Tag Archive for: course-nocourse

“The more we know about how to analyze situations and draw informed conclusions, the better we can become about making savvy judgments about the people, situations and media we encounter” (Carroll, 46).

In the article “Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis“, I have learned that on the subject of rhetoric, it is everywhere. It is in social media, the food we eat, our favorite movies, and even how we dress. As human beings, we do not even think about rhetoric analysis, it is more of like a second nature. That is what I find so fascinating about rhetorical analysis. Looking at a person who walks in the room, we make vast judgment on how this person really is.

I have recently checked out a book from the library and it is called Powder Monkey. It takes place in the year 1800 and Britain was at war with the French. A thirteen year-old boy named Samuel Witchall is revealing his story about how he was referred to as a “powder monkey”. Samuel loved the sea and always wanted to work on a crew ship for the Royal Navy, but his father would not let him. Instead his father said he could work as a ship’s boy as a merchantmen. As I said he loved the sea and embraced the ocean. “…, I would climb to the top of the foremast, and, with my face full of wind, could make-believe I was flying over the sea like a great white gull. I loved the dawn and dusk best” ( Dowswell 17). When it comes to the subject of rhetoric, Sam shows so much imagery in the way he speaks about the ocean. Not just in this text but also in others. I feel if I have met Samuel Witchall in person (which I highly doubt), I feel he would want to explain to me why taking any opportunity to sail the seven sea’s would be best thing that could ever happen to a human being. He would most definitely use ethos, pathos, and logos to tell me why it is the best thing in the world.

I usually do not like to read. Actually I hate it. But I believe and proven myself that I can actually be interested in a book and analyse the book whether I am finished with it or not.

Rhetoric is the way we use language and images to persuade (Carroll, 46). As explained in the article, “Backpacks vs. Briefcases” there are many components that go into a good argument that captivates the audience. One of those components is rhetorical appeals, such as Aristotle’s pathos, ethos, and logos. Another is the rhetorical triangle, consisting of the writer, reader, and purpose. Most texts, media, and advertisements use rhetorical appeals and the rhetorical triangle as the foundation of their arguments to persuade the reader to the purpose of the text, such as convincing them to purchase a product. The article “‘Screen’ Lets Parents Control Kids’ Devices From Anywhere” is a good example concerning a rhetorical analysis.

Just by reading the first few paragraphs the rhetorical triangle can be established. The writer/speaker is Dan Tynan from the modern family section of Tech apart of the Yahoo news. The intended audience for this piece would be adults with children who use technology frequently. The purpose of the article is to persuade these parents that the device “screen” is something they should invest in for the protection/ well-being of their kids and to be able to control their activities/time on their electronic devices.

In the article, it says, “According to research firm Childwise, children age 5 to 16 spend an average of 6.5 hours a day glued to computers, phones, tablets, and televisions — often viewing multiple screens at the same time” (Tynan,1). This quote uses logos, meaning logic/statistics/facts in the opening paragraph to present the audience how much time their children spend on electronic devices to hopefully persuade them that this needs to be controlled.

It also says, “The phone app allows parents to adjust schedules on the fly as needed — if, say, your child needs an extra 15 minutes to complete a homework assignment. Want to get everyone’s attention in a hurry? Launch the Screen app and just shake your phone; all of the devices it controls will shut off instantly” (Tynan,1). This excerpt also demonstrates logos by explaining that the product can be used to control the activity of a screen in seconds and that parents should buy the device because it is easily accessible and much needed when it comes to monitoring kids and devices. The quote also appeals to pathos, which is defined as emotion. This can be seen in the diction used in the quote, such as “ want to get everyone’s attention in a hurry”. For it suggest that parents are not always able to get control of their children’s attention due to the distraction of their device, and this device, the “screen” will enable parents to have the full attention of their children.

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. 29 Jan. 2016.

