Documentary Viewing Part 2

Essential Question: How have modes of communication been a reflection of history and society?
This documentary displays the views of both the current youth and older generations on the 21st century youth of America. It explores these views through discussions of politics, society, and culture. By using this as the topic of the documentary, this mode of communication clearly reflects history and society of the 21st century. This film examines "history in the making" by focusing on the current generation. This generation is making history now and will continue to do so as they grow and replace the older generations. The youth is the future, so by examining them in this documentary, the film makers are contributing to and examining history and society.

Essential Question: How do modern modes of communication affect the rhetorical devices individuals have at their disposal?
Current communication, such as documentaries, allow a variety of rhetorical devices to become available. Filmmakers have the ability to touch viewers in a way that other modes of communication cannot. Documentaries allow filmmakers to use video and audio to personally inflict the thoughts and emotions they want on their viewers. There is a certain personal connection established when viewers can physically see and hear a person explaining their thoughts. There is a further impact also on the viewers opinions based on what the interviewees say since viewers can also be affected by their appearance, backgrounds, voice, etc. Modern communication opens up countless new rhetorical devices for individuals to consider.

Documentary Viewing Post 1

Our Time directed by Matthew Heineman is a documentary created by 4 college-age kids. These kids traveled across all of the lower 48 states on a mission to discover the meaning behind being the youth of America in the 21st century. The film focused on college-age kids of all different classes, backgrounds, ethnicities, etc. It also talked briefly of the image that the older generations have of the youth. It addresses most common issues, including politics, society, culture, etc.

Some of the many rhetorical devices in this documentary include:

• music: Music is used through out the film to set the mood. The music is mostly calm and relaxing, as they show images of the group traveling across the country and talking with people in all different areas. This allows the film to flow and adds an interesting element.
• images: Spread throughout the film are series of photographs of the 4 kids who were traveling across the country at many different national parks. The parks are spread across the country. Adding this element gave the viewer an idea of the area of the country that would be focused on and added a way for the 4 kids to be a part of the film since it is largely focused away from them.
• audio: A few clips of radio static followed by a short radio blurb were added periodically throughout the film. This also helped show the viewer the area that they were traveling in rather than constantly showing their location in the same way. It added something unique, different, and intriguing.

AOW #27- "What's Your Secret?"

"What's Your Secret?"
by Holly Eagleson for Seventeen Magazine (April 2012)

This article was about a new trend that is spreading on YouTube. It is where teenagers post videos of themselves with their "secrets" written on index cards. The article highlights a few specific videos; a girl who watched her mom commit suicide, a Christian lesbian, and a girl who was sexually assaulted.

The context of this piece is when this new trend is sweeping the nation as so many people are doing these new videos.

The purpose of this piece is to discuss this new trend and explain the reasoning behind it.

The audience of this article is largely teenage girls, as they read this magazine the most.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Quotes- This article is filled with quotes from the girls in the videos. These quotes greatly add to the article because they allow the reader to connect with the stories that are being discussed because such a personal touch is added.
• Highlights- Throughout the article, there are many highlighted sentences. These sentences clearly stick out the most and are mostly quotes. This adds emphasis to the most important topics and concepts of this article.

I think that the author accomplished her purpose greatly. This is a trend that I was acutely aware of before reading this article, but after reading it I realized it is so much more than it appears to be. After reading the article, I actually went on YouTube and watched several "secrets" videos.

AOW #26- IRB A Farewell to Arms

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was a twentieth century writer known for his tough works. He wrote about his experiences as a former journalist and World War I ambulance driver, as highlighted in A Farewell to Arms. 

This book is about an American ambulance driver in World War I. He meets an English nurse, and they quickly fall in love. The story follows him through his adventures on the war front, a horrific injury in a bomb explosion, and the unexpected pregnancy of his love. 

The context of this book was during the twentieth century, post- World War I era. 

The audience is anyone interested in books about war or romance. 

The purpose of this book is to tell an entertaining tale of love and war.

