Jacqueline Aguilar

Writing 2
Zack De Piero
5 May 2016
Sex as a Commodity?
Why is it that prostitution, often said to be the oldest profession, continues to be
banned in the majority of the world? What makes this exchange of money for a service so
different and controversial that requires the government to enforce laws against it? With such a
controversial topic everyone has an opinion. After examining three independent sources within
different disciplines, its apparent that they share common ground when it comes to why or why
not it should be illegal for an individual to partake in this occupation. Because all the sources are
classified as different genres, the information context can be similar but, delivered in many other
forms that is dictated by the audience. This can be explained in sociologist Ronald Weitzer
chapter, where he elaborates quite vividly because he predicts his audience has an actual interest
in what he has to say so they dedicate time to his piece. Similarly philosopher Tesla Carrasquillo
writes her analysis in a detailed organized research report. Non- scholar Belle Knox is a pornstar
who quickly shares sex industry experience in a Rolling Stones news article. With consideration
of genre and authors discipline, I argue that authors use similar stylistic techniques defined as
moves; but due to the intended audiences certain genres need to tailor to thus moves with in a
chapter or research report may look very differently than an entertainment new article.
Belle Knox is a current porn star that entered the industry when she could no longer
afford tuition at Duke University. In her Prostitutes are People not Criminals Rolling Stones

news article she defends prostitution by, claiming that enforcing laws against this type of illegal
work only decreases the level of safety for the workers. Because of her personal experiences
within the field of study, she is heavily influenced by her emotions. Her analyses on legalizing
prostitution is rooted from emotion and she delivers her argument in a causal yet informative one
page article in an American magazine that reveals and critic pop culture.
Throughout this magazine article Knox follows many conventions that are associated
with this news entertainment article genre. Length of any piece serves as an indicator of how
much information has been gathered and, forces the author to pick and choose the most
significant information to include within the amount of pace they have. Typically, entrainment
articles like in the Rolling Stones that focus on pop culture are no more than a page or two. So, in
this genre the author is not expected to write in too much depth but, enough to inform the
audience of the subject before they lose interest. She is brief yet very concise; she makes three
main claims that are supported by ethos and logos. As a porn star it is implied that Knox knows
more about the sex industry than a construction worker for example, thus persuade the audience
through use of ethos, In porn, I can speak openly about my experiences without fear of
punishment.... By establishing a common ground, a frequent move by Knox, she tries to
convince the audience that she is competent. Writers and people in general take the opportunity
to prove that what they are stating has truth by ensuring their credibility. Based on the article it's
clear to see that Knox is influenced by her own experiences, which gives concrete evidence. But
due to genre length limitation she doesnt fully analyze her other sources deeply thus lacking
core elements like counter arguing which would potentially make her argument stronger.
In contrast to Belle Knox, sociologist Ronald Weitzer writes an informative chapter
named New Frontier: Legalization of Prostitution, he makes sure to address all possible counter

arguments to legalizing prostitution in next 4 years, this is supported by more factual evidence
from several professionals. Weitzer writes heavily on how society portrays prostitution
negatively and the impact it has on sex workers identity. For example the bullet points problems
that are closely associated with prostitution such as proliferation, trafficking, abuse, and
increases incident of exploitation (Weitzer, 75). He meticulously breaks down three authors
arguments in order to apply them to his own discussion. Weitzer is able to fully explain in depth
past research and claims because his academic piece of writing a full length book, this gives him
room to write ultimately luring a genre specific audience. In comparison to the magazine article
previously mentioned, this genre has a more orientated audience that have a serious interest in
the subject. This means that deep analysis is expected from such genre. Unlike Knoxs article
that the audience tends to jumps from one article to another reading only what looks and sounds
appealing. Weitzer uses his background in social behaviors to further inspect the essence of each
author in a well written lengthy book.
To further explain how discipline of the author and genre dictates the writing structure of
a piece I want to explore the research report by philosopher Tesla Carrasquillo. Research reports
usually follow a standard format in order to organize information efficiently thus, this genre
doesnt allow much room for writer personality. For instances, genre conventions include
numbering paragraphs used as a vehicle to guide the reader along. Research reports need to be
able to be read quickly because the potential reader tends to be fellow scholars in a similar field
who cant waste time and have to grasp the significance of the report effectively. This is possible
by includes calculations/data, and formal language delivered straightforward. Carrasquillo
certainly follows these principles, she uses scientific language which shows her credibility but
also alludes to morals when referencing her research. The discipline of philosophy studies nature

