Essential Questions Outline:
1. How do [documentaries] affect the rhetorical devices that individuals have at their disposal?
Claim: Directors can manipulate the feelings and opinions of viewers ways that are not possible
through written and orated pieces.
a. Musical selection can help to produce a certain tone that can better convey an individual's
message (ex. slow-paced, soft music contributed to the depressing ambiance of the film when the
doctor told Spurlock that he needed to stop this experiment in order to maintain his health)
b. Facial expressions and mannerisms of Actors/Actresses can help audiences to better understand
the tone of the piece and can provoke desirable emotional responses to the actors. Some things are
better understood visually than through lecturing.
(ex. Spurlock's facial expressions after eating the McDonald's food the 20th day of the experiment)
c. Documentaries are unique in that the images they show help to better illustrate the content being
discussed. Essentially, documentaries utilize both narration and visuals to reach audiences and
portray information. This strategy allows the documentary to be successful in teaching both oral
and spatial learners.
2. How have [documentaries] been perceived and received by the global community?
Claim: Documentaries have met with great success and some even become more successful in
prompting viewers into action than classic written works. But like all other methods of
communication, they have not been without criticism.
Successes
a. Super Size Me was an incredible success earning $30,000,000 in box office. Additionally it cost
only $1,000,000 to film and edit, making this an incredibly profitable endeavor.
b. Within 6 months of the documentaries debut, the "Super Size Me" option was removed in all
McDonald's restaurants. Though McDonald's refuses to acknowledge the documentary as a primary
factor in the removal, the documentary certainly generated and fueled public criticism of the option,
which undoubtedly helped make McDonald's decision easier for them.
c. Super Size Me has been integrated into health education courses across the country. At the
Wissahickon Middle School all 7th grade students are required to take health for a semester. Super
Size Me was used as a supplement to teach the nutrition unit.
Criticisms
a. Many believe that the entire film was staged. There are some theories that Spurlock was not as sick
as he led on.
b. Others dismiss the film's findings because of the lack of scientific research that went into the
documentary. In this manner, Spurlock failed to give him credibility in the scientific community.
c. BBC news states that the "high comedy factor and over-familiarity of the subject matter render it
less powerful than other recent documentaries." This comment demonstrates that documentaries often
have trouble reconciling an emphasis on content and entertainment value.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
Super Size Me Part 1
Bibliography:
Super Size Me is a documentary directed by Morgan Spurlock and starring Morgan Spurlock in addition to his spouse, Alexandra Jamieson. In this film, Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald's from February 1 to March 2 of 2003. The soundtrack was done by Doug Ray, Steve Horowitz, and Michael Parrish. The editing for the film was done by Julie Lombardi. The film documents the devastating effect of this type of lifestyle on Spurlock's physical and psychological well-being. The film was released in 2004, and ironically, McDonald's recalled the "Super Size Me" option on their menu only 6 months after the films debut.
Rhetoric Used:
The purpose of this documentary is to bring to light all of the harmful health effects associated with over-consuming fast food particularly that of McDonald's. At the time of the documentary's release, there were already a multitude of studies connecting fast-food to certain undesirable health conditions. Fast-food restaurants have been able to dismiss these studies as flawed and misguided and prompt the public to overlook them. Since most Americans were already knowledgeable about the studies connecting adverse health effects to fast-food, all Spurlock had to do was give credence to the studies. Therefore, most of the rhetorical strategies used in this film were designed to give credence to himself and the video's findings. In the beginning of the film, Spurlock depicts himself as an incredibly healthy person in order to make his change in condition after his experiment with McDonald's appear more dramatic to the audience. He purposely alludes to the fact that his wife is a vegetarian cook. Furthermore, he begins the experiment by going to the doctor's office for a checkup so that we, his audience, knows that he is great shape and none of the changes he undergoes is due to prior health conditions. If Spurlock is successful in doing so, the audience is forced to accept that the main factor in his deteriorating condition is the McDonald's food.
Like all other documentaries, Spurlock manipulates the tone and music of the documentary to move the audience. Quite often Spurlock talks in a groggy and unpleasant manor directly after consuming McDonald's. This change in tone attempts to connect his change in attitude with the food he ate. Additionally, there are several points throughout the film where Morgan Spurlock is seen vomiting directly after eating McDonald's food. Since he does so directly after eating, it reduces the chance that his ailment is due to anything other than the food he consumed. Furthermore, such a grotesque response to food is sure to steer audiences away from eating whatever he ate.
Lastly, if the audience should take all of these responses as simple theatrics, Spurlock goes to the doctor regularly so that he can reaffirm his deteriorating health. Such testimonies are less likely to be staged simply because the doctor's job would be at stake if he lied about a patient in that manner. This serves to give even more credibility to the film.
Super Size Me is a documentary directed by Morgan Spurlock and starring Morgan Spurlock in addition to his spouse, Alexandra Jamieson. In this film, Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald's from February 1 to March 2 of 2003. The soundtrack was done by Doug Ray, Steve Horowitz, and Michael Parrish. The editing for the film was done by Julie Lombardi. The film documents the devastating effect of this type of lifestyle on Spurlock's physical and psychological well-being. The film was released in 2004, and ironically, McDonald's recalled the "Super Size Me" option on their menu only 6 months after the films debut.
