AOW 8

Wall Stree Whiners

The 'Occupy' movement is made up of a lot of losers

An editorial from The Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/oct/18/the-wall-street-whiners/ 

Started in 1982, the paper is now known for its politically and socially conservative views. It was initially created to contrast the only major newspaper previously prevalent in Washington, the relatively liberal Washington Post. A huge contributor is previous Republican President George Bush’s speech writer, and the paper has been accused of misquoting or representing liberal speakers or movement in the past.

Summary:

            
Wall Street, and the world, has erupted over the past several months in protests. The arguments are primarily against institutions such as banks that are sucking money from the “99%” and giving it to rich people, who are subsequently getting richer. The publicity they are getting is enormous, and almost entirely positive. But this editorial argues the perspective that has been portrayed as “evil”. He calls these protesters “whiners” and “crybabies” and claims that most of their problems are self-inflicted and cannot be blamed on companies. He says that left wing institutions have begun to realize that degrees in “useless fields don’t deliver instant wealth”, and that these people are victims of supply and demand. Instead of complaining, he thinks these people should just work hard and earn a living, and a lack of discipline within the government is what is causing such a huge problem, not failed institutions.

Analysis:

             This editorial was meant to speak for/represent the outraged conservative audience that it addresses. The publicity that Occupy Wall Street is getting is almost entirely one sided. The protesters shout allegations towards large corporations and institutions. However, many of these CEO’s are conservatives who are taking the heat. This purpose of this editorial was to show that they have nothing to support their argument. The writer flat out insults the protestors, calling them ridiculous names and claiming that their statements are baseless. Most of his argument takes the form of a refutation. He first states the claim that protestors are making, such “In massive debt because of that once ‘dream degree.’ ”, and argues that 1) this has nothing to do with Wall Street, and 2) that is the fault of increasing tuition rates, which is the fault of the universities themselves. Among the audience being reached, he establishes a sense of ethos with parallel ideals, and finishes with ethos by stating the American mentality to “Work hard, sacrifice and don’t expect something for nothing”. I do believe that his argument is impossible for the wrong audience, but for those that are conservative and do agree with these ideals the editorial raises a sense of patriotism, then places the protesters as the threat to our nation.

IRB 2

The Professor and the Madman: Part 2

Summary:

The plot of the book is comprised of several different story lines: the establishment of the idea that an official Enlish dictionary is necessary, the politics and influential individuals involved with who would lead the organization, and the story of how William Minor became involved. Then are each broken into sections within the book. First, we are told of how William Minor comes to reside in a house arrest/mental asylum. Then a short history lesson is given about the previous attempts at an all-encompassing English dictionary, and finally how the new project that would take 70 years “almost to the day” came to be at Oxford University Press with Dr. James Murray at its head.

Analysis

The way the author weaves in the different perspectives is artful, but his background as a journalist is clearly evident in his writing. His style is less like storytelling and more like an informational history on the events he is describing. It is clear that the research he did before writing the book was unbelievably thorough (ethos) as he uses ample exemplification, quoting from countless primary sources that make it fascinating read. I feel that for some genres and even some other nonfiction books this could become dull, but this use of sources in the novel make it really come to life.

Also, Winchester made use of very formal vocabulary throughout the writing, especially as he was explaining the importance of having a dictionary to refer to. It was genius, because the further I got the more I found myself looking words up. As I was doing that, I read the paragraph that reminded me that this resource wasn’t available to authors or readers previously. It helped me gain a better understanding of how critical it is to have that option available.  For example: sesquipedalian, contiguate, bulbulcitate

OPTIC

Throughout the 1800’s, those of the higher literary society began to realize that it was critical to have dictionary, both to “fix” or preserve that language and to catalog it. Many who tried previously had some level of success, but could not handle the task alone. Finally, nearly 50 years after the idea was introduced, James Murray became the editor of the large scale production of the all-encompassing dictionary at Oxford University. However, his greatest contributor comes in the form of a retired American general William Minor who was retained in a mental asylum. Titled “Gathering Earth’s Daughters” the section introduces the key players of the Oxford English Dictionary. Although their tales are told separately, at the end of the section the author foreshadows that they will have some sort of interdependence. Murray depends on Minor’s vast knowledge to help create the dictionary, and Minor needs may only escape his prison by finding a purpose: using his skills and studies to accomplish something. Similar in disposition and worldly knowledge, the two men from different sides of the world will help change the history of the English Language.

