It is true I missed one practice of in class material. Since I cannot remember what week it was I simply chose something to practice. I am going to try to play with kairos and make an old issue be relevant to today.
Every year when Christmas morning comes the kids in my family wake up and begin a search that few, if any, other participate in. We are searching for Christmas stockings. In the Jones house Santa does not leave them in neat little bundle by the fireplace but hides them throughout the house. This tradition stemmed from the great depression when my great grandmother would hide stockings so that the Christmas festivities could last a little longer for my grandma and her siblings. Such simple things are woven into the patters of our lives and stem from a horrible time many learn of in school, the Great Depression. Although it happened many years ago we can still take lessons from that dark period of American history. Think of all the families who pulled together in order to make ends meat. How much dedication and hard work did they have to put into what they did? Do we put that much dedication into unifying our families today? Do we learn from the values these people established? What about an economic standpoint? During the depression thousands lost all they had. Who was to blame? Well everyone who panicked and had unreasonably invested their lives income? Do we have this same feeling are we debt free or do rely on the government and others to carry us through? The great depression happened many years ago but the lessons form that time period can be a major help for us today.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Practice Stuff June 16, 2007
In our reading for this week one of the topics discussed was form. It talked specifically about point last paragraphs as a dimension of form therefore this week I will try to write several paragraphs where the point of the paragraph is in the end.
Trying new things always involves a risk. You never know what will come or what the experience will entail. Last weekend I went fishing with some friends. We fished at a new lake that none of us had been to before and while we had little success we were able to catch one White Bass. Again something none of us had done before. So to continue on the tradition of trying something new we had a party and made White Bass stir fry. The experience as a whole was wonderful. We had fun fishing and had a great meal afterwards. However none of this had been possible had we not tried something new. Although it can at times be frightening to try new things you will never have wonderful experiences like my friends and I if you are unwilling to experiment and do something you have never done before.
After viewing the movie Napolean Dynamite I was disgusted. It was defiantly one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I told my friend that I refused to ever see such a movie again. However, I learned that it is not always a good idea to see a movie only once because after viewing it a second time I felt as though it was much more enjoyable. As demonstrated by my experience not all movies can be judged after a one time viewing.
Trying new things always involves a risk. You never know what will come or what the experience will entail. Last weekend I went fishing with some friends. We fished at a new lake that none of us had been to before and while we had little success we were able to catch one White Bass. Again something none of us had done before. So to continue on the tradition of trying something new we had a party and made White Bass stir fry. The experience as a whole was wonderful. We had fun fishing and had a great meal afterwards. However none of this had been possible had we not tried something new. Although it can at times be frightening to try new things you will never have wonderful experiences like my friends and I if you are unwilling to experiment and do something you have never done before.
After viewing the movie Napolean Dynamite I was disgusted. It was defiantly one of the worst movies I have ever seen. I told my friend that I refused to ever see such a movie again. However, I learned that it is not always a good idea to see a movie only once because after viewing it a second time I felt as though it was much more enjoyable. As demonstrated by my experience not all movies can be judged after a one time viewing.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Rhetorical Analysis June 14, 2007
According to the sports programming that boys consume most, a real man
is strong, tough, aggressive, and above all, a winner in what is still a man’s
world. To be a winner, he must be willing to compromise his own long-term
health by showing guts in the face of danger, by fighting other men when
necessary, and by “playing hurt” when he’s injured. He must avoid being
soft; he must be the aggressor, both on the “battle fields” of sports and in
his consumption choices. Whether he is playing sports or
making choices about which products to purchase, his
aggressiveness will win him the ultimate prize: the adoring
attention of beautiful women and the admiration of other men.
This article was taken from a brochure about how the media affects youth, especially as it relates to sports. I think that the audience is very clear parents with boys in their early through late teens. This is because they appeal to the fact that their boys are growing up and that the world wants them to grow up too fast. It is also interesting to note that they use the term “beautiful women” this gives the impression of some woman so is grown and participating in things that these concerned parents would not want heir boys in puberty to be involved with. I think that the author knows their audience well and that they do a good job of using emotion to appeal to these concerned parents. I think that he goal of this brochure is to demonstrate what youth see so that parents can help them when the media lies. For example this paragraph speaks of men playing hurt and many boys get the idea that that is what you do as a man. This however can lead to youth who play too hard and will not stop thus risking further injury. The article is here to help the parents notice such signs and get their kids out of the game or teach them that they are “man enough” even if they do not have tons of women draped all over them. I also believe hat considering the core audience that this is a very effective argument because it appeals to a deep love that parents have for their children.
