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Yazeed Alrowily
Chrystal Graham
ENG 101-028
12/4/2012
Cover letter for Writing Portfolio
Comprehensive Reflective Letter
Dear Ms, Chrystal Graham,

Remarkable progress in my English writing has been witnessed in one year. As far as
English writing was considered, a year ago, I was merely a layman, with my writing pieces
depicting lack of formality and formless comprehension. I have felt an extraordinary growth
in my ideological and technical writing, because of enrolling myself in the English writing
course that you have offered.
I am at present fluent in putting my ideas into words, in selecting strong and positive
words for illustrating my point of views. Also, an unambiguous understanding of my
audience and purposes allows me for gaining professionalism and deeper insights all over my
process of writing.
Further considerable improvements are the professionalism and formality, which I
have nurtured within my writing assignments. Comparing the two attached essays with the
ones I wrote last year, one would surely affirm that these essays demonstrate significant
professional and conventional styles in addition to much clear-cut focuses. Both essays are
constantly polished for achieving a lively and lucid exposition.
Altogether, the course of English writing has brought-out the best keen perception and
professionalism. Making way for a self-discovery path, the writing process, although exigent,
has proved gratifying for ego trip and would surely change me into a much significant
intellectual in the long-term.

Sincerely,
Yazeed Alrowily

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Final Response of Response to an Argumentative Essay
The first essay Figure It OutGetting the Students Loans Bailed Out is a critical
reflection of the article Dude, Where's My Student Loan Bailout? which is written by
James Marshall Crotty. The essays reviews Crottys article and finds out that the existing rate
of students defaulting in the payment of their loans has reached an alarming level, climbing
up to an all-time high of nearly 9%. In the essay I found out that Crottys article is not only
well-rounded and well-presented, but it is also well-written in that it provides the reader with
a comprehensive picture of the current dilemma that an increasing number of students find
themselves in these days. In conclusion of the essay I agree with the claim made by Crotty in
his article that students have tremendous difficulties paying off their loans and I have even
related it to my experience, which confirms that colleges life expenses have dramatically
exceeded American families income.
The second essay attached in this portfolio is a critical analysis and a comparison of
two print advertisements published by two different magazines and comparing their methods
in how to persuade their perspective audiences. Both of them are advertising truck and both
of them published in May 2011, but the first ad is marketing Toyota Tundra truck and
published by Field & Stream magazine while the second one is marketing Ford F-150 truck
and published by Mens Health magazine. From the analysis of the two ads, it can be said that
the attractions and strategies that used by both of the advertisements makers showed that
they were targeting all of the male population.
The best essay from the two attached essays within this portfolio is the first one by the
title of Being A Real Man.A Truck Instead of A Van..Yes You Can. The reason behind
this essay being the best of two is that it is an in-depth analysis of the two advertisements
marketing strategies. This kind of experience is highly favoured since my major is business
and my future ambitions are mostly spanning around the business orbit.
Yazeed Alrowily
Chrystal Graham

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ENG 101-28
09/15/2012
Being A Real Man.A Truck Instead of A Van..Yes You Can
The market for car manufacturers is perpetually governed by a range of ever-changing
factors that determine success and profits. Customers generally base their decisions to buy a
specific car model on considerations such as luxury, economy, style, brand, horsepower etc.
Of course car manufacturers know this and hence devise extensive marketing strategies that
are specifically aimed at identifying the leading factors that influence the choice of
consumers to purchase a car. By doing this, they are better able to customize their products
according to the specific needs, tastes and preferences of the consumers of a specific market
niche.
Car manufacturing giants such as Ford and Toyota have literally shifted gears in terms
of formulating effective global marketing strategies. This can be seen from the fact that they
have gone one step further and devised segment-specific car models as well as marketing
schemes. The Toyota Tundra Truck first featured in the May 2011 edition of Field & Stream
magazine while the Ford 150 featured in the Mens Health magazine for the May 2011
subscription. Both these ads had one thing in commonboth the magazines have what can be
described as mainly a male subscription. Therefore, it can be said that the purpose of
advertising the two trucks in mens magazines clearly implies that the manufacturers sought
to target a male population.
The Toyota Tundra advertisement was featured in the May 2011 edition of Field
&Stream magazine. Upon assessing the various elements of the advertisement, it was evident
that it was particularly designed to appeal to the working class of the male population. The ad
featured a full page picture of the brand new black Toyota Tundra truck which was displayed
on a yellow backdrop. The main feature of the car that the advertisement focused on is the