Rhetoric Used:
The purpose of this documentary is to bring to light all of the harmful health effects associated with over-consuming fast food particularly that of McDonald's. At the time of the documentary's release, there were already a multitude of studies connecting fast-food to certain undesirable health conditions. Fast-food restaurants have been able to dismiss these studies as flawed and misguided and prompt the public to overlook them. Since most Americans were already knowledgeable about the studies connecting adverse health effects to fast-food, all Spurlock had to do was give credence to the studies. Therefore, most of the rhetorical strategies used in this film were designed to give credence to himself and the video's findings. In the beginning of the film, Spurlock depicts himself as an incredibly healthy person in order to make his change in condition after his experiment with McDonald's appear more dramatic to the audience. He purposely alludes to the fact that his wife is a vegetarian cook. Furthermore, he begins the experiment by going to the doctor's office for a checkup so that we, his audience, knows that he is great shape and none of the changes he undergoes is due to prior health conditions. If Spurlock is successful in doing so, the audience is forced to accept that the main factor in his deteriorating condition is the McDonald's food.
Like all other documentaries, Spurlock manipulates the tone and music of the documentary to move the audience. Quite often Spurlock talks in a groggy and unpleasant manor directly after consuming McDonald's. This change in tone attempts to connect his change in attitude with the food he ate. Additionally, there are several points throughout the film where Morgan Spurlock is seen vomiting directly after eating McDonald's food. Since he does so directly after eating, it reduces the chance that his ailment is due to anything other than the food he consumed. Furthermore, such a grotesque response to food is sure to steer audiences away from eating whatever he ate.
Lastly, if the audience should take all of these responses as simple theatrics, Spurlock goes to the doctor regularly so that he can reaffirm his deteriorating health. Such testimonies are less likely to be staged simply because the doctor's job would be at stake if he lied about a patient in that manner. This serves to give even more credibility to the film.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sergeant York
Summary
Alvin York is an ordinary backwoods Tennessee farmer. He is at first a dunk and violent person. He gets struck by lightning and becomes religious, vowing to live by the teachings of the Bible. He is then drafted by the army, and captures 132 Americans single handedly.
Context
The film was released in 1941 at the outset of WW2 and depicts the life of Alvin York.
Rhetoric/Content
At face value, this movie seems like an ordinary war movie about “"fightin' an' hell-raisin.'" However, as many have discovered, this movie goes well beyond the fighting and addresses several religious, philosophical, and societal dilemmas. Sergeant York is actually a “sensitive portrayal of [York’s] complete trust in God’s Word as he seeks answers from Scripture to the questions raised by war and is indeed a refreshing contrast to typical Hollywood fare” (Waggoner).
In this sense, Sergeant York is far from your stereotypical war movie. After reviewing the most emphasized portions of the movie, one gets the feel that this story was more about reconciling one’s internal and external struggles than action-packed explosions and battle scenes. It is for these reasons that this movie is so highly acclaimed. It touches upon issues that thousands of people face every day: a conflict of ideals. The movie raises and somewhat answers the questions ‘is it right to take the lives of others in order to defend one’s country and is there a limit to how much blood can be spilled’, at least from Sergeant York’s point of view. These questions plague even the most patriotic of people and arise whenever there is a war going on. Evidently, Sergeant York is a timeless movie that will always be relevant as long as there is war. However, the integrity of the film is somewhat lost due to its overt use propaganda. This film was released just as the United States became involved in the second war that engulfed over half the globe and definitely advocates “fightin fer yer country”. The story was filled with propaganda from beginning to end. Using York as the ideal American, the director implies that all Americans must rise to the occasion and fight against tyranny in order to be an outstanding citizen. Despite the lack of subtlety, the film was incredibly effective. In the weeks following the movie’s premiere, there was a spike in voluntary war recruits.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Poor literacy 'increases early death risk for elderly'
Summary:
This article talked about a study where people with poor health literacy who are 65 years and older are twice as likely to die within 5 years as those who have a high health literacy.
Source:
BBC news sponsored this article which is typically a reliable source. I could not ascertain the author's name however.
Exigence:
This article was written about a study that was recently conducted
Rhetoric:
The author went about conveying this in a systematic manner. First and foremost, the author had to establish what he/she meant by "poor literacy." It turns out that poor literacy means being incapable of reading and correctly answering questions about aspirin directions. So, "poor literacy" should actually be changed to poor health literacy. However, when you substitute that phrase in the title for the generic "poor literacy" phrasing, you get readers thinking duh, of course you are going to die earlier if you are poorly informed about health and incapable of understanding medical directions. In essence, by omitting the word 'health' in the title, the author draws in more readers and prevents this sort of reaction from occurring. Afterwards, the author included some startling information about the risk factors for poor literacy. Low health literacy is linked to "a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, physical limitations, chronic diseases, and asthma." While higher health literacy was linked to higher cognitive abilities. After discussing the risk factors for low health literacy, the author delves into the implications of the study. He/she uses testimonies from director general of Age UK and the chief administrator of Patients Association in order to describe the current push for better and more accessible medication directions specifically aimed at those in their late 60s and upwards. All throughout the article, the author maintains a biased tone of voice, actually I could not even detect a persona when I was reading, it was as if it were not even a person writing. This could be a result of all of the quotes and statistics the author used. Nearly 50% of the article was devoted to such devices which left little opportunity for the author to write in his own style.
