RA Reflection

• I feel as though I deserve an mid-low A or high B+ or around 175-190...(to narrow that down, I would say I deserve a 185.  I feel like I had insightful analyses for each tool and fairly went in depth with them.  I feel like I probably did have a few grammar errors which would tend more towards the B; however, I feel that I effectively analyzed my article.
• If I had another chance, I do not think I would have chosen such a large article or a speech.  Though it was interesting to analyze a speech and think about how her tone is as she reads it but I also think it would have been easier to analyze a regular article. Furthermore  because it was so long I feel like there was so much I could talk about and having a shorter article would help me focus more intently.
• My biggest challenge was always addressing the audience and noting their own reactions or how they would be effected by the speech.
• My biggest strength would be that I believe I go fairly in depth and note certain tools that others may not have realized.

Analysis of 2012 Presidential Debate

1. Red Herring - Obama at the very beginning mentions his anniversary and marriage 20 years ago, slightly avoiding the first topic and appeals to more emotional issue or already saying he might not be at the top of his game because of the time of the debate
2. Dramatic monolog - Mitt Romney gives the example of the people in Ohio and other places in and out of jobs
3. Imagery - Mitt Romney's example of unemployment (shows sadness)
4. Tone - Mitt's voice sounds reverent (at the beginning) and relatively calm throughout the debate
5. Structure - Mitt is structured and organized (has multiple lists) whereas Obama seems quite scattered brained
6. Strawperson - Mitt is tearing Obama down by correcting him multiple times.  Obama is on the defensive most of the time through out the debate
7. Post Hoc - both use it as explaining their policies
8. Allusion - Romney refers to his boys and relates how repetition does not make stuff true.  Obama uses allusion when talking about his loving Grandmother and mentioning the previous presidents (also tries to reestablish creditably)
9. False Authority - Both candidates were throwing numbers and statistics but never really completely explaining them
10. Repetition - both constantly repeat their policies, "$5 million tax cut..." (I thought it got kind of annoying)
11. Guilty by association - Obama infers to Pres. Bush's "mess" when Obama came in office and seems to be implying that that could happen when another Republican goes into office

Other interesting facts:

        Obama was standing on one leg; this looks less firm and unsure, whereas Romney stands firm on two feet not slouching over the pulpit. 

        Obama kept stuttering and looking down.  In comparison  Romney was calm and spoke with confidence and determination.  (Though one could tell both seemed to really not want to be there, Romney just hid it better and lasted longer).

        Romney was leading the debate (he had complete control, even over the mediator man).  Obama was constantly on the defense and Romney happily took the offensive and drove the debate in his favor. 

GLOBALIZATION ARTICLE ANALYSIS

Article: NOBEL PEACE PRIZE ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

     The article/ speech, "Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech", is written by Wangari Maathai.  She, as the title suggests, is accepting a Nobel Peace prize for her great work in protecting the environment, promoting democracy, and defending human/equality rights.  Her initial purpose or motivation for writing the speech is to ultimately accept the award, however she seizes the opportunity to talk about the importance of the environment and explains what good she and the Green Belt Movement, which she started, has done in the world.  She not only talks about the good she has done, but also raises the problems the world is facing because of the bad environmental situations. For example, she mentions how the lack of environmental resources are making it hard on the women in Africa and how this destruction of the environment connects to politics and if fixed will help against political corruption, violence against women and children, separation of families, etc.

     She fortifies and further persuades her claims through numerous literary devices such as syntax and anaphora, imagery, and diction.  Her paper is very well organized and it flows quite well.  Her use of syntax and an anaphora helps the reader stay tuned in and paying attention.  When she states her audience, "Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, Honourable Members of the Norwegian Noble Committee, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen," she catches the reader's attention as well as other things.  She notes out of context specifically to the reader multiple times (anaphora). By specifically noting the audience she calls them back to attention and sets the tone for what she is about to say.  The tone becomes more respectable, quiet, and reverent; it is like she is saying "now really pay attention now because what I have to say is really important."  Her use of imagery makes the audience see in their heads what life must be like without the environmental resources so many of the audience are used to; takes them to an unknown space.  Furthermore, she uses her words very carefully.  On page 55 she uses words such as "conditioned to believe," using the word conditioned makes it sound like the women really had no choice, that they do not know any better. On page 57 using words like "shed our fear...reach a higher moral ground...energize citizens to flourish," all of which evokes emotion and the want to reach to that potential.

