Monday, August 31, 2009
Estee Lauder ad
I believe most of us especially women can be easily fascinated by the numerous ads which we see on TV, magazines, newspapers, the Internet or even hear from the radio everyday and this is a very powerful way to get our attention and encourage us to purchase their products or participate in their activities. Usually we will be affected by what advertisers promote especially if famous celebrities help to advertise a product. For example, the celebrities who represent Estee Lauder and advertise its products include the famous Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow. The company has succeeded in gaining positive publicity as well as recognition in the market. Estee Lauder ad gives us statistics, facts and evidence to suggest that their product is effective and straightforward with the celebrities’ images, the text, the product, and the company logo making a strong appeal to consumers to buy and use Estee Lauder products.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Annabel Lee
In Edgar Allen Poe's "Annabel Lee", Poe writes about his profound love for Annabel (whom is symbolic of Poe's wife Virgina) and about her sudden death through the usage of metaphors and symbolism. Contrary to his other poems, Poe's tone for the poem is tranquil and passionate. He describes thier profound love for each other, "But we loved with a love that was more than love-I and my Annabel Lee;" Poe . He also continues using the sea and clouds as symbols for death and love. Through the usage of the metaphors, Poe creates a more dramatic picutre for the reader to connect to, "The angels, not half so happy in heaven,Went envying her and me-Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,In this kingdom by the sea)That the wind came out of the cloud by night,Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee."
Rhetorical Analysis and Religion
I have had extensive experience with rhetorical analysis for many years based in the Bible. There have been many times, when observing various religious sects’ stances on certain passages of Scripture that I have had to step back and determine why a specific doctrine was presented the way it was. For the sake of this blog I will use one specific example.
On a certain occasion I witnessed a man preach about the principle of tithing. Tithing is something that I am very familiar with, and understand very well. As I listened, I noticed that this man had changed a few basic principles in order to make tithing more “attractive” to his audience. He used devices such as testimonials from people who had been “blessed” by paying their tithing, he made promises specific to his audience (in this case it was a group of approximately 250 very poor Brazilians) that they would be taken care of if they gave up everything that they had for the Lord, he even said that the Lord was poor and needed whatever they could give him. While I didn’t necessarily agree with what he was saying, I could understand someone who has nothing giving up everything in order have something. The way he presented this version of tithing almost had me convinced to give up everything that I have and donate it to the Lord.
A few nights earlier I attended a sermon given by this same man to a group of business owners. While he discussed the same principle, it appeared that he had taken another approach in order to captivate his audience. These people that he spoke to were financially secure and relatively content with their existence. So in order to get his point across he resorted to promising death and damnation if they didn’t abide by this heavenly law, and give up “whatever they had leftover from the month”.
With both congregations his main goal was to gain money. As a “representative of God” people assumed he had the authority to make those promises. The weight of the donation box as it passed by me suggested that he was very convincing… both times. A master of rhetorical strategy.
-Scott
On a certain occasion I witnessed a man preach about the principle of tithing. Tithing is something that I am very familiar with, and understand very well. As I listened, I noticed that this man had changed a few basic principles in order to make tithing more “attractive” to his audience. He used devices such as testimonials from people who had been “blessed” by paying their tithing, he made promises specific to his audience (in this case it was a group of approximately 250 very poor Brazilians) that they would be taken care of if they gave up everything that they had for the Lord, he even said that the Lord was poor and needed whatever they could give him. While I didn’t necessarily agree with what he was saying, I could understand someone who has nothing giving up everything in order have something. The way he presented this version of tithing almost had me convinced to give up everything that I have and donate it to the Lord.
A few nights earlier I attended a sermon given by this same man to a group of business owners. While he discussed the same principle, it appeared that he had taken another approach in order to captivate his audience. These people that he spoke to were financially secure and relatively content with their existence. So in order to get his point across he resorted to promising death and damnation if they didn’t abide by this heavenly law, and give up “whatever they had leftover from the month”.
With both congregations his main goal was to gain money. As a “representative of God” people assumed he had the authority to make those promises. The weight of the donation box as it passed by me suggested that he was very convincing… both times. A master of rhetorical strategy.
