Paper 3 Topic Brainstorm

cost of college
animal rights
organic foods
women's rights
healthy diet/lifestyle

Developing an Argument

1A) Hip Hop artists should put goat sounds in their music because it will be funny.
1B) Hip Hop Artists
1C) They should care because they want their music to be popular. They believe that they are putting out music that people will enjoy and they will gain fans and money.

2A)  because Taylor swifts parody video featuring goat sounds quickly became an internet sensation.
2B) Because Comedy is a good way to draw in an audience.
2C) Goat sounds make good dubstep for background music.

3A) Because it is a new trend, not everyone may understand it.
3B) Some people may not like goats.
3C) Some people may think that the goat sounds are too loud and distracting from the music.

4A) Just because its new doesn't mean its not good, also even if people don't necessarily like something they might follow it just because its a trend.
4B) A lot of people could like goats, also if it is trending people may warm up to the idea of the goats.
4C) The goat noises will be used in situations where it makes the music better, not just randomly.

5) First of all, the Taylor Swift goat video got over 20 million views on YouTube proving that this is a popular trend that people think is entertaining. Since this video isn't completely new people will be more willing to accept seeing it in more music. Even people who don't like goats might find it funny because they don't have to look at the goat they just hear a funny sound.

1A) Chickens to farmers. We want farmers to keep healthy chickens on their farms
1B) Farmers
1C) They should care because chickens provide eggs and meat for people to eat. If the chickens are raised well and they know where they are coming from, people will be more likely to want to eat them.
1D) They can gain good healthy eggs and chickens free of caged life and disease.

2A) Because healthy chickens are better for consumers health than caged chickens full of water and chemicals
2B)Because chickens are good livestock that provide lots of food
2C) Chickens are a basic farmers food staple

Texting While Driving Video Collaboration

We agreed that the texting while driving video used pathos, logos, and ethos. It mostly used pathos-featuring the friends and families of the victims and showing pictures of the accidents and a victim in the hospital. Ethos was used because everyone in the video had been affected by texting and driving, whether they were a victim or a friend/family member of a victim. The man who had been a passenger in the accident was effective because he lived to tell what he wtinessed and the video showed what he goes through on a daily basis now because of the accident. Also, logos was used because the people holding up the signs at the end with the texts shows how insignificant they are compared to a life. The video had a dark, sullen tone that emphasized the serious consequences of texting and driving. The video was effective in appealing to their target audience (teenagers/young people) because the victims were all young and the one girl died the day before her high school graduation, which is a relatable milestone.

Texting While Driving

I watched the Texting While Driving public service video. It was part of AT&T's campaign to educate  on the dangers of the texting and driving. The video features testimonials from a policeman and the friends and family of people who had died in a texting related car accident. The cop shared the story of when he responded to an accident of a teenage girl who had been texting and driving while the family and friends were talking about and showing pictures of the victims. The video also showed a man who had survived an accident, he had been the passenger and the driver was texting. The video relied mostly on emotional appeals. The pictures of the accidents and victims and the testimonials from the friends/family and policeman tug appeal to the audience's hearts. The survivor of one accident provided an emotional appeal as well because it showed the audience the ramifications that he is living with everyday all because the driver of the car was texting and driving. At the end of the video, the family and friends held up signs with the last texts printed on them. This was an emotional appeal, but also a logical appeal because it shows how unimportant these text messages  are compared to a life.

How Things Mean

Album covers:

1.       What do they suggest?

The first album cover of the girl suggest that her songs might be provocative and sexual. The other two with the guys suggest that their music will be mostly rap and inappropriate for kids due to explicate lyrics.

2.       How do they suggest it?

The body language of the girl is provocative, and her facial expression is luring you in. The guy’s posture is very intimidating which makes them look tough.

3.       Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?

For the girl viewers are drawn in by her sex appeal. While the men look as if they’re about to drop the most fire mixtape of 2015.

Symbols of Patriotism:

1.       What do they suggest?

They suggest patriotic images of the USA, Great Britain, and France.

2.       How do they suggest it?

The eagle is associated with feelings of freedom and pride, the American flag makes you associate freedom with America. The bull dog is the national dog of Great Britain, he is standing on their flag looking very noble. The words in the third image mean liberty, equality, and fraternity and is the national motto of France, these words are etched into the wall showing that they are concrete ideals of the country.

