Posters

I chose Peeling Off Labels by Joseph Wagner as the most effective poster on diversity. One of the main things I based my decision on was the ability of the poster to catch my eye and keep me interested. Peeling Off Labels has just enough color to catch a viewer’s eye, but not enough to make it overly busy. The way the page seems to peel off like a nutrition label gives a clear path for the viewer’s eye to follow. I was drawn in by the color and then I proceeded to read the “nutrition facts.” This poster successfully encourages me to look past the outside appearance of people and to value them for who they are on the inside. I feel that the least effective of the diversity posters was Embracing Diversity in University Residences because of its lack of color and originality.

I believe that all five cartoons take a stand for affirmative action. The first is the most light-hearted and seems to make a joke of the matter. Although the second, entitled Supreme Irony is also humorous, I think it attempts to make a clear statement. The third and fourth cartoons, by Thompson and Wilkinson seem to attack those that oppose affirmative action. The final cartoon simply makes a statement about how pricey getting into college already is. Although I was slightly angered by it, I chose Admissions by Signe Wilkinson to be the most effective poster. It acknowledges that affirmative action for minorities would be just one more unfair way to get into college. Much of this already takes place. I feel that Lester’s poster was least effective because of the fact that it did not provoke change.

Advertisement Analysis

                I chose to look at a magazine advertisement for BMW. Apparently the advertisement was the beginning of an advertising brawl between the BMW and Audi marketing companies.

            This visual text contains both images and words. I feel that both are necessary to get the point across in this case. The visual text assumes that the viewer is familiar with cars. Granted that the BMW logo is at the bottom of the advertisement, it is not easily visible on the car, and therefore it is assumed that the viewer knows what a BMW looks like.

            I find the color scheme interesting. It seems classy, but the message the ad is sending is not. The car is in the foreground and the background is blurred as if none of it is important. The first thing my eyes are drawn to is the car and then the text.

            This ad leads me to research the awards that both car companies have won. It is a good marketing strategy to only mention these two particular awards. In reality, both companies have won numerous awards and have been recognized for various achievements with the design of their cars. I am also led to research the dispute between the two companies. I immediately scrolled down the page to see if Audi retaliated.

            Although the BMW ad is funny and rather entertaining, I’m not sure how much it would actually increase sales. Many people will find their banter tacky or cocky and will therefore avoid buying a BMW.

Outline

Essay Outline: Garbage Patch in Pacific

I.                   Introduction

a.       Explain the problem

                                                              i.      There is a large pile of garbage in the Pacific Ocean. Although the exact size is unknown, many sources estimate that it is at least the size of Texas.

                                                            ii.      Identify the cause

                                                          iii.      Effects on marine animals and plants

b.      How should such a problem be resolved?

                                                              i.      Thesis- Since the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is a world problem, I propose that the world’s people work together to clean the area. This will include exploration, planning, and clean up.

II.                Exploration

a.       Look at past explorations and sampling

                                                              i.      2001 sampling

                                                            ii.      2009 sampling

1.      What was sampled?

2.      Results

b.      Plan for future exploration

                                                              i.      Group of international explorers so the whole world will know what has taken place in our waters and the extent of the problem.

III.             Planning

a.       Group of world environmental leaders hold conference to discuss exploration and future plans

                                                              i.      Formulate a schedule and timeline for cleaning up the Pacific

                                                            ii.      Discuss the fight of  nature versus humans

1.      How to work against or possibly with the water currents to reverse its current effect.

IV.             Clean Up

a.       More Jobs

                                                              i.      Good for the unemployment rate

b.      Team

                                                              i.      The clean up team will be international and work towards the same goal: removing the trash by the deadline.

V.                Conclusion

a.       Restate thesis

b.      Explain why my proposal is better and more effective than others.

c.       Explain what the cleanup will yield and how the results will affect the world.

Space Exploration

I feel as though U.S. and international space exploration has come to an abrupt halt in the past several years and space programs have been relatively fruitless. I completely agree with Michael Benson in his observation that the International Space Station is currently of no use. We have spent billions of dollars on something that is not currently being used for what it was intended.