Rhetorical devices include:

• Sentence Structure: Hemingway uses a contrast of long run-on sentences with overuse of "and" and short, blunt sentences. 
• Imagery: There are a lot of details, describing everything about the war. The setting is especially descriptive.

I think the author accomplished his purpose. This book is so far pretty good. I am not a huge fan of war stories, so it is less entertaining to me than it might be to someone who is a fan of that type of writing, but it is absolutely a well-written story and a very good love story.

AOW #25- "Is Kony 2012 Good for U.S. Foreign Policy?"

"Is Kony 2012 Good for U.S. Foreign Policy?"
by Lionel Beehner for the Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lionel-beehner/kony-2012-video_b_1336839.html

This article was about the possible positive and negative results and aspects of the Kony 2012 campaign that is sweeping the nation through social networking. It is a semi-biased analysis on some aspects of the campaign and how it is and is not effective.

The context of this piece is when this new campaign has quickly and widely spread, appealing so much to the younger generation that usually doesn't have any interest in these foreign affairs.

The purpose of this piece is to debate the possible positive and negative aspects of this new campaign.

The audience of this article is any one who is aware of the Kony 2012 campaign.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Compare/Contrast- The article compares and contrasts the positive and negative aspects of the Kony 2012 campaign. It debates the points of the campaign and how they are good and bad.
• Opinion- This article contains a lot of the writer's opinion. It seems kind of biased because the author really writes about what he thinks is good and bad about the campaign.

I think that the author sort of accomplished it's purpose. It gives an interesting perspective on the aspects of this campaign and how they can be both beneficial and harmful. It was very interesting to read though.

AOW 24#- KIA Commercial

KIA Commercial- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmqv6V44Sk

This commercial was of a guy dreaming. He dreams of himself driving a KIA car. While he is driving it, first he sees this beautiful model. Then, he drives past Motley Crue playing a show. The commercial then shows hundreds of pretty girls in bathing suits screaming for him.

The context of this piece is during the 2012 Super Bowl so there is an extremely large audience.

The purpose of this commercial is to advertise the KIA car as being a manly car, and one that will attract good-looking girls.

The audience of this article is anyone viewing the Super Bowl, particularly appealing to men since they make up the majority of the Super Bowl-viewing audience.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Comedy- This commercial is really comical. It makes the viewer laugh because it plays on all the stereotypical things that men like: good-looking girls with little clothes on, rock and roll, cars, etc. 
• Juxtaposition- The commercial starts with a calm, slow song to set the mood of the man sleeping. Once he is in the dream, the mood greatly changes to being loud and energetic. There is loud rock and roll music, and even the sound of the car's engine is emphasized.

This commercial accomplished its purpose because it is appealing to the audience so it sticks in their mind. It could do a better job emphasizing the features of the car itself, but it does a good job showing the general point that the car is manly.

AOW #23- "I Was Carjacked at the Mall!"

"I Was Carjacked at the Mall!"
as told to Claudine Ko for Seventeen Magazine (March 2012)

This article was about a young girl who was carjacked while putting her bags in her car during a shopping trip to the mall. She left her friends to put her shopping bags in the car, at which point a man shoved her into the passenger seat of the car and drove away with her still in the car. They ended up at the top of a dirt road, where there was only a single house. She finally escaped from the car and ran to the house, where luckily an older couple was home and able to help her. Eventually, the police caught the man and had him arrested.

The context of this piece is when it is not uncommon for teenage girls to be alone at their cars, in situations where things like this can happen.

The purpose of this piece is to make readers aware of this situation and that it is possible for things like this to happen to anyone.

The audience of this article is all Seventeen magazine readers, which is mainly teenage girls.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Detail- The story is described in such great detail, so it is easy for the reader to imagine what is happening and visualize the story. It helps the reader feel for the girl and be scared for her.
• Punctuation/Syntax- The story is written with a lot of exclamation marks and quotes. This is used to show the intensity of the situation and emphasize the mood.

I think that the author accomplished her purpose because I never really considered situations like this being able to happen to me. I am now more aware of things like this and will be much more careful, especially when I am out by myself.