is strong, tough, aggressive, and above all, a winner in what is still a man’s
world. To be a winner, he must be willing to compromise his own long-term
health by showing guts in the face of danger, by fighting other men when
necessary, and by “playing hurt” when he’s injured. He must avoid being
soft; he must be the aggressor, both on the “battle fields” of sports and in
his consumption choices. Whether he is playing sports or
making choices about which products to purchase, his
aggressiveness will win him the ultimate prize: the adoring
attention of beautiful women and the admiration of other men.
This article was taken from a brochure about how the media affects youth, especially as it relates to sports. I think that the audience is very clear parents with boys in their early through late teens. This is because they appeal to the fact that their boys are growing up and that the world wants them to grow up too fast. It is also interesting to note that they use the term “beautiful women” this gives the impression of some woman so is grown and participating in things that these concerned parents would not want heir boys in puberty to be involved with. I think that the author knows their audience well and that they do a good job of using emotion to appeal to these concerned parents. I think that he goal of this brochure is to demonstrate what youth see so that parents can help them when the media lies. For example this paragraph speaks of men playing hurt and many boys get the idea that that is what you do as a man. This however can lead to youth who play too hard and will not stop thus risking further injury. The article is here to help the parents notice such signs and get their kids out of the game or teach them that they are “man enough” even if they do not have tons of women draped all over them. I also believe hat considering the core audience that this is a very effective argument because it appeals to a deep love that parents have for their children.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Freewrite June 12, 2007
Once upon a time there was a rock named George. George was not by any means a fat rock, or a skinny rock but he was just the right size. George was different then all the other rocks though because he wanted to get away from his home in Africa and travel the world. However he was just a small rock and by traveling the globe he may become lost or forgotten. However George was ready fro a challenge. One day he saw a man coming up the side of the mountain and so George put on his best face, stood up straight and tall and looked right at the man. The old man stopped looked at him and smiled with warm eyes, he said “You would make a great, anvil for me to make tools with.” So George went along and became an anvil. George like the old man, and especially the mans young daughter who was always so nice to him. Although he liked being an anvil George, sometimes got a headache so when he found out white men had come to take the old man to America he was happy to go but, on the boat ride George was very scared because rocks do not swim so well. However, George eventually made it to America where the white man made his friend work very, very hard on the farm. After the man died George became lost and forgotten just as he thought he would.
But one day many years later a new man came this man worked on the railroad and George was in the way. As the man went to throw George in the pile he noticed that George would make a great doorstop for his house so he took George home. Later that night two men came with a book about angels and prophets. Only a few weeks later George was on the way to Utah, Provo to be exact. The man was so kind to George and although he was cold in the winter George was glad that he was no longer forgotten. After many years in Provo the man died and George was thrown out with the rubbish from the old man’s house. George again became lost and forgotten just as he thought he would.
Then one day many years later George was dug up out of the ground by some men who threw him in a pile of other boring stones. These men did not like George and even though he put on his best face they would not take him home. Sadden as he was George did not give up. He saw one day a young boy and thought “Here is my chance”. He looked straight up at the boy and gave him his best face. The boy stooped down and picked him up but did not have anything for George to help him with. George was disappointed until he realized how nice the boy and his friend were they would love him, and pet him, and call him George. And he was happy. George is still young (as far as rocks go) and has many more travels ahead. He does not know where he will end up or what will become of him when the boy dies and he is again forgotten but he is excited to see where else he can go.
But one day many years later a new man came this man worked on the railroad and George was in the way. As the man went to throw George in the pile he noticed that George would make a great doorstop for his house so he took George home. Later that night two men came with a book about angels and prophets. Only a few weeks later George was on the way to Utah, Provo to be exact. The man was so kind to George and although he was cold in the winter George was glad that he was no longer forgotten. After many years in Provo the man died and George was thrown out with the rubbish from the old man’s house. George again became lost and forgotten just as he thought he would.
