Blog 20 , MP 3, Article, 1-30-12

Article: "Before Prom Night, a Suspect Was the Girl Next Door

Author: Abby Goodnough and Bruce Weber

Source: New York Times Website

   The article I read was about a girl named Melissa Drexler who has become infamous for the events that occurred during the girl's prom night.  Drexler apparently gave birth to a baby in the bathroom stall at the prom, and promptly disposed of the baby in a nearby trash can.  Later, her boyfriend John and her family disclosed that Melissa never looked pregnant or acted pregnant.  It was a shock to everyone when the story was laid out.  The article does not mention whether or not Drexler herself was aware of the pregnancy, and it is still unknown whether or not the baby was a stillborn child or if she had killed it in the restroom.  Today she has spent a little over 3 years in prison of her 15 year sentence, and was released on parole.

  This happened on June 6 1997, and to this day is still a huge topic known nationally. The purpose the authors had for writing about this event from an objective view was to give the public a chance to make their opinion whether or not this girl killed her baby or did not, or if she knew she was even pregnant. It is a credible article because of the many cited quotes of various people involved with the case.  It is interesting to note that even though this happened back in 1997, the story is still notorious today.  The band Nickelback even wrote a song about the event titled "Throw Yourself Away" and Drexler also has her own page on wikipedia. 

Rhetorical Devices Used:

-There were not that many specifically used rhetorical devices. But the devices I could pick out are as follows:

Direct Quotes: Quotes are used throughout the 5-paged article.  Each person interviewed was either a family member, a friend, prosecutor or other official related to the case.  These quotes helped show the reader what the article was about and the significance pertaining to each part. Direct quotes from the actual prom night also showed the exact order of events that happened that night as well which led to an effective story. 

Anecdotes: Little anecdotes that relate to the prom night, and events leading to the prom night were used in this case to convey the whole of the story.  The anecdotes created a really dramatic article that made it interesting yet informational. 

Imagery: The article was very descriptive, with the events, the exact story of the prom night, and some details were so descriptive that I will probably have nightmares about this story for a while now.  But if that is what the author intended it has worked... the imagery gives you chills down your spine and creates the creepy tone this true article possesses.

The authors achieved their purpose because it was very informational, and since it is still on the NYTimes website over 10 years later... I'm assuming the popularity of it is still rising. 

Blog 19, Final IRB Blog for the Second M.P, 1-23-12

Section: Pgs 99-154 (Ending after the epilogue)


  The ending chapters of the book "Heaven is for real" are about the main character Colton, and the different facts he claims God gave him to tell humans on earth.  For example, Colton's father, Todd who is also the author of the story, brings Colton to a home where a Christian man is old and dying of sickness.  As Todd finishes praying with the man's family, Colton walks back to the man and says "The first person you'll see is Jesus".  After this accusation Colton's family becomes even more intrigued with his words.  As well as these random acts of God, Colton begins telling things AGAIN that he could have never known before.  Such as what the throne room of God is like.  Something that really sparked in my mind was that Colton revealed facts that are even unknown to the writers of the bible.  Within the bible it states that Jesus will sit at the right hand of God, which is exactly what Colton described but then Colton said who sat at the left side of God... Something that is not stated in the bible.  He tells his father that it is the angel Gabriele, which completely makes sense to his pastoral father.
  From an objective standpoint, this book and with its concluding pages brings me to realize that even the most outstanding disbelievers in God and faith could be swayed into these words.  A simple toddler who has the most innocent faith from God.  To him, religion was not brought to him through a priest or through the words of the bible.  God came to him himself (as so the book says) and showed Colton what the afterlife will be like.  The concluding words in the book explain that as the years wore on, Colton continues to give facts to his parents about what he saw, he continues to explain in simple terms and at the most random moments.  But everything he does say is backed up by child-like ignorance that could not be faked 
  The context of the last few chapters is when the family begins to openly tell people of their son and what he has seen and has expressed.  This brings the book full circle and explains how the book got here and what it has done for the family.  The purpose of the author in this section would be to fully give credibility to his son, and to his family for their purpose in writing a book... which was not for fame but to spread Christianity to the world.  There were also many more rhetorical devices that were clearly evident in this section then any other section.
   Author's purpose was achieved because the book is now nationally famous!


