What Is It?

Assuming that text itself can be any form of media or any form of writing that creates an argument, a rhetorical analysis of that text is necessary. A rhetorical analysis is basically the breaking down of a body of text, or any form of media, or even an event that occurred to a certain person at any particular place or time. A rhetorical analysis is not something you can just write up really fast, it involved levels upon levels of deep thinking and strategic planning about the topic you are analyzing. The rhetorical analysis process is also a technique to display how the author writes about a certain event, person, place or just any general topic. Every author or writer will use different styles and processes to get their point across. 

Rhetorical Analysis's pick apart and dissect whatever it is they are writing about. They answer the why, who, what, when and where of everything involved in the story they are trying to tell. Rhetorical Analysis’s must include very detailed descriptions of the people and atmosphere involved. It is important for the reader to be able to know and understand where the writer is coming from. Authors will display their ideas and thoughts in a particular way. Readers are supposed to pick up on how the author chose to arrange the text telling about a certain event. 

In the analysis, the author will connect the text to ethos, pathos and logos, the three components of the Rhetorical Triangle. When the author explains the story or event in an emotional manner, he or she is appealing to pathos. Appealing to pathos will have either an angry approach or an expression of love, passion, fear, envy or essentially anything that provokes emotion. The ethos portion of the writing will usually have to do with morality and ethics. If a public figure is mentioned then it is appealing to ethos. When the author uses logic and backs his or her opinion up with statistics and reasoning than they are appealing to logos. Logos uses anything that has logic behind it or can be proven factual by statistics or even monetarily. 

Based upon this conjured up definition of “rhetorical analysis” I plan on making sure mine contains details and information that pertain to each of the three points on the  rhetorical triangle: ethos, pathos and logos. I also plan to take a more clever side to the story so that my argument is more fascinating to read through. I want the readers of my work to think deeply about why I chose to write from such a far-stretched angle or point of view. Since I chose a popular clip from a television show, I think I will be able to develop a strong enough opinion to establish a well written essay. Some parts of the essay will be easier than others but I have enough information and ideal floating around in my head to bring them all together into one, large, thought-out rough draft. 

Propaganda from World War II Post

Due to the fact that technology has changed so much and so drastically since World War II, advertisements are hardly the same anymore. The poster form of propaganda was very appealing and eye catching for its time because people would see them on their way to grocery stores, restaurants, or even on street corners. Because this was essentially the only way to advertise media, the propaganda creators had to make each poster display a message for people to understand. They basically just got the point across however they had to do it. This is why there was so many words on the posters, so that people would read it and comprehend it. However, they began to get a little more clever as people stopped reading war posters because everyone already knew what all the war-hype was about. The posters started having symbols and political cartoons for people to try and decode so they could get to the bottom of what the advertisement was truly saying. The advertisement creators were trying to get their point across in the most clever way they could because they were trying to appeal to people to gain support. 

Now, with television commercials, billboards, podcasts, and radio propaganda, Media is trying to tell people to support change. Advertising is much different now because it is so easy to get access to. We see advertising and campaigning for what it seems like everything wherever we go. 

I found it somewhat of a comic relief when I came across a comment generally over all of the propaganda posters listed about careless talk. He or She said, “Careless talk? I better watch what I am saying at the grocery store since I usually discuss military and naval information while trying to find the best price of yogurt.” This statement brings out the point that essentially, no one is discussing war problems or conflicts at the grocery store anymore. Maybe it is because war is not something that is new to us. Everywhere we go we hear “Pray for the troops” but that is usually it as far as mentioning war with each other. 

Now, those who create war propaganda are trying to reach people just like us. What that means is, they use actors that will portray everyday American citizens so that their advertisement might relate to it’s viewers. When that doesn’t work, they get direct footage of the men and women fighting for the nation from wherever they are stationed. This creates sympathy and emotion amongst viewers because it shows them exactly what is happening in war. This form of propaganda is unique because they couldn’t do this in World War II, the technology wasn’t applicable yet. It also is designed to give Americans a direct view of what their friends and loved ones are going through as army, navy, or military men and women. Overall, I think it is good to have propaganda because we should be aware of what is taking place. Sometimes it may seem excessive, but it is necessary to provide accurate information so that Americans can be educated on the issues we face. 

