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.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
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 Other rhetorical elements include dialogues from his memories, qualifiers and some historical references.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.
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.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, November 25, 2011
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.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
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.
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.
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