Outlines
In the following section, we have written an outline of each of the three texts about the topic “Ink Tattoos”. We will outline the main points of view in each of the texts one by one. These points can help inspire you, when you write your paper on the topic, and help you identity the different standpoints that are presented in the texts.
Text 1
- Title: "Is Tattooing a Form of Self-Mutilation?"
- Author: Andy Carrington,
- Genre: essay
- Year: 2012
Text 2
- Title: "Tattoos were once a sign of rebellion – now they are evidence of craven conformity to cultural norms"
- Author: Brendan O’Neill
- Genre: blog post
- Year: 2014
Text 3
- Title: "In Defense of Ink"
- Author: Alexis Sachdev
- Genre: article
- Year: 2010
All three texts were published online, and they all discuss the topic of ink tattoos and present different issues associated with this topic. Along with discussions of the phenomenon and different reactions to it, all three texts also express different standpoints concerning the topic. Even though the texts discuss the same topic, they take different argumentative approaches and express different points of view. Therefore, in the following section, we have outlined all three texts to make a clear overview of the different opinions they express.…
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Is Tattooing a Form of Self-Mutilation?
Andy Carrington’s essay was published on his own personal website, and it is important to keep this in mind when you analyse this text, as the opinions expressed here are therefore most likely biased and personal.
NB: it is always a good idea to consider in what forum the text you are working on is published, as this can have an effect on the ways the author argue.
Carrington addresses the phenomenon of tattoos and emphasizes its diversity:
“Its purpose varies the world over: Some people choose to have symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, while others use ink within the layers of their skin to indicate their criminal hist…
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Tattoos were once a sign of rebellion
In his blog post Brendan O’Neill discusses how tattoos have become mainstream. A situation in Japan where the mayor of Osaka banned tattooed people from working in local government, in other words, people hired by the city, give rise to his discussion
“The mayor of the Japanese city of Osaka recently caused a kerfuffle by banning tattooed people from working in local government.” (ll. 1-4)
He explains how this situation is one of many, and that the hostility towards tattoos is becoming a global issue.
O’Neill clearly doesn’t understand why thi…
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In Defense of Ink
Alexis Sachdev’s article is, as the article indicates, a defense of ink tattoos based on her own personal experience:
“My whole body shook with vibrations, feeling as though it would rupture any minute. (…) After 45 minutes of agonizing pain, adrenaline rushes and crippling dizziness, I leaped up with joy and hugged my best friend.” (ll. 1-12)
She describes how getting a tattoo was on her bucket l…
