ARCS, pp. 364-365 #1, 3, 4

1.) A Hugo Boss women’s perfume advertisement features a black and white photograph of a woman’s face with the saying, “Life’s a journey, travel light.” The oppositie page features a large image of the perfume bottle above the words, “Don’t immitate, innovate.” This magazine advertisement is an example of a trope where a woman’s life is being compared to a journey. Therefore, the trope serves as a metaphor. Also, the phrase, “travel light,” is being used in reference to a perfume, which is not what audiences would typically expect. Still, the metaphor works to convince consumers that the only thing they need to be percieved as attractive is this certain fragrance.

3.) I am revising an e-mail I recently wrote to one of my instructors:

I regret to inform you that I will not be able to attend the meeting this evening. I am obligated to work tonight from 3:00-6:00pm. I am aware that I have only been present at one meeting, and I sincerely hope that this is not a problem. If you would like me to meet with you another time, I would be very willing to do so. However, I am not having any problems with any of the students at my current location. I am occupied with my job every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at Mountainview Elementary from 3:00-6:00. I do not believe that I will be working during finals week, so if desired, I could meet with you sometime during that period. Please let me know if there is anything else you need me to do. Thank you very much for your time.

4.) Other examples of tropes:

“The clouds were low and hairy in the skies, like locks blown forward in the gleam of eyes.” Robert Frost “Once by the Pacific”

“Zoom Zoom” Mazda commercial

"When I was thy years, Hal, I was not an eagle's talon in the waist; I could have crept into any alderman's thumb-ring." William Shakespeare Henry IV

ARCS p. 318 #2 & 3

2.) Through examining the speech delivered by Susan B. Anthony after being convicted of voting in the 1872 presidential election, I discovered example usages of the parts of discourse described in the chapter. Anthony begins her powerful speech by getting straight to the point. Her opening lines state:
Friends and fellow citizens: I stand before you tonight under indictment for the alleged crime of having voted at the last presidential election, without having a lawful right to vote. It shall be my work this evening to prove to you that in thus voting, I not only committed no crime, but, instead, simply exercised my citizen's rights, guaranteed to me and all United States citizens by the National Constitution,beyond the power of any state to deny.
This opening serves as a narrative, in which Anthony clearly states her issue as simply as possible. She also shows obvious favoritism towards her stance on the issue of women suffrage when she explains that it is her work to prove that voting as a woman is not a crime. I believe that Anthony’s narrative functions as a definitive narrative, because her argument is based on facts rather then the values of her audience. After offering facts and background information to support her case, Anthony concludes her case by claiming that all women are persons, and therefore should be given equal rights as citizens of the United States. In the peroration of her speech, Anthony also casts those who oppose women’s suffrage by stating, “Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of the several states is today null and void, precisely as is every one against Negroes.” By comparing those who discriminate towards women to those who discriminate towards African Americans, Anthony is portraying persons who disagree with her argument through a negative perspective. Anthony does not precede her narrative with an insinuation, nor does she include a partition in her argument. The absence of the insinuation in Anthony’s speech is likely because she did not feel that she was speaking to a hostile audience. I also believe that she did not include a partition because she is arguing one, clearly stated point. It seems that Anthony did not want to overcomplicate her speech. Therefore, her speech remains short, concise, and to the point. While the speech may lack some of the parts of discourse discussed in the chapter, I feel that she still argues her point effectively and provides a quite convincing case.



3.) I feel that Judith R. Shapiro arranges her arguments effectively in her editorial, “Keeping Parents Off Campus.” Since Shapiro is writing towards all readers of the New York Times, She must first introduce the topic of her argument in her introduction. Since many of her readers may not be college students or parents of college students, she then explains the situation she is addressing in detail. In her confirmation, Shapiro offers examples that describe her relation to the topic and why she is a reliable source of information. She then turns to addressing the reasons behind parents’ over involvement in their children’s’ college careers in the refutation portion of her editorial. Shapiro recognizes that not all of her readers hold the same opinions towards parents’ roles in the education of their children. Therefore, she addresses these differing viewpoints to emphasize the importance of allowing college students the freedom to grow and learn independently. Finally, Shapiro concludes her editorial by stating the positive outcome of adhering to her suggestions.
If Shapiro were writing towards the alumni of Barnard college, she would be addressing an audience with a greater degree of familiarity to the issue. Therefore, she would not have to begin her writing with a description of Barnard College in the fall because readers would have already experienced this situation first hand. Instead, she could include in her exordium a reminder of how things were when former students entered Barnard College. I do not feel that Shapiro would need to include an insinuation if she were writing to Barnard graduates, because these persons have already gone through the college experience and are not hostile towards the topic of parent involvement.

Exordium towards Barnard graduates:
Years ago, I joined our dean and faculty to welcome you and your families to Barnard campus as you prepared to begin your first year at our university. For many of you, it was a bitter-sweet moment, leaving behind your proud parents to begin new chapters in your lives. While your parents likely felt remorse at seeing you go, they also knew that they had to begin to let go and let you learn to live on your own. Just as parents of Barnard graduates once had to learn to let go, parents today must learn to back off.

