Source: http://townhall.com/political-cartoons/2013/12/06/114023
This cartoon is alluding to the suspected fact that the NSA has begun monitoring personal electronic communications, which is seen by most as a breach of privacy. In her cartoon, Lisa Benson uses satire and a cultural connection with her audience to criticize the NSA for its invasive procedures.
The words in the quote bubble, "The NSA has a jingle?" are used by Benson as a form of satirical humor to criticize the NSA. The words have a rather sarcastic ring to them, and are clearly used to mock/ridicule the NSA. The use of satirical humor tells the audience in no uncertain terms that Benson does not condone the NSA's methods, and in fact is opposed to them.
Benson uses the holiday of Christmas, and namely, the classic song Santa Clause is Coming to Town to establish a cultural connection with her audience and make her cartoon both humorous and effective. The Christmas theme of the cartoon fits in with the time of its publication/the time of year it was released on the Townhall website. Benson creates a parody of a short section of the song Santa Clause is Coming to Town to tie it into her mockery of the NSA's breach of personal privacy via electronic communications. The parody itself lists some of the things the NSA is able to know about one's personal life, namely, "when you're texting...when you're online...if you've been bad or good." Paired with the satirical thought bubble, the words Benson uses in her cartoon create a humorous, mocking text.
Benson's cartoon gain an immediate appeal to the ethos of its audience due to the fact that it is published on a renowned, well-respected website, Townhall.com, that is known for its political theme. Her immediate audience is the people of the United States and their government, while her extended audience is anyone in the world who can read English, has an internet, and has access to the website. The fact that her cartoon is published on a public website and not in a newspaper means that it is accessible/view-able to anyone.
I believe Benson did an excellent job in creating a striking, thought-provoking cartoon that criticizes the methods of the NSA/its violation of the privacy of the people of the United States. Her use of a holiday theme and a parody of a well-known song enables her to connect more with her audience, and elicit a laugh or agreement with her.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
TOW #12: IRB rhetorical analysis-Moran
How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran is a fresh, 20th century, down-to-earth tutorial on being a feminist, and being a woman. The book is filled with anecdotes from Moran's personal experiences, as well as things she has observed in the world with regards to how women are treated compared to men. She discusses topics ranging from puberty to sexism in the workplace to pornography to abortion. The entire text is written in a humorous, direct, no-nonsense, albeit raunchy manner. Moran uses language and references that may not be considered "appropriate" in polite company or for regular discussion, but her use of such language makes her book more believable/true. She captures the true essence of feminism and sexism, not dressing it up in the slightest; she shows the reader the bare-boned, naked truth. The book provides viewpoints and advice on most of the key points of being a woman and being a "strident feminist" (one of Moran's favorite terms) boldly, provocatively, and humorously.
Throughout the text, Moran offers continuous anecdotes and references that firmly establish her ethos on the subject. She tells of her time working at a music paper, interviewing stars such as Lady Gaga, encountering sexism in the workplace, and raising children. These all represent her as fully qualified to be speaking as a woman and a feminist on important matters as well as trivial ones (fashion or abortion). Moran's appeal to logos is her fresh, raunchy, provocative attitude which translates into the words she writes. She wastes no time "classing up" what she says, choosing instead to tell the simple, bare truth, no matter how inappropriate or shocking it may seem. Her appeal to pathos is mainly her appeal to all women reading her book. She discusses the issues/problems facing almost every woman, almost always accompanying each one with a story of her own personal experience with the subject. This allows her to become more relate-able, and, at the end of each discussion of an issue, the advice she provides is more likely to be followed.
Caitlan Moran uses her book to urge women to "...stand on a chair and shout 'I AM A FEMINIST'" (p. 68). Her goal is for women to become less obsessed with society's view of them, for society to not place such an emphasis on the looks of women, and for women to establish themselves as the equals of men. According to Moran, a woman's independence and freedom ranges from being able to wear whatever she wants without fear of being criticized, to having an abortion without being stigmatized by the rest of society. One the controversial subject of abortion, she says, "...ending a pregnancy 12 weeks into gestation is incalculably more moral than bringing an unwanted child into this world" (p. 269). Her view on the abortion issue is quite clear, and she is resolved to stand by all her beliefs, on every subject, no matter the social repercussions.