-Scott
101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians
101 Dalmatians is a film based on a evil woman trying in the beginning to buy a litter of Dalmatians to make a fur coat. When the owners of the puppies come to realize what she plans on doing, they refuse to sell them to her. She spends most of her time during the movie trying to steal the puppies.
This movie is an example of cruelty to animals and also caused the demand for Dalmatians to rise. The demand for Dalmatian puppies rose immensely, causing over breeding. The puppies in the movie are made to be adorable and Cruella wants to skin the puppies for her fur coat and by this we are forced to believe that Cruella is an evil character. Logically we view that skinning puppies is cruel and evil, but the fact that Cruella is trying to steal the puppies makes the situation even worse. As an audience we naturally hate Cruella’s character and continue to hope for the survival of the puppies. The most successful part of the movie is the growing emotional attachment we have for the puppies and forget what type of character Cruella is. We just want or love the puppies.
101 Dalmatians is a film based on a evil woman trying in the beginning to buy a litter of Dalmatians to make a fur coat. When the owners of the puppies come to realize what she plans on doing, they refuse to sell them to her. She spends most of her time during the movie trying to steal the puppies.
This movie is an example of cruelty to animals and also caused the demand for Dalmatians to rise. The demand for Dalmatian puppies rose immensely, causing over breeding. The puppies in the movie are made to be adorable and Cruella wants to skin the puppies for her fur coat and by this we are forced to believe that Cruella is an evil character. Logically we view that skinning puppies is cruel and evil, but the fact that Cruella is trying to steal the puppies makes the situation even worse. As an audience we naturally hate Cruella’s character and continue to hope for the survival of the puppies. The most successful part of the movie is the growing emotional attachment we have for the puppies and forget what type of character Cruella is. We just want or love the puppies.
Brittany Van Der Linden: Blog 1
Brittany Van Der Linden
http://blog1-rhetoricalanalysisearththemovie.blogspot.com/
Blog 1- Rhetorical Analysis "Earth", The Movie
Disney's movie the Earth is scheduled to be released on Blu-Ray and DVD this Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 and is a compelling story about our beautiful planet, the effects of global warming and man kind. If you're a National Geographic, Discovery Theater, IMAX, or Disney lover you are sure to enjoy this movie. The production of the movie took over 5 years to complete and consisted of almost 50 cameramen shooting with the latest High Definition cameras on all 7 contents! The release of the movie in theaters was on Earth Day and was a spin off of the original movie that Walt himself was pushing for back in the 1950's right when color TV's were first being created. This movie displayed how awesome our Earth really is and how the circle of life really works. There are extraordinary animals for all parts of our world and from all different types of climates that throughout this film shares the struggles they have to go through to survive. Beautiful time laps photography was shown throughout the movie on how our earth changes over periods of time and through different seasons of the years.
One of the compelling story's told throughout this movie was about a polar bear family. There were two adorable baby polar bear cubs and their mother that had to travel across the dangerous Artic to find food after the harsh winter. In order for the polar bears to get food they had to travel trough the ice sheets to get to their feeding ground where the seals and fish are. The father polar bear goes on his own because of his desperate search for food, so he can stay alive due to having lost 50 percent of his body weight during hibernation. The reason why this journey becomes harder and harder every year is because the ice sheets are melting faster and faster every year because of global warming. The polar bears each year are having less and less time to get to their feeding grounds to stay alive.
There were forceful stories about all types of life, such as African elephant herds having to track through the barren Kalahari Desert in order to have food, Wolfs chasing down pray to kill and eat by animals higher in the food chain and many more amazing stories.
This movie was breath taking and something amazing to watch. Once you turn this on you are not going to want to get up because every minute there is a new adventure and you might miss the best part!
The over all message of the story is to protect our planet and cherish every creature on it, for all life has a purpose and exist in only one place, our beautiful home called Earth!.
