Taylor Pia

Final Portfolio
English 1010
Dec 4, 2014
Letter of Transmittal
To Brittany,
Im trying my best to not make it sound like the average students paper. But you
actually taught me something. I learned how to effectively review someones paper and
be more confident in my writing from having us break into groups and discuss what we
had written.
In my literacy narrative, I aimed for my audience to be who wanted to get a tattoo.
But as I stated writing it formed to be a paper about being able to make your own
decisions and if you want to do something dont let anything stop you. So the audience
now is anyone who is having problems with their confidence, to encourage that this is
your life and you should do what you want with it.
In my rhetorical analysis, in my audience is anyone one who has lost anyone to
suicide, or to anyone curious about the tragedy of Robin Williams and why this was his
outcome. The purpose of this writing is writing about someone elses writing. To analyze
the writing and be able to explain it and give evidence as to why it is the way it is. The
trick was to remember that its not your writing, its someone elses and you now must
explain their writing in your words, their words, and still be able to see the message.
For my issue exploration my audience is anyone intrigued or concerned about the
reality of cloning in our world. My purpose is to come about un-biased and give facts and
support it with examples and evidence. My first draft was the most difficult because
having all this information and having to put it into your own words without coming off

as one-sided was a little challenging. From all the research I was able to see the outline
actually present itself. Going from one viewpoint to the next being able to find
similarities in the viewpoints and create an effective product.
What I was able to notice from each of my drafts becoming final drafts is I was
becoming a stronger writer. Being able to remember my mistakes write as I upload it to
canvas thinking why didnt I read it just once more is a tool that I will carry with me. It
is easier to see the good in my work from start then produce a great final paper. I have
grown to be more disaplined with my work, and have determination to always improve. I
had always enjoyed writing. Being able to create anything. From outlining to applying, to
editing, to finalizing. I have created my own techniques on how to produce better papers,
and pick up new tricks to make it flow more effective. Ill never stop learning and Ill
never stop applying myself to be a better writer and person.

Literacy Narrative
Painted Temple
Graduating from high school symbolizes new accomplishments for all involved.
For me this included the accomplishment and the right way. I had turned eighteen years
of age early in my senior school year. Turning eighteen represents that youre an adult
and now you must be held responsible for your actions. As far back as I can remember I
had always wanted a tattoo but my strict catholic father would never allow it. I always
just thought I would have to wait till I was eighteen, the legal age to get a tattoo. But I
was mistaken. On the day of my eighteenth birthday I told my father that when I come

home with a tattoo to not be surprised. He replied, Then dont be surprised that all of
your things are in the middle of the street when you get here.
My immediate response is thats not far; Im eighteen I can make this decision
for myself. He said that for me to live under his roof and have a tattoo I needed to be a
graduate from high school. After this was laid on me I just wanted to move out, but I was
getting ahead of myself. I still needed to graduate from high school, and moving out
would not be the best idea right now.
After my high school graduation the drive home with my father was very
pleasing. Full of congratulations and pats on the back. The parking lot was exceptionally
full and I could not think of a better time or place to break the news. I put my diploma in
my fathers hands, and said This is it the time has come. Im getting a tattoo. His
reaction is not what I was expecting. He looked down at the diploma, and held it tight in
his hands. He looked up at me and said Fine do whatever you want. After hearing that
it was as if today was like my real eighteenth birthday.
I had originally started saving money weeks before I had graduated, but in the
mail and parties held in my honor. I had more than enough to get whatever I wanted.
What I was going to get had never changed. Ever since I had known about tattoos I
always had an idea that I had gone back too. A blue dragon wrapping up my left arm.
Nothing too different or out of the ordinary but original. On a Tuesday evening I went out
with my friends to the tattoo shop to make a consultation about what was going to be
happening the next time we meet. My friends waited in the car while I went in alone. It
was crowded but he was waiting for me. His name is Troy Trujillo and he is a very
serious tattoo artist. I gave him the book and showed him the picture I wanted him to