This article talked about a study where people with poor health literacy who are 65 years and older are twice as likely to die within 5 years as those who have a high health literacy.
Source:
BBC news sponsored this article which is typically a reliable source. I could not ascertain the author's name however.
Exigence:
This article was written about a study that was recently conducted
Rhetoric:
The author went about conveying this in a systematic manner. First and foremost, the author had to establish what he/she meant by "poor literacy." It turns out that poor literacy means being incapable of reading and correctly answering questions about aspirin directions. So, "poor literacy" should actually be changed to poor health literacy. However, when you substitute that phrase in the title for the generic "poor literacy" phrasing, you get readers thinking duh, of course you are going to die earlier if you are poorly informed about health and incapable of understanding medical directions. In essence, by omitting the word 'health' in the title, the author draws in more readers and prevents this sort of reaction from occurring. Afterwards, the author included some startling information about the risk factors for poor literacy. Low health literacy is linked to "a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, physical limitations, chronic diseases, and asthma." While higher health literacy was linked to higher cognitive abilities. After discussing the risk factors for low health literacy, the author delves into the implications of the study. He/she uses testimonies from director general of Age UK and the chief administrator of Patients Association in order to describe the current push for better and more accessible medication directions specifically aimed at those in their late 60s and upwards. All throughout the article, the author maintains a biased tone of voice, actually I could not even detect a persona when I was reading, it was as if it were not even a person writing. This could be a result of all of the quotes and statistics the author used. Nearly 50% of the article was devoted to such devices which left little opportunity for the author to write in his own style.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Author:
I am unaware of the identity of the artist who created this picture, but I do know that he is a strong advocate for the conservation and preservation of nature. This picture clearly indicates his/her stance on the way in which humans should interact with the environment.
Rhetoric:
The "Save the nature" comment was necessary for explaining what the tree in the snow-globe symbolizes. The fact that the globe is positioned in the palm of a human suggests that it is up to "us" to save the planet. It suggests to the audience that not only do we have the ability to save nature, but also the responsibility. The contrast of green on a black background also helps to grab the audiences attention and would cause passer-bys to give this picture a second glance. Without this commentary many people would misinterpret or misunderstand what the artist is trying to say. The background is a plain greyish-black color. This accentuates the solemn/serious tone of the picture. In creating this type of tone, the audience gets the feeling that this is an important message, and not something to be merely forgotten.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Art of Racing in the Rain
Summary:
Enzo is Denny's dog, is barely clinging to life, and is the main character of the novel. As such, there isn't a lot of action in this first section of the book. The author spends most of the time reflecting on Enzo's past experiences. He begins with Enzo's days as a puppy, proceeds to his life with Denny before Denny got married, and ends with Enzo's life with Zoe and Eve around (Denny's daughter and wife).
Author:
Garth Stein was just recently established as a novelist. He has written three books, one play, and co-produced an Academy Award winning short film. He also owns a dog, which may have inspired this tale of friendship.
Purpose:
From reading this first section of the novel, I can determine that this book serves to highlight the relationship that people have with their dogs and how important a role they play in the family.
Rhetoric:
As previously mentioned, there was not a significant amount of action that took place in this first section. Instead, the author used flashbacks to provide context for existing relationships between characters and, perhaps, for future conflicts and events. This method was effective in introducing the characters that will play a major role in the story. Additionally, it gave the novel a sentimental tone to it. The set-up of this first portion was successful in appealing to the emotions of readers for the flashbacks explained the deep bonds between characters. From Enzo's opening comments about his readiness to die to Eve's request that Enzo promises to protect Zoe (which served to strengthen Enzo's bonds with the family), the audience is taken on a emotional ride. Perhaps the most unique aspect of this book, is the fact that it is written in first-person from a dog's perspective. Most would think that this point of view would only provide a limited perspective on the book since dogs aren't very thoughtful creatures. However, Stein does an incredible job of humanizing Enzo. By noting that Denny accepts death due to the fact that, according to a documentary he watched about Mongolia he will be reincarnated as a human, which is his ultimate wish, Stein gives Enzo a human-like feel. Additionally, Enzo's comments, emotions, concerns, and reactions are just as human and complex as an actual human. The only difference is that, unlike humans, Enzo cannot communicate through words, he must engage in charade-like activities to get his point across. This may in fact be the reason that this point of view is so effective. Enzo is capable of interpreting and understanding Denny's words and actions and such an ability is quite believable. However, Denny often misinterprets Enzo's signals which is just as believable. If it were written from Denny's perspective, the audience would lose the ability to accurately identify Enzo's moods. So, by writing the book from the dog's perspective, you get insight into both Enzo and Denny's mindset.
Enzo is Denny's dog, is barely clinging to life, and is the main character of the novel. As such, there isn't a lot of action in this first section of the book. The author spends most of the time reflecting on Enzo's past experiences. He begins with Enzo's days as a puppy, proceeds to his life with Denny before Denny got married, and ends with Enzo's life with Zoe and Eve around (Denny's daughter and wife).
Author:
Garth Stein was just recently established as a novelist. He has written three books, one play, and co-produced an Academy Award winning short film. He also owns a dog, which may have inspired this tale of friendship.
