Final

1. All of the following are examples of the three parts of rhetoric EXCEPT
A. Logos
B. Pathos
C. Simile
D. Ethos

2. According to one analyst of advertising, all of the following are ways to sum up an advertiser EXCEPT
A. Attract attention
B. Arouse interest
C. Create conviction
D. Make one confused

3. What is the most effective way of defining terms in an argument?
A. Use of examples
B. Offer credibility
C. Making the opponent have no self worth
D. Ad Hominem attacks

4. What is called when one offers credibilty to a situation?
A. Reliability
B. Ethos
C. Logos
D. Pathos

Environment

In my area of North Fort Myers, the amount of pollution mainly is caused by cars and heavy machinery like tractors and such. Such examples are causing my area to be more built up with less trees and less animals to make a complete cycle. For instance, I live in the woods and as time passes, more and more shopping malls and houses are being built. How does one go about building such things? Well, they use tractors and other fuel powered pollutants to accomplish this task. Also, with the population of my area growing ever so quickly, the carbon monoxide gas is thinning the ozone layer. In managing these problems, one could say it would be easy, however as many do their part by recycling, getting energy efficient cars, and not destroying the environment, there are a large amount of others who just do not care. With the such careless habits many individuals have been brought up to know since their infancy, it is almost impossible to change the ways of many people. Looking at cities like New York, and Chicago where pollution is at an up roar, I can just be great-ful that my area is no where near that magnitude of degradation. Solutions at this time would not be a one day fix, it would have to be spread over many years because of the amount of people and the amount of pollution. Not every individual can go out and purchase a smart car or walk or bike to the very extent of the world, so for now, the world as a whole will have to suck it up and do their part to help SAVE this environment, one plastic bottle at a time.

Introductory and Conclusion

Katy Perry's Firework is a song that holds true value to many individuals around the world, not only for a good belting-out moment but for the ones that cannot speak up when needed, and doing what makes them happy. These factors add up to pro create this mass of being who you are and living life to the fullest. Perry is using a comparison to a firework to truly demonstrate her points of worth, self expression, and confidence. She has found a way to truly inspire many globally with lyrics such as "Baby your a firework, come on show em what your worth." and "you don't have to feel like a wasted space, your original, cannot be replaced." Her words speak out showing just how important each individual is.       Even with the connotative meaning being straight forward, Perry is still able to add some level of metaphor to put her views in perspective. She has constructed a way to show the world that they can be unique in expressing individualism, prove self worth, and even in the end provide these listeners with a newfound confidence. Perry has demonstrated her lyrics with her flawless music video to compliment this song while also providing many scenarios to which one would also experience in their own lives. With the lyrics "Own the night, Like the fourth of July" is just a way of saying, be the star of your show, and make it last; because when all else fails, the show must go on.

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Irony

     Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" is possibly classified as one of the most ironic pieces of literature of all times, being that his essay as a whole is even ironic. Irony is defined as "the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect" (apple dictionary). A prime example of irony in this passage is "There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas, too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expense than the shame which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhumane breast" (355). This is an example of irony in the passage because as Swift is proposing to sell babies to the upper class for food, and yet, he is saying doing this will prevent abortions, the "horrid practice" of women murdering their babies. Whether is be for food or abortion, the babies are still dying, am I not right? He states this proposal as another great advantage to his scheme, yet aborting or selling can be argued to retain the same meaning. 

Rottenberg, Annette T., and Donna Haisty Winchell. "Chapter 9: Avoiding Flawed      Logic." Elements of argument: a text and reader. 1985. Reprint. New York: St.      Martin's Press, 2010. 354-361. Print.

 

I was once told that a good argument involves the attack of the argument itself. The second one attacks the opponent on a personal basis is the very moment the argument is lost. This fallacy is known as Ad Hominem. To demonstrate this way of fallacy, this video should do justice. With that, I would like to present an example in political stature in which Barack Obama dismisses Sarah Palin's nuclear claim by attacking her instead of the ideas and argument she presents at hand. If you could, just recognize the fact that instead of responding to the nuclear administration, he responds "Last I checked, Sarah Palin's not much of an expert on nuclear issues." There are many ways way of going about an educated comeback, however, he decided to go with the attack of Palin herself. Looking back on the picture as a whole, this makes sense, and at first it makes one want to side with Obama, after then realizing he has no real argument, it is all just a fallacy. The main purpose behind this attack is, in my opinion a comical way of dealing with things. Among looking at the Obama-Palin debates, there are many "comical" reliefs presented on a number of occasions. The fact that he can say what he said and get away with it, proves that this kind of attack is allowed in politics; and if one were to think about it, this is one way Politicians manipulate the masses and their opponents. 