Preliminary Thoughts Blog

I really like the idea of this assignment which is why whatever I choose to write my paper about, I really want to be a thorough, strong piece of media. Although I am still giving this assignment much thought, I think I am going to choose a scene from one of my favorite television shows, “The Vampire Diaries”. I want to explain the background of the show to readers who may not be familiar with it yet, and also give a deep analysis of  what is occurring in the minds and hearts of each of the characters involved in the scene. This is going to be a challenging assignment for me because the scene involves intimacy, and that is a part of life I have no experience with, nor have I ever written about. This particular scene goes much deeper than the love making that takes place. There is an underlying plot that makes viewers think deeper and really get to be apart of the characters lives, feelings and emotions. 

This television clip depicts a great deal emotional rhetorical appeals because it has to do with two characters in the story discovering their love for one another. Also, it appeals to pathos, because there are several massive conflicts that arise with these two characters falling in love. The major conflict is that Stephan, the male character, is a vampire and is physically much stronger than Elena, his lover. Without getting into too much detail, there is quite a bit to write about a far as emotion goes for this scene from “The Vampire Diaries.” 

This piece from the show also appeals to the “ethos” part of the rhetorical triangle because it brings up the argument of whether these two “young” people should be getting so involved with each other or not. The show itself suggests that it is okay for people in high school to have sex because it happened in several episodes between quite a few different characters. The reason this is a problem dealing with ethics is because it goes against our culture and the way society feels about young people expressing their love for each other. Both “pathos” and “ethos” have very strong appeals from this clip. I plan on giving a large explanation of how those relate to these parts of the rhetorical triangle. 

This paper will be fairly easy as far as content goes because I like the piece of media I have chosen. However, I think it is going to be difficult to reach the length requirement. I am still having a hard time with that part of my writing but hopefully after all of this practice it will not be to hard. I also am worried I may procrastinate and not be able to give this assignment my undivided attention, which was my original plan. I want it to be the best paper I can produce I am just worried I will put it off and find myself rushing to get it done. Hopefully, I can get started on it soon so that does not happen. 

Gender & Bathrooms

I had never given bathroom signs much thought until after reading this article. At first, I thought this blog post was going to be one big complaint from the woman’s perspective on how we are viewed as the weaker or less dominant between males and females. The most common symbol for the restrooms in America depict a solid figure of a man with legs and a solid figure of a woman with a triangular shape of a dress. Both figures are essentially equal in shape and size, it was just designed so that the common man and woman could easily recognize which door enter. In my opinion, there is nothing sexist or offending to have it this way because it is a simple way for men and women to realize which is women or men. 

Bathroom signs and symbols can differ based on where they are. Typically, restrooms in bars or clubs or places that tend to have themes will have clever bathroom symbols. Usually, bar or club bathroom signs will be crude and are designed to be comical to those who have been drinking and out are out that night looking for a good time. They are not meant to offend anyone or suggest certain opinions about gender, they are just to make people laugh and take note of the cleverness. 

As a woman, one of the bathroom symbols really stood out to me from the blog. The picture of the males restroom sign was a normal male symbol, a solid figure with a head, shoulders, two arms, a full body, and two legs also known as, the universal male bathroom symbol. Rather than having the women’s bathroom have that same, universal restroom symbol, minus the legs and some form of skirt representation instead. The designer used a fully-bloomed white flower with a stem and a leaf. There was know written indication of which were which, but the male restroom was self explanatory as to which one it was. There was no way of knowing if the doors were right beside each other from the picture, but I know I would easily figure out the flower door was the woman’s restroom if they were near each other. On the other hand, if the bathrooms were in two different locations, How would a woman ever know their restroom was behind a door with a flower on it? I think it’s a compliment to have a beautiful, white flower as the womanly symbol, but how would we ever know that is associated with the restroom? To some, this also brings up the argument of whether women are considered equal to men. The statement underneath the image said, “Who wants to be a person when you could be a delicate, beautiful flower instead?” Some women might get really offended when they think of it in this light. I would think women would see it as a compliment because we are being referred to as delicate and beautiful. Also, the color white represents our purity and elegance. 

Bathroom symbols differ everywhere. Some, may cause arguments and suggest certain opinions about gender, sexuality or patriarchy, but the bottom line is, they are just there to notify people of which door will lead to urinals and which door will lead to toilets. People should not get so agitated over the sign on the bathroom, it is just a sign created by a human being just like you and me. 

