Post Secret Analysis

The post Secret I chose is the one with stars in the background that reads, "I cried for Anakin Sky Walker in Star Wars Episode III, but not for the tsunami victims."
He/she explicitly claims that Star Wars brought him/her to tears but she didn't cry for the tsunami victims. Since the nature of the cards often present claims of fact it isn't a refutable argument. The warrant is that he/she is more emotionally effected by a movie than a natural disaster and because they are not proud of this, they consider it a secret.
The author, whether male or female is obviously interested in Star Wars therefore developing a relationship with the movie as opposed to the victims of the tsunami with which he/she probably has no identification due to the distant location of the tragedy and the lack of effect it had on his/her life.
The audience is basically universal. The few people who don't know what Star Wars is or never knew about the tsunami are the only exclusions to the "targeted" audience.
The aesthetics of this card are not very effective due to the sheer simplicity, though the simplicity of the background also allows the reader to focus on the text or the "secret". And because it is a secret, it automatically adds an element of emotion or pathos to the text because it is sacred to someone even though that someone is anonymous.

HBO COMEDY

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HBO comedy: Clear claim of fact or definition by stating that HBO will not be sensitive to political correctness. Eye catxhing because of bold type and clear example (picture) of a comedian that isn't "PC".

His Claim VS. My Claim

Essay: “Antarctic Story: Why Human Beings Like ‘March of the Penguins’”

Central Claim: "main appeal [of movie], by both men and women, was due to what he calls “sexual politics,” or, in other words, the stereotypical motives and ideals of both males and females.

My Claim: "Though specifically focused towards child rearing, a serious issue, he utilizes a humorous and almost sarcastic tone to pose a delightfully casual yet effective argument. "

My Revised Claim: Queenan develops an effective argument, even though he may use a humorous and sarcastic tone, through his text, reader, constraints, and purpose of the article, "Antarctic Sroty: Why Human Beings Like 'March of the Penguins.'"

Conclusion: "Queenan is not concerned with persuading fathers who appreciate responsibilities for their children to think the opposite or to wish themselves a penguin in the next life. He is simply stating another theory why “Human Beings Like ‘March of the Penguins,’” or in other words, that women tend to like movies with selfless and attractive men and men prefer a 'no strings attached relationship' versus a long-term commitment."

Response #2 to CR Essays

In an article entitled, "Ugly, The American," James Poniewozik states a claim of definition by defining that "America's attitudes towards foreigners is more complex than the build-a-fencers would make it." James, however, shifts the essay towards a claim of value at the end by stating "that what makes Betty ugly is, in the long run, what makes us America the beautiful." In other words, "Ugly Betty," a television show James uses to represent immigrants in the United States, is ultimately good for America.
Poniewozik gives evidence through examples of other popular television shows with foreign characters such as "Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell, East European and Latin hoofers on Dancing with the Stars, Mexican boxers on the Contender and a Siberian drag queen on America's Got Talent." All of which are icons and immigrants.
The author also includes a rebuttal for his argument by stating the negative stereotypes of foreigners such as, "taking our kids' spots in college!". He warrants that we, as stereotypical Americans, need to cease connotating immigration with such negativity and see the positive addition that they do and will bring to "America the beautiful."

Response #1 to CR Essays

In an essay entitled, "Gen Y's Ego Trip Takes a Bad Turn," Larry Gordon and Louis Sahagun claim that today's college students, "Generation Y," are more narcissistics than any previous generations. The causes, they say, are internet websites like MySpace and YouTube that are only meant to promote yourself as an impressive individual, therefore influencing narcissism.
The Author's provide various samples of support for their claim including quotes, surveys, and novels. One piece of evidence is a "study led by a San Diego State University psychologist," proving that it's not only a petty concern of two individuals but a concern that is generating alot of attention, and even that of Acedemic institutes. Another piece of support, a novel, by Jean Twenge, is entitled,"Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled-and Mor Miserable Than Ever," suggests that Gordon and Sahagun have not only entered into a subject of many followers but a subject that has been followered for many years.
The authors of this essay are concerned for this generation and their behavioral outcome but also resent their current tendencies, behaviors, and instigators. They hint that if it weren't for certain t.v. programs, websites, medias etc., they wouln't have such narcissistic and self loathing personalities that the authors find so bothersome.

Chosen Essay and Outline

Antarctic Story: Why Human Beings Like "March of the Penguins" by Joe Queenan (Page 372)

I finally chose this essay not only because I have seen the movie and was part of his targeted audience but also because I dissagreed with his theory. Though I may have had more personal connections and examples to the other essays I was considering, I thought my disagreement towards his theory would spark a better motivation to write an analysis over this topic instead of the others.



outline:





P:1

Introduction:

• Title and author of article
• How effective Rhetorical analysis is defined by T.R.A.C.E.