R. Devices:


Imagery:  Each chapter is something new Colton has revealed about heaven and/or Jesus and God.  To efficiently explain the different things Colton has said, Todd uses extreme imagery and detail to try and give the audience just a small glimpse of what he has seen through his son. 


Bible Passages/Ethos (Yes, combined in this case):Bible passages are majorly used towards the end of the book to give credibility to Colton on his expressions of God and things he has "seen" when he went to heaven and back.  The bible passages are shown frequently.... for example, Colton claims that Jesus sits at the right hand of God. Now as a four year old, he would not know this fact because in a preschool sunday school kids learn that Jesus loves them and that's basically it.  Showing a bible passage to back up that what he is saying is true makes the ethos of Colton that much more effective. 


Appositives: Appositives are used to explain the different people who are continually coming up in the story, and the new ones.  For example of this, the author uses an appositive to explain his wife "I left Sonja, now seven months pregnant, with Cassie.." (Pg 117).  This is effective in this way because it keeps the reader focused and made it easy to figure out the context of each part of the book.


  

Unit 3 Reflection

Unit 3 Reflection
By: Ali Mason


  In order for a society to properly work together and create a standing relationship that creates safety and ordinance for all involved a few things are needed from the citizens of a community as well as the government from that community.  Through three different readings from history the obligation of both the citizen and the government are evident. Beginning with the earliest work, Patrick Henry speech at the Virginia convention in 1775 is a basis for many citizen morales that should be followed and most importantly, the duty of the government is clearly stated and pressed in his speech.
  Examples of these claims is evident in in the entire second paragraph that is addressed to the president (Henry's opening to his speech and response to president's first words).  In a nutshell he explains that no matter what the issue is at hand, a government should be completely honest with its citizens. Meaning false hope should NOT be advocated and the urgency of current issues should be upheld and dealt with as a whole nation and not making the citizens blindingly believe their government that is giving them sugar-coated information.  Clearly Henry is saying that the duty of government is to be honest and open with its people, no matter what the situation is.  Proof of this is in his words in paragraph two, "Mr. President, it is natural to indulge in the illusions of hope.  We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth... Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not?" Along with this he claims the duties of the actual citizen within the government by saying that he is an experienced man who is willing and able to serve the country at every need she has.  "I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experiences" (Paragraph 3). By saying these words, Henry is basically saying that if the government tells the truth and is willing to work through everything to get the liberty the people deserve, then the duty of the people would be to go through with what the country needs. Whether that be drafted into the army, or throwing themselves into manufacturing goods to keep the country out of a depression.  Now this is from a man's point of view.  The next piece of work is by a woman during the 19th century.
  This woman's name is Elizabeth Cady Stanton and was the prime advocate for women's rights.  She spoke at the Seneca Falls Convention through a speech that had unmistakable parallels to the actual declaration of Independence and was thereafter named the "Declaration of Sentiments".  One of the many ways she informs the government of their duties is through her statements directed at the men, but then are put into effect through the government.  For example she says, "He has compelled her to submit to laws, in the formation of which she had no voice." This quote directs the government into forming new laws and regulations that promote the equal citizenship and rights of all people.  The duty of the government in her eyes is to not be sexist towards either gender and to adjust laws so that they are equal among women and men. And as this is the duty of the government, the duty of the governed would then to follow these laws religiously. Whether it is a woman or a man, a citizen will respect their country just the same.  And Elizabeth Stanton wants the nation to understand, to recognize that, and to put that into effect. Although her statements in this declaration were primarily based on what the government needs to do for the people, there is another man who wrote a speech that at its heart conveys ever efficiently what the duties of a government are and vice versa involving the governed. 
  Bill Clinton was a man stuck in a political complication that was losing advocates from his recently full group of supporters.  As his affair with a young woman unveils he realizes that a speech must be made in order to keep order in the country and for the country not to lose hope it its President.  It was an apology to the nation and was given in 1998 on August 17.  Throughout the piece he recognizes what he did was wrong but then blames citizens for the recently corrupted nation.  He states the duties of HIS job in society as a part of the government when he says "We have important work to do -- real opportunities to seize, real problems to solve, real security matters to face" (Paragraph 10, Page 2).  In his eyes, through this quote, he is saying that a government is there to provide strength to solve the nations problems and to deal with the safety and security of the nation.  The private life, according to him, is of no concern to the governed and should therefore be neglected as evidence that he is an unfit president.  The duties of the governed in this situation would to be to support their president and forgive his apologies, but then to also stay out of the private affairs that belong to him.  No matter who is involved with the government, they are always just innocent civilians themselves making along in this world.  Who is a citizen to say anything bad about their leader when the matters at hand do not effect the way the country is ran?  In this way Clinton blatantly states the duties of the governed and of the government through his apology to the nation... that in the end, wasn't really an apology at all.

