AOW #8- Editorial: "Wild animals aren't pets"

Editorial: "Wild animals aren't pets"
(October 20, 2011)
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/story/2011-10-20/wild-animals-pets-Zanesville/50846378/1

This is a credible source because it came from USA Today which is a very well-known news source that has been around for a while and established its credibility. Anyone who is featured on this website can be trusted because it would not be published in such a credible source if it was not trustworthy.

This editorial was about the idea of wild animals being kept as pets. The author held the view that wild animals should not be used as pets. They supported this point with examples such as the recent release of caged wild cats before a man committed suicide. The author held a very strong opinion about this and even brought up the idea of laws restricting this as such a reachable possibility.

The context of this editorial is within the recent popular news story of the man who released his pet wild animals before committing suicide. With this story as a popular, talked-about news story, an editorial on the concept of having wild animals as pets was relevant and intriguing.

The purpose that this piece was written is to express the authors ideas that wild animals should not be kept as pets, and laws should be enforced restricting this. It is meant to get this point across and back it up with relevant, supporting details. Also, its purpose is to ptersuade readers to feel this way as well.

The audience for this piece is obviously anyone reading USA Today. It appeals largely to those who have wild animals as pets, are interested in having wild animals as pets, or who are intrigued by the recent news stories of instances involving wild animals as pets.

Rhetorical elements of this piece include:

• definite appeal to pathos- This editorial even features a side picture of these beautiful wild animals lying dead on the side of the road after being killed because they were recklessly released into the public. It made me as the reader say "awww" and absolutely tugged on my heart strings. It also appeals to pathos in the story of the 2 year old little girl being killed by a pet boa constrictor. This story was heartbreaking and truly horrid to read about, especially since I had never heard that story before.
• appeal to logos- The author uses straightforward facts about this topic and supports their point with well-known present day examples. It uses this facts to show a clear understanding of the top. This also helps make the author credible.

I think the author absolutely accomplished their purpose. Since I had recently heard of the news about the animals being released before the suicide and was intrigued by this incident, it was very interesting to read more in-depth into the topic of wild animals as pets. The author absolutely got their point across that wild animals should not be kept as pets, an issue I had never really considered before. Also, coming from someone who loves animals and finds animals such as monkeys, tigers, etc. to be extremely cute, it was interesting to put aside this fact and think about having such cute but wild creatures as pets, and how this can do much more harm than good.

AOW #7- "touched by an angel"

"touched by an angel" by Alyssa Wasko; edited by Leigh Bellz
Teen Vogue Magazine (November 2011)

This is a credible source because Teen Vogue magazine is a popular, distinguished magazine that has been around for years.

This article was about a young girl whose father died when she was in college. She had always been interested in fashion, and her dad's death inspired her to pursue it further. She started her own company designing scarves with charms on them. The company, Donni Charm, was named after her father's nickname (Donny) and his nickname for her (Charm). Since then, the business has sky-rocketed, to the point where even celebrities are featuring her products.

The context of this piece is in a mostly fashion-related magazine that targets teenage girls. The article is appropriate in this situation because it talks about a teenage girl who takes a complete tragedy in her life and turns it into something positive.

The purpose for this article is to educate readers about this amazing young girl who turned her dreams into reality and overcame such a tragedy. It is also somewhat of an advertisement for her product because the article attracts readers to her product, established its popularity by saying celebrities wear it and showing pictures of those celebrities, and provides information on the product and sales.

The audience that this piece is written for is largely teenage girls. Specifically, it is for teenage girls looking to pursue a career in fashion or trying to overcome an immense tragedy in their lives. It provides tons of support and encouragement and especially hope for these young readers who are in a similar situation.

Some rhetorical elements of this piece are:

• appeal to pathos- The tragic story of her father's death makes the reader feel sympathy toward the aspiring designer and hope that she would make something of herself. It also makes the reader feel so much more joy and respect for her success.
• arrangement- There is a large picture of her wearing one of her designs at the start of the article. At the bottom of the first page, there is a picture of her as a young girl with her father. This page features an introduction and the story of the death of her father, so the pictures are extremely appropriate and add to the tone of the article, especially the photo of her as a kid with her dad. On the next page, there are picture of a few well-known celebrities wearing her designs. This adds to the elements of advertisement in the piece.

