AOW #12- Advertisement: Sharpie Commercial

Sharpie Commercial- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OaH7m1vii0&feature=related

This is a credible source because Sharpie is a well-established company that has been around for many years. The commercial is also presented on many well-known and credible television stations.

This commercial is of a bunch of sticky notes that a guy writes on in Sharpie pen. On each sticky note, he writes something he loves that relates to a girl. He then sticks them to the wall to spell out "Will you marry me?".

The context of this piece is a young man who wants to propose to his girlfriend by telling her everything he loves about her and their relationship. It also used to introduce the Sharpie brand pen, when everyone is currently used to Sharpie making mainly permanent markers and highlighters.

The purpose for this commercial is to introduce the Sharpie pen and highlight its uses.

The audience that this advertisement is intended for is anyone who is uses pens or likes the Sharpie brand.  It strongly appeals to anyone who has a soft spot for love, marriage, or proposals.

Some rhetorical devices from this advertisement include:

• appeal to pathos: The commercial strongly appeals to the emotions of anyone who has a soft spot for love, marriage, or proposals. It is so romantic and cute that it makes the viewer say "awww!" and hope that the girl says yes!! 
• arrangement: The commercial starts out with a sticky note saying "I love..." and then goes on to show several sticky notes with the things he loves written on them with little pictures. After flashing through a bunch, the camera pans back and you see the guy sticking the final sticky note on the wall and they spell out "will you marry me?" and he stands back. 

This advertisement semi-accomplished its purpose. It was an extremely cute commercial and I liked it a lot, but I was more focused of the sticky notes and the proposal than the pen. It would have been a better commercial for Post-its than Sharpie pens. 

Unit 2 Reflection

Thomas Hobbes carefully explains his views on mankind and government in his work, Leviathan. In this piece, Hobbes describes the state of mankind as everyone being at war with everyone. He goes on to describe how each individual follows the Law of Nature, which is to seek peace, and follow whatever means possible to defend oneself. I agree with Hobbes' claim that each individual follows this Law of Nature and that they must do so since everyone fights against everyone for the common goal of peace and contentment.

Hobbes describes the state of mankind as everyone being at constant war with everyone else. He explains that each individual has the same basic wants and needs, including food, water, shelter, and everything else needed for basic survival. In this case, he goes on to explain, everyone must compete with everyone else to have enough of these things for themselves to survive. I agree with this claim because it is very true that everyone has these same basic needs. It is obvious that people will do whatever it takes to meet these needs, no matter what or who is in their way. An example of this in current society is seen by homeless people and homeless shelters. Those who are homeless are struggling to meet the basic needs that those who are wealthy so easily have and take advantage of. They are constantly at war with the world of those who are more privileged than they because they need these things to survive. This is why there are constantly beggers out on the street, who only want someone whose needs are taken care of to sacrifice a bit of money or food to help them survive. And yet, every day, there are people who walk right past these beggers without offering even a penny, sometimes because they chose to ignore those less fortunate than them, but also because they might subconsciously fear themselves eventually being forced to do the same. This example confirms Hobbes' claim that everyone is at war with everyone because the less fortunate people are constantly at war with those who are more fortunate, yet those who are fortunate live in constant fear of losing their privilege. 

Hobbes also claims that everyone human follows the Law of Nature, which states that each individual must seek peace and follow it, and by all means defend oneself. By this, Hobbes explains that every person strives for the common goal of peace, happiness, and contentment. Every individual strives to meet their basic needs, at which point they can be at peace. But, along with seeking peace, every individual must do all that they can to protect themselves. An example of Hobbes' Law of Nature can be seen in strikes. In a strike, employees refuse to work until their demands are met. In most cases, this involves money or a raise in salary. Those who go on strike are demanding to be better compensated for the work that they do. This shows the Law of Nature because every person who goes on strike is seeking peace, in that they want to be making enough money to meet their basic needs. Strikes show personal defense because those who go on strike are defending themselves against inadequate compensation by employers. 

In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes describes how mankind is constantly at war with one another and how every individual follows the Law of Nature. This claim is very true and evident in today's society. Hobbes correctly identifies the state of mankind, and his claim holds prevalence and truth even today. 

AOW #11- "A Shopping Guernica Captures the Moment"

"A Shopping Guernica Captures the Moment"
by Peter S. Goodman for The New York Times (Nov. 29, 2008)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/weekinreview/30goodman.html?ref=blackfriday

This is a credible source because it is in the New York Times, which is a well-known and well-established news source.

This article was about a Wal-Mart employee who was trampled to death attempting to police crowds at the Wal-Mart opening on Black Friday. The article briefly describes the incident, then goes on to talk about how it was practically inevitable due to the current economical status of our country, which is the reason that there is such frenzy on Black Friday. It discusses how because our economy is so poor at the moment, it is easy for stores to create a demand for items and make them seem like they must be purchased immediately for the best deal, when in fact that is not the case. This has become the central reason that Black Friday is such an ordeal these days.

The context of this piece is the current economic situation that our country is in. Also, the current hype that is Black Friday, and its affect on people.

The purpose for this piece is to explain why Black Friday is in fact such a rip-off and how the extremity of it is actually absurd, unnecessary, and in this particular case, deadly.

The audience for whom this piece was intended is anyone who went or plans on going out on Black Friday. It is meant to teach those people how unnecessary it actually is.

Some rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• arrangement- In this article, they start off discussing a few tragic incidents in history and comparing them to the Wal-Mart employee killed on Black Friday. They discuss this incident for only a second, then go on to explain why Black Friday has become what it is today, and how absurd it actually is.
• diction- The diction in this article is extremely dry and blunt. It basically very harshly accuses every person who goes out on Black Friday of being ridiculous and falling for the sales techniques of the stores. It leaves no room for debate and never discusses the opposing views.