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impressive 4.6L v8 engine of the truck which boasts an impressive 310 horsepower with up
to 327 pounds of torque per square inch. The ad compares this impressive power of the
engine with the force generated upon firing a 12-gauge shotgun.
Therefore, the engine horsepower can be identified as the unique selling point of the
car. The truck has been advertised as the best friend of the working class of men who value
the significance of a days worth of hard labour and who are equally concerned about how
much they spend on fuel day after day. In an age where the price of fuel has virtually
skyrocketed, the ad also boasts an impressive level of fuel efficiency and therefore promises
fewer trips to the gas station. Generally, the main highlights of the car are the unmatched
horsepower and fuel efficiency of the engine.
Additionally, even with the tremendous horsepower of the engine, the car boasts 20
mpg (miles per one gallon) on the highway which is considered remarkable when judged by
industry standards. Toyota claims to have achieved this rare feat by integrating its dual
independent VVTi system with low-friction technologies and a purpose-built 6-speed
automatic transmission. This is the main reason why the Tundra is able to deliver on its
promise and does not back down from any challenge that it may confront o the road.
Some other elements of the advertisement that give the strong impression that it was mainly
designed to appeal to the hard-working mainly male segment of the target market is the
choice of words used by the marketing planners and strategists. For instance, the fact that the
power of the cars engine has been compared with a 12-gauge shotgun clearly signifies that
the main target market for the car is the male population. The allusion to the shotgun is very
cleverly utilized in the advertisement, particularly when we consider that nearly all men are
only too aware of the firepower of a shotgun. Thus, it is implied that the Tundra perfectly
complements machismo and manliness.

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On the other hand, we have the advertisement for the new (Built Tough) Ford 150 featured in
the May 2011 edition of the Mens Health magazine. After conducting a thorough review of
the Ford 150 ad, one gets the unmistakable impression that it is targeted at the male
population. This means that the two car models are targeting the same market segments and
the same population. That Toyota and Ford are competing for greater volume of sales in the
same market can be further explained by the fact that both the ads featured practically at the
same time, i.e. in the same month of May 2011.
Moreover, the Ford 150 ad featured in the Mens Health magazine which is a clear
indication of the fact that the product is primarily targeted at the working male population.
Another element of the advertisement that gives the strong impression that it is mainly
designed to appeal to the male segment of the target market is the use of the word kiddie,
which implies that the owner sets himself apart from the smaller cars out on the road. This is
a clever marketing strategy devised by the planners as it distinguishes the adults from the kids
in SUVs.
The ad shows the massive Ford 150 travelling on a highway in what is apparently
stormy weather. Therefore, the Ford 150 is apparently being advertised as an all-terrain allweather truck that promises to accompany the owner anywhere and everywhere. Just like the
Toyota Tundra, Ford also has put particular emphasis on the power of Ford 150s four engines
which have an overall capacity of 3.7L. It is also clear that the engine power and fuel
efficiency are the two main unique selling points of the car.
This is an especially ingenious marketing strategy as fuel prices have virtually skyrocketed in
recent months so that consumers are increasingly concerned about critical considerations
such as mileage and horsepower. With the tremendous horsepower of the engine, the car
boasts 23 mpg on the highway which is considered remarkable when judged by industry
standards.

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Marketing strategists of both the car models have cleverly designed the
advertisements to highlight the unique selling point of both cars so that they are more
effective in appealing to their target consumer. Seeing that both the advertisements featured
in the same month, and that too inn magazines that have a predominantly male subscription is
also clever marketing as it distinguishes the trucks as being more appealing and attractive to
the male population. More impressive is the fact that the ads are so precise and clinical in
their approach, mainly because they effectively create a market niche for their product and
then employ available resources towards achieving the desired marketing results. Both ads
are therefore effective when it comes to marketing strategy.

Works Cited

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Field and Stream. Toyota Tunder ad. May, 2011.