Then one day many years later George was dug up out of the ground by some men who threw him in a pile of other boring stones. These men did not like George and even though he put on his best face they would not take him home. Sadden as he was George did not give up. He saw one day a young boy and thought “Here is my chance”. He looked straight up at the boy and gave him his best face. The boy stooped down and picked him up but did not have anything for George to help him with. George was disappointed until he realized how nice the boy and his friend were they would love him, and pet him, and call him George. And he was happy. George is still young (as far as rocks go) and has many more travels ahead. He does not know where he will end up or what will become of him when the boy dies and he is again forgotten but he is excited to see where else he can go.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Freewrite June 9, 2007
Well today was way cool it was free fishing day here in Utah and I could not pass up the chance to go fishing. I went twice caught one white bass just for the record. However What I would really like to comment on are the people I met. Having lived in Idaho my whole life I felt that my life has been somewhat sheltered from what are often termed the things of the world. When I was a teenager I had this impression that people who drank, smoked and had premarital sex should be shunned and avoided at all costs. After spending two years in Europe I realized the falsity of this notion. The reasons I make such comments today are because when I was out fishing today I met some amazing people. They were people I would never want to hang out with on Friday night. I think we would crash each others parties but they were good people nonetheless. It amazes me at hoe little we really understand about people and our nature. Calvin taught that we are fallen all of us and that we have evil rooted into us. Other reformers and philosophers have said the opposite. Yet the scriptures teach the natural man is an enemy to God. However they also speak of a happier idea that we all have the light of Christ in us which leads us each to do good. I tend to believe that this side of people is more prevalent among us that people are inherently good and while they do bad things that may hurt themselves or those around them they are all good people. As little Timmy says “God bless them every one.”
Thursday, June 7, 2007
RHetorical Analysis June 7, 2007
Having no direct experience myself with the 80’s evaluating “Pop goes my heart” is difficult. However I did feel that there were defiantly some rhetorical tools used in the music video. I felt personally that the target audience was very clear. I feel that they are trying to target middle aged women who were teenagers during the 80’s. First the use of an all male cast indicates that the target audience may be women. Also not all the teenagers from the 80’s wish to go back so I would argue that it is even more focused on trying to get these women to let go and tell them it is ok to feel as if they want to go back. It also provides an opportunity for them to feel comfortable about looking back to the past. The dress seemed traditional 80’s and the dance and attitude of the band suggested to me that it is ok to let go of traditional norms and do what you want. That includes norms place on middle aged women today not only when they were teenagers. This theme is also emphasized by the change in scenery every time they say “Pop” the scenery changes. They also have several different backgrounds they sing against. This variation suggests a break form on thing to an acceptance of something new and different again encouraging the audience to get out of their normal habits and do something new. I feel as though this would be very effective to the audience because memories of the past often encourage people to go back to what it was that made them happy then so I fell as though this song would do well in encouraging the audience to break the rules a little more like they did when they were younger.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Freewrite June 3, 2007
Well it looks like my procrastination and forgetfulness have both caught up to me this week and now I am writing my Blog on the last day of the week. Because it is Sunday I thought I might share a few insights I had this week while pondering the scriptures. I finished up the book of Mathew this week and I was reminded of a question I have always had and that is what about Pilot? Although it is irrelevant to may salvation, isn’t may place to judge and is not doctrine at all I felt different towards Pilot this time through. Pilot got himself in a mess its true had he not had political problems before with the Jews he would not be in the same situation. But this time I notice Matt 27:18 “For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.” As Christ stood responses less before pilot, Pilot did not only find Christ innocent as he mentions to the Jews but he also realized why the Jews had delivered up Christ unto him. I looked up the word envy and found that envy is different form other similar emotions like greed and jealousy. Envy desires an advantage or quality of another. Pilot saw the problems with the Jews and the more I though the more I felt as though I do not know what will happen but the great ting about the gospel is that I know not only Pilot but every creature will be judged of the lord fairly and while I may always wonder about the pivotal role pilot played the lord will take care of everything in hi sown due time. Every person including Pilot will be judged not only according to our actions but according to our desires. What did we want? We will be judged based on knowledge and will be able to say at the last day that the lord is just and until then the only thing anyone can do is rely on the promises of the lord.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Material Practice May 30, 2007
One of our class discussions/readings last week focused on writing concisely. Therefore I choose to practice this area of my writing. I decided to approach two different topics and concisely explain the issue/my feelings etc. in under 150 words each. We will see what happens.
Why fans should not support Barry Bonds.