3.       Which elements of each image work on the viewer in various ways?

The positioning of the dog and eagle convey strength because of their stance on the page, and the words as well convey strength because they are carved in stone.

                                           

Thesis Statement: The images use important and celebrated symbols of their countries to convey patriotism, strength, and ideals.

·         The eagle is associated with feelings of freedom and pride, the American flag makes you associate freedom with America.

·         The bull dog is the national dog of Great Britain, he is standing on their flag looking very noble.

·         The words in the third image mean liberty, equality, and fraternity and is the national motto of France, these words are etched into the wall showing that they are concrete ideals of the country.

·         The positioning of the dog and eagle convey strength because of their stance on the page, and the words as well convey strength because they are carved in stone. 

Reading Sources Critically

Tim Wise; “Use Of The N-Word”

1. What arguments does the author make?

    The author makes all arguments toward the position of not verbally using the N-word. Multiple arguments are brought up from playground examples such as “I can talk about my mother, but you sure as hell better not talk about my mother!” Another example that Tim Wise used was about a particular comedian Jeff Foxworthy and his jokes regarding “rednecks.” He argues that because Jeff may somewhat fall into the category of group that he is making fun of, it is seen as acceptable. On the flipside, if Jerry Seinfeld was to use these same jokes in a standup routine, it would be inappropriate. His main position is that white people should not use verbally the N-word, however it is at the discretion of black people to use freely.

2. How persuasive do you find the argument?

The argument is very persuasive. Tim Wise supports his stance on the topic with plenty of evidence. Wise is clear on why this issue is important, while giving his view of how it should be handled. He explains more than just the white man's point of view, and explains the point of view of a black man. The medium allows him to express his authority with a strong tone.

3. What is the author's stance?

    The stance the author takes is that he believes it isn't his place to determine how and when it is acceptable to use the word due to him being a white person. Although he does take a firm stance that it’s not his place to determine the above points, he does voice very clearly that if you’re not black you shouldn't use the word.

4. Does the publisher bring a certain stance to the work?

    His speech was part of Boston College’s FACES organization, which is designed to promote awareness about discrimination and racism. Boston College is interested in race relations and wants their community to be a part of discussions like this.

5. Do you recognize ideas you’ve run across in other sources?

    To my limited knowledge on the subject, Tim Wise brought up some new original and very persuasive ideas to the table to help illustrate his point. Some of the more generic things he said about Mark Twain and his use of the N-word in his book Huckleberry Finn I had heard before.

6. Does this source support or challenge your own position - or does it do both?

    I am in agreement with Tim Wise and his statements of when it is appropriate to use the word. As a white person, hearing other white people say the N-word sounds very inappropriate and out of place (being that this is not the 1950’s anymore). His examples only furthered my own belief/stance on the subject, and I think this was a very informative and explanatory video.

7. What can you tell about the intended audience and purpose?

    The purpose of the piece is to educate and offer some solution on who/ how the “n-word” should be used. The intended audience is students and faculty members who attend Boston College. He also aims to further educate people like who are fans of his writing, take a particular stance on the subject, or raise awareness of his opinion on how the topic should be dealt with. Also, since Tim Wise’s video is on youtube, it can be intended for the general public and anyone who is interested in being involved in the topic.

pg. 269-284 summary

We encounter and take part in hundreds of arguments everyday, from disagreements with friends to the posters you see telling you to join this club or support this cause. In rhetoric, argument "refers to any way that human beings express themselves to try to achieve a certain purpose." Arguments are situated in different contexts, so what is persuasive in one culture are not in another. For example, Martin Luther King Jr's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." His argument does not change, but the interpretation of it does across time and culture. The effectiveness of an argument also varies depending on the context and audience. It is important that we understand how arguments work and how to make arguments of our own because they are so important and we encounter them so often. It is crucial that we think carefully about the arguments we are presented with. We should consider the source of the argument-where it is coming from and who is saying it. Get to the heart of the argument by looking at the facts, the issue, why it matters, and what actions should be taken. Figure out the claim of the argument-what is it stating and how is it saying it.