I believe Moran did a superb job on crafting the equivalent of a tutorial on how to be a woman/feminist in the 21st century. I found myself relating to some of the problems she describes that women are facing, and agreeing with many of her ideas/points. The book was entertaining as well as interesting, providing new viewpoints on some issues and strengthening my beliefs on others. I would highly recommend this book for any young woman who is not sensitive to coarse language, and who believes herself to be a feminist. According to Moran...you are a feminist if you "a. have a [female-specific body part] and b. want to be in charge of it."
*Apologies for any inappropriateness of that last quote, however, I believed it relevant to my analysis of this text*
Throughout the text, Moran offers continuous anecdotes and references that firmly establish her ethos on the subject. She tells of her time working at a music paper, interviewing stars such as Lady Gaga, encountering sexism in the workplace, and raising children. These all represent her as fully qualified to be speaking as a woman and a feminist on important matters as well as trivial ones (fashion or abortion). Moran's appeal to logos is her fresh, raunchy, provocative attitude which translates into the words she writes. She wastes no time "classing up" what she says, choosing instead to tell the simple, bare truth, no matter how inappropriate or shocking it may seem. Her appeal to pathos is mainly her appeal to all women reading her book. She discusses the issues/problems facing almost every woman, almost always accompanying each one with a story of her own personal experience with the subject. This allows her to become more relate-able, and, at the end of each discussion of an issue, the advice she provides is more likely to be followed.
Caitlan Moran uses her book to urge women to "...stand on a chair and shout 'I AM A FEMINIST'" (p. 68). Her goal is for women to become less obsessed with society's view of them, for society to not place such an emphasis on the looks of women, and for women to establish themselves as the equals of men. According to Moran, a woman's independence and freedom ranges from being able to wear whatever she wants without fear of being criticized, to having an abortion without being stigmatized by the rest of society. One the controversial subject of abortion, she says, "...ending a pregnancy 12 weeks into gestation is incalculably more moral than bringing an unwanted child into this world" (p. 269). Her view on the abortion issue is quite clear, and she is resolved to stand by all her beliefs, on every subject, no matter the social repercussions.
I believe Moran did a superb job on crafting the equivalent of a tutorial on how to be a woman/feminist in the 21st century. I found myself relating to some of the problems she describes that women are facing, and agreeing with many of her ideas/points. The book was entertaining as well as interesting, providing new viewpoints on some issues and strengthening my beliefs on others. I would highly recommend this book for any young woman who is not sensitive to coarse language, and who believes herself to be a feminist. According to Moran...you are a feminist if you "a. have a [female-specific body part] and b. want to be in charge of it."
*Apologies for any inappropriateness of that last quote, however, I believed it relevant to my analysis of this text*
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
TOW #11-Teen texting
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/katie-d-anderson/teen-texting-the-ruin-of-romance_b_3763576.html
This article by Katie D. Anderson describes how the incessant texting between teens has a negative effect upon teenage relationships. Anderson tells of how, since both parties are constantly in communication with one another and knows precisely what the other is doing, there is no excitement, longing, or surprises left in relationships. She says, "This needless incessant phone-to-phone contact is ruining relationships and not just romantic ones." When teens are engrossed in texting their friends/partners, they tend to shut out family members. The relationship between friends also becomes increasingly more remote, carried out exclusively through text, with hardly any more face-to-face conversation and bonding.
In this article, Anderson uses personal anecdotes and direct address to her audience in order to show the negative effects of incessant teen texting, and urge people to put down their phones for a while and initiate human contact/sociality.
