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Holden Downing

Miss. Cook

Composition-01

18 October 2017

Tattoos and Piercing are a Freedom of Expression

Does body modification suggest a lack of professionalism, or is it simply freedom of

expression? (Pfeifer 15). Author Hattie Doolittle wrote Opinion: Tattoos and Piercings are a

Freedom of Expression, published in 2012 on the collegian, and she is arguing that

discriminating against those with tattoos and piercings is morally and ethically wrong. Doolittle

begins building her credibility with statements from others and how theyve been discriminated

against. However, toward the end of the article, her way of appealing to readers emotions stays

the same as her opinion and credibility are strong therefore showing that her argument is valid

and effective.

This is an issue because it's not rare these days to see a man or woman with a tattoo

(project censored). This is considered freedom of speech, freedom of speech is being able to

express ones thoughts and feelings in anyway thats not harmful to others (project censored).

But many get denied a job because they have body modification:, You earned your degree

wearing that tattoo, so why should getting a job be a problem?(project censored). Many are

concerned this is in violation to the First Amendment right to freedom of speech? The First

amendment entitles freedom of speech to every American citizen.

Tattoos and piercings are considered to be a way of expressing ones own beliefs,

thoughts, and feelings (project censored). This is considered to be discriminating against one

because their way of expressing themselves. The purpose of this article is to educate people on Commented [1]: Good job including the outside
sources to contextualize the topic.
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the discrimination against those with any body modifications such as tattoos and/or piercings.

This article is filled with rhetorical devices such as ethos, pathos, and logos. These devices all

appeal to the audience's senses of ethics, logic, and emotion. The author had to use these devices

to her advantage to persuade the audience.

Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or Commented [2]: T

credibility of the persuader. In the article, she uses ethos by saying, While tattoos and some

piercings are still not viewed as professional, I still think a few piercings and tattoos that are

subtle, meaningful and original should be tolerated by the workforce(Doolittle). The statement

by Doolittle appeals to ethos because its describing tattoos and piercings as being subtle,

meaningful, and original. These descriptive words are giving information to persuade one of why

it should be tolerated in the workforce. Tattoos are not harmful in any way so why discriminate Commented [3]: I'm not sure how this helps establish
the credibility of the writer.
and not allow someone to work because you have different values? Another example showing

ethos is Lina Marks, sophomore in management and gerontology, said she recently went to an

interview for an internship where she felt obligated to take out a set of her double

piercings(Doolittle). This appeals to ethos as well because Mark's felt as if she had to take her

piercings out or she wouldnt get the job. No one should feel as if they are being discriminated Commented [4]: Same here.

against because they have body modifications. One should be comfortable in their own skin and

have the freedom to express themselves without the feeling of being judged.

The second technique that is exemplified is pathos. Pathos is an appeal to emotion and is

a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response. In the article

Doolittle states that Some people get tattoos based on their religious beliefs, to honor the death

of a loved one, to show their artistic expression or simply to be spontaneous and get something

spur of the moment thats permanent(Doolittle). This demonstrates pathos because stating the
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many different reasons one could want a tattoo and saying to honor the death of a loved one is

emotional and one shouldnt be discriminated for the memory of someone who was close to their

heart. Another example for pathos is, accessories that once represented the rebels of the world

as an emblem of toughness and defiance are now slowly becoming more common and socially

acceptable(Doolittle). This appeals to the technique because it shows how the emotions and the

way tattoos used to be looked at, they now are becoming me socially acceptable. Just because

someone has a tattoo and/or piercing doesnt mean theyre rebels, you shouldn't judge a book

by its cover, everyone has a story and meaning behind the tattoos. Another example for ethos is, Commented [5]: Do you mean pathos?

People should not have to worry about taking their piercings out or covering up tattoos as long

as it isnt a distraction or danger to their workplace(Doolittle). This also appeals to this

technique because the words distraction and danger are words of emotion and/or a feeling, if one

doesnt feel in harm or distracted why are the tattoos an issue?

Lastly, the third writing technique demonstrated in the article by Doolittle is logos. Logos

is an appeal to logic, and is a way of persuading an audience by reason. Doolittle writes, If a

manager was hiring a person for a position and asked what the meaning behind their tattoo was,

they would be able to learn more about a potential employee based off their response and

decision-making process to get permanent ink on their body. This demonstrates logos because

the person had to have logic and think as to why they would want to put something on their body

forever, itd be a logical decision to not judge one for their tattoos because again, you shouldnt

judge a book by its cover and you dont know the meaning behind it. You should have a purpose Commented [6]: Good job making the connection
more clear here.
and meaning to go along with the ink youre putting on your skin for permanent. Another

example of this persuasive technique would be, Whatever the case may be, the permanence of

tattoos represent the individuality of a person, which should actually be more helpful when
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hiring in the workforce(Doolittle). This appeals to the technique because one is unique in their

own way, it uses persuasive technique by saying it would ...be more helpful when hiring in the

workforce this is making a logical decision because despite the body art the employer doesn't

agree with they could end up being the best employee youve ever had.