draw inspiration from. We talked more about the business end of it, shook hands and I
left. For the next time we met I would never look the same again.
I recall feeling a combination of all different kinds of feeling that morning I woke
the day of my appointment. I only brought one person to accompany me, my little brother
who was only sixteen at the time so he drove. Walking In I took my seat and waited. We
arrived early but I but did not have to wait long. He showed me the drawing and I
couldnt be happier. It was everything I was looking for. He shaved my arm and placed
the final product on me.
I looked over and watched him put his gloves on and setting up hiss tattoo equipment.
Turning needles and machine into one tool. It didnt become real until that moment, like
this is about to happen and its going to hurt. We make eye contact and he says to me
Are you ready? I reply, Lets do it. He started towards my wrist and worked his way
up. I just remember feeling how sharp the needle was, entering my skin with ease. It
didnt hurt that bad, at first. Its a burning sensation that ranges in intensity. Also you
have to feel it for yourself to truly understand what its like.
Lying on the table I found myself in pain. It wasnt unbearable but I did want the
process to finish up. I felt comforted by looking and noticing new items or drawings in
the shop. Small little knick-knacks and beautiful paintings of all random assortments.
Listening to the music singing along in my head or aloud helped me not to think about
the tattoo itself. I could still feel it but it was no longer the only thing on my mind. As
often as I tried falling asleep the table would not allow it. The cushion cover was not soft
or pleasing to touch. The pillow I had my head on was in a garbage bag. I hated hearing
the plastic shuffle around right next to my ear. It was uncomfortable.

Before I knew it we were done. It was the first of many sessions to come to finish
but I was happy with how far we had gone. I stood up, we talked about the personal side
about getting a tattoo. He wrapped me up and I left. Riding back with my brother was
very quiet and calm. When we did talk it wasnt about what had just happen but about
other parts of the day or what the other was going to do tomorrow. I then started
pondering about what my parents were going to say, or my whole family for that thought.
But I didnt let it bother me. I value everyones opinion but they need to respect my
actions. They can be mad forever but they will always love me.
Rhetorical Analysis
Dear Suicide, Why did you take Robin Williams?

The morning of August 11, 2014 Robin Williams dies from asphyxiation after
hanging himself in his home in Paradise Cay, California. On August 18, 2014 Anne
Cooke, Angela Gilchrist, and John McGowan posted on theguardians.com an article titled
Robin Williams, depression and the complex causes of suicide which discusses with
the right circumstances, motivations, and emotions that pursue a suicide attempt will not
be the same for every person.
Suicide is not an easy subject to just understand, it very complicated. Many
different aspects tie into why people do in fact want to kill themselves. The authors depict
how depression, mental illness and faulty brain chemistry are all subjects of debate that
have two sides to each opinion. This may not be an easy topic to talk about, but it is
something that is happening in our world today. Its filled with confusion and questions
that we will never get the answers too. Anger and desperation are common motivational

meanings that are recognized, but thats not always the case. Every person is different but
reason to why this occurs can be related.
Within the beginning paragraph it discuss a theory made from psychologist Mary
Boyle the blame or brain approach. She explains it as yes faulty brain chemistry did
probably play a role into suicide but there is more dealing with why people actually do it.
Troublesome emotions, behaviors and psychological experiences, were touched on and
these are all key into why some commit suicide. Feeling vulnerable and alone enhance
ones decisions, and clouds the mind. The feeling of sadness and hopelessness follow
being alone because you feel it wont get any better. Being lonely does not necessarily tie
into depression, but to the other aspects of faulty brain chemistry. The person being alone
does not feel it will get any better because something in there brain will not allow her to
feel any better. This is an appeal to logos and it goes by reasoning that this is why they
feel this way and how they were in this situation.
The authors point out how depression is part of the problem but is not always the
answer. That depression is like an illness, or symptom of pain. That once you are sad you
may start to believe that you wont be happy again or the future appears too bleak. The
depression seems to follow you, and hit when you are most vulnerable. The text also
states that depression can happen to anyone at any time. That once youre in this state
you look for a way out or to escape out of desperation. These are solid ideas and in some
cases is the answer. But in these debates it usually goes one sided and can steer away
from other possible causes that may be more valid.
One of the most complex causes of suicide stated by the authors is how mental
illness plays its role. That once you are told you have an illness it can make you feel

