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| https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2456/3914858504_db0da307cd_o.jpg |
I commented on Kat's and Dee's documents.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Background Research
Here is a link to my background research for my public argument.
I commented on Kat's and Dee's documents.
I commented on Kat's and Dee's documents.
5 Types of Public Arguments
Arguments come in many shapes and sizes and every rhetorical situation has several options for how to present the information. In class, we discussed 5 major types of arguments and how each contributed to the purpose of an argument as a whole.
Initially, the simple position (pro/con) argument presents both sides of a debate and weighs the positive and the negative to decide which is better. This type of argument works well where there are two clear sides with distinct qualities. To present my argument in this style, I would consider the pros and cons of processed food and then show how damaging junk food is to the human body.
Another style, a casual argument, shows a current problem and then presents a solution to said problem. This type of argument is very straightforward and works best when we have a major issue that needs to be addressed. If I decided to use a casual argument, I would discuss the problem of poor health and obesity in America and argue that cutting junk food would be the solution.
An evaluation argument looks at an existing policy and decides how that policy can be improved and expanded. This can be be an effective argument when the situation already has some type of system in place that has faults. To present an evaluation argument on my topic, I could discuss the institution of junk food in America and evaluate how it could be changed to benefit the citizens' health.
Furthermore, a proposal argument puts forth some sort of plan and then supports this plan in detail. This works best when a more complicated solution in necessary to the issue at hand. To use this style for my public argument, I would propose reforming the food industry in America, as well as the citizens themselves transforming their diets.
Finally, a refutation argument takes an existing viewpoint and proves it wrong in detail. This works best when there is a strong existing view to argue against. To use this style of argument, I would refute the view that junk food in America is not a big deal and that healthy options are available.
I think I would like to use a casual argument as a straightforward way to show how junk food directly contributes to obesity and poor health by examining the makeup of these foods and the processes behind them. The audience would realize directly how this food affects their body and hopefully be inspired to change their eating habits. I would like to use emotional appeals to make the audience feel disgusted and horrified by the processed foods and also logos to present convincing facts on why the audience should change their diet.
Initially, the simple position (pro/con) argument presents both sides of a debate and weighs the positive and the negative to decide which is better. This type of argument works well where there are two clear sides with distinct qualities. To present my argument in this style, I would consider the pros and cons of processed food and then show how damaging junk food is to the human body.
Another style, a casual argument, shows a current problem and then presents a solution to said problem. This type of argument is very straightforward and works best when we have a major issue that needs to be addressed. If I decided to use a casual argument, I would discuss the problem of poor health and obesity in America and argue that cutting junk food would be the solution.
An evaluation argument looks at an existing policy and decides how that policy can be improved and expanded. This can be be an effective argument when the situation already has some type of system in place that has faults. To present an evaluation argument on my topic, I could discuss the institution of junk food in America and evaluate how it could be changed to benefit the citizens' health.
Furthermore, a proposal argument puts forth some sort of plan and then supports this plan in detail. This works best when a more complicated solution in necessary to the issue at hand. To use this style for my public argument, I would propose reforming the food industry in America, as well as the citizens themselves transforming their diets.
Finally, a refutation argument takes an existing viewpoint and proves it wrong in detail. This works best when there is a strong existing view to argue against. To use this style of argument, I would refute the view that junk food in America is not a big deal and that healthy options are available.
I think I would like to use a casual argument as a straightforward way to show how junk food directly contributes to obesity and poor health by examining the makeup of these foods and the processes behind them. The audience would realize directly how this food affects their body and hopefully be inspired to change their eating habits. I would like to use emotional appeals to make the audience feel disgusted and horrified by the processed foods and also logos to present convincing facts on why the audience should change their diet.
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| https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/27/88894048_4405b66e8e.jpg |
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Initial Thoughts About the Audience for my Argument
There is no such thing as a "general public" because every argument and rhetorical situation has a specific set of people they are targeting with their message. While it may be possible for a large amount of people to view the argument, there is always a subset of this potential audience that the message is meant for.