The Flynn Effect and the Sleeper Curve

In the book Everything Bad is Good for You by Stephen Johnson, he begins the second part of the book stating the relationship between the Flynn Effect and the Sleeper Curve. To refresh some of your memories, Johnson says the Sleeper Curve is "The most debased forms of mass diversion--video games and violent television dramas and juvenile sitcoms--turn out to be nutritional after all" (9). In contrast, the Flynn Effect is described as the increase of IQ points with changing environmental factors. Johnson answers the question of the relevance to the Sleeper Curve and IQ as the "differences between generations don't prose the same problems that differences within generations do" (142). This just means that looking at the IQ scores form way back when and now, they have increased to the point that genetic factors can no longer play a rule because the gene pool has not changes that much in a generation; only an explanation of "environmental factor (or combination of factors) must be responsible for the increase int he specific forms of intelligence that IQ measures: problem solving, abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, spatial logic" Johnson 142).  


The main connection that Johnson is trying to make between the Sleeper Curve and the Flynn Effect is that with all of the gaming and television watching in today's society, the IQ of the general population is still rising disregarding race, sex, or location. So, if genetic makeup is not making us smarter, and reading the same books are not improving intellect, the only possible explanation leads directly back to the thesis of Johnson's book: Technology is making the world smarter. Since the advancement of cell phones, computers, and television are the only things being consistently and constantly changed, leaving us with this being the top explanation for higher level thinking skills and higher IQ tests. Johnson mentions a test called the Raven test; this test basically uses patterns and spatial recognition skills to an intelligence test with no words or direction. The direction is simply filling the blank, or missing part of a shaped pattern. So, in essence I agree with the connection because as I sit here typing, I am not looking at the key board. How can one explain this? Well, let's just put it in this perspective. My brain is able to sit here and think, possibly be listening to music, and able to recall thirty-six plus keys at a simultaneous instance. If technology is not increasing my intelligence, I do not know what is. 


The Flynn Effect is a simple explanation of increasing IQ scores as time goes by. However, the connection between the Flynn Effect and the Sleeper Curve lies in the hands of technology; leading the world's intellect one circuit at a time. Since kids today can do multi-tasking like never before, the fact that  technology is prevalent would be a false accusation. Being able to text, talk, type my report, social networking, and listening to my favorite song is a direct correlation to exponentially rising IQ scores. So the next time you are stuck in the state of hardcore multi-tasking, just think how you are being being affected, not only mentally but intellectually as a society. 


Johnson, Steven. Everything bad is good for you: how today's popular culture is   -----> actually making us smarter. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. Print.

Everything Bad is Good for You

Glee: Silly Love Songs

This episode aired on February 12, 2010, and as usual, the show blew my mind. This show always offers such a variety of emotion and excitement wrapped up in a ball called Glee. As a critic, this show offers such polarity because in one instance there are relationships and real world drama, and the next moment they break out in a song (THAT I KNOW) to demonstrate the passion behind this emotion. I feel as if Glee is one the best shows on television right now because it offers a meeting point where people of all ages can meet somewhere in the middle. Using one word I would describe this show as Diverse; it offers a wide range of entertainment, sometimes adult humor, to silly love humor. I love hearing the different version or arrangements done with songs from today's popular culture like Katy Perry's Firework, Queen's Fat Bottomed Girls, and Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Like many shows in today's program choices, the amount of conflict and stories are becoming more complex; instead of there being one central story, television has evolved into a multi-storylined phenomenon. Author of Everything Bad is Good for you, Steve Johnson, states "The narrative weaves together a collection of distinct strands--sometimes as many as ten, though at least half of the threads involve only a few quick scenes scattered through the episodes" (67). As well as the amount of story lines that are intertwined, dialogue is becoming a more inferential process, rather an arrow pointing to the answer. Just like how people learn rules of video games, the mind is directly forced to do the same with television and fill in the open spaces between scenes and dialogue on a television show (Johnson 77).

The first argument is a personal argument in which a guy named Puck is in love with a girl named Lauren. Ever since they went to sectionals he has wanted to be with her. So from looking at this from the view of the Elements of Argument Book, the claim is a claim of fact. The audience can recognize this because throughout the episode Puck is constantly trying to get this girl's attention and prove to her his love by singing to her, getting her chocolates, and asking her to be his valentine. The scenarios presented are support for this claim that he really does love her. Like this conflict of "love" another conflict arises right off of the bat in which this boy is in love with another boy. Going back to the Puck-Lauren situation, there is this girl names Santana that gets into argument with Lauren fighting over Puck to gain his love back. We can see that this is a typical, everyday, high school related argument. All of these arguments are supported by previous episode's foreshadowing and present scenes. Mostly all of the arguments in this show as a whole are teen related drama, but it is the road getting there that keeps a person's interest.

Glee is a show of many tales demonstrating conflict, yet relating to Everything Bad is Good for You offering a thinking process to place time and events together and make many inferences. Happening in all of these episodes, however in this episode in particular these arguments rise in the same fashion that Johnson describes them in his book, eventually showing little clips throughout the episode to continue the story. These tactics can be applied to many, if not all, television shows proving a complex story line, inferential events, and many claims that are supported. Glee airs on Tuesday night at 8 o'clock PM and it is a MUST that you give it a chance and watch it at least one, you will not regret it.



Johnson, Steven. Everything bad is good for you: how today's popular culture is actually    ----->making us smarter. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. Print.