If you have a chance to watch this movie you will see that this is a great eye opening experience for people of all ages. =)
http://blog1-rhetoricalanalysisearththemovie.blogspot.com/
Blog 1- Rhetorical Analysis "Earth", The Movie
Disney's movie the Earth is scheduled to be released on Blu-Ray and DVD this Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 and is a compelling story about our beautiful planet, the effects of global warming and man kind. If you're a National Geographic, Discovery Theater, IMAX, or Disney lover you are sure to enjoy this movie. The production of the movie took over 5 years to complete and consisted of almost 50 cameramen shooting with the latest High Definition cameras on all 7 contents! The release of the movie in theaters was on Earth Day and was a spin off of the original movie that Walt himself was pushing for back in the 1950's right when color TV's were first being created. This movie displayed how awesome our Earth really is and how the circle of life really works. There are extraordinary animals for all parts of our world and from all different types of climates that throughout this film shares the struggles they have to go through to survive. Beautiful time laps photography was shown throughout the movie on how our earth changes over periods of time and through different seasons of the years.
One of the compelling story's told throughout this movie was about a polar bear family. There were two adorable baby polar bear cubs and their mother that had to travel across the dangerous Artic to find food after the harsh winter. In order for the polar bears to get food they had to travel trough the ice sheets to get to their feeding ground where the seals and fish are. The father polar bear goes on his own because of his desperate search for food, so he can stay alive due to having lost 50 percent of his body weight during hibernation. The reason why this journey becomes harder and harder every year is because the ice sheets are melting faster and faster every year because of global warming. The polar bears each year are having less and less time to get to their feeding grounds to stay alive.
There were forceful stories about all types of life, such as African elephant herds having to track through the barren Kalahari Desert in order to have food, Wolfs chasing down pray to kill and eat by animals higher in the food chain and many more amazing stories.
This movie was breath taking and something amazing to watch. Once you turn this on you are not going to want to get up because every minute there is a new adventure and you might miss the best part!
The over all message of the story is to protect our planet and cherish every creature on it, for all life has a purpose and exist in only one place, our beautiful home called Earth!.
If you have a chance to watch this movie you will see that this is a great eye opening experience for people of all ages. =)
"up to no good"
Before I read the text, I thought that rhetorical strategies only meant that "I have something say, and someone to say it to, and how I am going to say it. But now I know it means so much more.
Over my summer break I read a book titled "Up to No Good" by Carl Weber. Overall it was a good. I n the beginning Carl started with a scene from a club, it seemed that the two characters being introduced were complete strangers but as I read on it became clear that the man and woman were lovers for over 20 years... I will skip the glory details but hours after at the male's place another woman came into character. She interrupted the "love session" between the first two characters. she entered the bedroom enraged.
After another chapter it became clear the "other woman" was the man's daughter and the woman's step-daughter. The daughter was upset because she doesn't like anyone for her __ "they weren't good enough" as she puts it...
Anyways, I was convinced that the woman that came into the room was the man's wife or girlfriend and never his daughter. I think that this was an example of a use of rhetorical strategies.
Over my summer break I read a book titled "Up to No Good" by Carl Weber. Overall it was a good. I n the beginning Carl started with a scene from a club, it seemed that the two characters being introduced were complete strangers but as I read on it became clear that the man and woman were lovers for over 20 years... I will skip the glory details but hours after at the male's place another woman came into character. She interrupted the "love session" between the first two characters. she entered the bedroom enraged.
After another chapter it became clear the "other woman" was the man's daughter and the woman's step-daughter. The daughter was upset because she doesn't like anyone for her __ "they weren't good enough" as she puts it...
Anyways, I was convinced that the woman that came into the room was the man's wife or girlfriend and never his daughter. I think that this was an example of a use of rhetorical strategies.
Lights, Camera, Action - Rhetorical Analysis
Rhetorical Analysis:
I, like, other students in the class have not had an English course in several years. I am drawing a blank when attempting to discuss something rhetorical.
I borrowed my brother’s FORE magazine. I found an ad about golf on the big screen. The ad talks about Caddyshack, Tin Cup, The Legend of Bagger Vance and Happy Gilmore, yet the ad is actually promoting three other movies - Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, Follow the Sun and The Greatest Game Ever Played.
I hope that is rhetorical. Getting your interest with three popular movies and then actually promoting three new movies.
Seth
I, like, other students in the class have not had an English course in several years. I am drawing a blank when attempting to discuss something rhetorical.
