Source for Paper C

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Disney_Animation_Studios#Achievements

Word Count: 247

AUDIENCE: those who will read my paper (people who are in charge of Disney's decisions regarding 2-D animation)
ARGUMENT: Walt Disney Animation studios has been a leader of animation since the beginning
GOAL: to convince/remind the audience of Disney's illustrious history and encourage them to carry on the tradition
HOW: Ethos - invoke ethos by the number of sources, and I know many of them to agree with the facts I've heard, read, seen elsewhere--it's an impressive list, but it lacks credibility being on Wikipedia without citation
Pathos - the number of achievements in animation is astounding and can appeal to those who love the medium
Logos - If there are so many innovations, and if that has helped Disney do so well in the past, shouldn't it be useful, now, too? Logically speaking.
Typical: It reminds the audience of the background they've had since they were children with animation, and maybe reminds them of a few facts that will ease their minds more about taking a few risks.
Relevant: It is relevant in that most of the people in animation are fairly well-versed in the history of it. Reminding them of the innovations of the past can be inspiring and also touches their knowledge base.
EFFECTIVE? I think the use of those facts in the paper would be wise. However, the uncited nature of the claims, especially on wikipedia, may undermine ethos. It would be MUCH more effective to get them from a different source.

Speech

Here's a link to it.
*boop!*

Here's my RA.

WORD COUNT: 324

1. ARGUMENT - The Prime Minister is not competent and is not handling the economic crisis well for Britain.

2. AUDIENCE - A body of the European Parliament, already familiar with much of what he's talking about.

3. GOAL - To convince the rest of the body of politicians (and voters) of the flaws in the PM's policy for dealing with the crisis.

4. HOW -
Ethos: His manner of address was strikingly different than that of politicians here in the United States. I must confess that his concise and almost brutal manner rather shocked me. However, with that shock came a sense of respect for someone who would speak out and openly say what he thinks in a professional manner, if not a kind one. He also had his facts; he had a very polished, upright, and direct manner; and he performed his speech confidently.
Pathos: There was definite audience response at a couple of points in his speech, and his honest, direct manner definitely affected my emotions. Though it was also a factor in his ethos, its effect was emotional, too--an honest politician (or one who seems honest, at any rate) is a happy thing to behold. His analogy about ships was full of imagery and in that sense appealed to the emotions.
Logos: He had some numbers like the rate of debt and deficit for each child and the percentage of GDP that was equivalent to their debt. He also compared this to other countries, which made for a logical standpoint. Finally, one thing I noticed was his analogy about ships--though it had some emotional ties, it made a very logical point.

5. EFFECTIVE? I actually settled on this, namely because I know nothing about the subject, but some of his audience seemed to agree with his speech, judging from the audible response. I would also say that even though in some sense I don't know what he's saying he is a powerful speaker and a persuasive one, and he made an impact on me. Effective? Yes.

Piece of Art

This was actually something I did myself, but it was convenient and it has a message, so here goes.
WORD COUNT: 256

1.ARGUMENT: Society is so materialistic today that even superheroes would use their space to advertise.

2. AUDIENCE: Americans, esp. superhero fans

3. GOAL: To make people laugh (and think, hopefully).

4. HOW:
Ethos - By using a certain quality of tools and especially of lettering, an artist can seem more legitimate. Also, a certain skill in the level of drawing makes you take the piece more seriously than, say, a stick figure.
Pathos - By juxtaposing the jumble of logos with the usually crystal-clear logo and appearance of a superhero, as well as the backdrop and the $ signal, the picture will hopefully inspire a laugh or some emotion.
Logos - The thought process going into this was interesting, because it seems like something that would happen if superheroes were actually real. They'd be like a cross between the most amazing athletes and the biggest movie stars. Wouldn't they endorse products? And their advertising space would be a VERY valuable commodity. They could probably live off of that alone.

5. EFFECTIVE? I thought it was effective in getting across the idea of materialism. It could be more concrete or more condemning, but I think I prefer that it leaves a lot of interpretation to the viewer. The art is fairly rough around the edges and cartoony, though. If I had it to do again, I would probably spend more time on it and do it better technically. It would also probably be better in a more Marvel-comic-book style, just to jar the expectations a bit more.