Knight, Peter. Hemp!: The Highly Effective Marketing Plan. London: Prentice Hall Business,
2004. Print Publishers. Pp. 28-32
LeSueur, Jeff. Marketing Automation: Practical Steps to More Effective Direct Marketing.
Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2007. Print Publishers.Pp 25-38
Mens Health. Ford F 150 ad. May, 2011.
Perrett, Dianne, and Clive Howe. Simple Solutions to Effective Marketing.Randburg, South
Africa: Knowres Pub, 2005. Print Publishers, pp. 25-48
Weeks, Andrea L. Effective Marketing Management: Using Merchandising and Financial
Strategies for Retail Success. New York: Fairchild Fashion & Merchandising Group, (1991).
Print Publishers, pp. 33- 39

Yazeed Alrowily
Chrystal Graham

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ENG 101-28
11/29/2012
Figure It OutGetting the Students Loans Bailed Out
The article Dude, Where's My Student Loan Bailout? is written by James Marshall
Crotty and discusses the woes of the students of the United States. It highlights how they are
finding it increasingly difficult to pay back their student loans amidst tight economic
conditions. The article gives the reference of a survey to establish that a majority of students
who have yet to settle their loan debts want them to be forgiven by the lenders. The article
reports that the existing rate of students defaulting in the payment of their loans has reached
an alarming level, climbing up to an all-time high of nearly 9%. In fact, it claims that the
actual numbers that truly represents the current delinquency rate are somewhere around 18%.
These figures have been communicated by the New York Fed. In addition to this, it is claimed
that a little shy of half the loans that are granted to students in order to aid their studies are
either deferred, on forbearance, or in a grace period. As a result, they cannot be included in
the repayment cycle and that would hurt the economy. In one of his comments regarding of
the student loan issue, James Kvaal, deputy under secretary of education, said We see a
strong relationship between student default rates and unemployment rates. (Lewin, 2011).
In the article, Crotty claims that getting the students loans bailed out is extremely
needed at this point mainly because the major public wants that. I totally agree with Crotty
that the rising level of current student loan defaults threatens to exacerbate the burgeoning
budget crisis of the United States and that governmental intervention is needed in order to
bailout the students from this financial burden. Indeed, the governments actions are needed
here to not only prevent the borrowers from going bankrupt, but also to snowball peoples
loyalty by obtaining their satisfaction from providing financial aid to them.

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In general, the article is well-presented and well-rounded to persuade the intended
readers (American citizens). It presents a holistic view of the student loan crisis and explains
how it affects the average American student. However, it is predicted that the issue of college
loan debts is the primary focus of college graduates in the current polls; nearly 87% of all
those surveyed were of the opinion that the burgeoning costs of education were a pressing
political issue. Meanwhile, the cited survey indicated that the economy and the budget crisis
were the top two concerns among Americans, and it also confirmed that 70% of the
respondents were considering the student debt issue as one of their top or middle concerns for
the upcoming election. For the American citizens, the importance of the economy, the
unemployment rate, and the budget crisis has gained highest priority in the current polls.
Furthermore, besides relying on a survey indicating the populace attitude to the student loan
issue and to the economic issues overall, the article also states accurate records indicating the
incredible default rate among students loans and the reasons behind that failure, which are
the inflation and the weak economy that occurred at that point. By providing credible
findings and research that clarify all the aspects of the student loan issue, the article perfectly
delivers the idea of getting the students loans bailed out to a wide audience, who would
support this idea. Thus, the article builds a very convincing case by presenting arguments
with the support of survey findings.
Crottys article is not only well-rounded and well-presented, but it is also well-written
in that it provides the reader with a comprehensive picture of the current dilemma that an
increasing number of students find themselves in these days. James Crotty has effectively
used the findings of polls and surveys conducted by Instant.ly in order to prove his point that
students are in the heart of dilemma in that they are almost certain that they will fail to settle
the student loans that they have taken from the government in order to finance their studies.
For instance, the article mentioned that the default rate had reached the highest level on

