Expository or Persuasive?

Expository and Persuasive are two very different types of writing. An expository research paper summarizes the relavant information about a topic, and a persuasive research paper argues or proves a thesis; the writer's hypothesis. This kind of research also evaluates a position.

My topic, prenatal smoking: A causal factor in low birth weight, is tricky because I am informing about a topic but also hoping the information tthat I present persuades smoking mothers to realize the dangers, and stop smoking for the health of her baby. Persuasion is writing that appeals to reason, emotion, or ethics (the sense of right and wrong) which my topic deals with in way, but the focus of my research paper is really to inform readers about low birth weight, what it means, and also how smoking is a causal factor negative outcomes. So, expository or Persuasive? I would have to say expository; to explain.

Make-up story using often confused words

We got off the bus, and Principal Jones directed us to our site. The class was going on a field trip to Mount Everest, and we would soon begin our trek up the mountain. The weather at the bottom of the mountain was quite fare, however we did not know whether or not the conditions at the top would be as favorable. Suddenly, the wind kicked up and Mr. Jones began to lose the directions right out of his hands! How did they become loose? Beginning to panic, Mr. Jones climbed onto the stationary bus, using its rooftop as an altar. With both hands cupped around his eyes to block the sun, Mr. Jones looked as far as he could but the directions were no where in sight. Everyone was beginning to get angry because we had traveled so far, but now we did not have the right directions to find the track that would lead us safely up the mountain. It was not fair!

Aggravated, Mr. Jones decided to take a walk to blow off steam. "Look! Over there!" someone screamed. It was a piece of paper stuck against a large rock pinned down by the force of the wind. Could it be the missing directions? We were too far away to know for sure.
"Get your backpacks, and follow me! Hurry!" said Mr. Jones as he ran towards the rock.
Mr. Jones finally arrived at the location except he looked puzzled. He realized the piece of paper was too high to reach and began climbing the side of the mountain. "You're gonna fall!" someone screamed. Two of the tallest guys went over to help hold onto Mr. Jones whose feet were about to slip out from underneath him. Glad for the help, Mr. Jones took in a deep breath pondering what could have happened and the effect of a possible fall.

The class stood staring with anticipation as Mr. Jones grabbed the piece of paper. He threw it down and stomped it to the ground; it was only a piece of stationery. "Stationary!" shouted Mr. Jones. "How cute" he continued, "Someone tried to write a love letter, only they forgot to cite Shakespeare!" You could now see the vein popping out of Mr. Jones forehead as his sarcasm heightened. This field trip was turning out to be a nightmare. All the commotion was begining to affect and alter everyone's mood, especially Mr. Jones.

"It's getting late!" someone whined from the group. "Can't we just start climbing?" said another. Mr. Jones faced the class, rolled his eyes and said, "You all know the principle for mountain climbing. One must follow the path because it is the safest way to go. Plus, the guide has a copy of our route and in-case something should happen, they will be able to send out a rescue team!" His voice went from yelling to a low pitched growl. The way he was talking, someone should be preparing our funeral rites!

"Everyone set up camp" said Mr. Jones. "We better take advantage of the remaining sunlight while it lasts." His voice was somewhat back to normal this time. "We will just have to accept the fact that the directions are gone, and we'll have to contact the guide through the radio tomorrow morning. For now, we have to be patient."

Early the next morning while most of us were still asleep, Mr. Jones went to the bus to get the radio. It wasn't there! He searched his backpack, but it wasn't there either. He started rummaging his way through everyone's tent in search for the missing radio. "First the directions, now this!" exclaimed Mr. Jones. "Now this isn't funny, who's got the radio?! Most of the class just pulled their sleeping bags over their heads, trying to block out Mr. Jones and his ranting...is it time to go home yet?!

Fine Tuning

My topic, maternal smoking during pregnancy is actually quite broad. There is a lot of research such as the effects of smoking on the fetus in utero, the adverse effects of maternal smoking on negative pregnancy outcomes, the effects of maternal smoking on the development of the child later in life....and the list goes on and on. I was finding so much general information and actually didn't know where to focus, however I found the area of birth weight to be the most interesting, and the most influenced (and preventable) by prenatal smoking.

Maternal smoking increases the chance of having a LBW baby by nearly 50%. I also found through research that having LBW baby means more than having just a small baby. LBW babies have an increased chance of developing illness and disease later in life.

What is Nicotine and is it addictive?

Yes, nicotine is addictive. Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) nicotine dependence is included under the general definition of substance dependence. The criteria for substance dependence is based on a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiologic symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems (DiFranza, par 1). The definition of nicotine dependence has 7 criteria, and the DSM-IV requires a person to meet at least 3 of the 7 to be considered nicotine dependent (DeFranza, par 2).