AP Prompts

1. The desire for immortality has played a large role in the developement of mankind. ANalyze the statement, ten develope a well-written essay that defends, challenges, or qualifies the claim using appropriate evidence from your reading, observation, or experience.

2. Think about the influence of culture on the individual's moral and ethical views. Develope and defend your view on the extent to which personal values are affected by a cultureal backdrop using information from your readings, observations, or experience.

AOW 6

BMW: Changes

clean, quiet, powerful

(commercial)

http://superbowlads.fanhouse.com/2011/bmw-changes/ 

Summary:
           There are multiple shots of smokestacks, ships, industries, lare semis, and trucks releasing a thick black smoke into the atmosphere. People are standing in the smoke, coughing, and the sky is a sickly shade of yellow. There are shots of old gas pumps covered in dark dirt, standing alone it what seems to be a desert like landscape. A bunch of guys sit in a car with the windows rolled down and are all coughing as thick, dark smoke comes out of their exhaust pipe, leaving black residue on the back of the car. All of a sudden, out of the smoke and darkness comes the headlights of a blue BMW, emerging in all its bright and shiny glory, promoting a change with a new type of engine.

Analysis:
            The BMW company realized that a great number of their audience knows little about cars, therefore it would not have been particularly effective if they had rattled off facts about their new engine. However, they do make use of communal knowledge. New research, political leaders, and the media have placed more and more emphasis on the environment over the past many decades, and BMW acknowledges this fear. The combination of a demonstration of the audiences fears, and a long lasting good reputation for luxury cars, establishes the ethos throughout the commercial. The serious tone also indicates that the business of making environmentally friendly cars is important, as more and more people are making efforts to avoid gas guzzlers. As this will be a 2011 superbowl commercial, it will most likely contrast the other, more humorous ads with an air of importance. In fact, the entire commercial is based predominately on juxtaposition. It shows clips of a dark, yellow, grimy, and everblackening world, then provides a solution: the new BMW. Also, unlike many of the other environmently friendly (or friendlier) cars on the market, the commercial emphasizes the speed, agility, and appearence of the car by making it rev out of a dark cloud, passing the other black muck emitting cars on its way to a sunnier, happier area (ironically just over the hill).

I think the commercial certainly served its purpose. Being a person who is especially interested in the effect of our developement and growing industries on the environment, the commercial certainly appealed to my pathos. Also having driven a BMW and a smart car, I know from experience that the BMW is by far better looking and more enjoyable to drive. I think that the new direction the manufacturers are trying to take is critical in keeping them as forerunners in the car industry.

Unit 1 Essential Questions

As I often find that application is the most difficult part about learning a new topic, the activity that was most helpful to me was reading the short stories. The vocabulary we learn doesn't mean very much to me until I have practice drawing from my knowledge to pinpoint what is necesary for a particular piece, or even genre. Article of the weeks serve a similar purpose, but when we discuss in class I have a better understanding of what I should be looking for next time I go to analyze something. (Not only short stories, but the commercial and the cartoons were a great help as well.)

Essential Question:
What makes an effective Arguement?

This form of arguement, spelled with a capital "A", refers to the type of writing necessary to address the AP test prompt. Therefore, the most critical part is deciding between refuting, qualifying, or supporting the claim provided. This can only be done once the given peices are analyzed for rhetorical devices, content, etc. Once the analysis has been made, a claim may follow. To portray the appropriate standpoint, a thesis must be made which contains the "three c's: context, claim, and consequence.

Overall organization and clarity of syntax is critical for effective writing. Sophistication of language and use of formal language is paramount. Each paragraph, containing a claim, must be supported with solid information (logos) and appeal to the audience's emotions (pathos) while establishing a persona (ethos) using voice, diction, and style. It is also adviseable to incorporate the counterarguement, known as refutation. The overall goal is to look at how and what the rhetor provided, then analyze why they did it. (Purpose).

This is the basic skeleton. However, communal knowledge, analysis of the pieces, personal interpretation, and rhetorical devices are the "meat".

My Interpretation:
The use of the word "essential" made me believe that these were the most critical information in Unit 1. These concepts will most likely appear again, and comprehension of them is paramount. They forced me to think for a little bit, but application of what we learned in class and what was discussed gave me the answer for each question. Although we were only assigned one, I think their purpose was to remind us which important concepts we really need to understand. If there was a question that was difficult to answer, for some reason, then it is probably something to bring up again in class.

