Thursday, February 28, 2008

Rhetorical Analysis

1- Argument: Solar energy has a positive effect on the environment and although it is expensive to get started it will be much cheaper in the long run.
2- Audience: Families in the United States who are looking to invest in a new home, have a medium income, are interested in saving money and who care about the effects they have on the environment.
3- Ethos: the article was credible because I found it in a journal from one of BYU’s databases. Also, the author gives a lot of evidence to support his claims and he uses a lot of statistics and other types of examples. He is a homebuilder himself and has built thousands of homes in America who survive off pure solar energy.
Pathos: Not very appealing on the emotional aspect but could be a little in that the article makes the reader think about the effects he has on the environment and gives a feeling of guilt because he’s not doing anything to protect it.
Logos: Appealing in the logical sense in that the author provides evidence of all the benefits of using solar energy. If this energy is cheaper, good for the environment and not difficult to attain, who wouldn’t go for this alternative right?
4- This article was very effective because there are many examples he gives about what solar energy can do for humanity and he also shows pictures of the homes he has built that rely solely on this solar energy. The credibility of the article is what made it the most effective.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Technique application

WATCO utilizing renewable energy resources such as solar panels ON the present economy and living standards?

Audience: adults who have vehicles and homes who consume a lot of energy to keep their lives functioning.

Ethos: credible because it gives the option of something that is “renewable” that many people have heard of. Also credible because there are a lot of problems associated with energy resources and it gives the audience confidence that there are better alternatives.
Pathos: appeal to emotion in that it gives a sense of worry that the resources are depleting faster than they can be replaced. Also gives a sense of “we need to do something about this quick” which makes the audience feel pressure to look for a different way to get energy.
Logos: Appeals to logic in that if there is an energy resource that is “renewable” why wouldn’t anyone want to try it out? Everyone knows that the rising prices for gas and the depleting resources are only going to get worse so why not use a different source of energy?

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Technique application

Enthymeme: Using solar power energy in the home will help decrease the problems with dwindling oil supplies and increased energy costs because it is an environmental friendly, cheap alternative with a never ending source, the sun.
Audience: Families of America
Ethos: A credible statement in that everybody knows the problems associated with the consumption of energy and this makes the reader know that there are alternative forms of energy out there. Also credible because it tells that reader that the author is actually aware of the problems associated with energy and it’s consequences.
Pathos: Appeals to emotion in that it gives a sense of insecurity and urgency. If the prices are going up and supplies are being depleted it makes the reader feel like there are some real problems. It may also make the reader feel like he needs to do something about the way he consumes energy.
Logos: A logical statement in that if there is a problem with energy sources then obviously there has to be an alternative choice. Solar energy is this source and why wouldn’t anybody want to use it? After the panels and equipment are purchased, energy in the home will basically be free. Also, if oil prices are souring while it’s supply is getting hard to come by it’s only logical that a better and less expensive alternative is needed.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Rhetorical Analysis

SOLAR ENERGY

Argument: The use of solar panels can do a lot for the good of mankind b/c of the decreasing levels and rising prices of fossil fuels.
Audience: Directed toward teachers who are teaching students about solar energy and to those who have an interest in learning about it.
Ethos: A credible article because the author talks about the positive and negative effects of solar energy and he gives examples of his personal experience with it. Also, he gives statistics and evidence that solar energy is actually an option the world has as a renewable source of energy.
Pathos: Appeals to emotion in that he talks about the depleting fossil fuels and what the future holds for man kind. Gives the reader a sense of worry or fear that we need to do something about this problem. Also gives a sense of urgency like it needs to be done now or we’re in big trouble.
Logos: There is a balanced perspective in the article in that the author brings up both sides of his argument; the pro’s and con’s of solar energy. With the examples he gives about what solar energy can do it only sounds logical that it’s a good option for energy.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Free Write

