http://www.hemmy.net/2006/10/15/creative-advertisements-around-the-world/

This ad is unique and visually appealing. It is intended for any audience and easily gets the point across. The claim is possibly that if one goes to the Yoga Center, she will become flexible and healthy, like the person on the straw. It is very simple, and doesn't really show evidence, but it does remotely imply a warrant that people want to look like the woman on the straw. The most effective aspect of this ad is that it uses a different type of medium that is eye-catching and strategically placed so that many people will see it.

In the article, "Gen Y's Ego Trip Takes a Bad Turn," Larry Gordon and Louis Sahagun claim that Gen Y is a more self-absorbed and egotistical generation than Gen X. They believe that college students show many signs of narcissism, and although it is not believed to be a clinical issue, it is still a prevalent and possibly problematic characteristic. Many studies have been performed over the years to prove this theory, and most results have supported the claim, yet despite the data there are also those who believe that the new found self-righteous attitude is a positive change in today’s generation.
A researcher, Jean Twenge, along with four other researchers from the University of Michigan, University of Georgia, and the University of South Alabama found that 2/3 of college students tested above average for signs of narcissism. The results were formulated from over 25 years of psychological surveys conducted by the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. The writers make a warrant saying that youth is as a result destined “to have less interest in emotionally intimate bonds and can lash out when rejected or insulted.” Furthermore, the study “notes that nursery schools began to have children sing songs that proclaim: “I am special, I am special. Look at me,” showing how excessive self-esteem is being introduced to children at a very young and influential age. Entire generations are bound for social and personal problems.
Gordon and Sahagun took the time to refute the counter arguments, which stated that although there is an apparent shift in the egos of current college students, it is a positive change from previous generations. They say that, “students are more civic-minded and involved in volunteer activities than their predecessors.” Yet, Jean Twenge and her team insist that the increase in volunteering is only driven by the desire to become academically successful, not to better the community.

Charlie Hauck, in his article “My Plan to Save Network Television,” claims that certain network television show ratings are being threatened by the over abundance of adult viewers. He stresses the need to physically restrict mature audiences to only watching shows that were intended for them. Although he writes in a rather satirical fashion, the main point that is coming across is that certain shows that target young audiences should be watched by those viewers, for the sake of the advertisers and network ratings.
The claim made by Hauck is backed up by demographics taken over the last few decades. The Nielson ratings show that viewers ages 18-49 are the best targets because their buying habits are not yet determined. For instance, “people over 49 do not buy interesting products,” and don’t create “water cooler” shows like young audiences generally do. College age students will buy new and popular marketing products related to the shows they watch and will therefore further support advertiser’s efforts. There is no need to make shows for older generations because those shows will not make a sufficient amount of money. Of course, this claim is not accepted by all.
Some believe that a certain generation of older viewers, classified as “boomers,” shouldn’t be included in the excluded group of TV watchers. Perhaps these people are more in touch with contemporary culture and would contribute to sales just as much as the younger generations. Charlie Hauck counters this argument by comically stating that if one laughs at and understands the statement, “They combed out Ann Miller’s hair and found the Lindbergh baby,” he or she is unfit to watch television.

"The Secret Love Lives of Teenage Boys"
Author's Central Claim
"Not only do adolescent boys have hearts, but they're also the biggest romantics around." (205)
My Central Claim
"Peggy Giordano was determined to prove that teenage boys have a much larger romantic side to their sex life than previously understood by the public." (1)
My Revised Claim
Through her social science studies, Peggy Giordano is determined to disprove the public assumption that teenage boys can't love, in a romantic and truely loving way.

SWA 5-Analysis of Shootings

Shootings, written by Adam Gopnik, is an essay about the mass killings at Virginia Tech. The author wants to show his readers that this tragedy, and many other similar events, occurred because of the lack of citizen gun control. By analyzing the rhetorical situation, one can identify the type of writing, the target reader or audience, the desires and position of the author, the constraints on both the reader and the author, and finally the real-life situation or exigence that guides the writing.
Gopnik chose to write in essay form for this particular piece. He wrote in an organized and formal format, which shows that he wanted this to impact many people, with many different views. He was aiming for the attention of political leaders, government officials, and any other readers with the power to change gun control laws, as well as, normal citizens that could help support his claim.
The case that the author is attempting to get across is quite obvious. Gopnik believes that the expired ban on assault weapons should be lifted and on top of that made stricter. He states that, “although we can’t guarantee that someone won’t shoot people with a semi-automatic pistol, and that by controlling semi-automatic pistols we can’t reduce the chances of someone killing people with a rifle,” (126) there is still the matter of prevention. This statement can also tie into the constraints of the reader. He/she may believe in the ban on the gun control law because of the issue of self-protection. This is where Gopnik’s is trying to make his most impacting point. Showing people that there is no need for guns because throughout history they have only brought many hardships; hardships that happened in real-life dramatic situations all over the world.