AOW #22-M&M Commercial

M&M Commercial-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raidy0ATd3A

This commercial was of a brown m&m at a party. People are laughing at her because she is brown, so she looks like she has no "clothes" on. (clothes meaning her candy coating to cover the chocolate). Another m&m comes into the scene and strips off his "clothes", and the song Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO comes on as he dances.

The context of this piece is during the 2012 Super Bowl, when there is the largest viewing audience of any time.

The purpose of this commercial is to comically advertise m&m candies.

The audience of this article is anyone viewing the Super Bowl. The audience is much larger than normal since it is such a big event. Even the commercial viewing audience is larger because people have began to expect great, funny commercials during the Super Bowl.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Comedy- This commercial is effective because it makes the viewer laugh. It is extremely funny and therefore it sticks in your head. 
• Audio/Music- The use of the song Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO was perfect because it is a very popular, comical song that most people have heard and are amused by. It fits perfectly with the content of the commercial and adds to the effect of the product being stuck in your head due to the song.

This commercial accomplished its purpose because it is very funny and entertaining. I remember this commercial very easily, and have even shared it with others because it is so comical. The point of a commercial is to get the product stuck in the viewer's head and make them want to buy it, which this commercial absolutely does. 

AOW #21- "My 'Pregnancy' Diary"

"My 'Pregnancy' Diary"
by Gaby Rodriguez for Seventeen Magazine (March 2012)

This article was about a 17 year old girl who faked a pregnancy as a social experiment. The only people in on the secret was her mom, boyfriend, best friend, and school principal. After going along with her story for 6 months, in an assembly she reveals to the school that it was fake. She did this in an effort to showcase the stereotypes made at family's with history of teen pregnancy as well as being Hispanic and from a small town.

The context of this piece is at a point in our history when teen pregnancy is something that is seen frequently and showcased in the news as well as television shows, such as 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom.

The purpose of this piece was to get the story of this courageous teen to teenagers. It shows how easily people are judged and stereotyped, regardless of what the one who is judging knows or doesn't know about that person.

The audience of this article is all Seventeen magazine readers, which is mainly teenage girls.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Point of View- This article is written in a diary format with Gaby (the teen carrying out the experiment) as the narrator. It is split into periods of time from the beginning of the experiment to the reveal. This helps the reader to understand exactly how she felt and what she went through.
• Side Article- A great feature of this article was a mini side article written by Gaby's boyfriend, who was in on the experiment and went along with it. He shares how difficult it was for him as well since he was being judged as a teen dad. 

I think that the author accomplished her purpose because this article was so interesting. I greatly respect Gaby for the courage she had to follow through with this experiment. I think that this was so interesting to read about and really made me think about the way I view others. 

3rd Marking Period IRB

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Section 1: pg.1-111

Section 2: pg. 112-208

Section 3: pg. 208-332

I chose this book primarily because Mr. Gabriele recommended it. I knew I wanted to read fiction because I have always been much more interested in fiction than non-fiction. I had absolutely no idea what type of book I wanted or what to chose, so I asked for help. This is the book that was recommended to me.

AOW #20- "Demi"

"Demi"
by Amy Spencer for Seventeen Magazine (February 2012)

This article was about Demi Lovato, the famous actress and singer. It was an interview with her that discussed her time in rehab last year and her battle with eating disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, and suicidal acts. It highlights her recovery and hopes for a bright future.

The context of this piece is almost exactly a year after her stay in rehab.

The purpose of this piece was to allow Demi to explain exactly what happened rather than allowing her fans to rely on rumors that may not be the full truth. It is also to explain how she has such high hopes for a bright future.

The audience of this article is all of Demi's fans and anyone interested in her story. It could also be for people struggling with any of these issues because it shows the story of how Demi experienced them, dealt with them, and grew from them.

