Blog #9: Final Project Progress Report

Compassion, Awareness, Tolerance:

As mentioned in my previous "final project progress report" blog post, my final project will be an in depth analysis on a series of advertisements produced by the American Red Cross organization. At the time of my last progress report post, I had only begun to jot down simple ideas, taking notes, and reviewing previous chapters from our textbook to gather more information on what to include in my essay. Although I have not made as much progress in the actual essay, I plan on doing a good amount of work during this Thanksgiving break. Since the last post, I have completed the first two paragraphs of the essay and have completed more outlining. The first two paragraphs of my essay are both only introductory paragraphs but I have yet to form the body of the essay. I have continued to observe the ads with further depth and have also continued to take additional notes- I find that stepping away and coming back to take notes helps in gaining new and a fresh perspective which will ultimately help me in forming a well rounded essay.

Blog #10: Identity/The Self

As the chapter on Postmodernism pointed out, humans and the human identity are constantly shifting, as the language we use changes and evolves. Because language is constantly undergoing change, so is the way we define ourselves. For example, throughout the course of a day everyone takes on different identities to suit their current circumstances or situation. Throughout the course of a day I take on different roles to adapt to my surroundings and the people around me- these roles include student, employee, friend, daughter, sister, girlfriend, homekeeper, and more. Because my role or “identity” is constantly changing, my identity is probably considered to be less stable and more shifting. After all, going to work and taking on the role of girlfriend or student would not be fitting or even appropriate. Technology, our cultural environment, pop culture, and media all have a significant influence on the way in which an individual takes on different identities. The easiest example that comes to mind is technologies influence on my role as a student. My education would not be the same without it and I would not have the same benefits that I have without the help of technology. Borchers discusses in the chapter on Postmodernism, “Human identity is not set. We constantly shift our conceptions of who we are based on the rhetoric we use and the rhetoric to which we are exposed” (294). My experiences definitely fit with this description. As mentioned before, my role or identity constantly changes based on who I am with, where I am, my surroundings, etc. The way I speak with a supervisor and the way I speak to a friend will be completely different. Being and speaking in different ways with different people also shifts the way I view myself as a person- my “conception” of the person I am shifts based on my surroundings. 

Blog Post #8: Analyzing a Website

What is the most important feature of an effective website? Why?
There are many features that come together to form an effective website- without one or the other a website may end up lacking. Important features of an effective website include, but are not limited to the following:

The functionality of a page is possibly the most important aspect of a website. If a website constantly crashes or does not load correctly, etc then nothing else matters. Graphics, text, and even content do not matter. The CNN news website, for example, is very rarely down or crashing. It is almost always up and running- links work correctly, pictures load, etc.

Face and Text: The face or the beauty of a web page matters- looks matter here. If a website has no sense of coordination, is too plain, or even too flashy people may not be attracted to it and if people are no attracted to a site then people will most likely, not use it. Websites should have a sense of professionality, as well. Even blogs need some sense of structure and organization. The text or common words of a page are also important. If a page has no useful information then there is no need for it. To coninue with the example of the CNN page mentioned above- the page has a logo, is color coordinated, has organized links to sort news, includes pictures to go with said stories, etc.

Hypertext helps to construct the World Wide Web. Hypertext and hyperlinks reference other text in which someone can access from one page. A hypertext connects the main text to other documents and allows someone to broaden their research. The hypertext used on the CNN news page allows people to go from one article to another or to browse through certain topics.

What features of hypertext hinder a webpages communicative ability?
Hypertext can cause someone to stray from the main idea of a text. If someone includes a hypertext within an article, this may cause a reader to lose track of the main idea.

What features of hypertext most enhance a webpages communicative ability?
As mentioned before, hypertext can broaden research and allow someone to learn new things. Hyperlinks are like new doors that can be opened.

Blog # 7: Final Project Progress Reports

Summary: For my project, I plan on using the rhetorical triangle- including message, audience, communicator- in order to analyze a series of advertisements by the Red Cross. Though I could just analyze one of the ads from the series, the advertisements seem to work better and have a larger effect when grouped and analyzed together.

http://osocio.org/images/uploads/red-cross-madonia-2_thumb.jpg
http://osocio.org/images/uploads/red-cross-madonia-1_thumb.jpg
http://osocio.org/images/uploads/red-cross-madonia-3_thumb.jpg

I will also use the ethos, pathos, and logos to evaluate the advertisements. Credibility, consistency, and emotions are all very evident aspects throughout this series of ads and will, I think, make for a good analysis.