I borrowed my brother’s FORE magazine. I found an ad about golf on the big screen. The ad talks about Caddyshack, Tin Cup, The Legend of Bagger Vance and Happy Gilmore, yet the ad is actually promoting three other movies - Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, Follow the Sun and The Greatest Game Ever Played.
I hope that is rhetorical. Getting your interest with three popular movies and then actually promoting three new movies.
Seth
Electronic Cigarettes: The Healthy Cigarette?
The first time I ever heard about electronic cigarettes was through a co-worker. While online I came across an advertisement that claims the electronic cigarette is a healthier alternative to smoking as there is no flame, tobacco, tar, chemicals, smoke, smell or carcinogens which allows you to smoke it anywhere you would like. It provides the satisfaction of nicotine without the smoke and harmful chemicals.
It seems to me that California has outlawed smoking in almost all public places. Smoking in designated areas for most people is inconvenient, myself included. Typically when I wanted to smoke, I could not find a designated area, nor did I know which events or places were deemed smoke free. So for me it was better to adjust my life style choices rather than continue smoking. After dissecting this advertisement, I came to the conclusion that this alternative could help me to abide by these laws.
A common complaint this advertisement also addresses is the gross smell that is a byproduct of smoking. People who do not smoke can smell a cigarette from a long distance away, and for some it is enough to make them sick. Cigarette smoke lingers on people, their clothes, and car or wherever else they smoke also creating problems with the non smoker.
Although there is no scientific data currently that supports the claim that second hand smoke causes cancer, second hand smoke is still a concern for everyone. People, who do not smoke, do not want to be around people that do. Simply because when in close proximity, they are breathing in the exhaled smoke, causing them to cough and feel like they are smoking as well. In California it is also illegal to smoke in a vehicle where there are minors in the car, mostly because of second hand smoke issues.
The advertisement promises a healthier alternative to the smoker, and after further analysis, it is healthier for the innocent bystander as well. It has been my experience that the use of the electronic cigarette has established a foundation for my efforts to be healthier and one day, quit smoking altogether. In closing, it is my opinion this advertisement is accurate.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Rhetorical Analysis: Messy Room
After looking over some examples and reading the required text, I hope that I can contribute to what is expected of this blog.
I read a poem by Shel Silverstein called “Messy Room”. And at first when you read it, it sounds like a mother basically ranting about how her son can’t keep a room clean and goes through every detail of the messy room. The tone of the poem is disgusted and appalled for the fact that this room is just so messy.
However reading to the very end you finally realized it’s not a frustrated mother ranting about her son’s horrific untidiness, It’s the actually person’s room. This person tries to blame, assuming it’s their brothers, but realizes it’s actually their room that’s so unseemly dirty.
Most people can relate to this poem just in the text of at least once in their life they had a room that was completely messy they couldn’t even recognize it themselves. I can even relate to this poem because I’ve had a few times where I looked at my house and thought “Oh my goodness I can’t believe it looks like this…I should be ashamed”. I mean don’t get me wrong I have to have things clean but just getting caught up in working and going to school both full time can distract me from my everyday chores.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the T.V.
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or—
Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
I read a poem by Shel Silverstein called “Messy Room”. And at first when you read it, it sounds like a mother basically ranting about how her son can’t keep a room clean and goes through every detail of the messy room. The tone of the poem is disgusted and appalled for the fact that this room is just so messy.
However reading to the very end you finally realized it’s not a frustrated mother ranting about her son’s horrific untidiness, It’s the actually person’s room. This person tries to blame, assuming it’s their brothers, but realizes it’s actually their room that’s so unseemly dirty.
Most people can relate to this poem just in the text of at least once in their life they had a room that was completely messy they couldn’t even recognize it themselves. I can even relate to this poem because I’ve had a few times where I looked at my house and thought “Oh my goodness I can’t believe it looks like this…I should be ashamed”. I mean don’t get me wrong I have to have things clean but just getting caught up in working and going to school both full time can distract me from my everyday chores.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the T.V.
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or—
Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
Girl Interrupted: Rhetorical Analysis
When I think about rhetorical analysis, an abundant amount of critical information comes to my mind. Things such as tone, mood, rhetorical strategies, as well as what the author (or in this case, director) is trying to get across.