Rhetorical Devices:

• Photography: The article features pictures of Demi. This adds to the article because in the pictures she is wearing bright colors and is smiling and looks happy and carefree. This adds to the point of the article which was to express how far she's come since being in rehab a year ago.
• Pathos: Demi's story has a definite appeal to pathos because the reader really feels for her as she explains her struggles. The fact that it is an interview and in Question and Answer format adds to this because it is through her exact words.

I think that the author accomplished her purpose because I took a lot out of reading this article. I had previously believed any and all rumors I heard about Demi and rehab, and now I actually know what the truth is.

AOW #19- "SOPA, PIPA, Online Piracy Lead Week's Security News"

"SOPA, PIPA, Online Piracy Lead Week's Security News"
by Fahmida Rashid for eWeek.com 1/22/12
(http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/SOPA-PIPA-Online-Piracy-Lead-Weeks-Security-News-651755/)

This article was about all the recent controversies and issues over the last week regarding internet piracy that have led the nation's news. It strongly discusses the bills of SOPA and PIPA and the impact that they have had on popular internet sites such as Wikipedia in the last week. The article also talks about the incident with hackers in Zappos.com last week. It sums up the huge issues regarding the internet that have arose in the last week.

The context of this piece is at the end of a week of huge, hard-hitting news in the internet world that has had a profound impact on the country.

The purpose of this article was to sum up all of these issues in one short article.

The audience of this piece is anyone who has followed the issues this week or is in anyway interested in them.

Rhetorical devices:

• logos- The article includes many quotes and insider information. It cites the exact sources of the hacks, as well as the people and sites involved.
• Process Analysis/Cause and Effect- The article goes chronologically through how each event happened and then what proceeded it, each event leading into the next.

This article semi-accomplished its purpose. It used too many technical phrasing and words, and a lot of the information went way over my head, being that I am not very familiar with the situations. I was hoping for an article with more of the basics of SOPA and PIPA and this article wasn't for that.

Unit 3 Reflection

     An individual's obligations to its government as well as a government's obligations to the individual consist of many different elements. These obligations have been exhibited through the works of many rhetors throughout history. In Unit 3, we have covered many of these rhetors such as Thomas Jefferson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Martin Luther King Jr. Through their works such as the The Declaration of Independence, The Declaration of Sentiments, and I Have a Dream, these rhetors explain that the obligation of both the individual to its government and the government to the individual is to create a state of true equality.
     In Thomas Jefferson's The Declaration of Independence, Jefferson explains that equality is the obligation of both the individual and the government. Through lines such as "all men are created equal" (page 1), Jefferson emphasizes the need for the government to treat its people as equals and the individual to treat eachother as well as the government as equals. This equality must be created despite differences such as race, religion, culture, or lifestyle. By including this strong statement about equality in the nation's Declaration of Independence, Jefferson even further emphasizes the need for this from both the government and the individual.
     I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr. exhibits the obligation of equality for both the individual and the government. King uses statements such as "I have a dream that one day...will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice." (MLKjr. p.3) In this quote, King expresses the need for equality so that the nation can at last be turned into one of true freedom and justice. The government must provide true equality for its people so that in return the people can treat eachother as equals, and in all, the country can better function as one equal, free, justified whole.
     Elizabeth Cady Stanton declares in The Declaration of Sentiments that the obligation of both the individual and the government is true equality. In this document, Stanton emphasizes the obligation of the individual to stand up for themselves to work towards a state of true equality, such as the woman standing up for the rights of equality towards men. Throughout this work, Stanton continuously proves that equality is the common obligation of both the individual and the government.
     Through these famous works, The Declaration of Independence, I Have a Dream, and The Declaration of Sentiment, rhetors such as Thomas Jefferson, Martin Luther King Jr., and Elizabeth Cady Stanton consistently prove that the obligation of both the individual and the government is to create equality.

AOW #18- End of IRB

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is a comedian who is well known for his books in which he writes funny short stories from his life. He has many books published to this date, including Holidays on Ice, filled with short stories about the holiday season, which I read for my IRB.