Throughtout the text, Anderson uses the anecdote of her own daughter and her daughter's boyfriend to illustrate the perils of endless teen texting. She uses addresses the advice she gives her daughter to the rest of her audience, namely, to stop texting for a while and give the other person space so he/she can begin to miss you and rekindle longing for your company. She tells her daughter, 'Think about it. You're TOO available. He doesn't have time to miss you or wonder what you're doing or wish he could be with you because he already IS with you. You live in his pocket for Pete's sake. This constant texting has burned out the relationship. Killed the allure. Why would he want to come to your house and watch a movie or hang out after school when he feels like he's 'with you' all the time?' This illustrates how the endless texting between the two has left no room for imagination or longing, and it can be inferred that if you put your phone down for a while, your partner will begin to appreciate how much he/she enjoys your company.
Anderson also addresses her audience directly, in attempt to get through to them more. She says, "Wake up, people," to emphasize that she is speaking directly to those reading her article, and encouraging them to "wake up" from the daze of anti-sociality that text-only communication creates. She also addresses the following questions to her audience: "Our children need a break. But what should we do? And how do we convince them of the dangers of something that has become so central to their existence?" These questions are meant to make the audience, especially parents reading this article, realize that something needs to be done about the teen infatuation with text messaging. When all you do is text, you begin to shun direct human contact and interaction in favor of electronic means.
I believe that Anderson effectively accomplished her purpose, and the use of personal anecdotes was a nice touch in making her point(s) relatable to real-life situations.
This article by Katie D. Anderson describes how the incessant texting between teens has a negative effect upon teenage relationships. Anderson tells of how, since both parties are constantly in communication with one another and knows precisely what the other is doing, there is no excitement, longing, or surprises left in relationships. She says, "This needless incessant phone-to-phone contact is ruining relationships and not just romantic ones." When teens are engrossed in texting their friends/partners, they tend to shut out family members. The relationship between friends also becomes increasingly more remote, carried out exclusively through text, with hardly any more face-to-face conversation and bonding.
In this article, Anderson uses personal anecdotes and direct address to her audience in order to show the negative effects of incessant teen texting, and urge people to put down their phones for a while and initiate human contact/sociality.
Throughtout the text, Anderson uses the anecdote of her own daughter and her daughter's boyfriend to illustrate the perils of endless teen texting. She uses addresses the advice she gives her daughter to the rest of her audience, namely, to stop texting for a while and give the other person space so he/she can begin to miss you and rekindle longing for your company. She tells her daughter, 'Think about it. You're TOO available. He doesn't have time to miss you or wonder what you're doing or wish he could be with you because he already IS with you. You live in his pocket for Pete's sake. This constant texting has burned out the relationship. Killed the allure. Why would he want to come to your house and watch a movie or hang out after school when he feels like he's 'with you' all the time?' This illustrates how the endless texting between the two has left no room for imagination or longing, and it can be inferred that if you put your phone down for a while, your partner will begin to appreciate how much he/she enjoys your company.
Anderson also addresses her audience directly, in attempt to get through to them more. She says, "Wake up, people," to emphasize that she is speaking directly to those reading her article, and encouraging them to "wake up" from the daze of anti-sociality that text-only communication creates. She also addresses the following questions to her audience: "Our children need a break. But what should we do? And how do we convince them of the dangers of something that has become so central to their existence?" These questions are meant to make the audience, especially parents reading this article, realize that something needs to be done about the teen infatuation with text messaging. When all you do is text, you begin to shun direct human contact and interaction in favor of electronic means.
I believe that Anderson effectively accomplished her purpose, and the use of personal anecdotes was a nice touch in making her point(s) relatable to real-life situations.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tow #10: Holiday shopping-discounts
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/27/us-usa-holidays-store-tours-idUSBRE9AQ05Y20131127
This article discusses the change(s) to be expected, or already in place, in the discounts retail stores are offering during the holiday season. Since people are beginning to be more careful aout their money, retail stores will be obliged to offer higher/more sales than previous years to attract customers. Another factor that is making retail stores have to change their methods this year is the availability of electronics and online shopping to consumers. The article also goes on to examine two up-and-coming trends that are expected to feature prominently in this year's holiday shopping: "ugly sweaters" and X-Box, Playstation, and other electronics.