For my public argument, the audience can be initially limited to Americans, and more specifically, Americans who consume large amounts of processed food. I wish to influence those who are unaware of the dangers of consuming these products and those who have the misconception that they are really "not that bad". The stakeholders in this issue are on a large scale, the producers and stores of these products, but also the individual who makes the choice to buy them.
My audience will be very familiar with the products, but not necessarily how they are produced, what they contain, and what the long term effects on their body will be. Other people who already eat healthy, or have junk food occasionally may also encounter my argument. They already agree with my message so they are not part of my target audience.
Some people may be hostile to my message if they enjoy eating junk food and don't want to change their ways. Often times heavily overweight people don't like to admit they are the reason for their body, so suggesting their eating habits contributed could go over poorly. Others are ashamed and don't want to think about it. Another percentage just doesn't care how healthy they are, as long as they look good and don't think of the underlying health issues they may face.
To understand my argument, the audience will have to have basic knowledge of different nutritional values and ingredients, as well as a grasp on several different health issues. This can all be explained quite easily as I present my argument.
For my public argument, the audience can be initially limited to Americans, and more specifically, Americans who consume large amounts of processed food. I wish to influence those who are unaware of the dangers of consuming these products and those who have the misconception that they are really "not that bad". The stakeholders in this issue are on a large scale, the producers and stores of these products, but also the individual who makes the choice to buy them.
My audience will be very familiar with the products, but not necessarily how they are produced, what they contain, and what the long term effects on their body will be. Other people who already eat healthy, or have junk food occasionally may also encounter my argument. They already agree with my message so they are not part of my target audience.
Some people may be hostile to my message if they enjoy eating junk food and don't want to change their ways. Often times heavily overweight people don't like to admit they are the reason for their body, so suggesting their eating habits contributed could go over poorly. Others are ashamed and don't want to think about it. Another percentage just doesn't care how healthy they are, as long as they look good and don't think of the underlying health issues they may face.
To understand my argument, the audience will have to have basic knowledge of different nutritional values and ingredients, as well as a grasp on several different health issues. This can all be explained quite easily as I present my argument.
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| http://img01.deviantart.net/8dd9/i/2012/121/0/1/colorful_party_gifts_and_junk_food_by_caspercrafts-d4y8kfy.jpg |
My Proposed Public Argument
My public argument is concerning the processed food industry, and its connection to obesity and health issues in America. My argument will hopefully expose how terrible the food industry actually is and educate the audience on how the food is affecting their body. My purpose is to urge the reader to stop consuming processed food and to make healthier food choices. The audience for this public argument are Americans consuming large amounts of junk food in their daily lives who are uneducated on the issue.
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| http://img14.deviantart.net/10cc/i/2013/020/7/1/junk_food_by_deckofdreams-d5s2wpj.jpg |
Analysis of YouTube Video
The tone of this visual is very somber and sad. Many elements contribute to this tone, including the black and white, tragic photos, the depressing music, and the facts about the hardship of the immigrants. If any of the elements were different, the whole tone of the visual would change, being less cohesive and sad.
I believe this video relies most heavily on emotional appeal. The music, photos, and text of hardship all appeals to our sense of empathy for these people. We feel sadness when learning of their plight and this makes us want to help and listen to them.
Credibility in this video is established through the works citied at the end of the video. The creator cited several sources, but also showed she personally went to the organization she was talking about and interviewed experts in the subject. This adds ethos to her argument and makes us more likely to trust her.
The argument is structured by first presenting a thesis, proving that thesis, and then a call to action. This is very similar to how a written argument would be structured. The only difference is that the evidence is also in the form of photos.
The logos is arranged in a way where first we learn of the nationwide issue, then we learn how it is affecting our area, then we learn about organizations trying to fix the problem and the hardships they have faced. The pictures support the text and changing the order of them would mess up the evidence for the story.