The article Opinion: Tattoos and Piercings are a Freedom of Expression written by

Hattie Doolittle is effective with the uses of the rhetorical devices. The way Doolittle

incorporates and uses the advice to her advantage it establishes a very persuasive side to the

argument. Doolittle had a very strong opinion and view on this subject. Throughout this article, I

was persuaded that individuals seeking job employment should not be judged for the tattoos

and/or piercings they have. Discrimination shouldnt even exist when it comes to this issue. The

First Amendment protects your right of this because you have the freedom of speech to express

yourself.

Works Cited
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Doolittle, Hattie. OPINION: Tattoos and Piercings Are a Freedom of Expression. The

Collegian, 13 May 2015, www.kstatecollegian.com/2015/05/13/opinion-tattoos-and-piercings-

are-a-freedom-of-expression/.

Attitudes Toward Piercings and Tattoos: AJN The American Journal of Nursing.

LWW,

journals.lww.com/ajnonline/Fulltext/2012/05000/Attitudes_Toward_Piercings_and_Tattoos.9.as

px.

Body Art Discrimination: Violation of First Amendment? - Ethics Alerts. Project

Censored, 29 Apr. 2014, projectcensored.org/body-art-discrimination-violation-first-

amendment/. Commented [7]: Citations should be formatted in

alphabetical order with a hanging indent.

Rubric rating submitted on: 10/18/2017, 8:38:03 AM by danielle.cook@redstreaks.org

5 4 3 2 1 0

Introduction 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No

W.2.a & creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
Conclusion demonstrated Introduction demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Introduction
W.2.e Introduction W.2.a a couple a few errors several errors W.2.a
Your score: W.2.a -Intro errors exist exist exist -Intro
5 -Intro paragraph Introduction Introduction Introduction paragraph
paragraph captures the W.2.a W.2.a W.2.a captures the
captures the readers -Intro -Intro -Intro readers
readers attention. paragraph paragraph paragraph attention.
attention. -A brief captures the captures the captures the -A brief
-A brief summary of readers readers readers summary of
summary of the text(s) attention. attention. attention. the text(s)
the text(s) analyzed is -A brief -A brief -A brief analyzed is
analyzed is given to summary of summary of summary of given to
given to anticipate the the text(s) the text(s) the text(s) anticipate the
anticipate the readers analyzed is analyzed is analyzed is readers
readers knowledge given to given to given to knowledge
knowledge level--no anticipate the anticipate the anticipate the level--no
level--no more than a readers readers readers more than a
more than a couple knowledge knowledge knowledge couple
couple sentences. level--no level--no level--no sentences.
sentences. -Intro more than a more than a more than a -Intro
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-Intro paragraph couple couple couple paragraph

paragraph clearly sentences. sentences. sentences. clearly
clearly introduces the -Intro -Intro -Intro introduces the
introduces the thesis and paragraph paragraph paragraph thesis and
thesis and topic of the clearly clearly clearly topic of the
topic of the body introduces the introduces the introduces the body
body paragraphs thesis and thesis and thesis and paragraphs
paragraphs that are clear, topic of the topic of the topic of the that are clear,
that are clear, sophisticated, body body body sophisticated,
sophisticated, and paragraphs paragraphs paragraphs and
and insightful. that are clear, that are clear, that are clear, insightful.
insightful. Conclusion sophisticated, sophisticated, sophisticated, Conclusion
Conclusion W.2.e and and and W.2.e
W.2.e -Conclusion insightful. insightful. insightful. -Conclusion
-Conclusion restates Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion restates
restates thesis, W.2.e W.2.e W.2.e thesis,
thesis, reviews the -Conclusion -Conclusion -Conclusion reviews the
reviews the topics/claims restates restates restates topics/claims
topics/claims in the body of thesis, thesis, thesis, in the body of
in the body of the essay, reviews the reviews the reviews the the essay,
the essay, offers closure topics/claims topics/claims topics/claims offers closure
offers closure and answers in the body of in the body of in the body of and answers
and answers the So the essay, the essay, the essay, the So
the So What? offers closure offers closure offers closure What?
What? question. and answers and answers and answers question.
question. the So the So the So
What? What? What?
question. question. question.