It is sometimes hard to discipline yourself to do things that your body doesn’t want to do. For example, working out. Each year my New Years resolution is to start working out every day, five times a week. But, as time goes by it gets harder and harder to go to the gym. Why? Because there are so many other things that are more important and that take less effort. In order to get the results we want it is important that we practice self control, will power and discipline. These three elements are vital to succeeding at whatever it is that you want to do in your life. I have a roommate who is way overweight and who simply doesn’t care about her health. She watches TV and eats fast food every day without fail and she uses her medical condition as an excuse that she can’t go on a diet. It’s so hard to set back and watch her wasting her life away but at the same time it’s inspiring because it’s a perfect example of what I don’t want to be. If we learn from the mistakes of other people we will find much success in our lives.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Free write

Sometimes, in this life, it’s so hard to take risks because it’s in human nature to stay within our comfort zone. We come to a point where things get so comfortable the way they are that it’s hard to get out and think outside the box. Why? Because we don’t like to feel uncomfortable or insecure. I’ve always struggled with taking risks because I’m so afraid of rejection. But this weekend I learned a big lesson. I learned that it is only by taking a risk and putting myself out there that will teach me some valuable lessons in this life. It feels so good to know that I actually did something that I’ve been wanting and needing to do for the longest time but haven’t because I’ve been too scared. There are many people who never fulfill their human potential because their lives remain overwhelmed with feelings of inferiority. I don’t want to be one of those people. So to those who read this free write, get out there and take a risk, take a chance, just do it and see what happens. I guarantee you that if you don’t succeed you will learn a valuable lesson so that next time you will only be that much stronger.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Rhetorical Analysis

Article: Unhappy meals
Ethos: This article has a strong appeal to emotion on that it talks a lot about the different types of food that students are eating around the country and it kind of gives you as sense of guilt because a lot of the food mentioned that is unhealthy most people eat it including me. It also talks about the various sicknesses caused by these foods and the problems that are happening in American today because of the way people eat. It gives a sense of worry. Like: Is that happening to me because I eat those foods?
Pathos: It is a credible article because it has statistics on the National School Lunch Program and on the eating habits in various states. It also talks about percentages and gives quotations of what profesional nutritionistas have said.
Logos: This article appeals very much to Logos in that it gives details about why the food that is served in public school cafeterias is unhealthy and reasons to change. It makes it only obvious that their needs to be something done because the food being served causes things such as diabetes and heart disease.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Technique application

WATCO public school lunch programs On the health of students and their perception of what health is.

Audience: School administrators.
Authority-they can actually do something about the lunch program.
Want their students to be healthy and successful.
Aware of the obesity problems in America
Logical- if they see what the effects are they will do something about it.
Understand what health is but aren’t sure how to change the school lunch program without going over the budget.

Positive things about serving unhealthy food in schools
Cheap- save money
Kids will actually eat the food
The food is easy to prepare and lasts longer
Sells a lot more
Negative things about serving unhealthy food in schools
Very unhealthy
Adds to the problems of obesity in the U.S
Students develop bad eating habits
Students develop a wrong perception of what health is
Causes students to not perform as well in school b/c chances of getting sick are increased.
Argument/ Enthymeme:
The public school lunch programs increase the health risks of students and gives them a misleading perception on what health is because school cafeterias serve foods that lead to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

technique application

Technique Application
WATCO providing healthy food in schools on students understanding the importance of eating healthy?
Claim: Providing healthy food in schools will help students have a better understanding of the importance of eating healthy because they will have more energy, feel good and be more successful in their studies.
Audience: The school administration, the people in charge of the lunch programs such as the government, and also the parents of students who actually care about what their children eat and are willing to do something about it.
Ethos: This is a credible claim because it involves the actual student and it let’s the reader know that there is a problem that needs to be fixed.
Pathos: This claim appeals more to logos but there is a small emotional appeal in that if the students understood what healthy food really is they would feel better which in turn would make them happier and less stressed out.
Logos: the claim is logical in that it only makes sense that if students understood the concept of healthy food and what it can do for them then they would be more conscious about what they ate. Also, they would be more successful in school because they wouldn’t get sick as often and they would feel more energetic.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Free Write

