AOW #16

 Peanuts cartoon by Charles Schulz: http://www.lixohumano.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/brown-sad.jpg

In this cartoon, Charlie Brown once again displays his tendency towards disappointment.  He listens to a song that evokes sad memories, however, even in his glumness he chooses to listen to the song again. 

Rhetorical elements include non-sequitur and appeal to pathos.  It uses non-sequitur because Charlie's last statement does not seem to logically follow his previous words.  It is strange and unexpected that he would like to listen to the song again since it makes him sad.  There is also the use of communal memory, because everyone who has been truly sad understands what Charlie feels and acts this way.

The context includes the Charlie Brown comics.  One who is familiar with the series knows that Charlie Brown is often a very pessimistic boy.  In other words, he is often down in the dumps.  Further context would include the experience or scenario Charles Schulz draws upon.

The author's purpose is perhaps to share an experience, and to relate to the audience, which is most likely his readers.  He wants to create a sense of sympathy and empathy.  This works because he has made good use of communal memory. 

IRB: The Audacity of Hope

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

Barack Obama writes about the beginnings of his career in government: the obstacles he had to work around and the harsh reality of politics.  He includes personal reflections on the current state of politics as well, in which he thinks has gone off course.  While partisan politics may have worked at one point in time, Obama suggests that it has become inefficient.  Furthermore, he writes about his early conversations with everyday Americans and how we can change our politics.  Obama's moderate tone and intellectual consistency makes him seem very level-headed.  By avoiding extremes and backing up his claims with honest personal experience, he opens up his readers.  Other rhetorical elements include dialogues from his memories, qualifiers and some historical references.

Barack Obama is the 44th and current President of the United States.  Before he became President, he was a community organizer for a rough part of Chicago and also Senator of Illinois.  He is of mixed heritage: his dad black and his mom white.  He attended Columbia University and Harvard Law School.

In Obama's first memoir Dreams from my Father, he managed to remain very honest about not only himself but his observations.  It is this element that made him very respectable.  However, that was before he became a well-known politician.  Now, critics are interested to see if he can maintain that same integrity.  Barack Obama acknowledges this and that is part of his purpose as the writer: to show that he has not lost touch.  Therefore I think Barack's audience is mainly his supporters and even skeptics.  Another purpose he has is to promote healthier politics.

AOW #14: The Art of Listening

NY Times article by Henning Mankell, best-selling author

After spending nearly 25 years traveling back and forth from Europe to Africa, Mankell distinguishes key differences between Western and African culture.  One of which is sharing, but the main one is listening.  As Mankell eloquently puts it, the reason we have "two ears and one tongue is that we have to listen twice as much as we speak."  He also goes on to explain the different styles of rhetoric used between Westerners and Africans.

The context includes basic differences between Africa and Europe.  It also includes a bit of background knowledge on the author, who has spent a worthy portion of his life in Mozambique.

Rhetorical elements include compare and contrast.  Mankell juxtaposes the traditional linear European style of writing with the anachronistic African approach of writing.  He also does a lot of reflection, which comes from his memory and experience.

The author's purpose is to share important insights from his travels.  He wants to make evident the key part of story-telling in humanity and instill the idea of "listening" into people.  In this way, he can pass down his learnings.  I thought what the author had to write was rather interesting.  I think just his experience and worldliness credit his observations.
 

AOW #13: In Search for Alien Life

TIME science article written by Michael Lemonick, a science writer who previously wrote for Discovery as well as Science Digest

The article is about different ways of categorizing life on other planets.  Since the Kepler telescope has recently discovered more than 2000 other planets in the universe, there must be a way to somehow anticipate what kinds of life can be found.  The first standard is EMI, which is Earth-based and used to find life similar to that on Earth.  The second is PHI, which is much looser in its restrictions.  It is very open with how different types of life can sustain different conditions.

The context includes the theory that there may be other forms of life in the universe.  Earth is perhaps not the only planet lucky enough to possess such livable circumstances.  Context also includes recent findings and breakthroughs in space research.

The author uses a conversational type of writing.  It is as if he is casually yet professionally talking to us.  This is evident through such elements as humor, rhetorical questions, and speculation.  Other rhetorical elements include scientific terms such as EMI and PHI.

The author's purpose is to update readers and those interested about the search for alien life.  Being someone who has always been interested in mysteries and aliens yet knows little about them, I thought this article was very interesting.  The simple discovery of water on Mars (which I did not know about) made me consider a whole new range of possibilities.