of knowledge which is highly influenced by humans distinguishing what is morally right and
wrong. For instances Carrasquillo voices, Many activities that were once deemed immoral, like
the use of contraceptives or abortions, have gained social acceptance and are no longer banned in
most places. Within her detailed research report, Carrasquillo closely looks at the components
that makes prostitution unethical in form of sections that divide her findings to accommodate the
expected audience.
Knox, Carrasquillo, and Weitzer all write with different purposes according to genre but,
they give their writing character by choices they make while writing this is called the use of
moves. Moves have the potential to influence the reader because they are capable of capturing
and shape how the information they are trying to convey is delivered to the audience. Regardless
of discipline or purpose I have observed that the three writing pieces use similar moves in order
to appear cohesively and respectable to the audience. A common move that all published authors
previously mentioned displayed was establishing Why Their Claim Matters (691, Birkenstein
and Graff). Porn star Knox and sociologist Weitzer both made their claims truculent from the
start, stating who they were and the purpose of the piece. Philosopher Carrasquillo on the other
hand made her claims more discrete and overwhelmed the reader with loads of information
without explaining the importance it holds to reforming prostitution until the end. Because
research based reports are more factual they have a different incentive, to inform rather than
entertain the reader. It becomes apparent that the magazine article and the book writing pieces
are more interested in interacting with the reader and leaving an impact.
In the Rolling Stones entertainment article, Knox explicitly states why sex workers
should not be criminalized by prostitution opponents who love to promote images of abused
hookers that creates a hostility towards this occupation. The fact of the matter is that most sex

workers enter the industry via their own consent and genuinely enjoy their work (Knox)
because she directly informs the audience of how this is industry is being affected negatively
gives clarity to the reader of her beliefs which allows Knox to expand further in detail
effectively. This move of stating why her claims has relevance saves the reader time from being
confused and guided to the most important points. In the A New Frontier chapter, Weitzer also
builds a strong foundation for what his claims are and why the reader should care, for instance in
the beginning he notes, Similarly most academic studies have been convicted in nations where
prostitution is criminalized and marginalized. This means that knowledge is heavily
skewed.(Weitzer, 72). What Weitzer exhibits here is Knoxs same move but improved, it shows
that he has a deeper analysis of his sources and is less dependent on his own personal experience.
Weitzer, more precisely creates a platform because he has observed faults within research, which
indicates the reader that he plans to form counter arguments. By acknowledging all aspects of the
sources it shows a higher level of thought that academic scholars possess. Lastly, philosopher
Carrasquillo similarly uses the same move, but in a more discrete manner this is due to the genre
of her writing piece. In a research report Carrasquillo claims matter when there is factual
evidence such as resources, this convention is why incorporates many references followed by her
own results, there is no direct explanation of sources that explains the correlation with the
authors findings. This forces the reader to assume form their interpretation of the report rather
than have the author speak for it; this move has similar purposes but practices it in a different
form.
As patterns, moves can be represented in many forms; in these writing pieces,
prostitution is being studied through three very distinct perspectives which means they embody
other patterns that are unique to each one. For instance Knox constantly refers back to her

positive experiences as a porn star claiming she has always felt safe and in control within the
industry thus I personally named this as Listen to Me and my Story move. Because she fails to
acknowledge violence that occurs in the sex industry her credibility declines, her article becomes
less representative and more biased. Sociologist Weitzer practices this frequent move of not
allowing the reader to forget what he previously discussed, this is read at the beginning of most
paragraphs. For example he continually uses phrases such as, But in addition, for these reasons,
before proceeding I find that this move keeps the reader engaged in the chapter but also
prevents the reader to close focus on his main argument. Lastly, Carrasquillo encompasses the
move I like to call you know this is true this means that she tends to use many pop culture
phrases such asked for it or streetwalker in order to argue that these terms are socially
constructed, and we a part of society have the authority to oppress individuals, this relates with
ethics a strongly discussed subject in philosophy. Moves are versatile and may or may not appeal
to the reader but they are noticed which usually gives the piece a signature.
Moves as well as genre have a serious influence in how the author is expected to
write and how in depth their analysis will be. The three writings evaluate prostitution, some
information overlaps but regardless they thrive to deliver a message whether it's to cause a
reaction or to simply deliver data and analysis.
Works cited:
Carrasquillo, Tesla (2014) "Understanding Prostitution and the Need for Reform," Touro Law Review:
Vol. 30: No. 3, Article 11.
Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say / I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing.
New York: W.W. Norton, 2010. Print.
Knox, Belle .. "Opinion: 'Prostitutes Are People, Not Criminals' by Belle Knox." Rolling Stone. The
Rolling Stones, 05 Nov. 2014. Web. 11 May 2016.

Weitzer, Ronald John. Legalizing Prostitution: From Illicit Vice to Lawful Business. New York: NYU,
2011. Print.