In this article, Kevork Djansezian uses analysis of current and past conditions to explain to his audience how prices/discounts are expected to fluctuate during this holiday season, and why.
The article begins with Djansezian explaining factors of why this looks to feature, "for many retailers, even uglier discounts." According to him, there is online competition, weak consumer confidence in retail stores, and no to-die-fashion items that all force retailers to introduce more discounts in order to attract consumers. He also gives reasons why consumers are being more careful with their money, namely because, "...taxes have risen, unemployment has remained stubbornly high, and confidence has taken a hit from the recent government shutdown and uncertainty over the introduction of President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms." These analysis of causes and contributing factors help Djansezian explain why retail stores will be forced to lower prices this holiday season more than in previous years.
The article then moves to analying two key trends expected to play a large part in consumers' shopping this season: "...trendy sweaters featuring cutesy animals, phrases such as 'totes amaze' (slang for totally amazing) in curly cursive, and 'fair isle' patterns," and, "New must-have gadgets such as Sony Corp's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Corp's Xbox One gaming consoles and Apple Inc's latest iPhones and iPads..." These two items are expected to feature prominently among the items that consumers purchase. These items will be especially popular among teens, and for that reason, it is expected that teen-geared retail stores will be offering bigger deals than before closer to Christmas. After this analyzation, the article discusses different retail stores/companies, and how they are responding to the changing consumer attitude.
All the different explanations/analyzations Djansezian uses contribute to his overall purpose of providing an answer to the "why" for why retail stores can be expected to make less profits this year, and consumers can be expected to make bigger savings. I believe he achieved his purpose as well as making the article clear and concise for the reader, making it very effective.
This article discusses the change(s) to be expected, or already in place, in the discounts retail stores are offering during the holiday season. Since people are beginning to be more careful aout their money, retail stores will be obliged to offer higher/more sales than previous years to attract customers. Another factor that is making retail stores have to change their methods this year is the availability of electronics and online shopping to consumers. The article also goes on to examine two up-and-coming trends that are expected to feature prominently in this year's holiday shopping: "ugly sweaters" and X-Box, Playstation, and other electronics.
In this article, Kevork Djansezian uses analysis of current and past conditions to explain to his audience how prices/discounts are expected to fluctuate during this holiday season, and why.
The article begins with Djansezian explaining factors of why this looks to feature, "for many retailers, even uglier discounts." According to him, there is online competition, weak consumer confidence in retail stores, and no to-die-fashion items that all force retailers to introduce more discounts in order to attract consumers. He also gives reasons why consumers are being more careful with their money, namely because, "...taxes have risen, unemployment has remained stubbornly high, and confidence has taken a hit from the recent government shutdown and uncertainty over the introduction of President Barack Obama's healthcare reforms." These analysis of causes and contributing factors help Djansezian explain why retail stores will be forced to lower prices this holiday season more than in previous years.
The article then moves to analying two key trends expected to play a large part in consumers' shopping this season: "...trendy sweaters featuring cutesy animals, phrases such as 'totes amaze' (slang for totally amazing) in curly cursive, and 'fair isle' patterns," and, "New must-have gadgets such as Sony Corp's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Corp's Xbox One gaming consoles and Apple Inc's latest iPhones and iPads..." These two items are expected to feature prominently among the items that consumers purchase. These items will be especially popular among teens, and for that reason, it is expected that teen-geared retail stores will be offering bigger deals than before closer to Christmas. After this analyzation, the article discusses different retail stores/companies, and how they are responding to the changing consumer attitude.