My first step in beginning my project is to thoroughly analyze the ads themselves- writing down any ideas I have about the ads messages, images, etc will help me to later analyze the ads according to the rhetorical triangle and the ethos, pathos, and logos. I will also, possibly discuss the ethics behind these ads because they do play on very significant and and somewhat controversial issues.

So far, I have begun to jot down simple ideas I have thought of from looking at the ideas- but without analyzing according to specific rhetorical ideas and/or theories. I have begun to put together a very general outline for the essay and will soon begin to organize and construct my ideas in order to put the essay together.

Advertising and the Third Persona

Dr. Pepper 10 Commercial Link: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iuG1OpnHP8

The tagline says it all: "Dr. Pepper 10: It's not for women."

This advertisement was ideal for analyzing from the perspective of the Third Persona. The commercial advertises the comeback of a soda beverage called “Dr. Pepper 10”. The advertisement’s audience is aimed towards adult men, who may or may not be “watching their figure” but are also looking for something a little more “manly” than a diet soda. The commercial is very straight forward and does not tend to use allegory or metaphor to portray a particular message. The commercial is obviously negating a few things, one of which being different ideas of manhood and what it really means to be “manly.” The message of this advertisement suggests that drinking other beverages is not as manly or makes a male less of a man than if he were to drink Dr. Pepper 10. Thus, the advertisement also negates other beverages, suggesting that nothing really compares to Dr. Pepper 10. The idea that Dr. Pepper 10 is meant for only men, is also negating women. Although this isn’t part of the main message of the commercial, it is an obvious point that the makers of this ad are trying to get across- whether it be somewhat of a joke or not. Gender roles and stereotypes are types of standards that are being created through this advertisement. A standard of manliness is being set. Whether or not these standards are “fair” is a debate that goes beyond a simple blog post- gender roles and stereotypes are constantly reinforced, challenged, argued, and debated. In my personal opinion and from a woman’s perspective this advertisement is a bit offensive. Although the commercial is meant to be taken lightheartedly, the commercial enforces ideas of gender roles that both men and women have struggled to break down for years. For this reason, I find this advertisement to be unethical. Suggesting that men and women should not be allowed to drink the same beverage is the kind of thinking that prejudice and sexist ideas stem from. 

Final Project Prewrite

Ideas for Final Project:

Format: Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Although I have not settled on one specific idea for my final project, I will most likely choose to write a traditional essay- more specifically a rhetorical analysis on a specific idea we have discussed in class or are planning to discuss in class. My first idea for this project is an essay on the forming of one's personal identity and self identification through rhetoric. In this essay I will focus on civility, human development, self presentation, and social identification through the study of rhetorical theory.
My second idea for my final project is an analysis of dramatism in rhetorical theory. For this project I would focus and explain how dramatism works by explaining the elements of this concept through an actual play. If I choose to take on this second idea for my final project I may or may not choose to complete a traditional essay. Something more creative seems more fitting for a project like this one.

Qualifying Arguments

Article link:
http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/09/13/making-laws-about-making-babies

In an article posted under the Room for Debate on the New York Times online, titled "Making Laws About Making Babies" multiple debaters sharing various opinions give their opinion on whether the U.S should regulate the fertility industry more closely. Today, the fertility industry has very little regulations and according to the New York Times this allows "consumers and business people dictate what is acceptable, what is normal and what is allowable -- including the extreme cases like the one sperm donor who had 150 children."

Because this debate includes so many different responses and different views I will narrow this argument down to just a couple of different debaters opinions: program director of the New York University Fertility Center and a professor at the university’s Langone Medical Center, Jamie Grifon vs. law professor, Naomi Cahn and Director of the Donor Sibling Registry Wendy Kramer.

The presence of qualifiers and rebuttals are both difficult to point out because this debate is not presented in the traditional way that arguments may usually be presented in. Instead, each debater gives their personal opinion in their own post without knowing what the other debater is saying. This type of debate may benefit in the way that each debater is not influenced by one another and their opinions stay on point and are not stayed off topic. Each debater is able to get their main point across without being interrupted or strayed.

When analyzing the post written by Jamie Griffon, titled "A Rush to Pass Laws," I thought his qualifier could be summed up and expressed in this one sentence, "Too often in medicine, regulators and legislators feel forced to use legislation to make a knee-jerk response to what seems to be alarming information without knowing the full consequences of their actions." His rebuttal, though not a traditional rebuttal, could be "Whatever the solution, we must be mindful and empathetic to the plight of the infertile couple or individual needing this technology. Much good has occurred from sperm donation, a technique that has helped create
countless families with wanted healthy children that would otherwise not exist." This statement reminded me of rebuttal because of he defensive tone. He states that "whatever the solution" referring to other solutions that other debaters may come to.