According to ESPN Barry Bonds is third in the fan polls of this year’s All-Star team. Such fans must however realize the negative effect Barry Bonds has on baseball. Admit it, Bonds cheats. There is no other way around it. Bonds has used steroids in order to get to where he is today. According to ESPN The Magazine Bonds told Ken Griffey Jr. this several years ago. This has tainted all he does. If fans support steroid use, steroids will become the only way to get to the big leagues because players are not competing with each other but with their drugs. All the greats we admire like Mays, Ruth and DiMaggio will become distant memories to future generations because they will not understand the incredible feats these men accomplished. By supporting Bonds we support steroids which will ultimately lead to downfall of baseball because the tradition will be lost.
The hymns as scripture
Many prophets and apostles have requested that members have in their homes a copy of the Hymnal, many have called them scripture and request that we think of it as such. However the hymns are not written by prophets and apostles so how can they be considered scripture? In the hymns we find music that builds our souls and leads us to faith and repentance. Wasn’t this the goal of Nephi? “For…mine intent is [to] persuade men to come [to]…God.” Why else sing praises to God which build our faith then to come closer to him? I believe that like the scriptures the hymns were written by inspiration from above. That is why we can get so much good from them and why the spirit can speak to us through them. It is obvious that everyone needs to treat the hymns just as they would any other word of God.
Why fans should not support Barry Bonds.
According to ESPN Barry Bonds is third in the fan polls of this year’s All-Star team. Such fans must however realize the negative effect Barry Bonds has on baseball. Admit it, Bonds cheats. There is no other way around it. Bonds has used steroids in order to get to where he is today. According to ESPN The Magazine Bonds told Ken Griffey Jr. this several years ago. This has tainted all he does. If fans support steroid use, steroids will become the only way to get to the big leagues because players are not competing with each other but with their drugs. All the greats we admire like Mays, Ruth and DiMaggio will become distant memories to future generations because they will not understand the incredible feats these men accomplished. By supporting Bonds we support steroids which will ultimately lead to downfall of baseball because the tradition will be lost.
The hymns as scripture
Many prophets and apostles have requested that members have in their homes a copy of the Hymnal, many have called them scripture and request that we think of it as such. However the hymns are not written by prophets and apostles so how can they be considered scripture? In the hymns we find music that builds our souls and leads us to faith and repentance. Wasn’t this the goal of Nephi? “For…mine intent is [to] persuade men to come [to]…God.” Why else sing praises to God which build our faith then to come closer to him? I believe that like the scriptures the hymns were written by inspiration from above. That is why we can get so much good from them and why the spirit can speak to us through them. It is obvious that everyone needs to treat the hymns just as they would any other word of God.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Rhetorical Analylsis May 29, 2007
Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America
Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today
My country 'tis of thee(Today)
Sweet land of liberty(today)
Of thee I sing(today)
Of thee I sing(today)
In this song Neil Diamond is addressing the current citizens of America. This is apparent by the use of his terminology “they’re”. Neil’s primary tool in persuading his audience is emotion. He is able to create a sense of compassion by describing some of the awful situations in which people come to America. His description of longing for freedom and being so grateful for the ability to come to America are very effective in his targeted audience. This is because many Americans have ancestors who went through so much in order to come here. Many people have sacrificed a lot for the principals of the United States and Neil uses the vivid imagery of refugee’s fleeing to America to remind people of the sacrifice made by such honest men and women. He is also able to appeal to his audience’s emotions because his audience is familiar with TV shows and newscasts which show in real life the plight of many refugees and people who have almost no freedom at all. The emotional appeal is essential in achieving his goal. In the song Diamond’s goal is to make people have more compassion and sympathy on those who are coming to our country for the first time. In this sense the emotional feelings he has created make his audience want to accept these people and help them. Another goal with the song is to help people remember how blessed they are to live in a free nation. Neil is excellent in this regard as well. His portrayal of America, the flag, and the American dream make those who have been born and raised in this country think more deeply about how much they truly cherish their freedoms.