            Instead of building alternate and smaller stations and leaving the International Space Station as a burden, I suggest that the United States make use of it. Its accommodations are phenomenal and I propose that we send that thing to do some work. Upgrades on the ISS would seemingly be cheaper and faster than the construction of other stations.

            I also strongly believe that we need to broaden our exploration. We’ve been to the moon. Why continue to work towards more trips to the same place? There is more out there that we have yet to discover. I propose that we send an exploration to as many planets as possible and to work towards bigger and better things that will actually be operational and useful in the future. Scientists have questioned for years, what other planets are inhabitable. We should abandon small projects and continue to work together internationally for further space exploration.

            I feel like this is a proposal that should definitely be considered. Upgrades to our current outstanding station and a unification of the countries for a common goal will yield a more successful outcome in the case of space exploration.

Pride

For one of my sources, I chose a blog entitled “What is Pride?” by Jason Cangialosi. I wish to analyze the source’s credibility in reference to my research paper on the definition of pride. There are many instances within the short blog that Cangialosi attempts to establish credibility with the reader.

            The use of ethos is apparent in the first several paragraphs where Cangialosi mentions pride as one of the seven deadly sins and examines its role in possibly producing the other six. In my paper I wish to answer whether pride is a good thing or a bad thing. This blog would support the idea that pride is a bad thing.

            Cangialosi then throws in the idea of humility as a component or synonym of pride. He gives the readers familiar names such as Benjamin Franklin and Socrates in hopes that the reader will be able to relate to their opinions about the magnitude and beauty of the universe.

            The author then moves his attention to Greek mythology to tell of pride’s tendency to build up one’s ego and then to knock him back down to earth. A final attempt to build credibility is made near the end of the blog as the author states that he is not worthy to preach on the topic and that the reader should take it from the experts. Cangialosi continues to give quotes from famous people such as Einstein and Abraham Lincoln. I feel that one of Cangialosi’s downfalls is that he throws out too many names.

Essay 3

I plan on writing my third paper on the definition of pride. I feel like this is a word or idea that has a very unclear definition. I think there are several connotations of pride to be examined as well.

            I want to start my essay with a definition from Webster’s and then agree with or revamp the dictionary definition. It would possibly be a good idea to add another dictionary definition. I know that the word “proud” will probably come up while trying to define the idea of pride, but I want to try to avoid using both words and simply focus on pride.

            I think it is important that I address the question of whether or not pride is a good thing. In my opinion, it depends greatly on the context in which a person has pride. I want to use several examples of people who had pride and were affected negatively by it and others who were strengthened by it.

            I will use examples from world leaders and familiar life circumstances. I want to acknowledge that there may not be a clear answer as to whether pride is a good thing or a bad thing. Taking pride in your appearance and belongings is a positive thing but being too prideful can affect one’s life negatively.

            In conclusion, I want to reexamine my definition of pride and also take a second look at the connotations of being prideful. I want to connect the introduction and the conclusion by restating and possibly reusing an opening phrase.

Essay 2

For my second essay, I chose to look at a political cartoon and an article. Both of these mediums give the message that the Healthcare reform is insensitive and does not help the individual—quite a controversial idea in society. Let’s first look at the cartoon.

            The cartoon by Chip Bok shows an oversized Uncle Sam in one hospital bed and a sick, weak, dying “you” in the other bed. The caption reads, “We can’t leave life support rationing to the darkness of private enterprising.” These words are from the doctor who is attending to Uncle Sam.

The article I chose is one by Drew Zahn entitled “Obamacare hospitals killed: 60, with 200 on life support.” It continues to argue for patient choice, as does the cartoon. A central argument within both of these mediums is that along with Healthcare for everyone comes less efficient healthcare for those who already had insurance. The government is taking away the patient and family’s right to choose between different forms of treatment and length of life support.

Within the article, I find many literary techniques to examine. There is pathos, ethos, and logos as well as allusion. The cartoon relays its message in the form of satirical comedy. I believe that these two mediums provide enough information for a well developed essay.