Tynan, D. (n.d.). ‘Screen’ Lets Parents Control Kids’ Devices From Anywhere. Retrieved February 03, 2016, from https://www.yahoo.com/tech/39-screen-39-lets-parents-control-kids-1356166166388790.html

Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps toward Rhetorical Analysis by Laura Bolin Carroll demonstrates the different ways in which rhetoric can be used. Rhetoric is choosing a specific type of language to persuade an audience. I use to believe an add was just a way for people to try and sell a product. Now I know there are specific reasons why an add uses a certain language in different situations to advertise. What was most interesting to me was the Aristotle’s appeals such as ethos, pathos and logos. These are three different ways in which rhetoric is used to be more effective towards an audience. I also realized rhetoric is used in almost everything I read on the street or hear in the news. What I also did not realize was that I use rhetorical methods to convey people that what I am saying is correct.
Is a Cow a ‘Who’ or a ‘Which?’ Our Standards Editor Weighs In, By PHILIP B. CORBETTFEB. 2, 2016.This is not only a very interesting article about a cow escaping a slaughterhouse but also a way to convince an audience to become active in animal cruelty. Pathos is the definition of the article because it is using a cultivating story to grab the readers attention as well as motivating them to take action. The writer in this article is PHILIP B. CORBETTFEB the readers are those who read New York Times as well as the people who are involved in animal life. With this being said the purpose of this article is to create awareness of what is happening in slaughterhouses. Ethos in this article is being used by mentioning Peter Singer, the Princeton philosopher and intellectual champion of the animal-rights movement. The fact that an icon such as Singer is being used is called ethos because this promotes intelligence in the article. We generally use “person” pronouns like “he,” “she” or “who” only for animals who have been given a name, or in cases where the sex of the animal is specified. Otherwise, we stick with “it” and “that” or “which.” This quote demonstrates the rhetorical use of knowledge to really see the point of how animals not only get mistreated but how they get no respect. “A cow escaped from a slaughterhouse and took a stroll through Queens” key words in this quote are slaughterhouse and escape. Just hearing the word slaughter house creates a emotions in people to think dark and negative especially wen it is followed by escape. The word language encourages people even more to act on the situation.
Work Cited
“Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis.” Backpacks vs. Briefcases: Steps Toward Rhetorical Analysis. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
Philip. “Is a Cow a ‘Who’ or a ‘Which?’ Our Standards Editor Weighs In.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 Feb. 2016. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.

On the topic of rhetoric it is everywhere on our social media pages, our favorite movies, the way we speak and even dress. It is amazing to see how the topic of rhetoric goes on to form this triangular form. There is the topic that is trying to be persuaded upon the audience through the author or illustrators point of view.
With the new semester I took a giant step into taking a new class that would be completely outside of our comfort zone. So here it goes imagine me biochemistry major taking performing arts 101. Here is a word to the wise when entering this class no it is not a dance class this is more of an evolution of theater arts (yes a big disappointment). We are currently reading a book called The Creative Habit Learn by Twyla Tharp. Although this book is an assigned reading for performing arts it includes more rhetoric then any book I have ever read and this book would be a shame not to use in my examples of rhetoric.
To give this book a bit of background Twyla Tharp is a famous dancer and choreographer. The book written was to help form creative thinking and a better understanding of why we do certain things in our daily lives and consider them a comfort without noticing. In her first chapter she explains how from her own personal experience that shows must always go on no matter how big or small the situation that the world will not stop for anyone. She speaks from a choreographers point of view and discusses how there’s a ladder effect on just missing one show and how that amounts to everyone going negative in making money that day of not practicing or preforming.
The next chapter discusses rituals and they are not always doing everything at the same time every single day. A ritual is not always daily and it can happen at any point of the day, sometimes at various times of the day. For example, Twala goes on to discuss how she knows a chef who cannot start his day until he tends to his herbs and spices. This is some people feel there comfort and when this was said I immediately went through my day trying to figure out what my daily ritual was and if it stands out to other people. Twala is right everyone has a ritual whether it be big or small there is something that is done daily that would throw off ones day if it was not done daily.
This book would not be assigned to a dance class unless it was trying to get us to consider thinking a certain way. I believe that Twyla Tharp’s book has me slowly becoming more of a creative thinker. She even has me thinking I will become this famous performer which probably will not happen – but she has me thinking that I will. Maybe through this book I will push myself out of my comfort zone.

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.

“Big Brother Is Watching You” (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) by thefoxling

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.