Blog 18 Week 4 (2nd IRB Post) 1-17-12

Title: Heaven Is For Real
Author: Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent


Section 2 Read: Chapters 10-18 (Pgs 47-98)


     This section of the reading is the concluding pages of the original event the 3-year-old Colton endures when his abdomen experiences a life-threatening emergency involving his appendix and excess abscess that needed to be cleaned out.  The beginning of this section reveals Colton is getting better after his first surgery, but then when the parents are about to walk out the hospital doors to finally take their little boy home the doctor yells for them to stop; new problems have came up.  Apparently a second surgery would be needed. As Colton has a second bout of problems his parents are literally dying on the inside, and when he finally gets better and is actually problem-free they take him home.
   It is after this when Colton begins to speak religiously and speak of Jesus and of his importance.  As a 3-year-old Colton knows virtually nothing of the sort, pre-school sunday school does not teach details about the bible.  Yet soon, Colton is revealing that he has actually seen heaven, he has seen Jesus, he has seen the baby his mother once lost in a miscarriage before he was born, and he has met family that died before he was even born.  This section of the book is Colton revealing everything he has seen and experienced when he left his body when he was in the hospital and visited God and Jesus in heaven.  Colton reveals that Jesus told Colton he needed to go back to answer the prayers of his father, and the family is frozen with astonishment as Colton continues tell stories of God and the bible that he could never have possibly known on his own. Therefore he must be telling the truth because of the validity of his answers to every direct question.


   The purpose for this section of the book is to show how the author (Colton's father) was convinced that his son was telling the truth. To convey to the audience that if a Pastor was convinced of this actions then it is a pretty valid argument for the audience to believe in it as well.  I believe the author is credible because all of the information is primary information and there are also other witnesses to back up everything his father has written about in this book.  The context of this section is Colton's revelations about his experience and the family's need to document every word in order to show the world of the miracles God really does perform. 


Rhetorical Devices Used:


Credible Quotes:  The author has listed quotes from the bible that back up everything Colton has explained and described.  These quotes show that Colton is telling the truth and not just making things up on the spot.  


Ethos:  Ethos is used because the author has credible in this situation because his son is the main point of the entire book.  Having first-hand information in this case makes ethos a valid rhetorical device for this book.


Logos:  Logos is used when Colton expresses everything he sees in heaven.  He says things that Jesus told him to do and what to say and what the truth is about different events.  And since everything he says can be proven by the bible quotes offered by the father who is a pastor and the author in this case, then it is logical to believe everything Colton offers to the table.


  The purpose of the author was achieved because it clearly shows his belief in his son and that everything his son says is true and believable.  By showing the audience that be believes his own son he proves to the audience and to his readers that they will be able to believe his son as well. 