In the 1999 drama, Girl Interupted, Wynona Rider (Susanna Kaysen) takes the stage portraying an eighteen year old woman who is admitted to a mental hospital for chasing vodka with a bottle of aspirin. The doctor states that Kaysen has a borderline personality disorder, and her stay extends for about a year. She comes to find the real and distinct line between sanity and mentally instable.
In this movie, rhetorical analysis exists in quite a few scenes. While watching, thoughts and undiscovered questions came to my mind, for instance, "who is the intended audience?, what type of tone is this?, what is the reason for writing this book, and making this movie?, what is the content of the message, and how is it conveyed?". In my opinion, Girl Interrupted was initially written by somebody who was once in the protagonist shoes', hence the distinct relation of their name, Susanna Kaysen.
In all realness, Girl Interrupted demonstrates a list of rhetorical strategies in order to make the analysis a whole. Characterization and the relationships between Susanna and the other woman in the psych ward in the late 1960s create unconditional passion and understanding for one another. Contributing to making the analysis a whole, I took a look at the themes and how they coincide with each other. Captivity, Searching for human dignity, and Freedom all have correlation with the other. In order to find human dignity, Susanna embarks on a voyage to find herself by means of investigating her own trials and tribulations and her roomates, soon to be her friends. The captivity is demonstrated clearly in the beginning, where Susanna signs herself into Claymoore Institution, only to find that the doctors are the only ones who can release her. The captivity forces her freedom being stripped, thus the rhetorical strategies coinciding.
"Inglorious Basterds"
A few days ago I saw the new Quentin Tarantino movie, "Inglorious Basterds". I had only heard that it was a good movie but nothing about the plot other than it was a World War II movie by Quentin Tarantino. If anyone is remotely familiar with his past films, you will be able to recognize this movie as having the same feel or style that Quentin Tarantino puts into all of his movies.
The film has a lot of dialogue. Some of it is course and crude but still makes you laugh. The movie also is made to resemble an old "B" movie. If you listen closely you can also tell that some of the voices in the movie from unseen actors are stars of previous movies directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Moving on to the theme of the movie, the movie is about revenge. A young Jewish girl's family was murdered by the SS. Part of the film follows her plot for revenge against the Nazis. The other part of the film is about an OSS guerrilla unit made up of Jews behind enemy lines in occupied France. The unit's main objective is to instill fear in the German army through brutal tactics. Through the exploits of the unit, Tarantino gives revenge to the modern day viewer. Even though the war ended 64 years ago, it still lives on in our modern world. And even today people love it when we see bad things happen to Nazis. No one says "awe, that poor Nazi was a nice person and didn't deserve that".
The movie was not historically accurate, especially the ending. But that's Okay because it is a movie. Even though inaccurate, most Americans would have preferred the movies ending than what really happened to close the European theater of operations.
The film has a lot of dialogue. Some of it is course and crude but still makes you laugh. The movie also is made to resemble an old "B" movie. If you listen closely you can also tell that some of the voices in the movie from unseen actors are stars of previous movies directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Moving on to the theme of the movie, the movie is about revenge. A young Jewish girl's family was murdered by the SS. Part of the film follows her plot for revenge against the Nazis. The other part of the film is about an OSS guerrilla unit made up of Jews behind enemy lines in occupied France. The unit's main objective is to instill fear in the German army through brutal tactics. Through the exploits of the unit, Tarantino gives revenge to the modern day viewer. Even though the war ended 64 years ago, it still lives on in our modern world. And even today people love it when we see bad things happen to Nazis. No one says "awe, that poor Nazi was a nice person and didn't deserve that".
The movie was not historically accurate, especially the ending. But that's Okay because it is a movie. Even though inaccurate, most Americans would have preferred the movies ending than what really happened to close the European theater of operations.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Twilight, the movie vs. the book.
The movie Twilight staring Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson generated $70 million within the opening weekend at box offices according to Mania.com. Stephenie Meyer is the master mind behind the books that inspired the Twilight saga to hit movie theaters nationwide. Twilight is the first in the saga setting the stage of a forbidden first love between Bella Swan (human) and Edward Cullen (Vampire).