Unit 2 Reflection: Synthesis Essay

The duties of a government and its people revolve around the Social Contract Theory.  It is through the Social Contract that responsibility even exists.  Because the people come together to form this compact, they all have roles to play.  Individuals ought to behave morally while governments ought to provide protection and justice.
              The idea of the Social Contract emerges when individuals decide to come together and work as one unit.  By creating this system, the people become dependent on one another.  No longer is every man for himself; rather every man is somewhat bound together by his legs.  Therefore, individuals have the obligation to look out for their collective well-being.   Men are expected to be less selfish and work toward the common good.  When they vote, they must vote for what they believe will be best for the community as a whole, rather than what they believe will be best for themselves.  As Locke stated in the Second Treatise of Civil Government, “Every man, by consenting with others to make one body  politic under one government, puts himself under an obligation, to every one  of that society, to submit to the determination of the majority, and to be  concluded by it” (Locke).  By entering the Social Contract, therefore, individuals must work for the majority as well as accept the vote of the majority.  In other words, they have the duty to look beyond their own self-interests and consider those around them.

A similar position was taken by Rousseau when he stated, “Only when the voice of duty replaces physical impulse and when right replaces the cravings of appetite does the man… realize that he is under compulsion to obey quite different principles, and that he must now consult his reason and not merely respond to the promptings of desire” (Rousseau).  Essentially, an individual’s responsibility in his society is to act morally.  Only then will the exchange of personal freedom for government be worthwhile.  By acting morally, people live more pleasantly and less violently.  They promote common good and aid a healthy government.

The government’s role in society, on the other hand, is simply to uphold its side of the Social Contract.  It should enforce moral laws by protecting its citizens and punishing those who impose injustice.  It should also offer convenience and stability to its people.  Ultimately, its sole purpose is to create a more pleasant and civilized life for people.  In some special cases, however, the government must know when to use a heavy hand.  While it has a responsibility to act in accordance with the people’s will, the people are not always right.  Machiavelli acknowledged this when he wrote that “a prince must know how to use wisely the natures of the beast and the man” (Machiavelli).   If a ruler surrenders himself to the pure democracy of his people, he may find that his society will be victim to human nature; as a result, the people will suffer from the same mistakes repeatedly.  In order to avoid past mistakes, the government has the obligation to temporarily suspend the rights of the people and to use its better judgment to save the people from their dooms.   It is only through the fulfillment of these duties that a civilization can last.  Therefore, when the framework of the system is at stake, government must exercise full power to maintain it.   It has the responsibility to do for the people what they know not better to do for themselves.

According to the Social Contract Theory, the people and their government establish interdependent roles.  The people agree to come together in exchange for stability, protection and convenience.  In return, they have the responsibility to behave with good conduct and vote on behalf of the common good rather than personal advantage.  The government’s job is to enforce the laws of morality that come along with the Social Contract so that the people do not live like animals.

AOW #12: Advertisement

URL: http://creativeadvertisingworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/32.jpg

The author of the advertisement is the organization WWF (World Wildlife Fund).

The advertisement displays the Earth on an ice-cream cone as if it were melting to stress the effects of Global Warming.  On the bottom of the advertisement, a caption states that “no one will be spared from climate change.”  Therefore, everyone should help prevent it.

The context includes prior knowledge to environmental change, which may cause sea levels to rise drastically and make Earth inhabitable.  Context also includes debates regarding to whether Global Warming is a legitimate issue or merely a conspiracy. 

An obvious rhetorical element is the analogy of Global Warming being like ice-cream melting on a cone.  It implies that soon, if action is not taken, the Earth will be no more and humanity will cease to exist.  Another rhetorical element used was the pace of the advertisement.  It states climate change as an immediate threat; therefore, people should pay it urgent attention.

The author’s purpose was to urge people to take action.  It was aimed at everyone because Global Warming is a global issue.  It is not exclusive to one country.  I think that it was a creative advertisement.  It was clever, and that may be enough to push people to take action.  However, by itself, it may not make an extremely effective argument; those who have not started taking action already are unlikely to do so simply because of a silly advertisement.

AOW #11: How About Better Parents?

Editorial by Thomas L. Freidman, former chief White House correspondent and winner of 3 Pulitzer Prizes


Freidman writes about the important influence of teachers on students.  However, he does not disregard the fact that parents play a large role in their children's educations as well.  Statistics show that the elementary students whose parents read to them often or weekly earn higher test scores than those students whose parents do not read to them.  This correlation between parental involvement in a child's education and the child's test scores are evident in all types of people, no matter the social background.

