Marissa Lotz

Mr. Newman
Rhetoric 101: English
01 October 2014
Yes Means Yes
Sexual assault is a very serious issue that happens every day. Whereas sexual assault can
happen anywhere, the majority happens at college universities. Sexual assault has climbed 40%
over the past year at college campuses. There are a lot of views on the topic, and whose fault it
may be. Some states are taking a stand against sexual assault now. In the September 2014 article
California Adopts Yes Means Yes Sex-Assault Rule written by the Associated Press in
Times Magazine is about how California is cracking down on sexual assault reports. The article
is an informing one on how California plans to change the way they act about accusations of
sexual assault. The article written by associated press is successful in informing the audience on
the yes means yes policy by using ethos and multiple peoples perspective to show both sides of
the argument.
The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its
beliefs, and aspirations is the definition of ethos, which basically means how one feels about
something because of their morals. Yes means yes is a topic most people use ethos to decide
what side they would stand for. The yes means yes policy is a new way to determine sexual
consent. So instead of the no means no saying, the new policy states that consent is
requires an affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity. The
sources that Associated Press used were perfect for their article and the information they were
writing about. The policy is a very political topic, so by the author involving the governor and

senators of California helps everyone start to understand how the government is involved in the
topic. Gov. Jerry Brown is a supporter of the policy; he announced Sunday that he has signed a
bill that makes California the first in the nation to define when yes means yes and adopt
requirements for colleges to follow when investigating sexual assault reports. Using lawmakers
is a very respectable source for this article see as how it is about a new policy.
The article is full of useful information on the up and down side of the yes means yes
policy. The policy is a very opinionated topic, so there were many people and different feelings
toward the policy. Every student deserves a learning environment that is safe and healthy,
leans toward the good side of the yes means yes debate. While others think the policy may not
end up being better for the people: this campus rape crusade bill presumes the guilt of the
accused. As the associated press decides to show both sides, it is informing the readers twice as
much as an opinionated article would. To be a successful article, giving information on a serious
topic, both sides of the argument should be shown. Which is exactly what the article, California
Adopts Yes Means Yes Sex-Assault Rule, does.
All in all, successful at informing readers about the policy. The articled used legitimate
sources that helped prove the up and down side of the yes means yes policy. And the
perspectives of multiple people involved showed how others feel about the policy, positively and
negatively. The information was very helpful, and didnt just inform on the policy, but in a way
it also helped warn about sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is something that not only happens to
women, but men also. It is a very real situation that is happening every day, and everywhere. It is
a subject that many are not informed on but should be.

Work Cited
Associated Press. California Adopts Yes Means Yes Sex-Assault Rule. Time. N.p.,
29 Sept. 2014 Web. 02 Oct. 2014