Not to give too much away, there are settle hints in the movie that a viewer may not understand without first reading the books. I saw Twilight the first time in June, without reading the books, and thought there were a few scenes in the movie that I suspected to have more meaning. For example, Bella meets Edward at her new highschool in Forks, Washington after moving from Phoenix, AZ to live with her father. The first conversation between Bella and Edward takes place in Biology class during an assignment given to identify certain slides under a microscope. Edward asked Bella if she liked the weather in Forks which is constantly cold, cloudy and rainy. Completely opposite of Phoenix. She tells him she does not care for anything cold or wet. At Bella's comment, Edward smiles and chuckles lightly under his breath. When asked by Bella what was funny he says "nothing" and continues to smile.
When I watched the movie a second time I tried to figure what he thought could be funny about Bella's response to the weather. Was it the way she said it? The look she gave when saying it? Was I reading into it too much?
After reading the book I came to understand not only the clip mentioned above but a handful of others that are not fully displayed in the movie. The end reason why Edward was amused by Bella's answer of not liking anything cold, displayed later on in the movie, is when Bella accidentally touches Edward's hand and discovered he is ice cold.
When first assigned to read an article with rhetorical analyzing in mind I was not sure how to approach it. However, little did I know it comes in handy since I am constantly analyzing films, books, plays, and music for the deeper meaning. Hope I did not give too much away for those who have not seen/read Twilight.
Not to give too much away, there are settle hints in the movie that a viewer may not understand without first reading the books. I saw Twilight the first time in June, without reading the books, and thought there were a few scenes in the movie that I suspected to have more meaning. For example, Bella meets Edward at her new highschool in Forks, Washington after moving from Phoenix, AZ to live with her father. The first conversation between Bella and Edward takes place in Biology class during an assignment given to identify certain slides under a microscope. Edward asked Bella if she liked the weather in Forks which is constantly cold, cloudy and rainy. Completely opposite of Phoenix. She tells him she does not care for anything cold or wet. At Bella's comment, Edward smiles and chuckles lightly under his breath. When asked by Bella what was funny he says "nothing" and continues to smile.
When I watched the movie a second time I tried to figure what he thought could be funny about Bella's response to the weather. Was it the way she said it? The look she gave when saying it? Was I reading into it too much?
After reading the book I came to understand not only the clip mentioned above but a handful of others that are not fully displayed in the movie. The end reason why Edward was amused by Bella's answer of not liking anything cold, displayed later on in the movie, is when Bella accidentally touches Edward's hand and discovered he is ice cold.
When first assigned to read an article with rhetorical analyzing in mind I was not sure how to approach it. However, little did I know it comes in handy since I am constantly analyzing films, books, plays, and music for the deeper meaning. Hope I did not give too much away for those who have not seen/read Twilight.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Blog 1 – “What is your experience with rhetorical analysis?”
If someone had asked me this question a week ago they would have received a blank stare from a person who has not been in school for over 8 years and therefore had no idea what rhetorical analysis was. Thankfully after reading the chapters for the week I feel much better about answering this question. While I had originally thought that I was unfamiliar with the concept of rhetorical analysis, it is actually something that I could see myself doing every day.
My understanding of rhetorical analysis is taking something and breaking it down to its base components in order to examine what it does. I would not do this in an academic sense on a daily basis and instead think that I would do this frequently in an informal way. Every day as we interact with those around us we are practicing rhetorical analysis by taking the things they say and analyzing what we think they mean. The simple phrase “Can I help you?” can have multiple meanings depending on the situation, the body language of the person saying it, and the tone of their voice.
For instance, a few days ago I went out with a friend to see “The Hangover” at the movies and noticed that she had cut her hair. We have a playful relationship and constantly tease each other. So when I said “Nice Hair” she got mad. While the comment was meant with good intent, she thought I was making fun of her hair. Our type of relationship and possibly my tone and body language contributed small parts to the overall reception of the comment.
My understanding of rhetorical analysis is taking something and breaking it down to its base components in order to examine what it does. I would not do this in an academic sense on a daily basis and instead think that I would do this frequently in an informal way. Every day as we interact with those around us we are practicing rhetorical analysis by taking the things they say and analyzing what we think they mean. The simple phrase “Can I help you?” can have multiple meanings depending on the situation, the body language of the person saying it, and the tone of their voice.