The call to action is when the video urges the reader, that if they believe in the cause, they should join forces and help the immigrants as well. The sad images makes the viewer want to help these people and when a call to action is presented, the know how they can do that. The sad images show that more are dying every day.
In my video, I would use better language to add to the emotional appeal. Right now the facts are very straight forward and plain. However, by using more inflammatory language, the effect of the facts and images could be more dramatic.
I believe this video relies most heavily on emotional appeal. The music, photos, and text of hardship all appeals to our sense of empathy for these people. We feel sadness when learning of their plight and this makes us want to help and listen to them.
Credibility in this video is established through the works citied at the end of the video. The creator cited several sources, but also showed she personally went to the organization she was talking about and interviewed experts in the subject. This adds ethos to her argument and makes us more likely to trust her.
The argument is structured by first presenting a thesis, proving that thesis, and then a call to action. This is very similar to how a written argument would be structured. The only difference is that the evidence is also in the form of photos.
The logos is arranged in a way where first we learn of the nationwide issue, then we learn how it is affecting our area, then we learn about organizations trying to fix the problem and the hardships they have faced. The pictures support the text and changing the order of them would mess up the evidence for the story.
The call to action is when the video urges the reader, that if they believe in the cause, they should join forces and help the immigrants as well. The sad images makes the viewer want to help these people and when a call to action is presented, the know how they can do that. The sad images show that more are dying every day.
In my video, I would use better language to add to the emotional appeal. Right now the facts are very straight forward and plain. However, by using more inflammatory language, the effect of the facts and images could be more dramatic.
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| https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2470/4059183926_ae8febb35c_b.jpg |
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Rhetorical Analysis Reflection
This paper was a significant improvement upon my first one! My essay was better organized, more analytical, and overall had a more effective argument. I learned from this paper that I tend to ignore the audience at times, which is an important part of the rhetorical situation that I need to include. I also learned how helpful a concise, specific thesis can be to direct my argument and create a cohesive paper.
When writing this essay, I wish I had began a little earlier. I started my outline on the day it was due and wrote my essay the Sunday before the first draft was due. I was very stressed out at first, especially when I had no ideas a couple of days before I needed a completed first draft. Although everything turned out well and I wrote a good essay, I would have liked it better to start earlier and take my time.
Furthermore, I realized how important rhetoric is, in any source. When first looking at Humans of New York, I thought the premise was simple. However, when starting to examine HONY closer and discovering all the rhetoric, I found there was much more than initially meets the eye. There is rhetoric in almost all sources, if only you search for it!
I commented on Michael's, Gabi's, and Katie's reflections
When writing this essay, I wish I had began a little earlier. I started my outline on the day it was due and wrote my essay the Sunday before the first draft was due. I was very stressed out at first, especially when I had no ideas a couple of days before I needed a completed first draft. Although everything turned out well and I wrote a good essay, I would have liked it better to start earlier and take my time.
Furthermore, I realized how important rhetoric is, in any source. When first looking at Humans of New York, I thought the premise was simple. However, when starting to examine HONY closer and discovering all the rhetoric, I found there was much more than initially meets the eye. There is rhetoric in almost all sources, if only you search for it!
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| https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/A-kid-drawing-or-writing.jpg |
I commented on Michael's, Gabi's, and Katie's reflections
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
HONY Draft
My draft
I commented on Arrick's and Kat's drafts.
I consulted my boyfriend on my essay draft to get another perspective on my writing and ideas. He really liked my essay as a whole but mentioned that sometimes my sentences went on a little long or were too wordy to the point it obstructed my argument. Also, he suggested I add a couple more examples of specific photos to support my points!
I commented on Arrick's and Kat's drafts.
I consulted my boyfriend on my essay draft to get another perspective on my writing and ideas. He really liked my essay as a whole but mentioned that sometimes my sentences went on a little long or were too wordy to the point it obstructed my argument. Also, he suggested I add a couple more examples of specific photos to support my points!
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| https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2259/2349632625_4eba371b56_z.jpg?zz=1 |
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