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America
Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today
My country 'tis of thee(Today)
Sweet land of liberty(today)
Of thee I sing(today)
Of thee I sing(today)
In this song Neil Diamond is addressing the current citizens of America. This is apparent by the use of his terminology “they’re”. Neil’s primary tool in persuading his audience is emotion. He is able to create a sense of compassion by describing some of the awful situations in which people come to America. His description of longing for freedom and being so grateful for the ability to come to America are very effective in his targeted audience. This is because many Americans have ancestors who went through so much in order to come here. Many people have sacrificed a lot for the principals of the United States and Neil uses the vivid imagery of refugee’s fleeing to America to remind people of the sacrifice made by such honest men and women. He is also able to appeal to his audience’s emotions because his audience is familiar with TV shows and newscasts which show in real life the plight of many refugees and people who have almost no freedom at all. The emotional appeal is essential in achieving his goal. In the song Diamond’s goal is to make people have more compassion and sympathy on those who are coming to our country for the first time. In this sense the emotional feelings he has created make his audience want to accept these people and help them. Another goal with the song is to help people remember how blessed they are to live in a free nation. Neil is excellent in this regard as well. His portrayal of America, the flag, and the American dream make those who have been born and raised in this country think more deeply about how much they truly cherish their freedoms.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Freewrite 26 May 2007
With Memorial Day approaching I can’t stop and wonder what has become of this wonderful holiday. As a young child I remember spend what seemed like hours at the cemetery placing flowers on ancestors’ graves. At the time it seemed extremely boring and I could never wait until we went and played at the park. I wonder however if many people even think about their deceased on Memorial Day. Understandably many people are limited in paying their respects because they live far away from where their ancestors are buried or other such circumstances. I am however reminded of a friend whose family was in just such a situation. When said that her family would go to the graveyard and put flowers on graves that had none and thus spend at least some time commemorating those who passed on before. I am not suggesting Memorial Day be like the old European holidays in which all day was spent at graves and in sorrow because they were "respecting" the dead. I am however suggesting that Memorial Day like many other holidays is now an excuse to fish, swim or barbeque with little thought as to the significance of the holiday. I currently am at just such a crossroad. My parents are currently away on a cruise. I have come home to Idaho Falls to be with my brothers and sister over the weekend. I am the oldest and feel a great question as to what we should do this Memorial Day. Should we go back to the cemetery as we always have done or just stay home because there will be no one home to care. Do poor teenagers and a college student go buy flowers for the dead or just stop by to pay our respects? The question is up for debate and in such a day where the traditional feeling of Memorial Day is waning this question may have implications on how a generation younger then I honors and respects their forbearers.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Practice Summary v Anaylsis May 24, 2007
Eric Neel’s recent column on ESPN.com is an attempt to prove that the legends in baseball are more about character then numbers. He sites catfish hunter as one example. He was a pitcher almost 40 years ago and while Catfish never put up hall of fame numbers like many other players he is in the hall of fame nonetheless. Neel then demonstrates that it is an aura that players have which makes them memorable. Numbers fade memories do not. He sites for example Derek Jeter and mentions that although he has troubles defensively and is amazing behind the plate his countenance and simplicity are what he and others form our day will be remembered for.
In his column Neel is writing to baseball fans and is trying to convince them that the numbers are not what matters. The emotional appeal which he makes is significant. Many baseball fans can remember their favorite players and memorable moments. Often as fans we see the charisma of different individuals and the ease at which they perform. Neel reminds his audience about this in a way they will understand. It is catered especially to them. His use of Barry Bonds is a good example because it is current and most fans have mixed feelings. It is unlikely that although Bonds has high numbers he will be in the hall of fame. This makes the notion that although a player has high numbers and great statistics they may not be a memorable player. Such arguments are effective to the audience because they are current and something that fans can relate too. He would defiantly convince a majority of his audience that players are remembered more on style then numbers.