Purpose:
From reading this first section of the novel, I can determine that this book serves to highlight the relationship that people have with their dogs and how important a role they play in the family.
Rhetoric:
As previously mentioned, there was not a significant amount of action that took place in this first section. Instead, the author used flashbacks to provide context for existing relationships between characters and, perhaps, for future conflicts and events. This method was effective in introducing the characters that will play a major role in the story. Additionally, it gave the novel a sentimental tone to it. The set-up of this first portion was successful in appealing to the emotions of readers for the flashbacks explained the deep bonds between characters. From Enzo's opening comments about his readiness to die to Eve's request that Enzo promises to protect Zoe (which served to strengthen Enzo's bonds with the family), the audience is taken on a emotional ride. Perhaps the most unique aspect of this book, is the fact that it is written in first-person from a dog's perspective. Most would think that this point of view would only provide a limited perspective on the book since dogs aren't very thoughtful creatures. However, Stein does an incredible job of humanizing Enzo. By noting that Denny accepts death due to the fact that, according to a documentary he watched about Mongolia he will be reincarnated as a human, which is his ultimate wish, Stein gives Enzo a human-like feel. Additionally, Enzo's comments, emotions, concerns, and reactions are just as human and complex as an actual human. The only difference is that, unlike humans, Enzo cannot communicate through words, he must engage in charade-like activities to get his point across. This may in fact be the reason that this point of view is so effective. Enzo is capable of interpreting and understanding Denny's words and actions and such an ability is quite believable. However, Denny often misinterprets Enzo's signals which is just as believable. If it were written from Denny's perspective, the audience would lose the ability to accurately identify Enzo's moods. So, by writing the book from the dog's perspective, you get insight into both Enzo and Denny's mindset.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Linsanity
Summary:
This article talked about the cinderella-like success of Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American Knicks basketball player. Not only does it examine his athletic abilities and skills on the court, it mentions his incredible humility and forgiving personality.
Source:
Steve Busfield from the Guardian Sports News.
Audience:
People who are interested in sports
Context:
This article was inspired by the recent streak by the New York Knicks and their cinderella-story point guard.
Purpose/Rhetoric:
After reading the article, it seemed to me that the author was giving credence to the "linsanity" movement. All throughout the article, Busfield portrays Lin as an incredibly humble guy with a talent and desire to play basketball. And while he briefly mentions Lin's 9 turnovers in the New Orleans game, he immediately proceeded to offset that performance by highlighting the 28 points and 14 assists that he had today. So, this article might have been slightly biased, but the facts that it presents are definitely accurate. In addition to using facts to demonstrate how incredible this Harvard grad is, Busfield includes testimonies from both the Knicks and opposing teams, both of which talk about what an amazing athlete and person he is. In this regard, the author painted Lin in a very favorable light. Lastly, the author makes use of sports and basketball jargon to appeal to his audience. He uses words such as Linsanity and drive to both captivate readers and demonstrate his knowledge of the sport and current happenings.
This article talked about the cinderella-like success of Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American Knicks basketball player. Not only does it examine his athletic abilities and skills on the court, it mentions his incredible humility and forgiving personality.
Source:
Steve Busfield from the Guardian Sports News.
Audience:
People who are interested in sports
Context:
This article was inspired by the recent streak by the New York Knicks and their cinderella-story point guard.
Purpose/Rhetoric:
After reading the article, it seemed to me that the author was giving credence to the "linsanity" movement. All throughout the article, Busfield portrays Lin as an incredibly humble guy with a talent and desire to play basketball. And while he briefly mentions Lin's 9 turnovers in the New Orleans game, he immediately proceeded to offset that performance by highlighting the 28 points and 14 assists that he had today. So, this article might have been slightly biased, but the facts that it presents are definitely accurate. In addition to using facts to demonstrate how incredible this Harvard grad is, Busfield includes testimonies from both the Knicks and opposing teams, both of which talk about what an amazing athlete and person he is. In this regard, the author painted Lin in a very favorable light. Lastly, the author makes use of sports and basketball jargon to appeal to his audience. He uses words such as Linsanity and drive to both captivate readers and demonstrate his knowledge of the sport and current happenings.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Rick Santorum Issue
Author:
I assume that this video was created by Rick Santorum's campaign employees.
Exigence:
It is now campaign season and Rick Santorum has launched his campaign for the 2012 presidential electron
Purpose:
This advertisement was created in order encourage voters to vote for Rick Santorum in the upcoming election.
Rhetorical Analysis:
All of the rhetorical devices in this piece served to stir the emotions of viewers. One example of these devices was the soundtrack. While viewers watched these heartbreaking images of families living on the street, struggling to survive, a slow-paced song was playing. The pace of the music reinforced the feelings of desperation and depression that its audiences perceived the families in the photo to be going through. Clearly, no sane person would wish another person ill and would ideally like to see everyone happy, whether they are rich or poor. In this manner, these images did not only appeal to people who were in a similar situation, but also to people who are better off in life. These images and the text that described then set up the current situation of the United States. After the context was set up, the video's text basically claimed that Rick Santorum would dedicate his life to solve these problems IF ELECTED. This helps shine Santorum in a saint-like light. After this message was displayed by text on the screen, viewers saw a much more uplifting side of America, as if saying this uplifted America will be achieved through the leadership of Santorum.