I do not think the author accomplished their point. I initially thought this article would talk about the Wal-Mart incident, which I had never heard of before and was interested in learning about how such a tragedy could possibly occur. I think that the author used way too much of his own opinion and much too harshly generalized every person who goes out on Black Friday.

IRB Assignment Preview #2

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

3 Sections:

• SantaLand Diaries; Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!; Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol pg. 3-76
• Based Upon a True Story; Christmas Means Giving; Dinah, the Christmas Whore; Jesus Shaves pg. 77-130
• Us and Them; Let It Snow; Six to Eight Black Men; The Monster Mash; The Cow and the Turkey pg. 131- 166

I chose this book because the cover immediately attracted me to it. I absolutely love Christmastime; it is by far the greatest time of year! I am already so excited for the holiday season and can't wait to start blasting Christmas music in the car! As soon as I saw this book, it made me smile to see the Christmas images on the cover. I talked to Ms. Pronko who recommended the author and told me about other stories of his that she has read, though she hasn't read this one. This book seems funny and entertaining, plus it will absolutely help get me in the mood, even more than I already am, for the holiday season. 

AOW #10- "A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute"

"A Silicon Valley School That Doesn't Compute"
by Matt Richtel for The New York Times (Oct. 22, 2011)

This is a credible source because it was featured in the New York Times, which is a widespread well-known news source.

This article is about a chain of schools that refuse to use technology. The parents of most of the students who attend the schools work for high-tech companies such as Apple and Google. The organization believes that technology is distracting and unproductive, opposed to the popular belief that it greatly assists in the educational process. The schools use alternative techniques such as knitting and the old-school pen and paper to teach the students. The Waldorf chain of technology-less schools is spreading across the country.

The context of this piece is in a nation that is highly reliant on technology and incorporates technology greatly into schools and education. It is written in a time where most people own and frequently use computers and other technology.

The purpose of this article is to inform readers about an alternative type of learning and that not everyone needs to rely on technology. It proves that technology is not completely taking over our country.

The audience for whom this article was written is anyone interested in technology, especially its place in education. It also targets schools who are so hung up on having the most current and popular technology, to show them that it is not necessary.

Rhetorical elements in this piece include:

• appeal to logos- The article has many facts about the graduation rates and statistics regarding the students who attend these schools. It greatly adds to the argument that these schools are successful and a good idea.
• visuals- There is a slideshow of pictures linked to the article. It shows the schools and what the classrooms and students look like. This enhances the article because it allows the reader to perfectly imagine what these schools are like.

I think that the author accomplished their purpose because this article made me think about alternative learning and that we do not need to be so dependent on technology, especially in our schools. 

AOW #9- End of IRB

Bossypants by Tina Fey (autobiography)

Tina Fey is a wildly funny actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is extensively famous for her well-rounded accomplishments and of course, her witty humor. Ms. Fey published an autobiography called Bossypants in April 2011. In this book, Tina Fey comically sums up her life, focusing solely on the main events and accomplishments that make her who she is today.

In this book, Tina Fey discusses every aspect of her life that is vitally important to the person she has become. She acknowledges such aspects in her life as a brief overview of her childhood, zeroing in on her relationship with her father, her introduction into acting, her marriage and the birth of her daughter, her run on the hit show Saturday Night Live and the start of her own show, 30 Rock, as well as many other funny tales that make her who she is today. Through the sharing of several short stories that seem random and irrelevant at times, Tina Fey is able to accurately portray the life she has lived in just some 275 pages.

The context of this piece is the well-established fame of Tina Fey and increasing popularity of Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. In writing this book at the time that she did, Ms. Fey had already established a quite extensive fan-base and a continually increasing popularity.

The purpose in which Tina Fey wrote her autobiography is to share with the world, her fans in particular, her life story and what exactly made her who she is today. She is able to tell the world of the events and accomplishments that mean so much to her and the impact that they have had on her life.

The audience for this autobiography is all of Tina Fey's fans, as well as her family, friends, and coworkers.

Some rhetorical elements that were effectively used in this autobiography are: (DIDLS)

• Diction- Tina uses comical phrasing and random word choice. She strongly uses humor and satire, which demonstrates her personality and passion for comedy. In her diction, she relies heavily on basic, common language that the average person is could easily define.
• Imagery- In this book, Tina uses a ton of description, in particular of the places she has been and people she has met. She describes in great detail her father and the summer theater camp, as well as the lifelong friends she met there.
• Details- Throughout the book, many somewhat random details are included, which seem irrelevant individually, but come together to express a much greater picture. In describing each event in her life, Tina Fey accurately uses detail to show the reader what she noticed the most in the experience and what was most important about that particular event.
• Language- As stated above, Tina Fey uses basic, humorous diction often in this book. She also indiscreetly uses curse words and inappropriate language. This usage impacts her story because it shows her personality and straightforwardness. It also adds greatly to the humor.
• Syntax- For the most part, the syntax in this book is pretty basic and simple. Tina Fey tends to use very similar punctuation and sentence structure throughout the book. There is a bit of variation, involving frequent lists and inserted pictures with captions, but for the most part syntax is very basic.

Tina Fey absolutely accomplished her purpose in writing this autobiography. After finishing this book, I have a new respect for Ms. Fey, whom I already loved. I have a better insight into her life and what made her who she is today. In reading her book, I have a better understanding of her humor as well, which just makes her even more funny!!