Professional Writing Likeness of Brutal Mexican Drug Kingpin

Answer both Prompt 1 (answer 1a or 1b- not both) and Prompt 2. Then come back later in the week and respond to two of your classmates’ responses. Remember, you must post your first response by Wednesday.

Choose one of the following to respond to for Prompt 1:

(1a) Many consumers rely on product reviews posted online, presumably by ordinary citizens describing their authentic experiences. Unfortunately, though, Amazon and Yelp, the most prominent of the many Internet review sites, have been called out for fake and paid-for reviews. Amazon has threatened to sue people posting fake public reviews. Why is it important that online reviews or testimonials be trustworthy?

OR

(1b) Los Angeles–based clothing company Barabas used the name and likeness of brutal Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán on its website, flanked by photos of attractive male models wearing the same distinctive cotton shirts of the Fantasy and Crazy Paisley lines. The all-caps announcement read: “EL CHAPO GUZMAN WEARING BARABAS SHIRT!” Barabas’ excitement about its infamous customer met with criticism, but the company couldn’t keep the $128 shirts on the shelves.* At one point Internet traffic crashed the Barabas website. Public outrage ultimately prompted the clothier to remove overt references to El Chapo and his photos. Is it ethical to resort to such extreme means to drive sales?

And answer Prompt 2:

(2) Why must researchers document their sources meticulously?