Body W.2.b 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No

Your score: creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
4.75 demonstrated Body W.2.b demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Body W.2.b
Body W.2.b -Each body a couple a few errors several errors -Each body
-Each body paragraph errors exist exist exist paragraph
paragraph begins with a Body W.2.b Body W.2.b Body W.2.b begins with a
begins with a clear, -Each body -Each body -Each body clear,
clear, sophisticated, paragraph paragraph paragraph sophisticated,
sophisticated, insightful begins with a begins with a begins with a insightful
insightful topic clear, clear, clear, topic
topic sentence. sophisticated, sophisticated, sophisticated, sentence.
sentence. -Claims, insightful insightful insightful -Claims,
-Claims, reasons, and topic topic topic reasons, and
reasons, and evidence are sentence. sentence. sentence. evidence are
evidence are effectively -Claims, -Claims, -Claims, effectively
effectively structured reasons, and reasons, and reasons, and structured
structured and organized evidence are evidence are evidence are and organized
and organized in a logical effectively effectively effectively in a logical
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in a logical sequence structured structured structured sequence

sequence with effective and organized and organized and organized with effective
with effective transitions. in a logical in a logical in a logical transitions.
transitions. -The sequence sequence sequence -The
-The significance with effective with effective with effective significance
significance of the claims transitions. transitions. transitions. of the claims
of the claims is clearly -The -The -The is clearly
is clearly established significance significance significance established
established for the of the claims of the claims of the claims for the
for the audience is clearly is clearly is clearly audience
audience throughout established established established throughout
throughout the body. for the for the for the the body.
the body. -Maintains a audience audience audience -Maintains a
-Maintains a consistent throughout throughout throughout consistent
consistent focus the body. the body. the body. focus
focus throughout. -Maintains a -Maintains a -Maintains a throughout.
throughout. Ideas always consistent consistent consistent Ideas always
Ideas always related back focus focus focus related back
related back to thesis in throughout. throughout. throughout. to thesis in
to thesis in order to prove Ideas always Ideas always Ideas always order to prove
order to prove the central related back related back related back the central
the central claim. to thesis in to thesis in to thesis in claim.
claim. -A clear, order to prove order to prove order to prove -A clear,
-A clear, accurate the central the central the central accurate
accurate analysis of claim. claim. claim. analysis of
analysis of the use of -A clear, -A clear, -A clear, the use of
the use of rhetoric accurate accurate accurate rhetoric
rhetoric within the analysis of analysis of analysis of within the
within the text is the use of the use of the use of text is
text is apparent. rhetoric rhetoric rhetoric apparent.
apparent. within the within the within the
text is text is text is
apparent. apparent. apparent.

Evidence & 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No

Elaboration creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
RL. 1 demonstrated Evidence & demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Evidence &
Your score: Evidence & Elaboration a couple a few errors several errors Elaboration
3 Elaboration RL. 1 errors exist exist exist RL. 1
RL. 1 -Contains Evidence & Evidence & Evidence & -Contains
-Contains effective, Elaboration Elaboration Elaboration effective,
effective, specific, RL. 1 RL. 1 RL. 1 specific,
specific, relevant -Contains -Contains -Contains relevant
relevant examples and effective, effective, effective, examples and
examples and details to specific, specific, specific, details to
details to back up relevant relevant relevant back up
back up major claims examples and examples and examples and major claims
major claims in each body details to details to details to in each body
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in each body paragraph back up back up back up paragraph

paragraph and the major claims major claims major claims and the
and the thesis. in each body in each body in each body thesis.
thesis. -Clear paragraph paragraph paragraph -Clear
-Clear reflection on and the and the and the reflection on
reflection on the evidence thesis. thesis. thesis. the evidence
the evidence is referenced -Clear -Clear -Clear is referenced
is referenced from the text reflection on reflection on reflection on from the text
from the text and the evidence the evidence the evidence and
and thoroughly is referenced is referenced is referenced thoroughly
thoroughly and clearly from the text from the text from the text and clearly
and clearly explained to and and and explained to
explained to the audience. thoroughly thoroughly thoroughly the audience.
the audience. - and clearly and clearly and clearly -
- Demonstrates explained to explained to explained to Demonstrates
Demonstrates thoughtful the audience. the audience. the audience. thoughtful
thoughtful consideration - - - consideration
consideration of the task Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates of the task
of the task and thoughtful thoughtful thoughtful and
and thoroughly consideration consideration consideration thoroughly
thoroughly answers the of the task of the task of the task answers the
answers the prompt. and and and prompt.
prompt. thoroughly thoroughly thoroughly
answers the answers the answers the
prompt. prompt. prompt.