Blog 17 (Week 3) (Written) 1-9-12

Ambler Gazette: Business Section..
Article: 8 Things You Shouldn't Buy in Winter
Author: Matt Brownell


   The organization of this article is written in a list formation with a description under each item. The "8 Things You Shouldn't Buy in Winter" are: Vegetables grown in the summer, warm-weather items, camping gear, suitcases, computers, snowblowers, cars, and linens. The context of this article is that it is currently the winter month of January where a lot of stores advocate their "white sales" and try to sell a lot for the start of the new year. While the author who wrote this article obviously wrote it in the hopes that he would be saving some people some bucks during the winter. 
   This piece was obviously an inferred opinion based on observations by the author on certain items during this time in the year and the way he introduced the list of items created a credible back ground knowledge because he used wording that was reader friendly. It made me, as a reader, trust his words and want to read on to see what he had to say. In the article there is also a visual so it attracts visual people as well and adds to the interest of the article.  Rhetorical devices he uses are:


   1) Organization -- Organization is the most important rhetorical device in this piece because it is easy on the eyes of the reader which leads to an interesting and easy read.  The list-type style of the article gets the author's point across but also gives the reader the facts quickly and efficiently. 


   2) Statistics -- Statistics are used to give some credibility to the author's claim. He states different facts about various stores but that backs it up with a quote that gives him credibility and ability to write that fact in his article.


   3) Ethos -- The author shows his credibility for writing this list/article through quotes, facts, and real-life situations.  Since this is an Ambler news source this means that the article was written from a credible person who lives in the area.  The statistics and his establishment of credibility go hand in hand in order to effectively achieve the purpose of this article. 


   The author achieved his purpose because his credibility proves his ability to write the article and for people to read this and believe him. I say this from a reader's standpoint and am now going to tell my mother to never buy summer vegetables in the winter.

Blog 16 (Week 2) (Magazine Cover) 1-2-12

This magazine cover is from the December 2011 issue of Elle Magazine.  Looking at all the subtopics it mentions, the context of the magazine is the holidays.  To the bottom left it clearly says "Gift Guide!" and since it is the most eye-catching (because of the large font size) that alludes to the context.  The purpose for this magazine is to attract women (of all ages) and to appeal to their sense of fashion and femininity by persuading them to purchase the magazine and possibly taking the advice of holiday "gift ideas" that is inside the magazine itself.  Placing a well-known celebrity on the cover also intrigues people because they are drawn to the popularity of celebrities.  I was able to tell this magazine was for women because one of the sub-topics in the upper left hand corner says "the perfect party dress".  Obviously that is aimed at women who are looking for new clothes for a new years party or holiday party.  Unless men are now wearing dresses (besides the female wanna-bes) this magazine is based on female personality and desire.

The rhetorical devices used in this magazine cover are:

1) Placement/Arrangement - placement and arrangement are used with the celebrity picture and the surrounding captions. The biggest words are obviously arranged and placed that way because of the certain attraction to that topic the magazine editors wanted to intrigue.  The placement of the title, in all capital letters and on the top of the page is there for people to quickly identify the magazine they are looking at.

2) Contrast - Contrast is used with the color scheme.  There is an all white back round dotted with black and harsh red letters that make the words stand out.  There is also the celebrity photo with her tan skin that stands out when compared to the white back round.  This rhetorical device helps intrigue readers because of the appeal to their vision.

3)Punctuation Style - In this case i believe punctuation style is a rhetorical device because the sporadic apostrophe marks seem inviting in the eyes of the reader. If the punctuation is exciting then the readers will feel the same way.  And it is because of this that it is a rhetorical device used to achieve the editors purpose for the magazine.

The purpose is achieved for this magazine if a lot of people bought the magazine and also brought business to the stores that are promoted within the magazine as well.  Since the magazine is fairly popular, I would say that the purpose was indeed achieved.