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records at that point. The tone adopted by the writer and the message delivered there is clear
and fair so that it does not seem to be biased at all. Apart from this, various other survey
findings have been cited to support the case of the students. This makes the argument fairly
logical and justifies the argument that the author is trying to make regarding the gravity of the
student loans default rate.
The article obviously indicates the Americans attitude that the government should
participate in a resolution program to fix the student loan issue. The readers of Crottys article
would agree with the views and opinions of the students who are stuck in the middle of this
dilemma simply because the cited survey which is used in the article was responded by
Americans with at least Bachelors degree. It cites the findings of a credible survey to
indicate that a staggering 81% of all the respondents were at a consensus and replied
positively when asked if the government should intervene and provide them with assistance
in settling their debts. All these respondents also replied on a positive note when asked
whether the government should initiate a student loan forgiveness program. Graduates and
students who had not taken any loans nor asked the government for financial assistance were
equally in favor of the idea that the government should forgive the debt. In this regard, more
than 61% of the respondents said that they favoured forgiveness of loan debt. Moreover, the
article stresses upon how the economy and the burgeoning budget crisis of the United States
has become two of the most important national issues as a reason to why the student loan
issue should be resolved. And of course the economy would be better when the default rate
among loans stabile at a low level. With this, the article suggests that the results of the
upcoming polls will be heavily dependent on what the views of leading contenders, namely
Obama and Romney, are on the budget crisis and the economy and the policies that they have
planned to resolve these issues. According the cited survey, which was published by Intant.ly,
those three hundreds respondents of the survey were citizens with high educational degrees

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and the majority of them were considering the student loan issue as one of their top concerns
for the upcoming election. So Crottys sources in the article is surely right when it consider
the economic issues as one of the top concerns for the Americans for the 2012 elections
because recent news have shown that the economy, the budget crisis and the unemployment
are the most important concerns for the American voters. The Election Center of CNN
Politics webpage reports, The economy, unemployment, taxes and how to manage the
federal government's $14 trillion debt will be leading issues in the 2012 campaign. Here in
this case, the result of the top concerns for the Americans for 2012 elections from the cited
survey in Crottys article have matched CNN report about the dominant issues that would
encounter the winner party. Therefore, by representing the governments role in the student
debt as the core part of the solution for the most of Americans, who are extremely concerned
about getting the issue resolved in the nearest future, Crotty has proved that solving the issue
by the government would impact taxpayers satisfaction and gratitude for their nation.
I completely agree with the article that students have tremendous difficulties paying
off their loans because my experience as a college student confirms that it is extremely hard
to afford the expensive college life expenses in the U.S. Lately, colleges life expenses have
dramatically exceeded American families income. According to U.S. Census Bureau, the
average of households income has declined to $50,054 while the colleges board estimation
of the colleges expenses is approximately from $20,000 to $40,000 in 2011. Crotty
effectively uses alarming language to get his readers to pay attention and feel sympathetic
towards student. An alarming revelation in the article is the systematic was increasing 15%
per year in the college tuition fee in the United States during the last three years. Clearly, this
only serves to exacerbate the problem for the students since a perpetually increasing
education fee means that they are forced to pay a higher amount for their education and this
leaves them with practically no other option but to seek more student loans which they are

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unable to pay. Hence, their liability increases to such an extent that they request a bailout. The
article is very convincing in that it provides ample statistical data of the snowballed colleges
tuitions and information to support its dramatic rising.
In brief, the article is effective in presenting its views since it gives the reference of a
survey to establish that a majority of students who have yet to settle their loan debts want
them to be forgiven by the lenders. It communicates to the reader the views and opinions of
the students who are stuck in the horns of this dilemma. It cites the findings of a survey to
indicate the enlightened Americans views, which extremely concern about solving the
student loan issue. The views and opinions expressed in the article are similar to my own
since the current student loan crisis is a serious political issue that needs to be addressed
urgently. The scenario painted by the author in his article and the tone he has used clearly
suggest that the educational framework of America is on the verge of failure since it cannot
accommodate students belonging to the middle class. He concludes the article eloquently by
stating that the upcoming elections in the United States will determine whether students
graduating out of colleges are able to afford education and get decent jobs to stabilize the
economy.

Works Cited

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Americans Choice 2012 Election Center Cable News Network. CNN Politics. n.d. Web.
11/28/2012.
College Cost Projector FinAid. n.d. Web. 22 November 2012.
Crotty, James. Dude, Where's My Student Loan Bailout? Forbes. Technology. 12
September 2012. Web. 20 November 2012.
Lewin, Tamar. Student Loan Default Rates Rise Sharply in Past Year The New York Times.
12 September 2011. Web. 28 November 2012.
Ramage, John, et al. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing. Pearson Education, 2012. Print.
U.S. Census Bureau Announces 2011 Median Household Income Declined from 2010
Sierra
Sun Times. n.d. Web. 22 November 2012.