Mechanics, 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= 1= 0 = No

Usage & creatively Demonstrated Attempted to Attempted to Attempted to attempt made
Style W.2.c,d demonstrated Mechanics, demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; Mechanics,
& L. 1 & 2 Mechanics, Usage & a couple a few errors several errors Usage &
Your score: Usage & Style W.2.c,d errors exist exist exist Style W.2.c,d
5 Style W.2.c,d & L. 1 & 2 Mechanics, Mechanics, Mechanics, & L. 1 & 2
& L. 1 & 2 -Sentence Usage & Usage & Usage & -Sentence
-Sentence variety and Style W.2.c,d Style W.2.c,d Style W.2.c,d variety and
variety and word choice & L. 1 & 2 & L. 1 & 2 & L. 1 & 2 word choice
word choice is effective -Sentence -Sentence -Sentence is effective
is effective and variety and variety and variety and and
and sophisticated. word choice word choice word choice sophisticated.
sophisticated. -A formal is effective is effective is effective -A formal
-A formal style and and and and style and
style and objective tone sophisticated. sophisticated. sophisticated. objective tone
objective tone is established -A formal -A formal -A formal is established
is established and style and style and style and and
and maintained & objective tone objective tone objective tone maintained &
maintained & -Writing is is established is established is established -Writing is
-Writing is clear, and and and clear,
clear, concise, and maintained & maintained & maintained & concise, and
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concise, and strong. -Writing is -Writing is -Writing is strong.

strong. -Sentences clear, clear, clear, -Sentences
-Sentences demonstrate concise, and concise, and concise, and demonstrate
demonstrate correct usage, strong. strong. strong. correct usage,
correct usage, punctuation, -Sentences -Sentences -Sentences punctuation,
punctuation, capitalization, demonstrate demonstrate demonstrate capitalization,
capitalization, and spelling. correct usage, correct usage, correct usage, and spelling.
and spelling. punctuation, punctuation, punctuation,
capitalization, capitalization, capitalization,
and spelling. and spelling. and spelling.

MLA Format 5 = Fully and 4= 3= 2= Attempted 1= Attempted 0 = No

W.8 creatively Demonstrated Attempted to to to attempt made
Your score: demonstrated MLA Format demonstrate; demonstrate; demonstrate; MLA Format
4.75 MLA Format W.8 a couple a few errors several errors W.8
W.8 -Information errors exist exist exist -Information
-Information from the text MLA Format MLA Format MLA Format from the text
from the text is integrated W.8 W.8 W.8 is integrated
is integrated into the essay -Information -Information -Information into the essay
into the essay selectively to from the text from the text from the text selectively to
selectively to maintain the is integrated is integrated is integrated maintain the
maintain the flow of ideas, into the essay into the essay into the essay flow of ideas,
flow of ideas, and selectively to selectively to selectively to and
and overreliance maintain the maintain the maintain the overreliance
overreliance on the text flow of ideas, flow of ideas, flow of ideas, on the text
on the text using and and and using
using transition overreliance overreliance overreliance transition
transition words/phrase on the text on the text on the text words/phrase
words/phrase s. Plagiarism using using using s. Plagiarism
s. Plagiarism is avoided by transition transition transition is avoided by
is avoided by each quote words/phrase words/phrase words/phrase each quote
each quote being s. Plagiarism s. Plagiarism s. Plagiarism being
being appropriately is avoided by is avoided by is avoided by appropriately
appropriately cited using each quote each quote each quote cited using
cited using in-text being being being in-text
in-text citations and appropriately appropriately appropriately citations and
citations and a works cited cited using cited using cited using a works cited
a works cited page. in-text in-text in-text page.
page. -Paper is citations and citations and citations and -Paper is
-Paper is formatted a works cited a works cited a works cited formatted
formatted according to page. page. page. according to
according to MLA -Paper is -Paper is -Paper is MLA
MLA guidelines formatted formatted formatted guidelines
guidelines (header, font, according to according to according to (header, font,
(header, font, spacing, MLA MLA MLA spacing,
spacing, margins, page guidelines guidelines guidelines margins, page
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10

margins, page number, etc). (header, font, (header, font, (header, font, number, etc).
number, etc). spacing, spacing, spacing,
margins, page margins, page margins, page
number, etc). number, etc). number, etc).

Comments:
Total: 22.5/25 x 4 = 90

This is a much better essay. I know it took a lot of work in a small amount of time, but you
should be proud of what you were able to do. This is a much better analysis. You incorporated
your additional sources very well in your essay. You explained the use of pathos and logos very
well. The use of ethos was a little less clear. I'm not sure you have a full understanding of what
ethos is. The essay is well organized and supported with specific evidence. There is a clear focus
throughout, but some transitions could be used more clearly throughout.