In his column Neel is writing to baseball fans and is trying to convince them that the numbers are not what matters. The emotional appeal which he makes is significant. Many baseball fans can remember their favorite players and memorable moments. Often as fans we see the charisma of different individuals and the ease at which they perform. Neel reminds his audience about this in a way they will understand. It is catered especially to them. His use of Barry Bonds is a good example because it is current and most fans have mixed feelings. It is unlikely that although Bonds has high numbers he will be in the hall of fame. This makes the notion that although a player has high numbers and great statistics they may not be a memorable player. Such arguments are effective to the audience because they are current and something that fans can relate too. He would defiantly convince a majority of his audience that players are remembered more on style then numbers.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Rhetorical Analysis May 21, 2007
This week I asked a friend to try and convince me to do something in order to have an experience for my analysis on experience. I let her pick the topic and felt as though her topic and logic showed great awareness of her rhetorical situation. She tried to convince me to look up a girl in my ward directory and ask them on a date. First I felt that she was able to use great awareness because she specifically said that “Honestly girls are flattered when a guy takes the time to ask them out.” This I felt was a realization of her role as a girl speaking form experience to a guy. It also built her credibility because she was able to speak from firsthand experience on the subject. Another way in which she demonstrated outstanding awareness of her rhetorical situation was that she used words specific to the audience (i.e. myself). Several phrases such as “the perpetual party” and “your Wal-Mart date” were phases which would not have been understood in several contexts yet were meaningful and special to the specific audience addressed. The largest detriment to my friend’s argument was an appeal to my logical senses. While such phrases as “you got the idea all you need is a girl” seemed to make lots of sense and be logical alone the argument as a whole was presented in a somewhat unorganized fashion. This was a major detriment to the argument because there was no climatic ending or definite decision. Another logical fallacy was an appeal to have me double with a roommate in order to not make it as awkward. I felt as though this problem came because of alack of information on her part. I would never double with one of my current roommates so although logical to have others there the choice of who it was specifically was problematic. As far as effectiveness I felt that in achieving her goal she was ineffective I have no more desire to look up some random person in my ward and ask them out the I did before. However in making me more open to ideas and strategies of dating she was very successful. Also because of this conversation it may convince me to go on another date sooner then I would have considered before.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Freewrite 19 May 2007
Today I would like to tell a story. Not about a man named Brady but about one time when I thought I was going to die. I was 18 at the time and was the director of the archery range at Camp little Lemhi, a Boy Scout camp in eastern Idaho next to the Palisades reservoir and the Snake River. I used to tell the scouts the worst thing they could do was dry fire the bows. (That means you shoot a bow without an arrow in it and if it does not kill you it may very possibly kill the next guy.) Well one day I learned there was one other thing that would make me even angrier. I was downrange behind the tarp that the boys were shooting at looking for an arrow. I had told them to stop shooting and done the whole safety thing then all of a sudden I heard this loud TWANG! “Oh no” I thought, “do I stay behind the tarp and hope that an arrow does not come through or do I go around and hope an arrow does not hit me there?” I decided to yell and boy did I yell, “Who shot that arrow?!” I could hear the silence fall over the range. As I then walked around the tarp I yelled aging in the best mean voice I could muster, “Who shot that arrow!?” everyone looked at the culprit and with a timid voice he replied, “I did not shoot an arrow I dry fired the bow.” Well to make a long story short he was fairly retentive so I only kicked him off the range for a few minutes. However that day I was extremely grateful that I did not end up with an arrow through my skull.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Audience Awarness 17 May 2007
One of our discussions in class last week focused on audience awareness. I had a discussion with a girl this week about cars and she mentioned how I was the only one who could get on her level and explain the problem it made me think about audience awareness and how we communicate to an audience. Therefore this week I have decided to try another experiment in audience awareness and try to explain Chemical Bonding to a group of 5th graders.
We all know that everything is made of something smaller. For example your pants may be made of a button, thread and a zipper. But what is the thread made of? Scientists would say atoms. Atoms are like super small balls that we cannot see with our eyes but make up everything around us. You may not believe that such small things make up the world around us because you cannot see them but imagine you are standing on a big grassy field. If I drop one snowflake in the middle you cannot see it, right? But what if I drop lots and lots of snowflakes all over the place? Then you can see all the snow. The same happens with atoms, lots and lots of them makes something like the thread of our pants that we can see. In order to make all the stuff we see around us the atoms stick to together in special ways. Each atom has something around it called electrons. Think of it like this if we put tape around one ball and Velcro around another the tape ball will stick really well to the wall while the Velcro ball would stick really well to the carpet. You probably already know that cookies and bread have a lot of the same ingredients but taste very different. That is because like with the balls the sugar, flour, butter etc. stick together in different ways. All of the different ingredients are like different balls or different snowflakes that hook together in different ways in order to make bread for your sandwich or a cookie for desert. Scientists call this Chemical Bonding. The way all these different atoms stick together makes up everything you see. So the next time you put on your pants or make cookies you can remember that if it were not for atoms sticking together your life would be very boring.
