so I
allowed myself to sort of just flop to the ground before straightening out into a pushup. A sharp
whistle allowed me to let go of my body weight and drop to the ground. But the relief was short

lived. As I laid there catching my breath everyone had began jumping back up to run to the toe
touches.
Annie yelled Girls if you stop shell add more. Just keep it up! Anytime she yelled at us
it never came off as much of a threat. She was always smiling and almost came off as a
pushover. But we knew better than to argue with her. So we all stumbled along side her.
These toe touches took place on the gyms wooden flooring. You lie on your back and
snap your legs up. After doing a few every muscle in your body burns and your spine begins to
bruise from the hard flooring. I could feel every bone down my back as it rolled up and off the
floor. As the coach blew her whistle for our last workout my heart began beating out of my chest;
and believe it or not, but I began sweating more and my hands began feeling clammy. Not only
can I not balance on my hands to start with, but I cant feel my arms.
I whispered to Annie as we made our way to the last corner I dont know if I can do this.
She was quick to reply Just get up quick and Ill place your legs. Its just two minutes, it
shouldnt be a problem. Her smile was a little reassuring and I knew there was no way out of
this anyways. So it gave me a little confidence that I could do it.
As I went up the first time I quickly fell right back down. My second try was a little better
and after almost kicking Annie in the face she had me balanced and ready to go. You alright,
Bae? I had just enough air to stager out Yeah. The first minute was just fine, my arms were
locked and I was still up there somehow. But the last minute felt longer than the entire circuit. As
the seconds went by I found myself counting down 24, 23, 22 Each second felt like a weight
being added to my body 19, 18, 17 My arms began shaking. It wasnt some little shake
either, I could feel my arms shaking into my cheeks. Then it just went dark.

Everyone off the wall. I hadnt realized I fell until I heard the coach in the distance. My
arms were still shaking even long after falling over. Alright, everyone get on the line. I didnt
know what she had planned, but I knew I was to blame.

Baelee Hatch
Clint Johnson
Rhetorical Analysis First Draft
4 May 2016

Audience: Students taking classes in public speaking.

Purpose: Is to show these students what worked for Obama and give them some tips. Because
he was good enough at public speaking that he later on actually became the president.

A More Perfect Union

This speech came about from our now current President Obama, at that time though he
was just Senator Obama. In March of 2008 he delivered a speech at the National Convention
Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spoke on some controversial statements from
Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Reverend Wright had made some pretty offensive statements prior
to the 9/11 attacks stating how much hate and anger he felt white Americans had. He stated
Americas chickens are coming home to roost. This was a quote from Malcolm X. This
statement was widely interpreted as meaning that America had brought this attack onto
themselves. The fact that Reverend Wright was Obamas former pastor got the people who
were already questioning Obamas ability to run America. And those racial statements had the
capacity to destroy his chance at becoming President.

This speech was a way for Obama to clear the air after some hateful things had been
said by his former pastor. Reverend Jeremiah Wright had said some divisive statements in his
sermon that had been spreading around and the fact that Obama had such a close relationship
with him in the past caused people to think that he too may be prejudice towards certain races
and people. At this time in the candidacy this could have been a very harmful thing for him to
have the wrong people talking about so Obama set the record straight. He talked about issues
in the nation that needed fixing and about this relationship. After this whole issue was brought
up, his chances had diminished immensely. Obamas speech was very successful in trying to
get votes through his audience; they believed in what he was saying and felt a connection with
him and the rest of the crowd through his uniting words.

Barrack Obama felt the need to speak out about what was going on, he said I suppose
the politically safe thing would be to move on from this episode and just hope that it fades into
the woodwork. Which most politicians would probably do, but he used this incident as an
example and a means to get some things straight. He spoke out to white conservatives who
were looking for any reason as to why he shouldnt be president and addressed them. His entire
purpose was to fix whatever crazy ideas they had with his truth.

He creates unity to appeal to his audience. Obama made it a point to say our and we
to create a bond and motivate everyone through his words. We may not look the same and we
may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction towards a better future. He believed a future without racism and injustice was possible. Even
though there may have been some lingering anger and hostile feelings towards different races,
he believed that we hold common hopes and that the only way we can overcome our nations
problems is when we realize theyre our problems too. The technique he used to build unity got
his point across, because he didnt separate the people.