Writing About Argument

"Myspace Not Responsible for Predators"

Summary: In any situation, there are no ways to terminate a driven predator. Myspace was, and is still a place to make money off of advertisements, and is not specifically a place to watch children. It seems that when there is something negative in the world, the first scenarios to be blamed are television, movies, video games, the internet, and music. It is partly the parents' faults for not informing their children on the risks of the internet, and should not pass the responsibility to a web site that cannot control the flow rate of sociopaths. The common saying, "you reap what you sow" is applicable to this because situations in relation to predators can be avoided being that one does not ignore all of the obvious risks. The internet is huge and one cannot protect everyone, so the proper precautions should take place to protect oneself.

Argument: In his essay "Myspace not Responsible for Predators", Kevin Alexander writes that when the court finds out that this rape victim agreed to a waiver, the law suit will be thrown out, but it's big trouble for the internet of it isn't. However I think that with the immense size of the internet, the magnitude of the situation has to result in death, not just rape to recieve immediate attention for breaking the agreement. I agree with Alexander that "The 14-year-old signed this agreement, and thus signed away her protection under naivete" (Alexander). Maybe if teenagers were not raging with hormones and the need of constant acceptance and a quick ego boost, some of these rape cases and even killing would not happen. The fact that people are suing Myspace because of personal stupidity baffles me because of people would just stop and think, negative situations could be avoided.Let's look at the bright side of things, it could have been a murder, so this girl should just move on and learn from her mistakes. She could have been the one being buried… This argument posed to be very convincing seeing that Alexander provided a real life situation and many common reasonable beliefs that connect with internet safety. "…and there are tons of waiting victims. It's unknown as of now which ones are more dangerous" (Alexander).

Alexander, Kevin. "Myspace not Responsible for Predators." Texas: Battalion, ---> 2006. Rpt. in Elements of Argument: A text and Reader. Annette T.         ---> Rottenberg and Donna Haisty Winchell. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St.         ---> Martin's, 2009. 119-120.

Analysis of an Advertisement

While looking at this image, I can understand that the arguer wants me (the reader) to believe that animals are being killed to make fur coats and skinned articles. After seeing the blood, I am made to believe that I should not purchase these articles. If I were to see this image without the aid of text, I would have a different, confusing view about the purpose of this picture. The accompanied "Don't buy exotic animal souvenirs" led me to a newfound insight about the true purpose this photo. I feel as of the text leads to a better understanding, however the blood on the image really hits the spot. What I mean is, if I were to sit here and just look at the photo, of just read the text, none would make sense without the other. Unlike most claims, they are advocating to sell something. However in this case, they are arguing to NOT sell a product, the product being "exotic animal souvenirs." By all means this photo attracts attention, yet arouses interest. This image makes me want research more about exotic souvenirs. In this image, the support comes from the little black and whit logo at the bottom right hand corner with the letter WWF on it. This organization is just the conservation of wildlife. Being that this world re-known logo is presented on this photo, it seems to present validity and convincing. The underlying warrant happens to be that when one buys exotic animal souvenirs, the animal skin being used is from slaughtered and killed animals. 

ALL ABOUT ME

Hello, my name is Brandon Michael Caulfield. I am a 2010 North Fort Myers High School graduate living in this area my whole life. Throughout my middle school and high school career I have been one of the top cellists in the county. I feel music makes me, "me". As of now, I am a Chemistry major in preparation on my days in Dental School. I hope to attend either Nova South Eastern or the University of Florida for my Graduate schooling. I am the middle child of a younger brother and an older sister, in which my brother lives in Michigan with my father and my sister is currently living in Cape Coral. My mother is the proud owner Cricket's Salon & Spa,  which has been voted best salon in North Fort Myers many consecutive years. My current occupation is with Domino's Pizza in Cape Coral and I am going on my third year in June. I get 50% off of you know what I mean :) My hobbies include music, prank calling, shopping, playing just dance on the Wii, Facebook, Omegle, eating pickles, and talking!!

There was this one time last semester in my Chemistry I class that me and the professor got into this heated argument about tabulated my information. Tabulating is just condensing and listing the information (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tabulating). He had told the class that if we did not tabulate he would take five points off of the exam. I was, of course, the only student that stood up and said something. It went along the lines of "Why would we need to tabulate, if in the end, we get the right answer?" He responds with, "So you are saying you don't think you should have to show your work?!" I replied, "THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID! I PLAN ON SHOWING MY WORK, JUST NOT TABULATING!" So we go back and forth for some time now, and by this time I am beyond flustered, so was he. In the end he told me not to tabulate and do not show my work and just put the answer. I come back and say "I AM GOING TO SHOW MY WORK BECAUSE THAT IS HOW I SOLVE IT! HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE TO TABULATE. I CAN CARRY MY UNITS IN THE EQUATION!" Let's just say this was a pointless never ending argument. I would say his side was correct if you were a beginning chemist, however I believe that ever person has their own way of solving problems. A teacher is there to teach, not dictate how to solve one way.

If you have any questions you want to know about me feel free to ask, I love talking and socializing. It takes a lot to make me feel uncomfortable and I am always looking for the next best conversation. :)