The context includes different methods in raising a child.  It also includes education and how to further the learning of children.

Freidman uses statistics to draw the relation between parental involvement and children's school grades. By doing this, there is a sense of legitimacy brought to the argument.  The studies show that this is not just a theoretical hypothesis, but a practical and evident one.

The purpose of the article was to encourage parents to take part in their children's education.  By simply reading to them at an early age, they can significantly improve their academic habits.  Furthermore, they help their children establish self-discipline, which goes a long way.  I think the author was effective in presenting his argument.  Not only did he offer proof, but I have personal experience to back up his data.  My dad read to me often when I was a kid, and both my parents stress heavily on education. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to be responsible and hardworking.

AOW #10: Cain's Paine

Editorial by Sophia Rosenfeld, professor of history at the University of Virginia and author of Common Sense: A Political History

In the article, Sophia writes about Herman Caine, possible GOP party nominee.  Herman Caine has campaigned with the motto of "using common sense," in order to spread his influence.  While this popular theme reflects that of the brilliant Thomas Paine, Caine has had problems living up to his own words.  By misspeaking and the recent sexual harassment allegations against him, he has somewhat been discredited and most likely will not be elected President in 2012.

The context includes the upcoming 2012 Presidential Elections.  The GOP party has yet to find a nominee worthy of running against Barack Obama. 

Some rhetorical elements used in the article were direct quotations from Cain himself, to exemplify some of the radical claims he has made.  Sophia also makes many references to both historical and current day figures, to compare and contrast the many different politicians.

The purpose of this article was to give one's perspective on Republican Herman Cain.  While he has certain good aspects, he fails to be intellectually up to par with candidates such as Obama.  He also seems to have oversimplified and underestimated the position of Presidency.  Acting according to "common sense" is easier said than done.  I think Sophia was generally fair about what she said.  She did not completely bash Herman Cain, and made a point to make clear his good qualities.  However, she gave enough proof and quotes to
show that he is inconsistent. 

AOW #9 (IRB)

The Dalai Lama's philosophy is a mixture of realism, practicality and idealism.  Through Pico Iyer's observations, a more personal outlook into the monk's life is revealed.  The way in which the Dalai Lama characterizes life affects how he approaches it.  While he certainly possesses lots of answers, he also acknowledges that he can not know everything.  He accepts that in omniscience, his understanding of the universe is but fractional.  He continues to teach lessons on meditation, kindness and its natural effectiveness, and resilience in the face of suffering.  Perhaps the greatest lesson of all, however, is his experience itself.  His  entire life seems to be lived with purpose, every moment meaningful and full of wisdom.

Pico Iyer uses many personal stories with the Dalai Lama to credit his observations.  He also quotes from him and references conversations/dialogues that they've had.  He pulls examples from certain events in history to help him prove his points. When his writing isn't completely focused on intellectual content, he takes the time to set the mood.  He describes the Dalai Lama during meditation, during conversation, during serious times.  One aspect of the book that I found interesting and effective was the way in which Pico Iyer divided the book.  In some sense, Pico Iyer's book almost floats around, seemingly without a skeleton; however, as one reads on, he realizes that there is a structure.  He splits Dalai Lama's life into three general sections, with three additional subsections each; such titles included: The Philosopher, The Monk, and The Mystery.  Each chapter is like a piece of the whole picture.  In conclusion, Pico Iyer returns to an occurrence referenced in the beginning of the book.  He reflects a bit on how the Dalai Lama has affected his life, and how he continues to receive more and more of the Dalai Lama's wisdom.  By leaving on such a note, he leaves readers with a strange sense of hope.

AOW #8: Why Our Candidates Disappoint Us

Editorial by Drew Westen, a professor of psychology at Emory University

In his article, Drew Westen writes about the different qualities that both political parties lack and can learn from each other.  On one hand, he states that one pattern consistently found in Democrats is their value in intellect.  They move in very logical directions based on science and reasoning.  Republicans, such as the candidates running for the 2012 election, have started to move in less intellectual ways, choosing to build their foundations on subjects such as religion.  On the other hand, while Democrats possess "generic knowledge," they lack the ability to execute their plans effectively, a skill the Republicans are adept at.  Republicans do a good job of making their values known, and moving the social crowds in directions that they want to go.  They possess what cognitive scientists refer to as "procedural knowledge."