inferior to all those you are deemed normal. Nobody generally wants to be told that
they have something wrong with them, especially in their mind. Psychologist Rufus May
simply puts it as us and them thinking. Feeling as though you are under everyone.
These are powerful statements which has good evidence to precede it. Tying in with
depression and being alone or the desire to seclude yourself away from others can
instigate the desire to leave because you may feel that you are a burden to others or
society.
Suicide is a powerful act that affects everyone even if they did not know
the person. Raises strong feelings, and emotions, with closure that some may never
receive. Stress and regret can make you want to act on these actions without feeling like
you have any other choice. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the world.
Prevention can be difficult because you can never truly know just how sad someone is
until it may be too late. When the news first reached me it was more than a shock that
Robin Williams died, even more baffling that it was by his own hand. Many colleagues
and friends all had their different opinions on why he might have wanted to actually
attempt it, one comment remained the same he was the last person I would have ever
imagined to kill themselves. Robin Williams was a beloved actor and comedian who
died before he should have. We will never know what truly drove Robin Williams to
want to move on so early. But the fact still remains is everyone has tough days
sometimes, shouldnt that be all.

Issue Exploration
Is it right, or should we do it anyway?

Cloning is the process of creating an genetically identical cell replica from which
it was sampled from. There are three types of cloning reproductive cloning, therapeutic
cloning, and DNA cloning. In 1996 on July 5, Dolly the female sheep was born. The first
cloned mammal from an adult somatic cell (1). This was a new beginning for the world.
Opening up possibilities that seemed impossible. New ideas and options begin to make
themselves present and factual. That we have come into this power is revolutionary. Now
is it ethical? Now that we have this choice should we do it? Many different opinions to
this issue have arisen. But the cloning of human beings is illegal, and to even attempt
cloning a human is illegal in most countries. In 2008 the FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) finalized that it is safe to consume that from cloned animals because they
are the same as what we have already been eating (2). There are two sides to every view,
initially is it right, or should we do it anyway?
Since the first cloned sheep over 20 other animal species have been cloned that
we aware of including wolves, dogs, cats, buffalo, ferrets, monkeys, cows, and even
carp. The mouflon is an endangered species that in 2000 was successfully cloned
showcasing that cloning can save endangered species(3). The Pyrenean ibex is a breed of
mountain goat that was declared extinct in 2000. In 2009 a clone had lived but died
minutes later due to physical defects, being the first taxon to return from extinction
demonstrating that we can bring animals back from the dead(4).
Since the FDA marked it safe to eat cloned meat, it is not required to label the
meat as cloned meat. Not telling someone they are eating cloned meat without prior
knowledge is distrustful. But they are replicas so is it different, and they are not natural
animals so is it wrong? We already do hurtful things to animals in the name of eating,

without announcement all of our meat that we eat and serve to our families could be
cloned. So if we create animal clones with just the intent of eating it is the same as what
we are doing now having natural animals that are born just to die?
It also opens the door to the possibility of ending world hunger from reproducing
more food to feed the hungry. The craving to stop hunger is now a reality. Ethical to stop
hunger and save dying and dead species, but not for how these animals are treated.
Human cloning has surfaced as a probability for saving human lives, or helping
troubled families. Cloning of organs to adhere to the high demand of organs could
replace the defective or failing organ inside of the body. Being genetically identical to
that of the donor is a perfect match in theorey(5). People are on waiting lists for
replacement organs and some never come. Cloning your DNA with the intent to grow an
organ to replace the failing one inside of you, making the wait time smaller to when you
can get a replacement, so you dont have to wait for an organ to come to you, thus saving
lives. Our knowledge will grow past the need of cloning an entire human to just the
cloning of organs. The technology required is not capable at this time (6).
The cloning of children when infertile parents want to start a family. Bringing
light to a dark situation. Making a factor no longer part of the problem. Its a sad fact
when a couple cant get pregnant for whatever reason. This deeply affects the two
involved. Some go to great lengths and desperate measures to begin a family. Cloning
either of the parents would result in them being able to have a child. Even allowing
previous parents who became infertile later in life, to have more children if they chose to
(6).