The author accomplished their purpose because I was introduced to a brand I was previously unaware of and intrigued to visit the website of the company. The product interested me because it is similar to my style, and her story drew me in even more to want to check it out.

AOW #6- "Animals 'shrinking' due to climate change"

"Animals 'shrinking' due to climate change"
by Nick Collins for The Telegraph (Sun. October 16, 2011)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/8830023/Animals-shrinking-due-to-climate-change.html

This is a credible source because it is a well-established world-wide news source. It has earned the respect of its audience over the years. The author works for this well-rounded company, so clearly he must be reliable.

This article is about how all different species worldwide are increasingly becoming smaller generation to generation. Scientists predict that this is due to the massive climate changes that are occurring in the present day. Because of these climate changes, species are not able to get enough food, and this causes their smaller size as well as fewer offspring and increased susceptibility to harmful disease. This is a growing issue in today's world.

The context of this piece is at a time where global warming is a major, worldwide issue that needs to be addressed immediately. The human race as a global whole is becoming more and more aware and concerned with the situation.

The purpose of this article is to inform the audience about the dangerous, lasting effects of the environmental state our world is currently in. It addresses an issue that many people may not be fully educated about (global warming) and goes more in depth to one side of the problem (shrinking animal sizes).

The audience that this is piece is written for is really the general public. It is an issue that all people should be informed of and well-educated concerning. The article is specifically directed at those who are interested in the issue of global warming and want to know what is going on with our planet.

Some rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• strong appeal to pathos- This article plays on the emotions of the audience. It makes the reader imagine these poor little animals who are dying from lack of nutrition and have no way to care for themselves. It installs a sense of pity in the reader and a need to do something to help.
• diction- Since this article revolves quite a bit around a scientific topic, some of the diction is advanced and scientific. The author does a good job of attempting to use language that the general public can easily understand, but at times it gets very scientific.
• appeal to logos- This article consists of many statistics and numerical information. At times, it is hard to follow, but it adds to the ethos of the author since he must know what he is talking about to be able to add such straight facts.

I think that the author accomplished his purpose. As the reader, I took a lot out of this article. I am not very educated about the topic of global warming, though I know it is an issue I should be concerned with. In reading this article, I was able to understand it a little bit better.

Argument Prompt

Read the following passage about books bound in human skin. An idea mentioned in the excerpt is that "making leather from human skin seems bizarre and cruel today, it was not uncommon in centuries past". In a well written essay, develop a position on the morality of this topic in centuries past compared to how it is today. Support your position with evidence from your reading, observation, and/or experience. 




Carly D'Aquila, Jae Choi, & Dave Hong

Unit 1- Assignment Question Reflection

So far, the most helpful assignment has been working with Tim O'Brien's "How to Tell a True War Story". I have never read anything like that before, and it required a different level of thinking than I am used to. While reading and note-making it, I found myself being drawn more and more into the piece and becoming increasingly interested in the topic of war, which was previously boring and a complete drag in my opinion. I was suddenly intrigued by the stories and interested to try to figure out O'Brien's true purpose in writing the piece and what I, as the reader, should take out of it. Through the Socratic Seminar and all the other work we did with the piece (since it seemed to connect or be tied back to most other assignments), I understood the piece more and more. By reading this, it was also the first time I truly understood what rhetorical devices were and how they can be used effectively. This piece and everything it taught me will absolutely help me through the rest of the course.

Unit 1- Essential Question Reflection

How do speakers & writers use Rhetorical devices to communicate their ideas?


From Unit 1, I have learned a lot about how rhetors use rhetorical devices to communicate their ideas. There are so many rhetorical devices such as diction, syntax, arrangement, imagery, comparison/contrast, and plenty more. In using devices such as these, rhetors can greater enforce their point to their audience and make their work more effective. For example, Tim O'Brien uses diction such as "cooze" and other unfamiliar phrases and slang in "How to Tell a True War Story" to better express his point and emphasize the things he is saying or implying. Another example is the way O'Brien uses arrangement. He incorporates a pattern of short stories followed by informational paragraphs that explain how all the stories are true. This pattern continues throughout the piece to emphasize the fact that all the stories are true, and also his point that there is never any real truth in war stories. In these specific ways, as well as countless others, speakers & writers use Rhetorical devices to communicate their ideas.