I assume that this video was created by Rick Santorum's campaign employees.
Exigence:
It is now campaign season and Rick Santorum has launched his campaign for the 2012 presidential electron
Purpose:
This advertisement was created in order encourage voters to vote for Rick Santorum in the upcoming election.
Rhetorical Analysis:
All of the rhetorical devices in this piece served to stir the emotions of viewers. One example of these devices was the soundtrack. While viewers watched these heartbreaking images of families living on the street, struggling to survive, a slow-paced song was playing. The pace of the music reinforced the feelings of desperation and depression that its audiences perceived the families in the photo to be going through. Clearly, no sane person would wish another person ill and would ideally like to see everyone happy, whether they are rich or poor. In this manner, these images did not only appeal to people who were in a similar situation, but also to people who are better off in life. These images and the text that described then set up the current situation of the United States. After the context was set up, the video's text basically claimed that Rick Santorum would dedicate his life to solve these problems IF ELECTED. This helps shine Santorum in a saint-like light. After this message was displayed by text on the screen, viewers saw a much more uplifting side of America, as if saying this uplifted America will be achieved through the leadership of Santorum.
Friday, February 3, 2012
IRB Post
I will be reading The Art of Racing in the Rain. My mom read it and claimed that I would greatly enjoy this read. Since she is normally pretty adept at selecting books that I like, I decided to trust her once more. It is 250 pages so I will read approximately 65 pages per section
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The author's signature is in the top left corner but I can't read it nor can I recognize it. But I do know that the author does not like Obama.
Purpose:
To prevent Obama from getting re-elected/convince people that his presidency was based on "empty rhetoric".
Context:
Obama's first term is coming to a close and his campaign for re-election has begun.
Rhetorical Analysis:
The main device used in this image is its use of communal memory. Everyone recognizes that image as the stereotypical Jesus rendition and if they didn't, the "water into wine" comment certainly conveyed that this man was supposed to be Jesus. In this cartoon, the author clearly uses juxtaposition to insult Obama. One of the reasons that Jesus is so beloved (besides the fact that he's the son of God) is because he is so humble. Jesus' outfit reminds viewers of this characteristic and highlights Obama's lack of it. Obama's suit and his comment placing himself above Jesus suggest his lack of humility. Additionally the cynical way in which he is smiling, creates distrust between Obama and the audience. The author's word choice also made this cartoon effective. The use of the phrase "empty rhetoric" allows the audience to identify the author's point of view about Obama's presidency which is that it is based on a bunch of lies. Additionally, rhetoric has a negative connotation, especially in when used in political contexts, and the use of this word helped to establish the tone of the painting. Overall, this cartoon's use of rhetorical devices helped to clearly identify the author's feelings about Obama and his presidency. However, if the author was trying to get others to feel the same way, this cartoon was incredibly ineffective. The strategies integrated into this painting wasn't nuanced enough which made the author come on a little too strong.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Newt Gingrich exploits politics of class and culture
Source:
This article was from the Washington post from an "opinion writer."
Context:
This article was written in response to Gingrich's victory in South Carolina over Romney.
Purpose:
The author's purpose in creating this article was to explain, and perhaps exalt, Gingrich's political strategy.
Rhetorical Analysis/Effectiveness:
This author used very concise language. His sentence structure was relatively simple and he did not use any superfluous wording throughout. This definitely helps readers, especially those who aren't as familiar with politics (like myself), to better understand his points. Additionally, this author had a very biased tone. He did nothing but exalt Gingrich the whole 2 pages. This made me question the credibility of the author and the validity of the article. I am sure that every move Gingrich made was not as flawless as the author portrayed it as. However, to compensate for this loss of credibility he used testimonies (albeit from very biased Gingrich supporters) and statistics to substantiate his findings. In my opinion though, an editorial is similar to a debate: you only mention information that supports your belief. I feel that the people who read this article, went in knowing this and therefore did not expect an entirely honest (in terms of including both the successes and failures of Gingrich's campaign) article. However, this article did give me a better understanding of Gingrich's political campaign and was successful in that manner.
This article was from the Washington post from an "opinion writer."
Context:
This article was written in response to Gingrich's victory in South Carolina over Romney.
Purpose:
The author's purpose in creating this article was to explain, and perhaps exalt, Gingrich's political strategy.
Rhetorical Analysis/Effectiveness:
This author used very concise language. His sentence structure was relatively simple and he did not use any superfluous wording throughout. This definitely helps readers, especially those who aren't as familiar with politics (like myself), to better understand his points. Additionally, this author had a very biased tone. He did nothing but exalt Gingrich the whole 2 pages. This made me question the credibility of the author and the validity of the article. I am sure that every move Gingrich made was not as flawless as the author portrayed it as. However, to compensate for this loss of credibility he used testimonies (albeit from very biased Gingrich supporters) and statistics to substantiate his findings. In my opinion though, an editorial is similar to a debate: you only mention information that supports your belief. I feel that the people who read this article, went in knowing this and therefore did not expect an entirely honest (in terms of including both the successes and failures of Gingrich's campaign) article. However, this article did give me a better understanding of Gingrich's political campaign and was successful in that manner.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Unit 3 Reflection
"When any number of men have, by the consent of every individual, made a community [government], they have thereby made that community one body,with a power to act as one body, which is only by the will and determination of the majority" (Locke). According to John Locke, this is how a government is formed; it is formed by the people, for the people. Therefore it is no secret that the role of government is to provide for its people. However, the obligations of the people in that society are a lot less concrete. What is the individual’s duty to his government? Throughout this country's history, we have been able to glean some information that may propose an answer to this question.