"End the Anonymity" written by Naomi Cahn and Wendy Kramer, has an opposing view and the qualifier can be summed up by the first paragraph of their post, "The United States has almost no rules when it comes to buying or selling sperm. In fact, no one keeps records on how much sperm is bought or sold, so we don’t even know how big the sperm market really is, or how many babies are born each year through donor sperm. The same donor can father hundreds of children, and, although his sperm must undergo some minimal testing before it is used, these tests don’t catch many genetic diseases. No laws in the United States require that donors or recipients exchange any information, identifying or otherwise." Their rebuttal, which also defends against opposing views can be found in the last paragraph, "Is it fair to bring children into the world who don’t have the chance to know about their ancestry and their medical background?"

It was difficult to find qualifies and rebuttals in an argument such as this one bug if analyzed closely, they are there. With that said, some sources are definitely more likely to use qualifiers and rebuttals due to the structure of an argument.

The Art of Letter Writing- Artes Dictaminis

Rhetoric during the Middle Ages underwent significant changes. For example, written communication became much more popular rather than simply relying on oral communication so heavily. One very significant written form of communication and form of rhetoric during the Middle Ages was artes dictaminis or the art of letter writing. At first, letters followed a very strict "formulae" in which a very famous textbook known as Rationes dictandi outlines very carefully. There are five important parts of a letter according to the Rationes dictandi and they are as follow: 

1. Salutatio- Salutation/Greeting

2. Benevolentiae captatio- "Welcoming caption"? Grabs readers attention

3. Narratio- Facts 

4. Petitio- Request

5. Conclusio- Closing 

According to OWL Purdue online, a business letter should include the following: 

1. Sender's Address

2. Date

3. Inside Address

4. Salutation

5. Body

6. Closing

7. Enclosures

8. Typist Initials 

Both recommendations include salutations, bodies, and closings. These are the three most significant parts of any letter. Things like initials, date, and addresses are almost trivial and without them it is easy to still recognize a piece of writing as a letter. Letters now seem to be more specific about what to include and what not to include but overall both are very similar to one another. The time in which these recommendations were made can and most likely do have an influence on the list of what to include. Things like addresses, and more specifically street names and house numbers may have run differently. With the advances in technology throughout the ages, it is understandable why the list for what to include in a letter has been extended. Print is not as tedious and does not cost as much money.   

Presidential Rhetoric

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
Saturday September 10, 2011

This weekend, we’re coming together, as one nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.  We’re remembering the lives we lost—nearly 3,000 innocent men, women and children.  We’re reaffirming our commitment to always keep faith with their families.  

We’re honoring the heroism of first responders who risked their lives—and gave their lives—to save others.  And we’re giving thanks to all who serve on our behalf, especially our troops and military families—our extraordinary 9/11 Generation.

At the same time, even as we reflect on a difficult decade, we must look forward, to the future we will build together.  That includes staying strong and confident in the face of any threat.  And thanks to the tireless efforts of our military personnel and our intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security professionals—there should be no doubt.  Today, America is stronger and al Qaeda is on the path to defeat.

We’ve taken the fight to al Qaeda like never before.  Over the past two and a half years, more senior al Qaeda leaders have been eliminated than at any time since 9/11.  And thanks to the remarkable courage and precision of our forces, we finally delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.

We’ve strengthened the partnerships and tools we need to prevail in this war against al Qaeda—working closer with allies and partners; reforming intelligence to better detect and disrupt plots; investing in our Special Forces so terrorists have no safe haven.

We’re constantly working to improve the security of our homeland as well—at our airports, ports and borders; enhancing aviation security and screening; increasing support for our first responders; and working closer than ever with states, cities and communities.

A decade after 9/11, it’s clear for all the world to see—the terrorists who attacked us that September morning are no match for the character of our people, the resilience of our nation, or the endurance of our values.    

They wanted to terrorize us, but, as Americans, we refuse to live in fear.  Yes we face a determined foe, and make no mistake—they will keep trying to hit us again.  But as we are showing again this weekend, we remain vigilant.  We’re doing everything in our power to protect our people.  And no matter what comes our way, as a resilient nation, we will carry on.