All the different explanations/analyzations Djansezian uses contribute to his overall purpose of providing an answer to the "why" for why retail stores can be expected to make less profits this year, and consumers can be expected to make bigger savings. I believe he achieved his purpose as well as making the article clear and concise for the reader, making it very effective.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Intro to IRB #2-Caitlin Moran
My second IRB selections is How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. In this book, Moran addresses some of the issues and uncertainties facing women today, and answers/analyzes questions pertaining to women. The book, "...lays bare the reasons why female rights and empowerment are essential issues not only for women today but for society itself." (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-be-a-woman-caitlin-moran/1106580269?ean=9780062124296#product-commentaries-1)
Monday, November 4, 2013
TOW #9-Visual/Video-"I Was Engaged When I Was Five"
Source: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/culture-places-news/kakenya-ntaiya-vin/
This video addresses the recent conditions of young girls in Kenya. They would be engaged at a very young age, and married a few years later. From the time they could walk, they performed tasks such as making food, gathering water, taking care of other sibling, and generally everything that would prepare them for motherhood. Most girls would be married by the age of 15. In Kenya, if a girl did not go through the ritual of physical mutilation, she and her family would face a "stigma" in society. This is a problem in many third-world, and even more-advanced nations: the arranged marriages, virtual-slavery of the girls, and the physical "mutilation" that girls have to go through in certain cultures.
The primary speaker is Kakenya Ntaiya, who was selected to be a child bride herself. She relates the story of conditions for girls in Kenya, using personal recollections and visual aids to bring attention to the harsh conditions for women in her native country.
Ntaiya's personal recollections in the video establish her appeal to ethos. By showing that she herself knows the reality of things in Kenya, she is recognized as a primary source/reliable source of information. The video itself gains an appeal to ethos in being released in on a distinguished website known by many: National Geographic. Her personal recollections also help her to gain sympathy from the viewers, and by extent, for the girls in Kenya (her appeal to the pathos of her audience). The wording Ntaiya uses in her recollections hit the viewer hard with what Kenyan girls have to go through.
The visuals selected for use in this video are chosen to show the normal, everyday occurrences in a Kenyan village. They give the viewers a sense of reality when watching the video. The viewers can almost imagine themselves as one of the girls depicted in the visuals, and perhaps gain a better understanding of the harshness of their lives. Since the girls in the video are so young, most viewers would immediately get a sense of protectiveness, and be outraged at some of the things they hear are being done to these little girls. Shocking news, like mutilations being done to little girls, gains the attention of the world very quickly.
The speaker very effectively achieved her purpose in bringing attention to the plight of girls in Kenya. Her own voice, coupled with the scenes of everyday life in the country, create a fuller picture of what those girls have to go through. The shock of hearing what girls as young as 5 have to go through, no doubt grabs the attention of many viewers.
This video addresses the recent conditions of young girls in Kenya. They would be engaged at a very young age, and married a few years later. From the time they could walk, they performed tasks such as making food, gathering water, taking care of other sibling, and generally everything that would prepare them for motherhood. Most girls would be married by the age of 15. In Kenya, if a girl did not go through the ritual of physical mutilation, she and her family would face a "stigma" in society. This is a problem in many third-world, and even more-advanced nations: the arranged marriages, virtual-slavery of the girls, and the physical "mutilation" that girls have to go through in certain cultures.
The primary speaker is Kakenya Ntaiya, who was selected to be a child bride herself. She relates the story of conditions for girls in Kenya, using personal recollections and visual aids to bring attention to the harsh conditions for women in her native country.
Ntaiya's personal recollections in the video establish her appeal to ethos. By showing that she herself knows the reality of things in Kenya, she is recognized as a primary source/reliable source of information. The video itself gains an appeal to ethos in being released in on a distinguished website known by many: National Geographic. Her personal recollections also help her to gain sympathy from the viewers, and by extent, for the girls in Kenya (her appeal to the pathos of her audience). The wording Ntaiya uses in her recollections hit the viewer hard with what Kenyan girls have to go through.
The visuals selected for use in this video are chosen to show the normal, everyday occurrences in a Kenyan village. They give the viewers a sense of reality when watching the video. The viewers can almost imagine themselves as one of the girls depicted in the visuals, and perhaps gain a better understanding of the harshness of their lives. Since the girls in the video are so young, most viewers would immediately get a sense of protectiveness, and be outraged at some of the things they hear are being done to these little girls. Shocking news, like mutilations being done to little girls, gains the attention of the world very quickly.