AOW 3

News From the UndergroundGarden Design Magazine

Michelle Owens:

In addition to writing a gardening book and publications about gardening for O, The Oprah Magazine, Garden Design and Organic Gardening, she is co-author of three nationally best-selling business books with former John Hancock CEO David F. D’Alessandro. She was also a former speech writer for Governor William F. Weld of Massachusetts and later Governor Mario Cuomo of New York.

Summary:

Until recently, gardeners and researchers had limited knowledge of how plants function and communicate beneath the soil’s surface, but recent research has revealed a world that scientists call “humbling and strange”. The previous assumption, that roots have largely mechanical functions that allow the plant to suck nutrients or store food, is now replaced with a new knowledge of an underground communication system. Compared in the article to the Internet, it is filled with alliances, either exclusively between plants or with other bacteria and microbes, and chemical defense mechanisms. Previously believed that these qualities were due to plant DNA, it is now largely attributed to bacteria. Due to these findings, it is now believed that new technology in pesticides and fertilizers may be more detrimental than helpful.

Analysis:

Context, Rhetorical Devices, Purpose – achieve purpose? , Audience,

The piece was not only captivating, but fascinating, and a huge reason was the style in which it was written. The author wrote the article as one would write a novel, giving human characteristics to the roots and bacteria. Although her audience is largely those who are interested in gardening or landscape design, it still contained a huge appeal for me. Gardening has recently taken enormous strides with new pesticides, growing methods, and fertilizers. However, the purpose of the article was to show the complexity and highly efficient manners in which these plants manage to accomplish these jobs on their own. As a gardener herself, she tries to convey the message that perhaps the best gardening technique is to simply plant the right things together and supply nutrients, letting the plants handle the rest on their own. For myself, at least, the purpose was certainly accomplished and I am almost afraid that even walking on this delicate ecosystem will destroy something that seems so fragile.

While at first the article seemed filled with logos, in fact the writing went much deeper. She began with a refutation, stating the common misconception that roots serve a fairly simple purpose. Afterwards, she jumps in with new scientific findings, each statistical fact followed with a parallel to our life. For example, “so rich with chatter, unexpected alliances, and surprising act of aggression that some of them compare it to that other great marketplace of communication, the Internet.” While what follows is factual, at the end she changes gears and conveys that the entire “culture” in gardening my be fundamentally flawed, and after so much complicated language concludes with how this applies to the reader: the job of gardening may have just gotten easier.

Essay/Memoir presentation

Politics and the English Language
George Orwell

Prezi link:
http://prezi.com/jiyj8xelocn8/edit/?auth_key=hav4qy7&follow=pranavtkunapuli@gmail.com

AOW 4

The Injured Brain

Lauren Ware

Proto Science Magazine
Lauren Ware specializes in scientific writing, having experience in the fields of medicine, neuroscience, molecular biology, psychology, and sustainable food systems. Previously her work has been published in many science journals including Wondertime, Miller McCune, Dartmouth Medicine Magazine, Civil Eats, and Spezzatino.

     Over the past decade, public awareness of brain injuries has begun to soar as researchers realized that such head injuries may have larger lifelong implications than previously believed. Side effects may range anywhere from dementia and personality changes to comas. Events such as the famed shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the countless blast-related injuries during the military conflicts overseas have lead the Department of Defense and Congress to increase funding for the National Institutes of Health. While there is no single therapeutic approach to healing the injury yet, great advances have been made in rehabilitation programs and available medication.

     Published by the Massachusetts General Hospital, the purpose in Proto articles is to promote awareness of developments in cutting edge research and the availabilities of new medical treatments. Most of said treatments are given at the hospital and a small portion of the reason behind the article, I assume, is to draw patients to seek their care. Their audience is directed towards any interested in science, although they certainly single out researchers as this magazine is sent free quarterly to my mom’s workplace (government research laboratory). The primary appeal present was logos, as the article was purely an informational piece that offered no opinion or argument. However, the author artfully tied in pieces from the news, such as Giffords, to maintain interest and give the readers a tangible example of the progression of brain injuries, which are referred to as a “disease” (probably to give a sense of urgency).