The context includes having background knowledge on American politics.  It also requires a general understanding of the patterns of behavior both the Republican and Democratic parties have demonstrated over the last couple of years.

Rhetorical elements include using specialized terms used by cognitive scientists such as "generic" and "procedural" knowledge.  The editorial also makes good use of analogies to help the reader better comprehend his argument on a more simple, more manageable level.

The purpose of the article was to tackle the fundamental problems of our political parties.  Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are fully in the right or wrong.  Rather they both need to improve in certain aspects.  I think the author did a decent job in going about his argument.  He qualified both sides and gave a very realistic and honest observation.

AOW #7: Have a Care, Sir

Political Cartoon by Herblock, the chief editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post during the McCarthy Era

The political cartoon reveals the unfair tactics of Senator McCarthy.  He used baseless claims and false evidence to jail suspected Communists and anyone who opposed him.  President Eisenhower was put into a very tricky position.  As President, he could not let McCarthy get away with such injustice; however, at the same time he had to be careful not to become a target himself.

The context of the time includes the anti-Communist/McCarthy movement in the 1950s.  It was right after World War II.  America's fear of Soviet spies in America was perpetuated by Joseph McCarthy, a US Senator from Wisconsin.  As a result, thousands were falsely accused of being Communists and had their lives stripped from them.

Rhetorical elements include symbolism in and juxtaposition between the weaponry used by the characters.  On the left is Joseph McCarthy holding a butcher knife, representing his aggressive accusations.  On the right is President Eisenhower holding a feather.  This represented his helplessness during the time.  Because of McCarthy's influence on America, Eisenhower was forced to be extremely cautious about how he dealt with McCarthy.  He could not publicly speak out against him, rather he had to work behind the scenes because his reputation was highly at risk.  The quote at the top also expresses concern.  It reveals the ruthless nature of McCarthy's attacks.

The purpose of this article was to expose Senator McCarthy for who he really was.   I think it worked because he made the situation between the two characters very clear.  McCarthy's very sinister and churlish appearance became very obvious alongside Eisenhower's helplessness.

AOW #6: 10 Questions for George H.W. Bush

Article by Michael Duffy
 
Michael Duffy has written over 40 cover stories for Time Magazine and was named assistant managing editor of Time in 2005.  This article is from New York Times, a well-established and trusted resource.

Nearly twenty years after his presidency, George H. W. Bush catches up with Time Magazine in an interview.  He is asked about his volunteer work, his observations on the job of President he first took in 1985, and advice he would give future Presidents.  He made one statement stating that the position of Presidency is one no one can understand until they've been in it.

The context includes knowing that George H. W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States.  It also includes background knowledge on the political process and the changes it's had in recent years

The purpose of the article was simple to get an update from George H. Bush.  I think the author succeeded in his purpose; however, it would have been even more interesting if there were more questions asked (although I understand that it was a "10 questions" segment of the magazine).

Rhetorical elements include direct dialogue from George H. W. Bush.  It helped to give a greater feel for who
Bush Sr. was as a person and where he stood on certain subjects.  George Bush also responds with much experience, which is what substantiated his answers.

Unit 1- Assignment Question Reflection

What single assignment, reading, activity or 'something else' was most helpful to you so far and why? Be specific.

I think the most helpful readings that have helped me thus far are George Orwell's "Politics and the English Language" and Tim O'Brien's "How to Tell a True War Story."  Orwell's piece was extremely specific and realistic.  He did a good job in tracing such a vague concept of language.  Although he didn't exactly present anything new to me, he helped me clarify ideas in an orderly and graspable manner; yet, in doing so, he did not lose depth.  Such ideas included the many oblique uses of language, the practicalities and technicalities of language, and how language affects our obligations in society.  He help me put names and words to concepts I already felt I understood.  O'Brien, on the other hand, did not help me so much in the area of rhetoric itself, but he helped me articulate a better idea of Truth through rhetoric.  By offering a different approach to truth, he made me see the many faces of reality.  It was the richness of substance and background that I felt ultimately helped me.

Unit 1: Essential Question Reflection

How does the language we use impact our citizenship within a society

George Orwell observed in Politics and the English Language that everything we say indirectly affects politics on some level.  When we affect politics, we affect people, and because we affect people, we must take into consideration the extents of which we affect them.  We must take into consideration what we say and how we say it because words eventually have physical consequences.  If we offer people false information, they will only go on to perpetuate a mass lie.  If we settle for a less-than-accurate description of our ideas, people will only be corrupted with oversimplified thoughts.  As a result, our entire community becomes burdened with a false sense of logic.  Our social systems regarding elections, ideas and policies fail to work because people are no longer thinking by rational means.  Instead they are misinformed and made to form bad social habits.  As a result, all of society suffers.