When the children grow up they may feel secondary to everyone around them
because they are just a replica of someone else. Feelings of being lesser compared to
siblings because they were not born the same way. That the clones may become
segregated against because they are the product of human intellect and desire. Being
labeled your just a clone. Or that their purpose in life is to be harvested for its organs.
These are factors that could damage the clone psychologically. Growing up knowing you
are a product of the intelligence of man, and not of natural endeavors. When the family
goes to church and they discuss the children of God, they wont feel part of the group
because they were not made by God but in a laboratory. Or the other sibling(s) rejecting
the clone because it is just a copy of them or one of their parents. This creates large selfconfidence issues and the outcomes maybe be severe (6).
The creation of Dolly forced other voices to be asserted. Leaders of the Christian
faith were urged to voice opinion on their views towards the ethics and morality of
cloning, but all Christians take multiple views. Some Christian faiths believe it can be
used ethically for its use to be for the treatment of diease or for civil health (9). What if
the answer to a persons kidney failure is to through cloning, and this could be viewed as
a gift from God in the sense of a responded prayer? He is said to work in mysterious
ways.
The Catholic Church believes that the soul enters the body when the sperm cell
and the egg conjoin. In this case clones dont have souls. Going into playing God. Only
God should have the right to create life. That God intended for life to be created from a
man and a women, clones are only created from one of the parents so its not ensuing
Gods initial plan. Changing the outcome of Gods plan that he has for everyone.

Interrupting the chain of what lives, and what dies. Breaking the vary rules that God has
put down before us. Backing therapeutic cloning, it is allowed that it does not associate
any sort of violation to the human embryo. Even if the intent has good intentions is not
morally acceptable (10). Even though clones would not be considered to have souls
Christians would still be tended to and loved like any other child forasmuch they are
expressed as being entirely human (7). The field regarding human cloning is forbidden
territory and is confronting powers that they can control (8).
Cloning itself has changed the world today and we will never go back to the way
it was before. I believe that cloning can help the world in ways that we need it to, and
hurt us in the ways that we can only imagine. Every person is different, and everyone is
entitled to his or her own thoughts and opinions regarding cloning. I see cloning taking us
to a realm of confusion and misguidance, or push us through the gate of real human
boundaries. I view more positive than negative with animal cloning and I think that
should be allowed and pursued. Human cloning only for medical purposes but never in
the instance of a human clone being able to be born or brought into this world. The whole
cycle of perception and reality would be disrupted. Clones growing to be harvested for
their organs while other clones go to school, who draws the line and where does it get
drawn. I see the ethical stand points in animal cloning but not in the cloning of human
beings.
(1) "Dolly the sheep clone dies young", BBC News, Friday, 14 February 2003
(2) "U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Animal Cloning. Fda.gov. Web. 23 Nov.
2014.
(3) Filed in
archive MISCELLANEOUS, PRODUCTS, SCIENCE by DREA on FEBRUARY 19,
2009

(4) Gray, Richard; Dobson, Roger (2009-01-31). "Extinct ibex is resurrected by cloning
The Daily Telegraph, January 31, 2009". London: Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-1211.
(5) Organ Cloning. Organ Cloning RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2014
(6) Farnsworth, Joseph. "To Clone or Not to Clone: The Ethical
Question."Http://thefarnsworths.com/science/cloning.htm. 5 Dec. 2001. Web. 1 Nov.
2014.
(7) MacKellar, Calum. "Creation- A Bond of Love?" Science & Christian Belief 16.1
(2004), 52
(8) Weasel, Lisa H., and Eric Jensen. "Language and Values in the Human Cloning
Debate: A Web-based Survey of Scientists and Christian Fundamentalist Pastors." New
Genetics and Society 24.1 (2005): 1-14.
(9) Sullivan, Bob. "Beyond Dolly: Human Cloning; Religions Reveal Little Consensus on
Human Cloning." msnbc.com. 25 May 2009
(10) John Paul II. Intervention by the Holy See Delegation at the Special Committee of the 57th
General Assembly of the United Nations on Human Embryonic Cloning. 2002.