The works of Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Abraham Lincoln have all hinted at the role of individuals within American society. Each share a similar message, for they all speak of freedom, justice, and morality in their pieces. While it is the individual's role "give up all the power, necessary to the ends for which they unite into society" (Locke), it is also the duty of the individual to uphold the purpose of the American government, which is to preserve the freedom, liberty, and natural rights of American and the world's citizens. In his inaugural address, Kennedy compels Americans to engage in "a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself." These aspects of society are in direct contrast to the American mission and therefore it is the duty of the citizens to aid the government in eradicating them from society.
However, what if the government is the perpetrator; what if the government is actually the one who allows and perpetuates these circumstances? This is where Martin Luther King Jr. and Cady Stanton's works become especially meaningful. It then becomes the responsibility of the individual to speak up against such injustices. They must stand firm in their belief that these actions are unjust and make their claims known and adhered to. However, these stances must be taken without the aid of violence or disturbance, not only for moral reasons, but for practical ones as well. As Ghandi, King, and Stanton have demonstrated, persistent civil disobedience is more effective than violent insurrection. It allows the rebels to be seen in a more positive light, making their movement a lot more persuasive and credible. It is only through persistent civil disobedience that the people of society change their views. And when the majority of the citizens change the views on a matter, the government must respond and act accordingly, for it is the will of the majority that decides, albeit indirectly, the policies of the American government. In this manner, it is the duty of the individual to ensure that both society and the government do not stray from the principles of natural rights, liberty, and "proposition that all men are created equal" (Lincoln) that this country was founded upon. However, in order to assume this role, all of us "need to pass the 'do-nothingism'" (King). We need to surpass our apathetic natures and become an active voice in the movement against injustice. Additionally, we need to respond quickly to injustice. We have to realize that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."
I, myself, am a victim of this state of mind. Like many others, even when I know that something is wrong, I succumb to the 'do-nothingism' mentality. Though I am well aware of the conflicts occurring in Darfur and North Korea, I have not done anything to improve their state of living. Therefore, I am not fulfilling my responsibilities as a citizen even though the conflicts are occurring in foreign lands because, as Martin Luther King Jr. once noted, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." I hope to one day reach the degree of citizenship that Cady Stanton and Martin Luther King Jr. once achieved and become an active participant in the struggle that John F. Kennedy once advocated for.
The works of Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Abraham Lincoln have all hinted at the role of individuals within American society. Each share a similar message, for they all speak of freedom, justice, and morality in their pieces. While it is the individual's role "give up all the power, necessary to the ends for which they unite into society" (Locke), it is also the duty of the individual to uphold the purpose of the American government, which is to preserve the freedom, liberty, and natural rights of American and the world's citizens. In his inaugural address, Kennedy compels Americans to engage in "a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself." These aspects of society are in direct contrast to the American mission and therefore it is the duty of the citizens to aid the government in eradicating them from society.
However, what if the government is the perpetrator; what if the government is actually the one who allows and perpetuates these circumstances? This is where Martin Luther King Jr. and Cady Stanton's works become especially meaningful. It then becomes the responsibility of the individual to speak up against such injustices. They must stand firm in their belief that these actions are unjust and make their claims known and adhered to. However, these stances must be taken without the aid of violence or disturbance, not only for moral reasons, but for practical ones as well. As Ghandi, King, and Stanton have demonstrated, persistent civil disobedience is more effective than violent insurrection. It allows the rebels to be seen in a more positive light, making their movement a lot more persuasive and credible. It is only through persistent civil disobedience that the people of society change their views. And when the majority of the citizens change the views on a matter, the government must respond and act accordingly, for it is the will of the majority that decides, albeit indirectly, the policies of the American government. In this manner, it is the duty of the individual to ensure that both society and the government do not stray from the principles of natural rights, liberty, and "proposition that all men are created equal" (Lincoln) that this country was founded upon. However, in order to assume this role, all of us "need to pass the 'do-nothingism'" (King). We need to surpass our apathetic natures and become an active voice in the movement against injustice. Additionally, we need to respond quickly to injustice. We have to realize that "justice too long delayed is justice denied."
I, myself, am a victim of this state of mind. Like many others, even when I know that something is wrong, I succumb to the 'do-nothingism' mentality. Though I am well aware of the conflicts occurring in Darfur and North Korea, I have not done anything to improve their state of living. Therefore, I am not fulfilling my responsibilities as a citizen even though the conflicts are occurring in foreign lands because, as Martin Luther King Jr. once noted, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." I hope to one day reach the degree of citizenship that Cady Stanton and Martin Luther King Jr. once achieved and become an active participant in the struggle that John F. Kennedy once advocated for.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Man Who Made Wallstreet: Final Section
Summary:
This section was all about the Morgan-Drexel partnership; how it was formed, the relationship (professional and personal) between the men, and how it led to rise of "modern finance". Dan Rottenberg continues the practice of using financial investments the two made in order to explain why the duo was so influential in the world of financing. He brought up deals they made with the government, other businesses, and foreign nations throughout the piece.