The speaker very effectively achieved her purpose in bringing attention to the plight of girls in Kenya. Her own voice, coupled with the scenes of everyday life in the country, create a fuller picture of what those girls have to go through. The shock of hearing what girls as young as 5 have to go through, no doubt grabs the attention of many viewers.
TOW #8-Global Warming
Source: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/03/report-says-global-warming-likely-to-make-starvation-poverty-and-other-problems/
This article is solidly based upon a "leaked draft of an international scientific report" for its information. It uses the report to illustrate the possible harmful effects of global warming upon the world. In the article, the Associated Press uses repetition, listing of facts, and numerous quotations to show people the highly possible harmful effects of global warming.
The article uses the phrase, "the report says" many times to relate the reader back to the original source of the facts presented. This reminds the audience that the article is based on a credible source. This particular repetition, partnered with the author(s) of the text, the Associated Press, and the place of the article's publication, the Fox News website, gives the article its credibility and appeal to ethos. Repetition also makes sure that the idea that is being repeated is solidly embedded into the reader's mind, and stays with him/her as she/he reads the text.
In the middle of the article is a list of "certain 'key risks'" of global warming on the world. This listing of facts presents solid proof of the thesis of the article, namely that global warming will have ill effects on the entire world. Some of these effects include famine, failing infrastructures, and dangerous/deadly heat waves. The simple listing of provides readers with a clear understanding of the consequences of global warming on an easily comprehensible scale, and shows them the possible results of global warming.
Throughout the text are sprinkled quotes from the leaked report. These quotes represent evidence on the article's claim, and support that claim. They also show that the article is not based on the author's personal speculations, but on an actual scientific, researched report. The quotes give the article its academic tone, making the text a fact-based, intellectual work with little in the realm of an appeal to pathos, besides the feelings of worry and perhaps even alarm in readers as they survey the possible consequences of global warming.
The article did a good job of completing its task, namely to make readers aware of the various possible outcomes of global warming. Perhaps its most effective rhetorical device it uses is the list of "'key risks'" which simplify the hazards of global warming to be easily understood and comprehended.
This article is solidly based upon a "leaked draft of an international scientific report" for its information. It uses the report to illustrate the possible harmful effects of global warming upon the world. In the article, the Associated Press uses repetition, listing of facts, and numerous quotations to show people the highly possible harmful effects of global warming.
The article uses the phrase, "the report says" many times to relate the reader back to the original source of the facts presented. This reminds the audience that the article is based on a credible source. This particular repetition, partnered with the author(s) of the text, the Associated Press, and the place of the article's publication, the Fox News website, gives the article its credibility and appeal to ethos. Repetition also makes sure that the idea that is being repeated is solidly embedded into the reader's mind, and stays with him/her as she/he reads the text.
In the middle of the article is a list of "certain 'key risks'" of global warming on the world. This listing of facts presents solid proof of the thesis of the article, namely that global warming will have ill effects on the entire world. Some of these effects include famine, failing infrastructures, and dangerous/deadly heat waves. The simple listing of provides readers with a clear understanding of the consequences of global warming on an easily comprehensible scale, and shows them the possible results of global warming.
Throughout the text are sprinkled quotes from the leaked report. These quotes represent evidence on the article's claim, and support that claim. They also show that the article is not based on the author's personal speculations, but on an actual scientific, researched report. The quotes give the article its academic tone, making the text a fact-based, intellectual work with little in the realm of an appeal to pathos, besides the feelings of worry and perhaps even alarm in readers as they survey the possible consequences of global warming.
The article did a good job of completing its task, namely to make readers aware of the various possible outcomes of global warming. Perhaps its most effective rhetorical device it uses is the list of "'key risks'" which simplify the hazards of global warming to be easily understood and comprehended.
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