He used his background to build credibility and trust. Right off the bat he made sure that
people understood that I am the son of a black man from Kenya and a white woman from
Kansas. This helped those who were convinced he didnt know where they were coming from
to realize that he very much did. He had been through many situations where he got a taste of
what both sides had felt. Using his experiences in Reverend Wrights sermons and making them
relatable to others had made it a little easier for people to understand Did I know him to be an
occasionally fierce critic of American domestic and foreign policy? Of course. Did I ever hear
him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes. Did I
strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you
have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.
Many people are put in situations where they dont entirely agree with what is being preached,

but does that mean that that man/woman is unsuitable to teach gospel, be your friend, etc? I
can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than
I can my white grandmother who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic
stereotypes that made me cringe. This is a man who really has lived life on both sides, giving
him credibility that a very rich white man/woman wouldnt be able to relate to. Using this
technique made the audience listen more to what he had to say.

He uses his point of view to create a vision. Obama was more optimistic about the future
than Reverend Wright had been For the men and women of Reverend Wright's generation, the
memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away. He believed this anger had
lingered and there was less hope for a better future. Working together we can move beyond
some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice if we are to continue on the
path of a more perfect union. He created pictures of a beautiful future that those of older
generations could never see happening. This gave hope to his audience for a better future.

I believe this speech worked really well in his favor. He did a really good job of
empowering people on some sensitive subjects. He made himself very credible and created
empathy for himself through the eyes of the audience. I feel those who doubted him made a
connection with him through his use of race, religion and unity. He never attacked any certain
person or race; he created unity while telling people that change is still something that needs to
happen. I believe hes one of the best political speakers because he never took an easy way out
in this situation. And because of that, I feel, he became the President of The United States of
America.

Baelee Hatch
Clint Johnson
English 1010

AUDIENCE: Young or older women, those looking for an answer as to what they should do in a
situation where abortion is one of their options.
PURPOSE: To provide those looking for an answer some information. Women are given the
option to have an abortion when having a child wouldnt work, in their current situation, but most
dont have anyone other than a doctor to turn to for answers. This would show those
considering it just what its like.
Is It Worth It (CONTEXT)
Currently abortion is allowed in the US and is being fought by many to be abolished and many
fight to keep it around. Each year there are hundreds of thousands of abortions performed in
America. A total of 730,322 abortions were reported to Centers for Disease Control for 2011.
There has been constant talk almost anywhere you look about whether abortion should stick
around or whether we should get rid of it entirely. This has split people into groups known today
as Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. Pro-lifers believe that abortion should be abolished, because
thats taking someone elses life. Pro-choicers believe that the woman carrying the child should
have the choice to either go through with a pregnancy, or to terminate it. But this entire debate
continues to bring up many things, if they continue to abort children they are mass murdering.
But if they take about the mothers choice, the Laws that restrict abortion have the effect and
purpose of preventing a woman from exercising any of her human rights or fundamental
freedoms on a basis of equality with men. All these points made in this one debate spread to so

many that the debates will continue long after a decision has been made, but what exactly does
abortion cause? Are the effects after it has all been said and done worth it? Or are you better off
not going through with it?
This Could Have Been Avoided (HARMFUL)
Many women in the first few weeks of their pregnancy looking towards termination use
Misoprostol which is commonly known as RU-486 in the medical world. This drug is
commonly confused with Plan B, but Plan B is a drug that is use the morning after to prevent
pregnancy and Ru-486 is used as an abortion pill, to terminate a pregnancy. Misoprostol (Ru486) is well known to be the best and safest way a woman can do an abortion herself until the
12th week of pregnancy. Which sounds simple enough but the FDA has reported seven
deaths. In addition, as of 2006, the FDA reported nine life-threatening incidents, 232
hospitalizations, 116 blood transfusions, and 88 cases of infection. Now abortion isnt the safest
thing and in these cases caused physical problems in women, but along with that there are
serious mental affects. In a study of post-abortion patients only 8 weeks after their abortion
researchers found that 44% complained of nervous disorders, 36% had experienced sleep
disturbances, 31% had regrets about their decision, and 11% had been prescribed psychotropic
medicine by their family doctor. Some had even felt so upset and guilty with their choice that
they had thought about committing suicide.