We all know that everything is made of something smaller. For example your pants may be made of a button, thread and a zipper. But what is the thread made of? Scientists would say atoms. Atoms are like super small balls that we cannot see with our eyes but make up everything around us. You may not believe that such small things make up the world around us because you cannot see them but imagine you are standing on a big grassy field. If I drop one snowflake in the middle you cannot see it, right? But what if I drop lots and lots of snowflakes all over the place? Then you can see all the snow. The same happens with atoms, lots and lots of them makes something like the thread of our pants that we can see. In order to make all the stuff we see around us the atoms stick to together in special ways. Each atom has something around it called electrons. Think of it like this if we put tape around one ball and Velcro around another the tape ball will stick really well to the wall while the Velcro ball would stick really well to the carpet. You probably already know that cookies and bread have a lot of the same ingredients but taste very different. That is because like with the balls the sugar, flour, butter etc. stick together in different ways. All of the different ingredients are like different balls or different snowflakes that hook together in different ways in order to make bread for your sandwich or a cookie for desert. Scientists call this Chemical Bonding. The way all these different atoms stick together makes up everything you see. So the next time you put on your pants or make cookies you can remember that if it were not for atoms sticking together your life would be very boring.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Rhetorical analasis May 15, 2007
An interesting fact to be added is that even Comcast, 50 percent owner of The mtn., is not offering the channel outside of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Kind of sends the wrong statement to the satellite guys, don't you think? I went to make good on my threat to DirecTV and switch to Comcast here in Northern California, until I found out that it would do me no good. I also think it is too late for the phone calls to the TV distributors. I think CSTV and the MWC had their most bargaining power the last couple of days before BYU's first home game. By today they should have assessed the situation and dropped their demands to whatever it took to get the channel on the air. Then if it gets ratings they are in a better position in the future. It can't be much of a cost issue, since CSTV will have to produce the games either way. It is time for the MWC and CSTV to do the deal, whatever it takes.
Reed Smith
This Article was taken from a group of other such opinions published in the Salt Lake tribune fall 2006. I would tend to say that it is not a very good opinion editorial and the use of rhetoric is very poor. First the audience is unclear. I seems as though he is writing mostly in an informative way to the fans. However towards the end he mentions the MWC and CSTV. I would say that he wants them to take charge and do something but is trying to raise awareness of this “unknown” issue at hand. I think his Logical approach is lacking the most. He describes problems but falls short of answering the why question why is it a problem, how can it be fixed, who needs to fix it, what is the benefit of fixing it etc. Next to look at the emotional appeal I feel it would appeal fairly well to any major sports fan because he describes a problem which plagues many fans that they cannot see their team play. I would say of all the rhetorical tools his ethos is the best because he discusses what happened to him as an expert however phrases such as “I think” defiantly do harm to his ethos because he does not know. Lots of people think this or that but why should I listen to what you think. I think his thesis is as unclear as his audience we realize form his writing that this is a problem but what exactly we need to do about it is unclear to me. I do not think this would be very effective to the target audience because I think most of his audience has already experienced this first hand and already realize a problem exists.
Reed Smith
This Article was taken from a group of other such opinions published in the Salt Lake tribune fall 2006. I would tend to say that it is not a very good opinion editorial and the use of rhetoric is very poor. First the audience is unclear. I seems as though he is writing mostly in an informative way to the fans. However towards the end he mentions the MWC and CSTV. I would say that he wants them to take charge and do something but is trying to raise awareness of this “unknown” issue at hand. I think his Logical approach is lacking the most. He describes problems but falls short of answering the why question why is it a problem, how can it be fixed, who needs to fix it, what is the benefit of fixing it etc. Next to look at the emotional appeal I feel it would appeal fairly well to any major sports fan because he describes a problem which plagues many fans that they cannot see their team play. I would say of all the rhetorical tools his ethos is the best because he discusses what happened to him as an expert however phrases such as “I think” defiantly do harm to his ethos because he does not know. Lots of people think this or that but why should I listen to what you think. I think his thesis is as unclear as his audience we realize form his writing that this is a problem but what exactly we need to do about it is unclear to me. I do not think this would be very effective to the target audience because I think most of his audience has already experienced this first hand and already realize a problem exists.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Style Practice 12 May 2007
One of the Stylistic elements we talked about this week was sentence length therefore I thought I would overwork this a little and try to write in all short sentences (5-10 words) as a change in style to see if anything good comes of it let’s hope it does not sound like a 5th grader.