Rhetorical Analysis:
In the first two sections of this book, while Rottenberg provides plausible explanations for Drexel's actions, he maintains an unbiased and objective tone. This tone allowed the reader to create their own opinion about the integrity and personality of Anthony J. Drexel. However, this section was completely different. This section presented Anthony J. Drexel in a whole new light. Rottenberg characterized him as somewhat of a saint, a man filled with integrity. He does not refrain from offering his own opinions on the great financier. However, the author always proceeded to validate his claims with testimonies from friends of Drexel and other financiers. In this way, the author was able to make these assertions while maintaining and establishing new credibility. As previously mentioned, Rottenberg also incorporates specific examples of the duo's financial dealings into the book. After a concise summary of these dealings, the author explains why these dealings were "able to steer American business through the most extraordinary long-term economic growth of any nation in world history," thus giving more support to the theory that Drexel was indeed the "man who made Wall street." These explanations also helped readers, (such as myself) who aren't as familiar with the practice of banking and financing, to gain a better understanding of the American economy and the cyclical nature of Wall street. Though these rhetorical strategies were essential to convey the author's purpose (that Drexel was perhaps the most influential man in American finance), this support neglects to mention one crucial aspect: why Morgan is credited with the making of Wall street and not Drexel. Rottenberg used his knowledge of Drexel and Morgan's relationship, in order to explain the reasoning behind this and portray Drexel as an incredibly righteous man. Rottenberg claimed that Drexel was a firm believer in the notion that "there is no limit to what one can accomplish if one doesn't mind who gets the credit." He explained that Drexel gave no interviews, kept no diaries, held no public offices, and destroyed most of his personal papers. By nurturing Pierpont Morgan's self-confidence and allowing him to become the public face for the firm, Drexel was able to avoid attention and, instead, tend to his extended family. When Rottenberg compiled all of these rhetorical strategies into his book, he was able to construct a very effective, cohesive and persuasive argument that Drexel was indeed the man who made Wall street.
This section was all about the Morgan-Drexel partnership; how it was formed, the relationship (professional and personal) between the men, and how it led to rise of "modern finance". Dan Rottenberg continues the practice of using financial investments the two made in order to explain why the duo was so influential in the world of financing. He brought up deals they made with the government, other businesses, and foreign nations throughout the piece.
Rhetorical Analysis:
In the first two sections of this book, while Rottenberg provides plausible explanations for Drexel's actions, he maintains an unbiased and objective tone. This tone allowed the reader to create their own opinion about the integrity and personality of Anthony J. Drexel. However, this section was completely different. This section presented Anthony J. Drexel in a whole new light. Rottenberg characterized him as somewhat of a saint, a man filled with integrity. He does not refrain from offering his own opinions on the great financier. However, the author always proceeded to validate his claims with testimonies from friends of Drexel and other financiers. In this way, the author was able to make these assertions while maintaining and establishing new credibility. As previously mentioned, Rottenberg also incorporates specific examples of the duo's financial dealings into the book. After a concise summary of these dealings, the author explains why these dealings were "able to steer American business through the most extraordinary long-term economic growth of any nation in world history," thus giving more support to the theory that Drexel was indeed the "man who made Wall street." These explanations also helped readers, (such as myself) who aren't as familiar with the practice of banking and financing, to gain a better understanding of the American economy and the cyclical nature of Wall street. Though these rhetorical strategies were essential to convey the author's purpose (that Drexel was perhaps the most influential man in American finance), this support neglects to mention one crucial aspect: why Morgan is credited with the making of Wall street and not Drexel. Rottenberg used his knowledge of Drexel and Morgan's relationship, in order to explain the reasoning behind this and portray Drexel as an incredibly righteous man. Rottenberg claimed that Drexel was a firm believer in the notion that "there is no limit to what one can accomplish if one doesn't mind who gets the credit." He explained that Drexel gave no interviews, kept no diaries, held no public offices, and destroyed most of his personal papers. By nurturing Pierpont Morgan's self-confidence and allowing him to become the public face for the firm, Drexel was able to avoid attention and, instead, tend to his extended family. When Rottenberg compiled all of these rhetorical strategies into his book, he was able to construct a very effective, cohesive and persuasive argument that Drexel was indeed the man who made Wall street.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Summary: This part of the book dealt specifically with the transactions that Drexel made which established him as "A First-Class Business Man." Not only did the author mention the transactions that occurred, he went into a detailed description of why this transaction was genius and how it helped to establish Anthony as a premier financier. Towards the end of the section, the author finally introduced Morgan, the man who is credited with JP Morgan and the making of Wallstreet. In the section that I read, the author discussed the long history of success in the Morgan family and how that success helped to introduce the young Morgan to the established Anthony J. Drexel.