Ive Never Regretted It (NOT HARMFUL)

Many fear the physical and mental effects of abortion, but not everyone is affected. Many
people want to throw the what-ifs at you as the only possible outcome of abortion, which isnt
always true. In fact for Zoe Gillard, an Academic Administrator, for me, it was the only thing I
could have done. I dont know who I would be now if I hadnt been able to make that choice.
(Cochrane) She felt that motherhood at the time wasnt what she needed or could handle and
she went through an awkward process, but came out with no side effects or concerns and
continues to live her life to this day without regret. Motherhood isnt for everyone, just because
youre a woman doesnt mean that you, in this life, were meant to have children and raise them.
And as a woman I think you would kind of guess where you stood and what you could handle,
so the right to choose to keep your life the way it currently is or adding someone to your life is a
big difference.

No Big Threat (DOCTOR)

Any medical procedure has their dangers; medical abortions, in safe clinics, are extremely safe.
"The most common adverse outcome is just continuing pregnancy" said James Trussell from
Princeton University. He was one of the many people who worked on this study. The data from
this study came from 233,805 first-trimester abortions that had been done using Misoprostol
and Mifepristone. One in every two hundred from that study had to continue with their

pregnancy, merely just because it didnt work for them. During this study however, there were
385 cases of women hospitalized or treated with their side effects. But not a single patient lost
their life. "This continues to show that medical abortion is a very, very safe option for women,"
said Dr. Debra Stulberg, who studies disparities in reproductive health at the University of
Chicago and wasn't involved in the new study.

Its Not For Everyone(MINE)

This is a hard topic for just about anyone to talk about. In many cases its a bad thing in
some eyes, but to others its not. Some women are unable to carry their own children and the
thought of someone throwing away a chance to give birth to their own child is a hard thing for
them to grasp. For others being thrown into motherhood is a harder thing to grasp; once you
realize you are not only responsible for your life, but also the life of someone else.
Personally I sway back and forth when it comes to the way I feel about this topic. I think
a lot of people look at abortion as a back door for responsibility and thats why they are so
against it. But there are many cases I believe that abortion is a positive thing. I dont feel its fair
for a child to be born into a hard life where they arent prepared to have a child. So if abortion is
whats best for you, I believe you should do it. Yes there are some documented cases where the
womans life was put at risk, but this isnt the only risky medical procedure being done. I believe
that this topic should be left as an individual decision, because not one answer is going to fit
everyone. Just as long as the woman understands just what she is doing and any possible side
effects she may undergo, it should be up to her. I think we as a country should work harder
teaching teens about sex ed and work harder preventing unwanted pregnancies from the start.

Works Cited

Pittman, Genevra. Medical Abortions Are Safe: Study. Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 20 Dec.
2012. Web. 19 Apr. 2016. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-medical-abortions-are-safe-studyidUSBRE8BJ1CW20121220
How to Do an Abortion with Pills (misoprostol, Cytotec)? Women on Waves. N.p., n.d. Web 18
Apr. 2016. http://www.womenonwaves.org/en/page/702/how-to-do-an-abortion-with-pills-misoprostol--cytotec
Abortions in America. Operation Rescue. Operation Rescue. 2016. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.
http://www.operationrescue.org/about-abortion/abortions-in-america/
Abortion Risks: A List of Major Psychological Complications Related to Abortion.
Afterbortion.org.Afterabortion.org, 19 Jan. 2012. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.
http://afterabortion.org/2011/abortion-risks-a-list-of-major-psychological-complications-relatedto-abortion/
Cochrane, Kira. Nine Women Share Their Personal Stories of Abortion. The Guardian.
Guardian News and Media, 26 Oct. 2006. Web. 05 Apr. 2016
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/oct/27/healthandwellbeing.society.

Wright, Wendy. "Abortion-Causing Drugs Are Dangerous to Women." Abortion. Ed. Nol Merino.
Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Drug Like RU486 May Be Approved as Morning-After Pill." 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 1
Apr. 2016.
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