ARCS p. 283 #2 & 4

2.) After reading about empirical evidence and its varying levels of reliability, I instantly thought of the recently released movie, The Changeling. This film tells the true story of Christine Collins, a young mother whose son, Walter, disappeared during the 1920s. Following an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, a young boy was returned to Collins who claimed to be her son. However, Collins immediately realized that the boy was not who he said he was. Despite her claims that the returned child was not her son, the LAPD insisted that she take the boy home and that his drastic physical changes were reasonable results of the amount of time and trauma he had faced while away from home. Collins soon discovered that the boy claiming to be her son was circumcised, unlike her own son, and that the new child was three inches shorter then her son was the last time she measured him. The police continued to insist that the boy they delivered to Christine Collins was her son and even sent a doctor to her house who assured her that the boy’s spine actually could have shrunk during his absence, causing his decrease in height. The doctor was clearly being coerced by the police and Collins refused to believe his claims. Despite Collin’s empirical evidence of the true identity of the boy, the police department still refused to continue the search for her son. Therefore, Collins decided to collect her own evidence through visiting her son’s dentist and teacher. Both of these individuals claimed that there was no way the child could be Walter based on his physical appearance and his dental records. Still, the police refused to hear Collin’s argument. Instead, the officers forcefully admitted her into the psychiatric ward of the Los Angles hospital, claiming that she was not mentally stable. Only when another officer discovered the remains of several children who were murdered on a ranch was Ms. Collins released from the hospital.
In this case, I felt that the empirical evidence discovered by Christine Collins was extremely reliable and convincing. Dental records, height charts, and physical appearance are difficult to prove false. I feel that the police department’s refusal to review the Collins case was motivated more by a desire to cover up the mistakes of a faulty investigation then by the lack of empirical evidence. Still, I agree that some evidence that appears to be empirical should be questioned before considered reliable. For example, the doctor’s testimony that the boy could have shrunk three inches in a matter of months is obviously unconvincing. What must truly be questioned is the doctor’s motivation. I feel that he was likely already prompted by the police to attempt to convince Collins that the boy they brought her was indeed her son. Sadly, the LAPD’s inability to recognize sufficient empirical evidence led to the unjust hospitalization of an innocent woman, as well as the discontinuation of the search for a missing boy who may have been found had the department continued to look for him rather then ignoring his mother. Despite the arrest of a child murderer, Walter Collin’s body was never found. Christine Collins continued her search for her son but was never able to uncover his whereabouts or the source of his disappearance.

4.) When I work on written arguments, I feel that I provide accurate and convincing data. I always refer to my sources in my writing and include a works cited page. However, I do feel that I could be more careful about the credibility of the authors and scholars I site in my writing. It would be helpful to read reviews of these writers’ works and see if any other authors or scholars contest their opinions. I should also be more careful about sighting information from websites. I feel that I should pay closer attention to where exactly the information came from originally and whether or not these sources are credible.

ARCS p. 263 #1,4, & 6

1.) Visiting the pet store to select a family pet is often an exciting experience for all. Meeting your new pet for the first time brings feelings of enthusiasm and joy. Choosing a family pet means selecting a new member of the family who will need nourishment and care to grow into a healthy and happy companion. The most important thing on the minds of new pet owners is the safety and wellbeing of their new family member. Proud new parents of cats, dogs, and other pets want their animals to grow up to be healthy and strong. Ensuring the health of your new pet is setting the foundation for a strong lifestyle for your new friend. However, if you fail to provide your animal with the nourishment he or she needs, you could be paving the way for health problems to arise in the future, causing unneeded pain for your pet and possibly shortening the animal’s lifespan. Therefore, it is essential to provide your new kitten, puppy, or other baby animal with proper nutrition. You must grant your pet the best, most nutritious food and plenty of water so that the exciting feelings you experience when first meeting your pet will continue to grow as your pet matures into a healthy adult!

2.) Advertisers often rely on consumers’ fear of missing out on something that is essential and valuable in the community in which they live. For example, EHarmony advertisements rely on individuals’ fears that they will never find a mate and never experience the emotions associated with love. Love, which often leads to marriage and child bearing, is very valuable within the community and is seen as essential to a person’s happiness and wellbeing. EHarmony offers resources for individuals to find “matches” and potential mates. This company highlights the importance of love in their commercials, and often makes those who have not found love feel like outsiders within the community. For example, one commercial features a couple discussing their love for one another and how they discovered each other through EHarmony. The man describes how all of his friends told him he would “just know” when he found the right woman, yet he never knew exactly what they were talking about. He then says how as soon as he met the woman he the commercial, he understood. This specific commercial demonstrates how the company’s advertisements rely on persons’ fears that they may never truly understand what love is. Therefore, EHarmony is able to sell their product by offering a means to find love for those who have previously been unsuccessful.