Rhetorical Devices:
The rhetorical devices employed in these sections were similar to those of the first section. The author still presents this story in a process analysis format. It began with Anthony J. Drexel's rise to prominence and ended with the introduction of Pierpont Morgan. This sequential telling of events makes the book easier to follow and allows the writer to write in a cause/effect manner. Rottenberg seems to be a huge fanatic of the notion that every thing happens for a reason, since he presents the causes for just about everything that has happened. He attempts to explain Drexel's actions by alluding to his childhood experiences and with his father. This gives the reader more insight into the character of Anthony J. Drexel. However, while the author does provide possible explanations for Drexel's actions, he maintains an objective point of view. Rottenberg recounts the events in a matter-of-fact tone, offering little to none of his own opinions of the character. In this manner he allows the reader to create their own opinion of Drexel, unhampered by a biased recounting of history. Despite the fact that this book deals with financing, Rottenberg uses little jargon in the book. In this way he makes the novel accessible for all audiences, not just those who have prior background in economics. Nevertheless, after reading certain parts of this book, readers walk away with a better understanding of how ludicrous investing and becoming a financier is. Rottenberg also establishes his own credibility throughout this piece. In his narration of Drexel's life, he integrates quotes from Drexel, Morgan, and many other people who were contemporaries of the two. He also uses facts and figures when he refers to certain investments that Drexel made. The fact that he included this implies that he is quite knowledgeable about both financing and the Anthony J. Drexel. These two aspects of Rottenberg's writing work synonymously to give credence to the author.
Rhetorical Devices:
The rhetorical devices employed in these sections were similar to those of the first section. The author still presents this story in a process analysis format. It began with Anthony J. Drexel's rise to prominence and ended with the introduction of Pierpont Morgan. This sequential telling of events makes the book easier to follow and allows the writer to write in a cause/effect manner. Rottenberg seems to be a huge fanatic of the notion that every thing happens for a reason, since he presents the causes for just about everything that has happened. He attempts to explain Drexel's actions by alluding to his childhood experiences and with his father. This gives the reader more insight into the character of Anthony J. Drexel. However, while the author does provide possible explanations for Drexel's actions, he maintains an objective point of view. Rottenberg recounts the events in a matter-of-fact tone, offering little to none of his own opinions of the character. In this manner he allows the reader to create their own opinion of Drexel, unhampered by a biased recounting of history. Despite the fact that this book deals with financing, Rottenberg uses little jargon in the book. In this way he makes the novel accessible for all audiences, not just those who have prior background in economics. Nevertheless, after reading certain parts of this book, readers walk away with a better understanding of how ludicrous investing and becoming a financier is. Rottenberg also establishes his own credibility throughout this piece. In his narration of Drexel's life, he integrates quotes from Drexel, Morgan, and many other people who were contemporaries of the two. He also uses facts and figures when he refers to certain investments that Drexel made. The fact that he included this implies that he is quite knowledgeable about both financing and the Anthony J. Drexel. These two aspects of Rottenberg's writing work synonymously to give credence to the author.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Summary: "This isn't about what LeBron James has done, or hasn't done. This is about the difference between the expectations others may have of him versus the expectations he has of himself. What should he do? The answer is a question.
Audience: Those familiar with basketball and the Miami Heat's recent signing of Lebron James.
Rhetorical Devices: This video utilizes multiple rhetorical devices. One of these devices put to use was the allusion. In fact the video makes many allusions. In the Miami Vice segment of the film, the actor alludes to the Miami Heat, the basketball team Lebron was signed by. They also made an allusion to Michael Jordan when the poet said "Or should I rise." This phrase goes back to Michael Jordan's days as an athlete and as a prominent spokesperson of the Nike franchise. In one of his commercials they made use of this saying several times. Additionally, the author alluded to Lebron's younger days. When Lebron says "Or should I remind that I've done this before," he was referring to the fact that he and his friends switched high schools in order to give them a better chance of winning the state title. The makers of this commercial also used the repetition of "What Should I do?," and anaphora in order to appeal to the logic of readers. In this video he attempted to answer the question of "what should I do?" and brought up various possible solutions, all of which were ludicrous. He begun each ludicrous idea with a variation of "Or should I?" By suggesting these solutions he illustrated that it was impossible to please everyone, and why should he, as an athlete he should only have to please himself. This reasoning is what made the commercial so effective. Essentially, it questioned why he should be hated because he made a decision that made him happy despite the fact that he did not consider the feelings of the fans. Any ordinary person would understand that he has the right to please himself.
Audience: Those familiar with basketball and the Miami Heat's recent signing of Lebron James.
Rhetorical Devices: This video utilizes multiple rhetorical devices. One of these devices put to use was the allusion. In fact the video makes many allusions. In the Miami Vice segment of the film, the actor alludes to the Miami Heat, the basketball team Lebron was signed by. They also made an allusion to Michael Jordan when the poet said "Or should I rise." This phrase goes back to Michael Jordan's days as an athlete and as a prominent spokesperson of the Nike franchise. In one of his commercials they made use of this saying several times. Additionally, the author alluded to Lebron's younger days. When Lebron says "Or should I remind that I've done this before," he was referring to the fact that he and his friends switched high schools in order to give them a better chance of winning the state title. The makers of this commercial also used the repetition of "What Should I do?," and anaphora in order to appeal to the logic of readers. In this video he attempted to answer the question of "what should I do?" and brought up various possible solutions, all of which were ludicrous. He begun each ludicrous idea with a variation of "Or should I?" By suggesting these solutions he illustrated that it was impossible to please everyone, and why should he, as an athlete he should only have to please himself. This reasoning is what made the commercial so effective. Essentially, it questioned why he should be hated because he made a decision that made him happy despite the fact that he did not consider the feelings of the fans. Any ordinary person would understand that he has the right to please himself.
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