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.