Participation within a society is, therefore, not only a privilege but a responsibility as well.  We are offered a system in which we can operate our lives more easily (this includes food, health-care, protection, markets).  In return, we have an obligation to not destroy it, to keep the system running healthily and efficiently.  When we begin to better understand how we affect people subconsciously, we can make a more conscious effort in clearing up unnecessary misunderstandings.  Even if we can't help society, we have the responsibility to not do it any harm.  We have the responsibility to give those who can help the means and clarity necessary to do so.  If we leave those that can help to operate on tainted facts and unclear information, can they really be expected to make any progress?  Whether we are news reporters, journalists, teachers, or just everyday citizens, we have obligations to be accurate and fair in our explanations; we cannot manipulate or perpetuate information that we know is faulty and ambiguous. Otherwise, gradually, our systems (for ex. government) will fail and lives will suffer due to our careless use of language. 

AOW #5: The Empathic Civilisation

Video by Jeremy Rifkin

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7AWnfFRc7g&feature=player_embedded

Jeremy Rifkin is a bestselling author, an American economist, public speaker and activist who studied economics at the Wharton School of UPenn.  He is also the president of Foundation On Economic Trends.

In the video, Jeremy Rifkin investigates the development of empathy in humans throughout time.  Humans are soft-wired with mirror neurons which allow us to feel empathy.  He claims that humanity's main drive in modern times is to belong.  He continues to state that to belong is an empathic drive, and that civilization is as a result of being able to feel for one another.  He therefore talks about the possibility to stretch our empathy to the whole word at large, rather than limiting it to nationality, religion, kinship or race.

The context is the study of human nature, neuroscience and social science.  The audience is anyone looking for food for thought.  The purpose is to provoke possibility and to create greater clarity.

Rhetorical elements of this video include, obviously, a visual and continuous string of cartoons exemplifying every word and concept spoken by Jeremy.  This serves not only to interest, but to help people more easily understand.  Jeremy also uses experiments and certain terms to establish his credibility.

For the most part, Jeremy's way of presentation made it very easy to agree with him.  In that sense, I think he succeeded in his purpose.  However, there are some points that I do not entirely agree with, some points I think he oversimplified and some enthymemes I think he might have assumed too surmisedly.

IRB Entry #1

The Open Road by Pico Iyer

Pico Iyer is a British-born writer.  He is the author of seven other nonfiction books and two novels.  He has written about Tibet for publications such as Time Magazine, The New Yorker and New York Times for more than 20 years.  Iyer has also been a friend to the Fourteenth Dalai Lama for more than 30 years.  Through years of traveling with His Holiness, intimate conversations, and honest observation, Iyer has come to know the Dalai Lama in a very thorough and fond way.  Iyer is a Theosophist, or in other words, a believer of Truth.

Iyer essentially begins the book with simple observations about the Dalai Lama's life.  He mentions the Dalai Lama's history in Tibet and family.  As the book progresses, his writing gets a bit more intricate.  He starts to go into greater detail about the Dalai Lama's struggles as a global icon, his charismatic personality, humble character and his realistic approach toward situations; his refusal to romanticize and simplify complicated problems.  Iyer touches on how the Dalai Lama carries out his days, his habits and his meditation.

The book is most likely aimed toward anyone who has interest in the Dalai Lama, researching people's lives and spirituality.  The context to be aware of when reading The Open Road is the Tibet Crisis.  The Dalai Lama was expelled from Tibet by the Chinese government when he was barely a teenager.  He is a spiritual leader and is constantly searching for ways to establish peace and understanding both within China and the world.

Pico Iyer is constantly trying to create connections and insert personal anecdotes to help readers gain better understanding of the observations he makes.  He uses dialogue to try to bring ideas full circle.  He also uses lots of imagery to set the mood, to give readers a sensual feel of everything that is going on.  His ultimate purpose, I think, is to cover the intricacies of the Dalai Lama's life, logic and philosophy.  In telling this truth, even objectively, he is also bringing justice to a sometimes misunderstood leader.  I think so far, Iyer is successful.  He is not lazy or careless with his words.  Although indirect in a way, he is very specific about the notes he makes and offers many practical examples.

