Archive for year: 2016

After reading the article Backpacks vs. Briefcases I realized how many articles, blog post, and images send a rhetoric message. Media uses rhetoric to persuade the audience, us, by using one of the rhetorical appeals (Ethos, Pathos, Logos). A good example of media using rhetorical appeals is when an animal shelter commercial appears on television and they show a dog with a broken leg limping asking for any donations to help animals in that specific shelter. The goal of this commercial is that hopefully whoever is watching it feels bad for those animals and send in a donation. If we refuse to stop and think about how and why it persuades us, we can become mindless consumers who buy into arguments about what makes us value ourselves and what makes us happy (Carroll pg. 47). If we don’t know how rhetoric is being used then we won’t be able distinguish if it is for the audience’s benefit or the rhetor (writer/speaker). 

Media uses rhetoric to get to the audience by using celebrities, meaning if a celebrity comes out with a clothing line, new album, new television show they want to make sure we consuming their product or products. They want to advertise their new clothing line, album etc. Earlier today while I was checking my email I came across an article about Rihanna’s new album, Rihanna’s ‘Anti’ Album Sells Only 460 Copies but Still Considered a Platinum Album. When I first read the title I already knew the writer was going to give reasons on how this album is a good one even though it hasn’t sold many copies. In other words, try to persuade us to buy the album so it can be a “big hit in the music industry”. I also though that the rhetor was hoping to see the words “Platinum Album” and want to out and buy it without bothering to read the article.  However, I was wrong about thinking the author was only going to explain why this is still a good album. Instead, the article was about how Rihanna’s new album didn’t reach their expected goal compared to her last album because it was released late. This article is using rhetorical appeals by stating the facts about Rihanna’s new album. The author, Jake Willis, states facts on why the album didn’t sell many copies and how it was released late by doing so he is using logos to get to the readers. At the end of the article he states that this album is expected to go off the charts in the next couple of weeks, which encourages readers to want to buy the album. I also noticed when I was reading the article in between the paragraphs there were links to other articles about Rihanna. Media does this so that hopefully we think the article we are currently reading is persuasive enough to convince us to continue reading about Rihanna. They do this because the media is aware that the reader is most likely a Rihanna fan wanting to know more about her albums or personal life and continues reading about it.

In the article, “Backpacks vs. Briefcases” informs us how rhetoric is used to persuade audiences with certain language and images (Carroll, 46). The writer/speaker uses tools like, rhetorical appeals, such as Aristotle’s logos (logic/statistics/facts), pathos (emotion), and ethos (creditability). Rhetoric is used most commonly in the media for advertisements to persuade the consumer to buy or invest in the product they are advertising.

As I was reading through the Yahoo News today (February 2, 2016), I scrolled upon an advertisement called, “American’s Are Buying This Flashlight By The Thousands To Feel “‘Safer In Their Own Homes”‘. Just by starting the rhetorical analysis in the title, you can see the type of diction the author uses to start to persuade the reader; with positive words like, “safer” and “thousands”. This diction suggest that the flashlight will create a positive affect on the consumer’s life by making them feel “safer” and that “thousands” are purchasing it, so it should be a good investment.

Early on in the article advertisement the authors start off the argument using pathos, trying to appeal to the audience’s emotions. The article says, “The truth is, most people underestimate the importance of owning a great flashlight. And these days, in a world where terrorism, and natural disasters are becoming the norm, it’s more important than ever to have the right tactical gear” (x800 Flashlights, 1). The speaker uses pathos by referring to the more recent attacks of terrorism and natural disasters to make the reader more fearful and feel like they need to purchase the flashlight in order to protect themselves. This quote makes the reader question themselves whether they are prepared for a disaster such as those listed and make them lean towards buying the flashlight.

Next, the speaker uses ethos to show the creditability of the product, ‘”In times like these, it’s more important than ever for Americans to be prepared for anything, and this flashlight is one of the best pieces of gear to have as it can be used in almost every situation, from self defense to finding your dog at night…” -Matt B. Tactical Flashlight Expert”(x800 Flashlights, 1). The author uses the title of “Matt B.” being a Tactical Flashlight expert to make the flashlight seem creditable and trustworthy for the consumers to buy and have the flashlight perform the way it says it does. It also says, in the article, “This light’s incredible LED technology is used by the U.S. Navy Seals, the Coast Guard, Firemen, Policemen, U.S. Search and Rescue and now it’s been placed inside of an amazing Flashlight called the Shadowhawk x800″(x800 Flashlights, 1). This quote also uses ethos, by saying that organizations like, “U.S. Navy Seals, the Coast Guard, Firemen, Policemen, U.S. Search and Rescue” use the same LED technology. So it makes the flashlight seem highly creditable because such groups who are known for their advanced technology use it.

In regards to the Rhetorical Triangle in this advertisement, the writer is the x800 flashlight company, the reader is American citizens looking for a product that provides protection and everyday use, and the purpose is to convince the reader that they need to buy the product.

Works Citied:

Bolin, Laura Carroll. “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis.” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing. Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 1. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2010. 45-58. Writing Spaces. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.