How to Say Nothing in 500 Words Reflection

Jaimie Thomas

How to Say Nothing Reflection

English 101-Section 085

August 26, 2010

Robert’s essay is very beneficial and helpful when a writer is in the process of brainstorming ideas and structure for their papers. I find it very clever of him to realize how to take the opposite side in his writing of what a reader would usually want to read about. It is far more interesting to read the opposing opinion to what one already has developed in his or her mind about a certain topic. 

I struggle with length of my essays when I write. Usually, I have to do whatever it takes to reach the length requirement. I tend to ramble for numerous paragraphs and my essays end up being awful because they make no sense. Robert’s showed me how to change this bad habit I have by adding more words to each thought. Therefore, if I were to say I am having a hard time finishing this essay, I could say something like, I am  finding it very difficult to finish this writing assignment because our teacher is requiring it to be at least five hundred words. Hopefully now I will remember to elongate each thought instead of just stating it without thinking it through. 

I never want to refer to the subject I am writing about in a negative manner. If the person grading my paper knows the person I am writing about, then I usually try to beat around the bush about how they are as a person, but I do not say what I mean. Robert’s pointed this out in the “Call a fool a fool” segment of his essay. I never realized it is better to just state what you feel about the subject of your writing because then the reader will fully understand what you were trying to say in the first place. Plus, by calling a person out on how they really are, will give your writing spunk and punctuality, and it makes the essay more exciting to read. 

Unfortunately, I am guilty of using “Pat Expressions” in my writing. In the past, I’ve always thought that if I use these phrases, it makes my writing sound better and more creative. I did not realize that the use of “Pat Expressions” can hinder writing rather than enhance it. I’m glad I read this section of Robert’s essay because it is important not to ramble and use these expressions that turn sentences into disasters. 

I find it difficult, sometimes, to find the right word to use when I am trying to describe a certain person, place or thing. I try to think of synonyms for whatever it is that I am writing about, and I usually fail at trying to say exactly what it is like. Robert’s recommends the use of colored words when telling about something important to oneself. This will be very helpful and useful to remember the next time I am trying to describe something that I want to be associated with the reader. All of the things Robert’s said are eye-openers to me. I will now be more conscious and aware when I am writing to ensure a better essay each time I write. 

Rhetorical Triangle-Ad Post

Jaimie Thomas

Anti-Smoking Ad Blog Post

This anti-smoking advertisement was designed to be a straight forward and obvious visual on purpose. The author is deliberately showing readers that they might as well shoot themselves because that is what smoking does to a person over time. The author most likely chose a gun to compare the position of the smoker’s hand because it is a painful and frightening symbol to people all over the world. A gun represents force, power, and control. To humans, cigarettes are the slow-motion version of guns. A cigarette can be be forceful because addiction will overcome the smoker over time and one is practically forced to smoke again to get himself back to happiness. Many think they will not become addicted in the beginning, but most find out quickly how trapped they become by smoking only a few times. 

People are curious by nature. If someone is told to stay away from something or some place, they are going to be more inclined to participating in the dangerous activity they were strictly told to steer clear of. This is the unfortunate reality for majority of the worlds smokers. The advertisement said every year in the U.K. one hundred and six thousand people die due to smoking. That is far too many people to be dying from something most of them consider an activity. 

A cigarette and a gun are both very powerful objects. It is not until they are ignited that they cause harm to people. Both a gun and a cigarette will kill a person but neither is a guarantee on the first “hit.” If a person is shot by a gun unless the bullet punctures the heart, brain or lung the person will most likely survive. Sometimes, unfortunately, the bullet hits the right spot in the body and the person is killed. With cigarettes, many will find themselves able to smoke for years upon years and nothing will happen to them. Sadly for others who smoke on a regular basis, will develop lung disease or cancer of the lungs and Most do not have a good recovery after getting so sick. 

It is strange to think that humans control their lives. As humans, we tend to make our own decisions and plan out each day according to what we want to do or need to do. Unfortunately, smoking can cause people to dedicate certain times of their day to smoking. Then, they realize they have to smoke at some point because the craving becomes unbearable. Also, a smoker will start rationing their money so they will have enough to cover the cost of their desired need per week. Pretty soon, a pattern develops and smoking begins to control the smokers life. In an inadvertent way this parallels to the controlling nature of a gun. If a bank robber were to walk in a bank with a gun in their hand, the whole room of people will immediately surrender to the thief. The gun becomes the object of control in the room. As horrible as it is, smoking will kill those who do it on a regular basis. This advertisement is supposed to frighten smokers and help them realize cigarettes hold the same power as a gun.