     Wangari Maathai does an excellent job at persuading the audience to her point of view and to act.  She not only lists what good she has done, but also what is still wrong/bad out in the world and how people, high-society to the lowest of the low citizen, can make a difference for the better.  She addresses ethos, pathos, and logos very well which also helps make her speech quite effective.  She addresses almost everyone, in every social status, in her speech.  She addresses "Your Majesties... [all the way down to]...Ladies and Gentlemen," and then specifically thanks and addresses the Nobel Committee and the people of Kenya, Africa, and any women and girls.  She establishes ethos by addressing all societies, makes her seem a part of all, and mentions that she is a mother (which connects all...everyone has a mother, sister, female role model). Throughout the speech she shows logos by giving cold, hard facts about the trees they have planted, the hardness and cruelty of the world and how her "movement" has helped the democracy and peace. Lastly, throughout the speech (primarily the end) she shows pathos by relating to her life as a child and how "nice" it had been but 50 years later the environment has taken a steep decline.  By calling specifically out to the people of the world to take action and "contribute toward achieving their long-term dreams" she really makes the audience feel like they must reach their potential and do some good in the world.

GRAMMAR/PUNCTUATION ERRORS

1.

• Original Sentence: I believe that textbooks are essential in academia today; that physical textbooks should not become obsolete in course requirements.
• Problem: Semicolons. Rule: used to link closely related independent clauses.
• Solution: I believe that textbooks are essential in academia today; physical textbooks should not become obsolete in course requirements.

2.

• Original Sentence: Not only would the student have to purchase a computer, which can be very expensive, but they also have to pay for the printing of the papers.
• Problem: Parallelism. Rule: express paired items and items in a series in parallel form
• Solution: Not only would the student have to purchase a computer, which can be very expensive, but they would also have to pay for the printing of the papers.

3.

• It is expensive if you need to buy Wi-Fi or fix the connection, tiring if you are running/biking around campus to find a lab, and takes time out of your schedule.
• Problem: Parallelism. Rule: express paired items and items in a series in parallel (similar) form
• Solution: It is expensive to buy Wi-Fi and fix the connection, tiring if you run or bike around campus to find a lab, and would take time out of your schedule.

4.

• Original Sentence: It is so easy nowadays to go on the social networks and get engrossed in your Facebook life or Google chat/Skype.
• Problem: Capitalization. Rule: Capitalize proper nouns and proper adjectives.
• Solution: It is so easy nowadays to go on the social networks and get engrossed in Facebook, Google Chat, or Twitter.

5.

• Original Sentence: You can highlight and type notes in online textbooks, nonetheless it isn't the same as having it in your own handwriting.
• Problem: Semicolons. Rule: use a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb or a transitional phrase to line two independent clauses
• Solution: You can highlight and type notes in online textbooks; nonetheless, it isn't the same as having it in your own handwriting.

Pride and Prejudice - ethos, pathos, logos

Our dear Mr. Collins used ethos, pathos, and logos in his very sad and desperate marriage proposal.
ETHOS: He first and foremost tried to "bring" himself up by stating his relationship with his "noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh." He also mentioned that he is the clergyman in his parish.  Lastly, he notes that he is the one to be inheriting the Bennett's fortune and that by working for Lady Catherine he will be able to care for her (he will be somewhat rich).
PATHOS:  A lot of the time, Mr. Collins uses pathos at the end of his reasons.  It is after he notes the ethos and logos that he will put some strained human connection in his proposal.  He, after saying he is a clergyman, says that their marriage will "add greatly to his happiness."  And after mentioning he is to inherit her father's fortune he then declares his violent affections for her.  Furthermore, he attempts to grab at her emotions (though not the loving emotions) by noting that she may not get another offer of marriage yet still tries to show his logical love, ("you are uniformly charming").
LOGOS:  He uses logos by showing Elizabeth all they/he will benefit from their marriage.  First, Lady Catherine de Bourgh will be happy at his choice an "active, useful sort of person."  Second, he will keep the family happy by marring one of the Bennett daughters that way they will still have some fortune when Mr. Bennett dies.  Thirdly, multiple times when he is turned down by Elizabeth he uses his reasoning/logic to try to understand why she refuses him.  He believes it is her female nature to leave a man hanging then say yes or  she just needs to be persuaded by her parents, not that she says what she means. Also that he needs to set the example of marriage in his own parish.