3.) After examining a variety of writing selections, I discovered several common themes throughout the writing that reflects community values. I found that our countries’ values are focused around family, trust, hard work, perseverance, and love. Since these topics are relevant on various levels to almost all audiences, writers often appeal to these common values. Time Magazine features an interview with Stephenie Meyer, the author of the Twilight saga. When asked, “Do you have a message about love that you want the reader to walk away with?” Meyer responded, “I never write messages. I always write things that entertain me, and one of the things that I find really enjoyable to explore is the idea of love. I like looking at my own life and my friends and family and how love changes who you are. It fascinates me.” Meyer’s response demonstrates how the idea of love is central to her life and the life of her readers. I also found that images of personal appearance are very important to our community. Many articles in the media focus on the fitness and diets of celebrities and how these contribute to their body image. Consequently, body image has become a common topic in written works and a valued attribute among many Americans.

ARCS p. 230 #1,2, & 6

1.)
After reviewing several selections of professional writing, I decided to analyze the foreword of the novel Beloved, written by Toni Morrison. Morrison effectively convinces readers that she is an educated and well-informed source of information by describing her background as an editor and a writer. She states, “I had written four novels and it seemed clear to everyone that writing was my central work.” Morrison also demonstrates her research into the topics surrounding the plot and themes of Beloved when she explains “Margaret Garner, a young mother who, having escaped slavery, was arrested for killing one of her children (and trying to kill the others) rather than let them be returned to the owner’s plantation.” Since Morrison’s novel centers on the lives of former African American slaves, explaining this scenario emphasizes Morrison’s efforts to fully understand the struggles faced by these individuals. Morrison displays her goodwill towards her readers when she states, “I wanted the reader to be kidnapped, thrown ruthlessly into an alien environment as the first step into a shared experience with the book’s population – just as the characters were snatched from one place to another, from any place to any other, without preparation or defense.” Morrison wants the author to experience feelings similar to those felt by the book’s characters. The book's author establishes her own character in stating, “I convinced myself that it was time for me to live like a grown-up writer: off royalties and writing only.” Morrison views herself as a writer and values her work.

2.)
Morrison writes the foreword to her novel in first person point of view. Therefore, the author does not establish a formal distance from her audience, but instead addresses them directly. She also writes in past tense, describing the events that inspired her to write Beloved. Morrison also uses fairly large words throughout the foreword. For example, when explaining the relation of Margaret Garner to her own novel, Morrison writes, “The heroine would represent the unapologetic acceptance of shame and terror; assume the consequences of choosing infanticide; claim her own freedom.”

6.)

Dear Americans,

Please log onto CBSNews.com to view our coverage of the 2008 presidential election. You can watch all of our reporting of the election on television or on our webcast. Please stay tuned in to receive up to the minute updates on the events of this momentous election.

Sincerely,
Katie Couric

ARCS p. 186 #1&3

1.) By examining the article, “We Knew This Web Thing Was Just a Fad,” I discovered that the author, Roy Edroso, made use of maxims, signs, and examples to support his argument that the internet’s powerful influence on the world is declining. He begins his article, which appears in The Village Voice, by stating, “The conventional wisdom is that the internet is all-powerful, and therefore immune from the slump that's affecting boring old companies in the tedious real world.” This statement serves as a maxim that is generally accepted by the community Edroso is writing towards. Edroso continues his argument by explaining how “Yahoo and eBay are cutting about 2,500 jobs.” This statement is a physical fact that signifies the decline in internet power. Finally, Edroso uses examples to support his argument. Edroso states, “Brand Republic reports that Amazon has just taken a billion dollars off its 2008 revenue projections.” This description of Amazon’s budget cut exemplifies the move towards a less influential internet. Edroso’s use of maxims, signs, and examples allows him to provide his readers with a stronger, more convincing argument.

3.) The slogan, “Knowledge is Power” could likely serve as a premise of an enthymeme. For example, if a parent is trying to convince their child to attend college, the parent could use” Knowledge is Power” as a premise for the argument.

Approaches to Analyzing Data

I plan to begin my data analysis by coding the data I have collected. I will read over all of the data and look for patterns, themes, similarities, and differences. I expect that I will find patterns in Mr. Manchin’s tone and formality of writing. Although I reviewed three different types of persuasive documents, they were each written for a specific court, either the Circuit Court of Marion County, or the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Therefore, Mr. Manchin used similar diction and syntax throughout his writing. I believe that I will also find patterns and similarities among the formats of the three documents. Despite their differing content, the documents were all organized with bolded headings and spacing between sections. Mr. Manchin frequently used numbering and alphabetic lettering to organize the points of his argument and to separate the supporting facts of a case. In order to accommodate the differing content among the documents, Manchin used different section headings. Therefore, I will examine his heading choices and how certain headings were more suitable for different documents.