P:2

Type of Text:

• Article in "Weekly Standard"


• Short essay with many examples of different theories about movie's success


• Humorous and sarcastic tone (Ex: Men's hair at thirty / Reincarnation as penguin)
• Informal and delightfully casual text about delightful and casual movie

P:3

Type of Reader:

• Most adults, young and old, (who more than likely escorted their kids who wanted to see movie initially) who saw movie and can recall its overall plot and elements


• Especially males and females who have a family and appreciate common stereotypes of both men and women ( Ex: Grant, Peck, Grant= female / Beckham's short skirts=male )

P:4

Type of Author:

• Male (father) with two children in college who is able to identify with theory of sexual politics of male intrique to movie vs. female intrique.


• Proud of new and humorous theory


• Writing for the stereotypes as opposed to his true beliefs toward child rearing (Ex: sarcasm / Lack of pathos)

P:5

Type of Constraints:

• Only can be directed toward people who have actually seen the movie


• Even if they have seen the movie, do they care enough about why other people liked it, especially if they didn't.

P:6

Type of Exigence:

• Author not concerned with any type of proactive responses
• Hopes to have either an agreement or dissagreement to his personal theory about popularity of movie

P:7

Personal Response:

• Personal disagreement to author's theory about men and women's views about child rearing ( theory is based soley on stereotypes and cliches of males and females / Outlook on child rearing is completely circumstantial to parent's situation )

SUGGESTION!!!

Something happened with the color of my text in my last post (Articles Why/Why not), but if you highlight the text you will be able to read it. SORRY!!!

3 Articles and Why or Why Not??

"Ugly, The American" by James Poniewozik (2006) (page 154)
Scanning through the Table of Contents in the Carolina Reader Inoticed this essay first because of the quirky title of the essay. After reading it, I concluded that it would be a relatively fitting selection because I am not only familiar with the show "Ugly Betty," which he eludes to as an American icon and an icon to immigrants in America, but also because I have a good friend whose family is from Mexico but all reside in The United States as legal immigrants.



"Long-Term Love" by Julie Hanus (2006) (Page 210)
I also chose to read this essay because of the title as it also relates to my interest in personal commitments to and of people. I am a child of divorced parents and a sentimental when it comes to family securities and traditions. I am a dedicated "significant other" to an active military member and due to the following, "Long-Term Love" is a struggle and a joy that I encounter on an everyday basis.


"Antarctic Story: Why Human Beings Like "March of the Penguins" by Joe Queenan (2005) (Page 372)
This prticular essay interested me because Ialways have wondered why the "March of the Penguins" was such a huge box office hit. It was interesting to hear Queenan's theory of male and female intrigue towards the movie and how these two intrigues were on directly opposite sides of the ethical spectrum. However, Ithought it was too cut-and-dry as an explanation and, in conclusion, resented his idea that males ultimately don't want obligations toward their children. It negates the "Long-Term Love" idea in which Iso desperately believe.

SWA #5

Virginia Tech

In an article by Adam Gopnik entitled, “Shootings,” he discussed the emotionally disturbing school shooting at Virginia Tech and suggested how to prevent another brutal massacre. Since his article was published in the New Yorker Magazine, he gave many Americans the opportunity to rethink their stand on gun policies.
Gopnik wrote this piece for all audiences, and rightfully did so. Though a horrific tragedy, everyone should be aware of the effects on society and on safety that the shooting at Virginia Tech caused and continues to cause. Not only were the students and the loved ones of the victims distraught, but everyone who attended an average college in the United States was also affected. Although Gopnik may not have known any of the victims personally or had any experience handling or purchasing a gun, he was sensitive and very passionate about the subject in his text. His logos was reasonable and clear when he stated that the number of guns that are killing people must be reduced in order to “reduce the number of people killed by guns.” Writing this text, Gopnik was neither exceedingly forceful nor overly passive, but was proactively persuasive of stricter gun ownership in America and, in addition, sensitive to his constraints.
Since it is such an emotionally traumatic subject that provokes strong emotions from and for all people, whether directly involved or not, the constraints on this rhetorical situation were obvious. Especially because it was posted in the New Yorker Magazine the vocabulary of the article had to be delicate. Due to its renown nature, everyone including friends and families of the victims were likely to read it. And details of the crime were thankfully omitted since they are so brutally graphic. He was , therefore, compelled to focus more toward the agenda of gun control in hopes to direct the anger and frustration of Americans towards a greater goal of limiting and eliminating guns to the American public.
The exigency here was and still is unmistakable. Unless something is done to limit or eliminate guns, especially semiautomatic weapons whose only purpose is to use in combat against other humans, guns will continue to kill. Due to the reoccurring trend of brutal school shootings in America the necessity for change is urgent. How many will die next time and will it be me?