In my opinion editorial I can use ethos, pathos, and logos by:
ETHOS:  I can note that I, too, am a BYU student having to deal with online textbooks and the slowness of the internet/learning suite. I can find some statistics of how many times on average computers can crash or how many times learning suite is in one way or another unavailable.  Furthermore, I can establish credibility by finding more statistics on how many students are hands-on learners and give an example of how I am a hands-on leaner and it is easier to do this with a physical textbook in front of you. (Also I can not on penmen ship and how computers could be ruining our penmen ship which could stretch to ruining our innate characteristics, because our handwriting is unique (pathos/ethos).)
PATHOS:  I can stimulate their emotions by incorporating how frustrating computers can be.  Also I could write in a descriptive way on how the pages feel flipping through your fingers.  Furthermore, I could relate reading a physical textbook to reading a book while snuggling comfortably on the couch instead of sitting at a hard desk with constant tapping sounds of the keys (as compared to smooth papers gliding through your fingers).
LOGOS:  I can state reasons such as some people learn better being able to touch, color, fold things - tangibility of textbooks.  Show how one can get things done with more ease with a hard copy because they don't have all the distractions the internet has.  Furthermore, state that a hard copy will be saving money in the long run (no need to print useless papers, or buy an expensive computer).

Introduction:
     My name is Natalie Bennion and I am from Salt Lake City, Utah. I have 3 brothers, 4 sisters, and I am the youngest.  I come from an incredibly competitive family; almost everything we do we do as a competition. For example, when driving to California we guess what time we will arrive at the beach, how long until the next curve, and once at the beach we have "Family Olympics." This "fun" family competition has  helped us have fun doing chores, homework, yard work, etc.  Furthermore, this competitive blood has helped me earn a spot, alongside my sister, on BYU's Swim and Dive team this year.  I enjoy playing the flute and piano, watching (and quoting) almost any musical you can think of, and going backpacking and sleeping under the stars.


Opinion Editorial Proposal:
     Everything nowadays is online.  Everywhere one may look there are Macs', pc's, iPhones', etc.  In some  classes, online textbooks and subscriptions to online school sites are now required. These "online tools" are taking over treasured hard copies where one could once take personalized notes, feel the pages whip through their fingers, and not be worried about having it freeze or crash on them.
     Therefore, my certain topic for the Opinion Editorial is that classes and mainly textbooks should not be online, that students should have hard copies of the textbook or other significant class data.  This topic is relevant because this is the age of technology.  Anyone and everyone is affected by some type of technology. It is all around us, one rarely finds a person without a phone, or to see one who doesn't have the use of a computer within a couple feet away.
     Some of my claims would include that by having classes, textbooks, and any other significant data online could decrease students productivity since having computers in class the students may not always be paying attention to what the professors are saying and instead checking facebook or gmail.  Computers are quite liable to freeze or crash or become very slow if there are a lot of computers on the network (which is not all uncommon at an university) during research or an important paper.  Having hard copies of textbooks would save the student from endless head aches of trying to fix the computer when the textbook is right there to find the correct, liable information. Some also may say that technology is helping the planet go green, but what about all the papers one has to print out and the fumes the computers/ technology are giving off and what about the production of making those devices? The production of them pollutes the environment; it takes energy which will pollute the air, the left over batteries pollute the environment, and to go deeper the source, the materials that they get from the smaller countries are killing off animals and forest areas. As for the printers students, who already had to pay for college and computers and housing, now have to also pay for the printers, paper, and ink that goes along with that complex technology.  Moreover, having more and more technology people can loose their penmen ship which when one writes and written letters it becomes more personal to the reader. With technology and Word, however, people can lose their innate skills.  It is true that computers, for the most part, are faster and easier to update than that of textbooks and not all computers are slow or will crash, or are expensive.  But they are subject to many unexpected whims of unfortunate chance, where hard-copies are not.