 

We have all heard the phrase “Actions speak louder than words” but sometimes words are more powerful. If you know the right things to say, sometimes there’s no need for any action to take place just by the simple flow of the words its good enough. In the text “Backpacks vs. Briefcases” it explains about how developed our rhetorical skills are without us really knowing we have them because we have slowly learned to detect rhetorical messages. Even with just doing a simple task there’s all sort of persuading ads trying to get you to buy something or convincing you into believing or rethinking certain things. Most of the times books have hidden meanings or a purpose the author wants to share with the rest of us. So when they write there’s a hidden rhetorical message somewhere between the pages.
One of my favorite books is The Book Thief, in my personal opinion it’s a heart-wrenching story about how words are more powerful than what we give them credit. At times without really meaning to we say things that stick to people whether it’s in a positive way or a negative way is completely up to you. The point is words stick with us like memories whether it’s from something a loved one once told us to words from our books, words are a big part of life.
The Book Thief mentions the power of words frequently throughout the novel to the point where it’s a reoccurring theme. One quote that really stands out is “I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” In this quote the protagonist is describing her own thoughts about words and how she thinks she has to make words right so they can have a positive effect in the lives she has touched with her words. She has said it so many times that words can affect you for the rest of your life and the narrator of the novel which is Death tells the readers that she affected him so much for her words more than her actions and that she will always be dear to him.
One thing about the power of words is that there is no way that you can make words powerful if you don’t believe they are powerful and that words are enough to accomplish things without action meaning war and violence. “The best word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words. They were the ones who could climb the highest.”
The Book Thief constantly convinces us that words are powerful and beautiful. The entire story is just full of life in itself and the way Death describes life as hauntingly beautiful is in a sense accurate but the way he makes the words flow is rhetorical and poetic. “I wanted to tell the book thief many things, about beauty and brutality. But what could I tell her about those things that she didn’t already know? I wanted to explain that I am constantly overestimating and underestimating the human race-that rarely do I ever simply estimate it. I wanted to ask her how the same thing could be so ugly and so glorious, and its words and stories so damning and brilliant.” The perfect ending because Death gives us his opinion of Life which is quite ironic. Since he’s trying to convinve us life is beautiful.

Works Cited

Bolin, Laura Carroll. “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis.” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing. Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 1. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2010. 45-58. Writing Spaces. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2006. Print.

Many writers living in the aftermath of World War II expressed a great deal of contempt toward totalitarian systems of government in their works. George Orwell wrote the dystopian novel 1984 to force his readers to question the integrity of their governments. The article “Backpacks and Briefcases” urges us to ask what the rhetor may be responding to as a means of discovering the exigence of the rhetorical situation (Bolin 48). The publication of the novel coincides with the aftermath of World War II and the rise of more totalitarian forms of government, such as Stalinism in Russia. Orwell’s response to these events also plays to the mindset of his audience, who is living in the same period and thus has the same fearful perspective on totalitarianism.

Orwell’s primary protagonist, Winston Smith, works for The Party by editing history, already leading the audience to believe that this fictional government can not be trusted. He spends his days modifying dates and production predictions in the national newspaper so the rest of Oceania can live under the impression that their economy is improving, rather than plummeting (Orwell 39). This parallels the ways in which totalitarian systems sought to brainwash and hide the truth from their citizens through propaganda. The propaganda present throughout the novel is reminiscent of those of Nazi Germany, depicting “monstrous figure[s] of Eurasian soldier[s]” that drive even the least patriotic proles to support the war effort (Orwell 149). Orwell is aware that his audience will have a strong reaction to these images, having only recently been subject to bombardments of similar messages during the wartime.

Knowing the context in which the novel was composed, as well as the background of the author can allow us to draw what his purpose is. Bolin encourages readers to ask what it is the rhetor wants them to do with their message (52). I would interpret all of Orwell’s appeals to the authority of government as a message to his readers to question the societies that they live in. While there is no direct message of uprising or warfare against totalitarian systems, at the very least Orwell wishes for others to call into question the extent to which their governments run their lives. To some extent, the rhetorical purpose of the novel is to convince the readers to become active consumers of the political rhetoric that surrounds them.

Inherent in all sides of the rhetorical triangle and all facets of the rhetorical situation are the three artistic appeals proposed by Aristotle, but Orwell plays primarily to pathos (Bolin 52). The love story between Winston and Julia allows the reader to form a personal connection with the characters, and thus sympathize with them to a greater extent when the government interferes in their affair, resulting in their torture (Orwell 222). A potentially dry message about governments stripping individuals of their autonomy presented in narrative form makes all the difference to a reader.

It is critical to not only be fully aware of the rhetoric presented to us in academic settings and in novels, but also that which is presented to us in our daily lives. This can make all the difference in how we choose to perceive the world we live in.

Works Cited

Bolin, Laura Carroll. “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis.” Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing. Ed. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 1. West Lafayette, IN: Parlor P, 2010. 45-58. Writing Spaces. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Orwell, George, and Erich Fromm. 1984. New York, NY: Signet Classic, 1961. Print.