This book is composed of several short stories that David Sedaris has pulled from the many holiday seasons he has experienced throughout his life. He uses these funny moments to exhibit how the holiday season is for him. His stories focus on elements such as work, friends, family, and of course all the stereotypical holiday moments, such as Santa, elves, mall Santa, Christmas, and holiday meals.

The context of this piece is in the prime of Sedaris' career, where he has previously published many books and has a well-established career.

The purpose of this book was to make his audience laugh while telling of his experiences in the holiday season.

The audience of this book is anyone who is a fan of Sedaris or is attracted to his humor. It is not for everyone, as it does not appeal to all humor.

Rhetorical devices of DIDLS are:

• Diction- Sedaris uses comical phrasing and casual word choice. Sedaris says things that the average person might not normally say, but in such a way that it seems like casual phrasing.
• Imagery- Sedaris consistently does a good job of setting the scene. He describes settings well and effectively sets the mood for the following situation.
• Details- Details are used interestingly in this book. Sedaris adds details that may seem insignificant at first glance, but then end up being what sticks out to you most after reading the short story. He uses details to add further humor to his piece.
• Language- Sedaris uses language that could sometimes be seen as offensive. Though personally I don't find it to be offensive, Sedaris uses words and phrases that may make the reader say "did he really just say that?"
• Syntax: For the most part, Sedaris uses basic syntax. There is mild variation in punctuation.

Personally, I do not feel Sedaris accomplished his purpose. I rarely found myself laughing at his stories and usually found them quite boring. I was disappointed in this book, because I had high expectations/hopes for it.

AOW #17- Doritos Commercial

Doritos Commercial- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpjaOUjUPUc

This is a credible source because it is a well-known commercial that is played on many major television networks.

This commercial is of a guy standing behind a glass door with a bag of Doritos. There is a dog outside. The man teases the dog with the chips so it comes running towards the door. The dog ends up knocking down the door, leaving the guy squished underneath it, and eating the Doritos.

The context of this piece is during the Super Bowl, when there is a huge audience and many people looking for the funniest commercial.

The purpose for this commercial is to get the viewer to buy Doritos.

The audience of this commercial is everyone watching the Super Bowl. It especially appeals to dog lovers.

Rhetorical devices include:

• Comedy- The commercial is funny because you would think that the dog would run into the glass and not break through, but actually he knocks down the whole door.
• Appeal to Pathos- The dog is really cute which plays on people's emotions. Also, the girlfriend says "babe, don't tease my dog" which makes the viewer think even more that the dog will run into the door, not break it down, and therefore you feel bad for the dog.

The commercial sort of accomplished its purpose. It is a clever commercial, but it doesn't tell why the audience should buy the Doritos, it only makes it clear that the dog wants them, but what dog doesn't want any kind of food?

AOW #16- "Money Talks"

"Money Talks"
by Reniqua Allen for Teen Vogue Magazine (December/January 2012)

This article is about money and how teenager's financial situations impact their friendships. It talks mainly about how having a lot of money and being very privileged impacts who a teenager spends time with and whether or not they are socially accepted.

The context of this piece is this country's current economic situation, with so many people unemployed and where finances are a huge issue. Also, the context is our current society that values people with money as being high-society.

The purpose of this piece is to examine how money affects friendships.

The audience for whom this piece was intended is teenage girls of all social classes, especially those who are struggling with fitting in due to their economic status.

Rhetorical devices include:

• pictures- There are pictures of stars from popular movies and television shows from many years ago until recent times.  These pictures are of the stars of movies and television shows that have a central story revolving around money and social class and its impact on relationships such as My Fair Lady, Pretty in Pink, and Gossip Girl.
• appeal to logos-In the article, the author quotes authors and professionals who specialize in finances, teenagers, and/or relationships. The article even starts out with a quote about the unemployment rate in America.

This article semi-accomplished its purpose. It was a great article that I absolutely find valid in my life and see it as in issue in my school, but it could improve by focusing on the struggle of lower class teenagers to fit in with the popular cliques that appear to be mostly upper class rather than focusing on the upper class teenagers and how that impacts their relationships.