For instance, a few days ago I went out with a friend to see “The Hangover” at the movies and noticed that she had cut her hair. We have a playful relationship and constantly tease each other. So when I said “Nice Hair” she got mad. While the comment was meant with good intent, she thought I was making fun of her hair. Our type of relationship and possibly my tone and body language contributed small parts to the overall reception of the comment.
The Movie Blackhawk Down - A Story of Real Heroes and Real Mistakes
War movies. Some live on them, some hate them. Yet despite that fact, quite a number of Americans can say they’ve seen the movie Blackhawk Down or at least heard about the general plot of the movie. It is based on the true story of the American invasion of Somalia in an attempt to capture a Somali warlord and stop the famine and genocide going on in that country.
I have watched the movie several times. Besides the fact that it reveals how wars are started and fought, how people view the soldiers fighting the war, and all the political implications, I discovered some new rhetorical aspect interwoven in the plot almost every time I watched it. These aspects can be found in the actions of the characters, the facial expressions, the situations, even the looks in their eyes all add something to the story, which makes this movie deserve an academy award.
Among the first scenes in the movie is a meeting between an American general and a Somali businessman who is partner with the “wanted” warlord. At the outset, the Somali businessman coolly lets the general know he is doing a mistake by trying to interrogate him- and that in fact the whole American raid is a mistake. “This is our war, not yours” He informs the general, leaving him without much else to say. Disaster is implied from the start.
The movie then continues to show the sharp differences and contrast between the Somali mindset/culture and the American culture, which clash in the war.
The American Rangers and Delta Forces know how to let off steam through jokes, watching movies, drawing cartoons…the Somali have one thing in mind: war. The movie vividly shows the chaos in the Somali villages, buying and selling of arms in the market, relaying information about the enemy through children messengers.
The director does an excellent job of showing the unspoken stress and nervousness the rangers go through as they prepare for the first assault. Sweat on their faces as they pack equipment, excitement sprinkled with humor, yet seriousness as they hand death letters to their buddies who stay behind. Finally one scene depicts the conclusion many rangers/soldiers come to after they’ve been through combat: “After that first bullet goes past your head, politics goes right out the window...” A Delta tells one of the Rangers during a lull in the preparations.
As the movie unfolds, showing you how a 15 minute raid turned into a bloody battle, the director brings you to the conclusion that though the generals made mistakes in the Somalian raid, they were mainly hand-tied in the actions they could take, the soldiers were sacrificed, and politics was the main reason they were there. Despite all that, the soldiers fought for one thing: to stay alive and protect the man next to them.The last sentence in the movie sums it all up: “Nobody asks to be a hero…it just sometimes turns out that way.” And this movie shows how this reality often repeats itself throughout history.
I have watched the movie several times. Besides the fact that it reveals how wars are started and fought, how people view the soldiers fighting the war, and all the political implications, I discovered some new rhetorical aspect interwoven in the plot almost every time I watched it. These aspects can be found in the actions of the characters, the facial expressions, the situations, even the looks in their eyes all add something to the story, which makes this movie deserve an academy award.
Among the first scenes in the movie is a meeting between an American general and a Somali businessman who is partner with the “wanted” warlord. At the outset, the Somali businessman coolly lets the general know he is doing a mistake by trying to interrogate him- and that in fact the whole American raid is a mistake. “This is our war, not yours” He informs the general, leaving him without much else to say. Disaster is implied from the start.
The movie then continues to show the sharp differences and contrast between the Somali mindset/culture and the American culture, which clash in the war.
The American Rangers and Delta Forces know how to let off steam through jokes, watching movies, drawing cartoons…the Somali have one thing in mind: war. The movie vividly shows the chaos in the Somali villages, buying and selling of arms in the market, relaying information about the enemy through children messengers.
The director does an excellent job of showing the unspoken stress and nervousness the rangers go through as they prepare for the first assault. Sweat on their faces as they pack equipment, excitement sprinkled with humor, yet seriousness as they hand death letters to their buddies who stay behind. Finally one scene depicts the conclusion many rangers/soldiers come to after they’ve been through combat: “After that first bullet goes past your head, politics goes right out the window...” A Delta tells one of the Rangers during a lull in the preparations.