They wanted to draw us in to endless wars, sapping our strength and confidence as a nation.  But even as we put relentless pressure on al Qaeda, we’re ending the war in Iraq and beginning to bring our troops home from Afghanistan.  Because after a hard decade of war, it is time for nation building here at home.

They wanted to deprive us of the unity that defines us as a people.  But we will not succumb to division or suspicion. We are Americans, and we are stronger and safer when we stay true to the values, freedoms and diversity that make us unique among nations.

And they wanted to undermine our place in the world.  But a decade later, we’ve shown that America doesn’t hunker down and hide behind walls of mistrust.  We’ve forged new partnerships with nations around the world to meet the global challenges that no nation can face alone.  And across the Middle East and North Africa a new generation of citizens is showing that the future belongs to those that want to build, not destroy.    

Ten years ago, ordinary Americans showed us the true meaning of courage when they rushed up those stairwells, into those flames, into that cockpit.  In the decade since, a new generation has stepped forward to serve and keep us safe.  In their memory, in their name, we will never waver.  We will protect the country we love and pass it safer, stronger and more prosperous to the next generation.

Response: 

In an effort to analyze and evaluate this presidential speech, I will be going through the five canons of rhetoric. These include invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory. The first I would like to begin with is delivery, because it seems to be the most prominnent factor of this speech. Delivery refers to the presentation of a speech, including the verbal and nonverbal aspects. President Barrack Obama is widely known for his incredibly public speaking skills and these skills play a significant role in the way that this speech is delivered. The verbal delivery of the speech was both clear and easy for the average citizen to understand. In order to connect with his wide audience he must use language that is effective and clear to everyone and this is exactly what he did. Throughout the speech he kept constant eye contact and used hand gestures which almost made the delivery seem more welcoming and more real. If he were simply reading the entirety of this speech from a teleprompter  many probably wouldn't and didn't notice. In order to get the full effect of this speech it is probably better to listen and watch than to just read. Hearing and seeing this speech be delivered has a completely different effect than reading to oneself. 

The arrangement or the structure of the speech was very organized and easy to follow. Keeping an audience on track is important when both reading and writing. It keeps audience members from becoming confused and also makes the speech giver seem more professional and organized himself. If President Obama were to give a speech in which he jumped from topic to topic and constantly kept digressing from the speech topic, then he would lose credibility. It would make him seem like he was not fully knowledgeable on the topic and when someone loses credibility, they lose followers as well. He first introduces the speech by stating what and why he is giving the speech. He starts with the broad topic and then begins to become more specific. 

As stated above, if President Obama read from a teleprompter few were probably able to notice. Memory is one of five canons of rhetoric and this refers to the way a person remembers what to say in a speech. Throughout the speech, the President did not seem to fumble or lose track of what he was saying. So whether he read the speech or memorized, it was delivered in a way that made him look like he knew what he was saying throughout the entire speech.  

Style of a speech is also important and refers to the use of language and the effect it has on an audience. This speech was more about remembering rather than informing or persuading like many other speeches. It was much more sentimental and comforting than other common speeches many have heard President Obama give. He begins the speech by stating, "This weekend, we’re coming together, as one nation, to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks." Words and phrases such as "we," "coming together," and "one nation" all embody a group of people together. Using words and phrases such as these help people to feel as if they can connect with him more and on a better level. The last of the five canons of rhetoric includes invention, which refers to the determination of the topics and supporting material. Obama states in the beginning of the speech that he is speaking on the 9/11 anniversary. This and the anniversary determine the topic and throughout the speech he gives more and more supporting material. 

Introduction

Hello class,

My name is Brittany Trippe. I am a full time student at Old Dominion University majoring in English with a journalism emphasis. I am also a communications minor. With a degree that is so broad I have had some trouble choosing what exactly I would like to do with my degree once I graduate. Ideally, I would love to be able to do more than one thing and sometime in my life switch up my careers or possibly do one on the side and on my own time. I would eventually love to work for a public relations firm possibly as an event planner and would also love to maybe go into travel writing. I grew up in a military family that moved around a lot. I've only lived in Virginia for a few years and grew up in a few different locations throughout Italy for about 8 years. During my time in Italy I traveled throughout Europe and since then have had a passion for traveling. Being able to combine my love for travel and my love for writing would be a great experience. I have created this blog specifically for this Rhetorical Studies course in which I am enrolled. Throughout this course I hope to gain knowledge of the basis of rhetorical studies and because I do not know much about this specific topic I know this course will be beneficial to me.