Sociology of Suds

1)      What is the significance of Mr Lee’s Laundromat to the community of Overtown?

He owns one of the last remaining Laundromats in the community. He is old, trusted and it’s a place that has seen Overtown at its best and its worst. He knows all the people in the area and has fallen into the same routine for 15yrs while his surroundings have been booming with change. Lees Laundromat is a shrine to black pride history.

2)      How is research used to explain that significance?

- Interviews with people

- Change around the area was proven by facts of the change and examples such as the sign they    put outside on the lamp post that says “Miami has a new face”.

- A lot of observation.

3)      What source of primary research is used?

- Interviews with the locals and uses examples of Mr Lee and his relationships with people.

- Also the author noted the visible change around the Laundromat and how everything has evolved except for him, also the pictures gave a great visual.

4)      How is Secondary research used?

Not much is public domain and common knowledge. The article is closer to a journal than anything else.

5)      How is research credible?

- The research is credible because of the use of pictures which relate to the subject matter.

- The author also spoke with credible people that were common in the Laundromat, people of the community.

- The article was in the New Times Magazine

- The article is about an area in Miami which is more relatable.

6)      What would you steal? Why? How did this essay inform you how to write your own essay?

The fact that this article was more like a journal entry than an informative essay really let me see how I can be a little more open with my writing and they had great use of pictures which I could really work with to enhance my essay.

Are we losing our edge

1)      What is the authors’ main point about education in the United States?

I feel the authors’ main point about education in the United States is how America is starting to lose ground to other countries like China, South Korea and India. If things do not change these countries will overtake America therefore it can take a pause.

2)      How is research used to explain that main point?

The author gives examples of different people who have studied in the US but eventually move to other countries, one example is Edison Liu, he studied in the US and then moved because he was given a better offer he couldn’t refuse in another country.

3)      What sort of primary research is used?

Primary research is used in the article in the form of interviews, observations or surveys. I notice how the author gives some examples of surveys and interviews certain people who have studied in the US but left to work in other countries.

4)      What sort of secondary research is used?

The secondary research used in the article was mainly reports which the author mentions from different credible authors.

5)      Explain how the research is credible.

The research is credible mainly because it is in the Times Magazine and it also makes use of information from credible people.

6)      What would you steal? Why?

What I would steal from the article is the use of both the primary and secondary research together with the aid of photography. This was a more structured article like a report informing the audience about an issue.