As the movie unfolds, showing you how a 15 minute raid turned into a bloody battle, the director brings you to the conclusion that though the generals made mistakes in the Somalian raid, they were mainly hand-tied in the actions they could take, the soldiers were sacrificed, and politics was the main reason they were there. Despite all that, the soldiers fought for one thing: to stay alive and protect the man next to them.The last sentence in the movie sums it all up: “Nobody asks to be a hero…it just sometimes turns out that way.” And this movie shows how this reality often repeats itself throughout history.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sample: Your First Blog Assignment
Here are two good ones, written by other students:
George W. Bush
Farewell Address to the Nation
Former President Bush’s introductory message expresses appreciation to his family, friends and colleagues in that order indicating personal priority. He states thank you to his wife, Laura Bush and his twin daughters and follows with a litany of thank you’s to a number of named friends and colleagues. He welcomes the new President Obama and his family in a manner that wishes them well. President Bush’s message then mentions leadership decisions that, in retrospect, he would do different. This portion of his address is stated in a general format that de-emphasizes. His message continues to name, in more detail, a number of his favorable accomplishments while in office, thus creating more emphasis on such.
President Bush’s use of contrast in emphasizing his detailed accomplishments are stated to include formation of Homeland Security since 9/11 and a supporting comment stating no such recurrence of terrorism since; public schools; economic stimulus in the form of all citizen tax rebates; increased Veterans benefits to name a few.
He states that in all matters he acted according to his own conscience to do what is right in clearly stated ethos. President Bush appeals to the public for their continued support of these issues by an appeal for citizens unwavering resolve for these causes and to move forward with this purpose. His stature, one of firm yet gentle resolve; his diction, clear and concise; his descriptive delivery appeals to the listeners emotional response without exaggeration, but with quiet confidence.
Virtual class, vehemency, and Veggie Tales
We are looking now at rhetorical analysis..... OK, right.
Umm, so... what's that supposed to mean?
Let us ruminate....
Rhetorical Analysis - definition:
Of, relating to, or concerned with the separation of a whole into its component parts.
What we are dealing with is, essentially, dissection. We are taking a literary work and dismantling it bit by bit, dividing each portion according to its type and content.
Oh, but why do we do this? For what purpose are we so meticulously fractionating?
Consider this.
Rhetorical analysis is, for me, a tool and catalyst used to deepen one's wisdom and understanding of the given text, whether it be the message of morality it may or may not convey, the emotions one engages when reading what is written, the various facts and tidbits of knowledge from the time period, or simply to enable one to comprehend the subject of the piece. It is, really, an enjoyable thing to dabble in rhetorical analysis, because by doing so one is edified and entertained.
Utilizing my makeshift theory as haphazardly described above, I contemplated the VeggieTales series. Now, aside from the fact that the characters in these productions are various fruits and vegetables (and that they have no arms, yet are able to carry, lift, hold, etc.,) these tales are surprisingly complex in their construction. I watched Minnesota Cuke and the Quest for Sampson's Hairbrush tonight with a five and eight year old and was struck by the variation in perception: we finished the film with completely different visions of the episode. Well, the basic story was the same - Minnesota Cuke (an Indiana Jones-esque character played by Larry the Cucumber) searching for the hairbrush that was said to have great power, etc., etc. The difference was in the assessment, the analysis, of the presentation. While I perceived the nods to Indiana Jones, the Barber of Seville, and Mission Impossible, the kids were transfixed by the storyline of Minnesota and his escapade. While written for young viewers, the VeggieTales stories are interwoven with many bits for us older folks, with humor, underlying sub-plots, and additional lessons for us to experience and reckon.
While it may seem as though it will be tough to write these blogs, especially for those who are new to the process, it is surprisingly easy -- I just wrote something on VeggieTales and am getting away with it! If I can do it, anyone can. Just say it...
Rhetorical analysis is fun..... rhetorical analysis is good.
Rhetorical analysis is fun..... rhetorical analysis is good.
Thank you, and good night.
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