(PS I don't know why it's saying that I posted it at 10: 57 PM, but it's lying. My clock over here says I finished up at 6:06 PM.)

My Paper A

Ummm... I don't think I'll reproduce it here for you (beause that'd be WAY too long). Instead, I'll just provide you with this handy dandy link:

Paper A

Word Count: 236

1. ARGUMENT - Marriage will not hinder academic success; in fact, it may improve it.
2. AUDIENCE - Students who feel pressure to marry, but care most about their academic success.
3. GOAL - to persuade them that marriage is okay academically, if it's in their way
4. HOW - Ethos: Though the emotions associated with marriage themselves probably make sense, it's nice to have a sense that an impartial judge is able to confirm common sense. The studies (academic ones) and surveys are cited, which provides a voice of authority for the claims being made.
Pathos: Using a light tone, especially on the introduction, brings in humor. An audience member who finds this funny will probably be more sympathetic and willing to hear out the rest of the argument.
Logos: There are many inferences and common sense--I think almost everybody would agree that if you marry the right person, you'll feel happy. Even though this is a highly emotional subject, the use of studies and of anecdotes which make sense should appeal to a logical perspective.
Sufficient: Though the evidence used may not be enough to convince a person already skeptical of marriage, the audience is BYU students--as well, BYU students whose only real obstacle to marriage is their fear that it will decrease their academic success. Though some of the evidence is anecdotal, this is fine for the audience.
Typical: The evidence is relevant to the audience. Two specific instances are the statistics of marriage and divorce in the USA (which applies to BYU students). Another example is the percentage of married couples that graduated from BYU.

5. EFFECTIVE? Yes, with the exception of one crucial element. It's missing a counter-argument, which is that getting to marriage requires a lot of work and tears, etc. It's hard to find a person! It's not like if you want to be married to day you can be tomorrow. However, with this fixed, it should be very effective.

Black or White

Michael Jackson's "Black or White"

Lyrics can be found here.

WORD COUNT: 224

1. ARGUMENT - Race does not matter.
2. AUDIENCE - The people in the United States and the world, especially those who listen to popular music.
3. GOAL - To make the people who hear this song think about their own prejudices and change them.
4. HOW - Ethos: By establishing himself as actually having gone to all the different places and cultures--India, Africa, North America, etc.--Michael Jackson gains credibility as a preacher of tolerance.
Pathos: The images of war, fire, and destruction make it clear how much suffering is caused by intolerance. Even though no victims are shown, it inspires pathos for the pain and conflict caused by apathy and prejudice.
Logos: As the people at the end morph into one another, the transition is so smooth that it is obvious how similar the people are, even though they are very different.
5. EFFECTIVE? I thought the music video was very effective at getting across its message. Most popular songs don't undertake as hefty a subject, especially with a catchy tune clearly intended for a wide audience. The arguments included were mostly visual, and therefore rather abstract, but the power of the imagery--of the morphing world surrounding MJ and especially the morphing faces at the end--combined with the message in the lyrics made the argument clear, concise, and effective.

Movie Trailer

Squeakin' it in on Friday, thought I'd use this trailer for City of Ember:


Word Count: 309

1. Argument - This movie is full of excitement and mystery and is worth watching.

2. Audience - Movie-goers and whoever else will see this trailer. Families, teenagers, pre-teens, especially.

3. Goal - To get as many people as possible to pay to see the movie (in theaters, on DVD, etc.)

4. How -

Ethos - The lack of narrator makes the text seem polite instead of patronizing. The production value is another indicator of ethos, though it's got a more subconscious effect. The thought-over design, the size of the sets, and the quality of the effects and editing and cinematography all serve to tell you that this movie means business.
Pathos - The commercial tries to draw you into the story very quickly by giving you the premise up front and then introducing the characters as they try to deal with this conflict--hopefully, you feel sympathetic and want to know how they will manage to escape and what they are running from. The very last few shots are a good example--there are noises and the quick cutting and nervousness of the characters should make you feel the peril they are in and draw you to their side.
Logos - It's harder to pin this one down in a movie trailer, but by giving the premise they prompt you to start wondering how they can get out. Other pieces of the puzzle, like the box and paper fragments, should intrigue your intellectual side as well as your emotions.