SWA 4-Blogging

Blogs can be used for many different purposes. Some blog to sway the opinions of readers or express their viewpoints, others blog for more social and communicative reasons. Through analyzing the type of text, the intended target reader, the literary desires of the author, the constraints of both the author and the reader, and the exigence, or real-life situations related to the writing, one can discover the overall meaning of the text and the differences between various types of blogging. Davis Friedman and Carrie Boyle are two bloggers that use the internet community in very different ways.
On blogspot.com, Friedman frequently posts his viewpoints about controversial issues today. He writes with proper English, in essay form and each post varies in length. He has many readers who post comments to respond to both the post and to each others’ comments. Through his posts, it seems that Friedman hopes to gain and spread knowledge through the comments of his readers and the research he does for his posts. The subject is most likely based on topics he and his readers feel passionate about. They are both constrained by prior beliefs related to the subject matter and appropriateness of the topic.
Boyle has a face book as her main source of blogging. Facebook.com is a site where users can, most simply, create a profile, post pictures and comment on each other’s homepages. The writing is usually in fragment sentences, with many slang terms. Because the “wall posts” and inbox messages are personalized, it is usually difficult for an outsider to interpret the meaning of the text. Both the author and the reader are clearly defined by usernames and profile information. Some constraints could be the real-life relationship or event between the author and the reader.

SWA 3

All or Nothing

The method of arguing that a person uses can be based on several different factors. It can be based on religious beliefs, gender, or family background. I predominantly use an adversarial style of argumentation. I have strong opinions about certain things and in an argument; I intend to change the views of others. I see myself as a lawyer arguing in a court, using logic and evidence to back up all statements, rather than one conducting a group discussion or town meeting where a compromise is to be reached. I view confrontation as the solution to many group conflicts. By openly discussing any differences most problems can be resolved quickly and painlessly. A certain amount of openness helps to avoid hurt feelings.

On the other hand, I am always open to listening and acknowledging the points of my opposites, and can ultimately be swayed by a good argument. I usually try to seek out many views and read into all options before coming to a sturdy stance. I have been raised to accept the personal choices of everyone, whether I agree with them or not. The right to have an opinion should always be recognized.

SWA 2

Matt Miller’s paper, “ Is Persuasion Dead?” is about the dieing methods and effects of persuasive writing and speaking. He questions if it is even possible to sway the seemingly rock solid opinions of many Americans today. Miller believes that the public has no desire to be informed of the opposite side’s opinions, let alone be swayed to believe them. As a result, politicians do not even try to show a strong argument or debate that might make their voters unsure. The new world of persuasion is one of votes, popularity and entertainment. There are very few that can, in fact, change opinions of the hardheaded, and those people must stand up and fight for the preservation of influential speaking and writing. Of course, persuasion cannot only be brought back through the media. At home, parents must teach their children to be open to the opinions of others.

Miller wrote a strong paper on the need of persuasion in the media, yet he failed to mention the lack of openness in the minds of the youth. Children seem to be completely guided by the opinions of their parents. They have no regard for the opposing views and will surely never be openly influenced by them. It should be the responsibility of parents to raise their children with slight uncertainty. It is not necessary for them to have all of their views thought out and determined by the age of five.

Through my adolescence, I have learned that it is completely necessary to accept, yet not mindlessly adopt the views of others. If a time comes when one does find himself persuaded by the opposing side, it is not a shameful thing to succumb to those beliefs and embrace them as his own. My parents raised me to not judge others and to always keep an open mind towards other lifestyles, which is what I believe Matt Miller hopes will come from his writing.

SWA 1

Both Michael Skube and Todd Hagstette wrote essays based on their opinions of today’s students’ inability to read at an effective collegiate level. Based on my own experiences in the classroom and the evidence provided by these scholars, I find that opinion to be factual. Both men were able to provide specific examples and well thought out hypothesis of why this is true.

Skube believes that college students have not and do not read enough. He ties this fact to one thing, “kids don’t read for pleasure.” (14) Not one student in his class could name his/her favorite author; in fact, they couldn’t list any past or present authors. I find this theory to be quite true, for the simple fact that I know I myself do not read enough for pleasure, yet I have always been at the top of most of my classes. Of course, just reading more is not the only thing that helps students gain writing and reading skills.

Hagstette created a specific technique to more aggressive reading. If practiced, this method would in time help students, “read more carefully, engage with the text more thoroughly, and thus write more successfully.”(16) First, one must be uncomfortable. Reading for class is not the same as reading for pleasure. Next, one must focus on the reading. He cannot be side-tracked by outside distraction. Thirdly, read aggressively. For instance, prove that one knows the material. The last three are; challenging the opinions of the writer; redundancy, repetition and re-reading; and don’t be confused by the opportunity or advice to read passively. Always read aggresviely.