FREE WRITE
It is interesting to know that there are so many people who are quite negative about BYU and its standards. I’ve heard many people talk about how they can’t stand the honor code and they hate the culture etc… What I don’t understand is why they heck are they at BYU if they don’t like it? It’s so frustrating because I know so many people who would love to come to BYU but they just don’t have the opportunity. Why can’t people be more grateful that they actually have the chance to get an education in a good school where there are a few honest people who, if you needed something, would help you in a flash? It’s so weird to me. I grew up in Mexico in one of the most ridiculous education systems in the world. I didn’t learn one thing during high school. The teachers never showed up and when they did we just had class for like 1 hour and then we would spend the rest of the time doing nothing. I literally thought it was impossible to come to BYU because I didn’t think I was capable of taking classes in such an awesome university. But I actually did make it in and I’m so thankful to be here. If people only knew what they had they wouldn’t be so negative about being at BYU.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Rhetorical Analysis

Rhetorical Analysis:
I analyzed the sales pitch of a dish network consultant who wanted me to sign up with dish network.
WATCO signing a contract with dish network ON receiving the quality service they promise their customers.
Audience: People who watch TV a lot and who are not satisfied with the TV service they have right now.
Claim: Signing a contract with dish network will not guarantee the quality service they promise their customers because the motives of most of their salesmen are to make money and they will do and say anything they can to get you to buy from them.
-Ethos: The salesman was not credible because he told me that I would receive all kinds of benefits like free service for the first month and free movie channels for three months. When I asked him what the catch was he kind of mumbled out that they needed a SS#, CC# so they could do a credit check and there was a $50.00 sign up fee.
-Pathos: His sales pitch did appeal to emotion a lot in that he tried to make me realize that watching quality TV with all the good channels was what was going to make me happy. He also made me feel like dish network was the only Television service out there that was actually worth my time.
-Logos: His sales pitch was logical in the beginning. Everything he said made sense. I would be getting a lot more channels for less than the price that I’m paying for cable right now. Who wouldn’t want more for less right? But then after I learned about the catches, his reasoning wasn’t logical to me.
Sufficient: His evidence was not sufficient because he didn’t tell me about all the taxes that are included in the monthly bill.
Typical: His argument was typical to what other salesman do to persuade people. “you get more for the same price of what you’re paying now”
Accurate: His argument wasn’t accurate in that he didn’t exactly say what the catches where until I asked him about them and he also didn’t tell me about the taxes that are included in the monthly bill.
Relevant: His argument was relevant to the topic in that he was trying to sell me his product and he talked about all the benefits that I would receive upon buying it.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Free Write

When you're sitting home alone on a Friday night wondering what everyone else is doing and why it is that you aren't with them that is when you start to wonder if you're a nerd or just really antisocial. there is one solution. Get up, turn the TV off, call a friend up and get the heck out of the house. It's simply not right for a college student to sit home every weekend just because they don't get asked out. It is unbeleivable the amount of people who live their lives like this. They just sit home weekend in and weekend out waisting their lives away waiting for their prince charming to pop out of the TV and rescue them. And they wonder why they haven't had a date in a whole year, why they're not married and if they ever will be. Well, Hello!!, Do you not understand that you actually have to get out there and make yourself known if you want a boyfriend? Also, you can't expect to find anyone if you don't do your hair, put a little bit of makeup on and get dressed. Guys aren't attracted to girls if it looks like they're too lazy to even try to look presentable. There are way too many girls at BYU who just wake up, put their shoes on and walk out the door to school. Such is the case with my roommates. They simply don't care about the way they look. Every sunday i have to hear them complain about how they don't want to put make up on, they don't feel like getting dressed and on and on. And then they constantly complain about how they never go on dates. The reason why i'm writing this is because i don't have the guts to tell them this upfront even though i'm dying to do so.