5. Effective or not? I thought it was fairly effective as trailers go--the look of the movie is very engaging, in terms of design. Some of the actors did not seem as compelling as they might have, like the older man who says, "Show me." However, overall it looks very inviting as a movie experience, with action, suspense, and really nice visual qualities (design, color, etc.).

Song Lyrics

After a long hiatus... I mean, okay, after missing a week... I'm finally back. (I know you're shivering with anticipation.) Okay. Let's go! This week's little ditty shouldn't be too familiar:
It was originally titled Cigareets, Whuskey and Wild Wild Women, and it was recorded by Red Ingles and the Natural Seven. It's meant to be tongue in cheek. For a performance of it that makes me smile: Peter Sellers sings.

Chorus: Cigarettes, whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane;
Cigarettes, whiskey and wild wild women
They'll drive you crazy, they'll drive you insane;

Once I was happy and had a good wife
I had enough money to last me for life
Then I met with a gal and we went on a spree
She taught me smokin' and drinkin' whiskee

(CHORUS)

Cigarettes are a blight on the whole human race
A man is a monkey with one in his face;
Take warning dear friend, take warning dear brother
A fire's on one end, a fools on the t'other.

(CHORUS)

And now good people, I'm broken with age
The lines on my face make a well written page
I'm weavin' this story -- how sadly but true
On women and whiskey and what they can do

(CHORUS)

Write on the cross at the head of my grave
For women and whiskey here lies a poor slave.
Take warnin' poor stranger, take warnin' dear friend
In wide clear letters this tale of my end.

(CHORUS)

1. Argument - Men should stay away from cigarettes, whiskey, and wild wild women.
   
2. Audience - People who listen to country, or people who think it's funny.
   
3. Goal - To get people to laugh.
   
4. How - Ethos: the persona singing the song, even in the original version, is a tongue-in-cheek band led by an over-exaggerated, evangelistic Southern preacher. The back-ups were choir boys in the original Red Ingles version. The church carries(d) a lot of weight. However, the ethos is also used in a humorous way, in that all of them are so overconfident in their own authority. Probably the best example of ethos is when he's talking about how cigarrettes are "a blot on the whole human race"--he simply asserts this without any evidence, relying solely on ethos. Pathos - Mostly humor. By having the preacher give such an overly sad account of his own life, in such an opposite marching-band-accompanied setting, the tale becomes very funny. He also manages to use the zeal and over-preachiness of the minister to good effect. Logos - The events in the preacher's alleged past do seem to lead to sad consequences. And the consequences of alcoholism and smoking aren't good.
   
5. Effective? - I thought it was very effective. I was very entertained and laughed out loud. They accomplished their goal.

WORD COUNT (minus lyrics): 294

Still Advertisement

WORD COUNT: 261

1. Argument: Business owners should buy IBM's program (Lotus SameTime) for their companies' networking needs because it allows everyone quick and easy access to instant messaging, web conferencing, and many other features.
2. Audience: Owners of businesses, especially those unhappy with their current networking/video-conferencing system or those looking for a networking system to adopt. In that last case, new small-to-medium businesses are an important target.
   
3. Goal: To get business owners to buy and implement licenses of this program.
4. How:

• Ethos: The speaker is a business professional. He clearly is part of the people handling his networking problem, and so has the experience needed to recommend a solution.
  
• Pathos: Humor is this ad's appeal to the . The exaggerated poses of the employees and the cannon-directing man are funny, and the extreme measure being taken to network (blasting through cubicles) is completely absurd. The speaker also allows the picture to speak for itself; his understatement helps fuel the humorous nature of the situation.
  
• Logos: The speaker appeals to reason by actually listing many of the features of the program and its capabilities. This tells the audience what they can expect the program to do and why it would be helpful to purchase it.
  

5. Effective? I think this is an effective argument, at least to the degree that my interest is piqued. After seeing a human cannon-ball and a hole in a cubicle, I am tempted to look at the ad, and most likely to look up the product, especially if I was interested in a networking solution.

So... This is About...

Hi. I'm making this blog for a class I have that's all about ARGUING. Yes, that's right...

Persuasive Writing!

I know, I know. It's a stretch. But my family always used to quote this Monty Python thing that went something like:
"Now, now--let's not fight an' argue over 'oo killed 'oo."

Thus the title.
Thus the blog.

TA DA!