AOW #5- "A Rare Pair"

"A Rare Pair"
by Gloria Hochman for the Philadelphia Inquirer (Sun. June 19, 2011)
http://www.philly.com/philly/health_and_science/20110619_A_Rare_Pair.html

This is a credible source because it is an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer, a very well-known newspaper with a long history as a trustworthy source of information. The author can be trusted because she works for the newspaper and is being published by them.

This article is about a set of twins who are conjoined by their heads. They have all separate limbs and organs, but they share a circulatory system. The article talks about the twins birth and what it was like to grow up conjoined. The parents are interviewed and talk about their sons and how their life has changed because of it. The twins are also autistic. This adds even further limitation to their lives, though they push through all limitations and exceed all expectations.

The context of this piece is the first ever interview about the twins. They are now 19 years old and have never before been featured in any public media. The parents chose to keep the news about their sons private until now. They finally decided to share their sons' story.

The purpose of this article is to tell the story of these conjoined twins and how they are so successful though they have such strong limitations as being conjoined and having autism. The author wants to share their story and show readers how anyone can get through hardships in their life and succeed.

The audience that this piece is written for is very general. It is obviously for all readers of the Philadelphia Inquirer. It more specifically targets those who are interested in health or the subject area of conjoined twins. It is an article that can be of interest to most all people.

Some rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• appeal to pathos: There is a very strong appeal to pathos in this article. The reader is left with a constant sense of sympathy towards the twins and their parents, though there is also a sense of hopefulness and pride from the parents. Though the subject is sad and unfortunate, the article is uplifting and hopeful which inflicts these emotions on the reader.
• tone- As stated above, the tone of this article is bright and optimistic. Though the content is so unhappy and ill-fated, the way that the article is written highlights a sense of hope and happiness to be taken away from the article.

The author accomplished their purpose in that I, as the reader, got a lot out of the article such as an insight into the lives of conjoined twins as well as autistic teenagers and information on a case I was previously unaware of. It was interesting and hopeful and left me with a sense of respect towards the parents and the twins. 

AOW #4- IRB #1

Bossypants by Tina Fey (an autobiography)

    Tina Fey is a well-known actress and comedian who has starred in many popular television shows and movies. These include: Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, Baby Mama, and many more. She is now married with a young daughter and wrote this book to give insight into her life for her fans.
     In this section (pg. 1-56) Tina talks about her childhood. She talks about why she decided to write an autobiography in the Introduction. She then goes on to talk about how she grew up in Philadelphia and explains what her childhood was like through a series of short stories. She talks about first "becoming a woman" and other experiences that made her who she is today. She even includes an entire chapter devoted to her dad and the impact he made on her life.
     The context of this book is at a time where Tina Fey is very popular and admired. She is at a point in her career where she has had enough valid experience that is significant enough to share with her fans. She has become a sensational actress and comedian and the world has greatly recognized her accomplishments. In writing this autobiography, she is able to better explain her experiences and how she got to where she is today.
     The purpose for Tina Fey writing this autobiography is to inform her fans about her life and how she got to where she is today. It provides insight into how she grew up and each step that got her to this point in her career and this level of fame.
     The audience that this book is written for is mostly fans of Tina Fey. It could also be for people who know her or have met her throughout the years and want a deeper understanding of who she is and what she has been through and experienced.
     Some rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• satire/comedy- Tina constantly uses humor to get her point across. It is just a part of her personality, and it is greatly expressed through her writing in this book. Humor draws the audience in and holds there attention by making them laugh and not boring them.
• appeal to ethos- Tina establishes her credibility because she is such a well-rounded celebrity. She has so many accomplishments under her belt and has become so widely known and respected.
• appeal to pathos- Tina uses many appeals to the audience's emotions throughout her book. She uses pathos to make the audience feel the way she felt in certain situations from her past. The reader can then better understand her as a person.

     I think that Tina Fey accomplished her purpose, so far, in writing this book. She gives me a better understanding of who she is and how she got to this point in her life. It makes me respect her even more as a real person who is relatable and of course, absolutely hilarious.