In the United States, it is estimated that 18 percent of pregnant women smoke during their pregnancies. This number is quite high, but in defense of mothers who smoke, most want to stop however find it very difficult to quit. “Most smokers identify tobacco use as harmful and express a desire to reduce or stop using it” (Tobacco, 3). An estimated 35 million smokers report wanting to quit smoking each year, but unfortunately only about 6 percent are successful for more than a month.

There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke of tobacco products. Of these, nicotine is the primary reinforcing component of tobacco that acts on the brain (Tobacco, 2). A key brain chemical involved in medicating the desire to consume drugs is the neurotransmitter dopamine. Research has shown that nicotine increases levels of dopamine in the reward circuits which is what creates the pleasurable sensations experienced by smokers.

Nicotine’s pharmacokinetic properties also enhance its abuse potential. Cigarette smoking produces a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain, with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. The acute effects of nicotine diminish within a few minutes, along with the feelings of reward. To prevent withdrawal, the smoker has to continue dosing in order to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects (Tobacco, 3).

Citation:

DiFfanza, Joseph R. “ Implications of the Autonomy Theory of Nicotine Dependence” Medscape General Medicine. (28 Aug. 2002). 14 Apr. 2007.
<www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440407>

“Tobacco Addiction.” National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Report Series. 2006. 10 Apr. 2007.
<http://www.nida.nih.gov/PDF/RRTobacco.pdf>

New research: Maternal smoking related to overweight children

People are well aware of the health consequences of smoking and research studies are being done all over the world, informing the public about new and important findings. For example, a new study suggests that maternal smoking could be linked to childhood obesity. One theory for this is based on muscle growth. The study basically states that babies who are small and thin at birth lack muscle, which is a deficiency that will most-likely persist after birth. It states that the critical period for muscle growth occurs in utero and that there is little cell replication after birth. Furthermore, if nourishment is compromised in utero, muscle will not have the opportunity to grow and develop to its full potential. This situation can be unfortunate because muscle plays a very important role in the functioning of the body, for example burning fat for energy. Due to lack of muscle development, LBW babies may grow up to have a disproportionately high fat mass in relation to lean body mass, which can lead to another danger such as insulin resistance (Barker, 16). Another theory as to why maternal smoking is associated with over-weight children is attributed to the process of “catch up growth,” commonly experienced among LBW infants. Babies born with a lower than average weight go through a period of rapid growth afterward to catch up to where they should be. During accelerated growth, a baby’s body is working extra hard and overcompensating in order to reach normal weight. This can affect the baby’s metabolism, making it harder to regulate food intake and also making the baby more susceptible to weight gain later in life. Also, infants of smoking mothers go through a form of nicotine withdrawal after birth, and similar to smokers trying to kick the habit, may develop problems with appetite control.

Citation:

Barker, David JP. “Low Birth Weight, Early Growth and Chronic Disease Later in Life.”
Pediatric Basics: The Journal of Pediatric Nutrition and Development. 104 (2003): 12-19. 10 Apr. 2007. <http://www.gerber.com/content/usa/html/pages/pediatricbasics/pdffiles/PedBasics_104.PDF>

Source Summary: Causes and Implications of Low Birth Weight Infants

This website was very simple and easy to read, but at the same time was very professional and informative. The focus was on low birth weight (LBW) and the primary determining factors, smoking included among several others. The only problem I found was that the information presented on smoking and LBW was very general. The article’s main purpose was to address the different factors contributing to LBW, so it did not go into details, but instead just gave general information. I thought it gave useful statistics and a basic understanding of the negative outcomes associated with LBW babies.

Citation:

Causes and Implications of Low Birth Weight Infants. Stanford University.
20 Feb. 2007

Source Summary: Truth & Consequences, Addressing Low Birth Weight Infants

This website represents the articles and resources that have appeared in the latest printed
editions of the Expectant Mother's Guide. The Expectant Mother's Guide is a semi
annual publication of Spindle Publishing Company that includes a series of printed
booklets designed to provide expectant and new parents with local resources relating to
pregnancy, childbirth, baby and parenting. This website included a lot of good
information regarding pregnancy, however I only found a little bit if information useful
for research. The article I found most helpful was one that addressed low birth weight
infants. I learned the distinction between normal and low birth weight.

Citation:

Wilson, Ann M. “Truth & Consequences, Addressing Low Birth Weight Infants.” New Jersey
Coalition for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities. 21 Feb. 2007.