AOW #3: Where Abortion Rights Are Disappearing

Editorial by Dorothy Samuels

Opponents of abortion have gotten more aggressive and persistent in recent years.  While they recognize that an outright ban on abortion is nearly impossible at this point in time, they are doing everything they can to make abortion as difficult as possible by imposing numerous of new restrictions.  As a result, they are unjustly compromising the right of a woman to make her own childbearing decisions.  The number of abortion clinics nationwide has also steadily decreased due to this legislature. 

This article is from New York Times, a well-established and trusted resource.

The context infers that the audience is pro-abortion.  It includes the ongoing conflict between abortion supporters and opposers.  It also takes into account the Roe v. Wade Trial, which legalized abortion nationwide, and the current Congress, which holds a Republican majority that is ultimately against abortion.

The purpose of the author was to convince pro-abortion supporters to make their voices heard, because if they don't, abortion rights will only decrease.  Dorothy is evidently pro-abortion throughout the text.

Dorothy used statistics (support) displaying the increasing number of states that are accepting these new abortion restrictions.  She uses this to appeal to her readers logically, to prove that anti-abortion supporters will prevail if no steps are taken to stop them.

The article was informative but as an editorial piece, I found it to be a little weak.  I was not very moved for her use of diction lacked a certain power and passion.  Instead, it was almost boring and cliche.  I admire the author's views but she could have done a better job in substantiating them by offering the philosophy behind pro-abortion.

AOW #2: For Adoptive Parents, Questions Without Answers

News article by John Leland

Recent incidents in child trafficking has suggested that the children in China sold to adoption, are not always abandoned by their biological parents.  In some cases in the Hunan Province, Chinese government officials have kidnapped children from their families in order to sell them to orphanages, which would then pass the children over to adoptive parents.  Such lucrative exchanges are considered very possible considering that many American parents often make generous donations to the orphanages they adopt from.  This event has spawned major practical and moral concerns among foster parents who have already adopted Chinese babies or are looking to adopt.  Some parents recall that paperwork presented by the orphanages were sometimes "inconsistent" and suspicious.  However, fearing how it might affect the child and their lives, parents have been reluctant to speak up or be aggressive to find the truth.

This article is from New York Times, a well-established and trusted resource.

The context is that very often American parents have gone to China to look to adopt, because although child abduction is nothing new in adoption programs, the process in China has been considered for the most part clean.

The purpose was to inform the audience, perhaps readers of NY Times, external affairs officials, and parents considering adoption, to be aware of the circumstances that circle these adoption processes.

Rhetorical elements include dialogue, logic, testimonials that appeal to emotions, statistics and evidence.

 Yes, I found the article very easy to read, highly informative, and even a bit heart-provoking.

IRB

Title of Book: The Open Road: The Global Journey of the 14th Dalai Lama

Author: Pico Iyer

Sections: The books is split into 3 sections: In Public, In Private and In Practice.  I will read 60 pages at a time.

Why you chose this book: I am very interested in spirituality and self-discovery.  Getting better at living is actually a concept that I practice and I apply to my own life.  The Dalai Lama is also one of the people I respect most.

AOW #1: The Palestinians' Statehood Dilemma: Full U.N. Membership or Observer Status?

URL:  http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2091317,00.html

Palestine plans to appeal to the United Nations for an upgrade from its current status.  Having long fought over land with its Israeli neighbor, Palestine continues to seek a way to become its own independent state.  It can appeal to the UN in two ways: request full UN membership and most likely be rejected by the US, which is part of the Security Council that reviews the applications, or request for a promotion from the position of "observer entity" to "observer state."  Such approach would not require the approval of the US, and would allow Palestine to appeal to the International Criminal Court to charge Israel with humans rights crimes.

This article is from TIME, a renown and internationally acknowledged news source. The author of this article, Karl Vick, is Time's bureau chief in Jerusalem.  In 2001, he was among the Washington Post finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service.

To get the gist of this article, it is necessary to understand the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict that has gone on for 70 years.  The background of the two nations is essential to understanding why Palestine strives to be an independent state.

The purpose is to simply update readers on the conflict status.  It is mostly facts and quotes.  It helps readers get a better idea of the situation by explaining what Palestine's options are.

The audience would be politicians and those interested in politics.  It is a relatively neutral article so the audience is not especially restricted.

Rhetorical elements exemplified in this article would be dialogue and logos.

Since the author wrote for mostly informational purposes, I'd say he was relatively successful.  However, I would have preferred more specific details and a personal opinion.  That would have spawned more thought among his readers.