SWA #4

TRACE

The rhetorical situations in two types of texts pose both differences and similarities in the contexts and subjects of which and to whom they are written. An online blog by academic economists and law school teacher, David Friedman, predominantly differs, yet still contains a few similarities, from an online “place for friends” as the slogan for Myspace states.
David Friedman’s blog is a sophisticated yet understated forum in which he poses relatively non-biased and random topics in order to generate various responses. Though a Myspace member may also post random questions on their board in hopes to receive an answer or response, these questions tend to be of a more trivial and sometimes more personal nature such as: “Can anybody tell me where tom’s party is and what booze I need to bring?” and “My boyfriend and I are going to Europe this summer and don’t know what to pack, any suggestions?” Though the texts in both forums contain questions and topics worthy of a reply, depending on what you consider worthy, David Friedman’s blog is an intelligent presentation of ideas with simple aesthetics that don’t detract from what you’re actually reading. Whereas a Myspace account has a bright and distracting background accompanied by music and videos that are automatically playing in the background while you’re trying to read the new favorite bands your friend just posted.
Both created on the internet, these online forums must technically have a universal audience because both profiles are available to anyone with internet access, unless, of course, a Myspace member has set their profile as private. Although their audience may be unknown, it is likely that a friend or relative of a Myspace member will be viewing their profile as opposed to a stranger who was coincidentally searching Myspace for someone with the same name. In addition, it is also likely that a person who searches online for “Low Cost Cooling”, the title of the most current topic posed on Friedman’s blog, will have the option of reading and posting a response rather than someone who searches for a question-asking Blogspot member in need of an opinion. On the other hand, since these coincidences do occur, the true question is, “ do I care enough to read and pay attention?” as Lloyd Bitzer states in a document entitled, The Rhetorical Situation. Anyone is subject to actually reading and commenting on Friedman’s blog topics or actually viewing and participating in the social networking of a Myspace member. As part of the audience, it’s all just a matter of selection in a rhetorical situation.

SWA#3

Consensual

I would definitely consider myself to have a consensual writing style as I prefer to argue in a rather passive or non-aggressive way. Just as my mother would, I tend to avoid confrontation, be both logical and emotional in an argument, and strive for a compromise or negotiation at the end of one. I cannot envision myself becoming a lawyer or politician, seeing as there is nothing worse than a fight.

Whether I was born with an innate sense of passivity, learned the trait from my mother, or simply rebelled from the adversarial nature of my father, I have always cowered from disagreement. For example, when I was six years old my father and mother were having an argument over a subject of which I cannot recall, however their tone and aggressive nature I will never forget. This argument was so upsetting that I opened the door of the vehicle and told them I was going to walk home. After hopping out of the car, luckily at a very slow speed, I proceeded to cross my arms in front of my body and march alongside of a vacant highway in Waco, Texas. Only after they insisted they would stop arguing, I climbed reluctantly back into the car and was then a passenger of the quietest car in Texas.

SWA#2

Miller

In an essay entitled, “Is Persuasion Dead?,” Matt Miller questions if persuasion is a “lost art,” an obsolete tool necessary to shape peoples beliefs. He recognizes the obvious lack of ability and desire to persuade and be persuaded by many people, even by politicians whose main purpose is to gain support.

Miller uses the imagery of political debate and mass medias as examples of trying to “win” as opposed to trying to persuade and inform. Although they may fail to receive the necessary amount of time to develop their arguments, as he states in the text, they are also utilizing their limited time allotted to skew the objective. Politicians tend to combat their opponents and gain notoriety through personality traits rather than through their meaningful ideals. Politics are essentially becoming a popularity contest instead of numerous supporters sharing a common opinion.

Although Miller focuses on politicians and political debates as examples of unsuccessful attempts to deliver arguments or convince an audience, the general public is not likely to seek a new opinion and/or reject an existing one whether successfully presented or not. A commonality developing throughout the young public suggests that strongly supporting certain beliefs is, in turn, promoting yourself. The more whom share the same beliefs, the more comfortable it becomes to possess those beliefs, even though they may all hold an ironic and disappointing tendency to never fully understand what substantiates their beliefs in the first place. The more comfortable someone is, the less likely they are to change.

Miller stresses that without change in attitude, persuasion will soon be forgotten. Strive to broaden the mind, let go of popular opinions and be comfortable with forming new ones. Without the struggle to gain new knowledge, information, and opinion, life will soon become one big popularity contest.

SWA #1

Skube

Journalism professor Michael Skube argues that students, whether at a high school or college level, simply do not read. He poses that students are neither willingly nor forcibly reading a sufficient amount or any amount at all. Whether self inflicted or a failure of educators, this lack of reading has barely left students with any necessary literary knowledge or, in Skube’s words, “pocket change”.

Though Skube predominantly places the blame on students for their lack of initiation, concern, or curiosity in seeking works and readings, some academic institutions are also to blame for their inability to nurture and demand the obligatory reading of various types of works, therefore, depriving students of an influential yet essential art and stimuli. I, for example, am both a culprit and a victim of my unfamiliarity to many authors, subjects and vocabulary words due, not only, to my lack of dedication, but also the disconcert and failure of my educators.

A present educator, Todd Hagstette, presents another facet to Skube’s argument stating that even students read for educational purposes, if they fail to read “aggressively” they fail to retain any valued information through such passive attempt. By exceeding a student’s comfort level or, as Skube declares “afflicting the comfortable,” aggressive reading stimulates questions, rebuttals, and criticisms essential for the understanding and retention of any text.

Yes, reading may be fleeting but both students and schools alike are to blame for the lack of essential literary knowledge from famous novels and stories to vocabulary and articulation. By simply reading and reading “aggressively” this concerning “pocket change” or sub sufficient knowledge easily produces profitable results.