This week I was invited to go on a date. Sadly the date fell through. Therefore we went hiking instead. I was with people I had never met. They were very friendly though and we had a blast. We hiked up to a cool waterfall. While there we ate and took pictures. I was able to get a picture under the falls. It was cool and wet down there. When we finally decided to leave there were two groups. One went back the way we came. The other took a different route. The second group was much faster. Therefore I was grateful I was in that group. There was also a way nice girl in that group. It was the perfect day for hiking. The sun was high all day. Yet it never got too hot. It was especially nice by the falls. The mist was beating across our faces. That felt great. I love hiking but have not been for a while. So, I was glad to do it again. The best part was that it was short. That made it possible for me to come home. When I got home I was could do some schoolwork. Overall it was great day in the mountains. Hopefully I can go again soon. Who knows maybe it will come with more girls too.
This week I was invited to go on a date. Sadly the date fell through. Therefore we went hiking instead. I was with people I had never met. They were very friendly though and we had a blast. We hiked up to a cool waterfall. While there we ate and took pictures. I was able to get a picture under the falls. It was cool and wet down there. When we finally decided to leave there were two groups. One went back the way we came. The other took a different route. The second group was much faster. Therefore I was grateful I was in that group. There was also a way nice girl in that group. It was the perfect day for hiking. The sun was high all day. Yet it never got too hot. It was especially nice by the falls. The mist was beating across our faces. That felt great. I love hiking but have not been for a while. So, I was glad to do it again. The best part was that it was short. That made it possible for me to come home. When I got home I was could do some schoolwork. Overall it was great day in the mountains. Hopefully I can go again soon. Who knows maybe it will come with more girls too.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Freewrite 10 May 2007
I would like to begin by saying that whoever it was that came up with the idea that we should be allowed to write about whatever we want at least one time a week was a genius. It makes this part of the assignment not only easier but way more fun too. Today I would like to explain my complete and total joy that the Yankees are six games out of first place in the American League East division and that they are also behind by two and a half games in the Wild Card race. For anyone who is reading this if you hate baseball or could care less I apologize because I realize that not everyone has my same interest. Nonetheless I will proceed. In 2006 the Atlanta Braves (who are my favorite baseball team) did not make the playoffs. This ended a 14-year run by the Braves. No other team in major professional American sports has ever matched that record. And before 2001 only 2 other teams (the Celtics and Lakers) had accived 9 consecutive playoff appearances. However as the record stands now the New York Yankees will tie the Braves record in 2008 if they go to the playoffs each of the next two years. It could be said that only a miracle will keep the Yankees form achieving 14 consecutive playoff appearances but the miracle is happening. The most dominating team over the last two decades is not only losing they are losing badly. If the season continues as it is right now the Yankees will not go to the playoffs and the Braves Record will be intact. Oh Happy day.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Rhetorical Analysis for May 8, 2007
Everyone loves a good pizza and therefore the pizza making industry is well saturated. This gives great incentive to convert individuals to become life long customers of a specific pizza chain and one recent Pizza Hut commercial is focused on just that. The commercial is focused on those people who like pizza but are not regular Pizza Hut customers. The reason they focus so intently on this specific group is that they want to get more people to try their pizzas and hopefully create lifetime customers. THE ad opens with a Pizza Hut delivery boy delivering a pizza to the home of what seems to be an ordinary family. Near the end of the transaction the wife grabs the delivery boy and violently jerks him into the house. A moment later her husband shows up from work and has a Papa Johns coat on. They then proceed to have short discussion about how Pizza Hut has the best pizzas. In order to appeal to the target audience the commercial uses several different rhetorical approaches. First it has a logical appeal. Toward the end of the commercial it mentions how Pizza Hut pizzas had won a national taste competition over both Dominos and Papa Johns. This both appeals logically to people but at the same time builds the ethos of the company, making them seem more credible and reliable. The greatest appeal though is the emotional appeal. The irony and humor in the ad create a relaxed feeling and a positive feeling toward the company simply because it made the future customer happy. Another effective emotional appeal is introduced by showing well made delicious looking pizzas. This creates a desire to buy the pizza for no other reason then it looks good. The underlying theme of the commercial is: Buy your next pizza form Pizza Hut. As for the target audience it seems as though it would be very effective in getting them to try Pizza Hut next time they wanted a pizza. Creating a lifetime customer however will take more then just this ad.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)