A Thoughtful Response.

There are essentially three parts to this quote. To simplify things, I’m going to break this into three Teilen, starting at one extreme and morphing to another.
“There is little to no value in recognizing students for academic achievements.” I want to cry reading that. Then dear God, why am I wasting my time? Why do I do homework to keep a good grade to please my parents if they won’t recognize my efforts? Am I being overly sensitive? I can’t help but passionately disagree with this.
Take a puppy, a malleable, impressionable puppy dog. I recognize that humans and dogs are very different, but bare with me a moment. A dog will only work with you so far with treats and biscuits; it can’t be taught with these motives only or it will grow increasingly disobedient. When you raise a puppy by praising it, it will not only learn to love and respect you, it will also be loyal and obedient.
Next I’ll tackle the second two clauses, both of which with I mildly agree. The purpose of education (duh) isn’t to compete, but rather to collect knowledge to further your usefulness on this planet. Though competing may be a fun way to do this, there isn’t really any accurate way to truly assess one’s intelligence, so there won’t be an obvious winner in this field. The last clause is a little extreme. I would not consider the “whole” purpose of education to be any one thing, unless turning mirrors into windows encompasses everything. I think “mirrors” implies a more self-centered outlook on education, whereas “windows” allow you look through the facade of your original perception of education and see something new. O o;; Hm. Something like that.

JFK Diction Assignment

Why are so many of the words abstract? I think general terms are easier to relate to. It also adds a sense of vagueness to the speech, leaving it to be interpreted by those (mainly AP students) who want to (or have to) get more out of it. Abstract words such as “freedom” and “sacrifice” can be applied to many things, as opposed to what a regular, more tangible noun might limit you to.
*digs out speech Andrea and I took notes on* Let’s see what Andrea came up with… Ah. Let me come back to this one later. Alright. This answer might seem similar to number three. “The hand of God” is metaphorical. So is “The torch has been passed,” and “casting off the chains of poverty.” -sighs- So is “to the ranks of the free,” “to break the bonds of,” “dark powers,” and so on.
I would be curious as to how “The Language of Composition” would define cliche. The phrase “The torch has been passed” is somewhat overused, but appropriate for where it appeared in his address. Kennedy did use a metaphor I very much approved of - “by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” Other more typical phrases such as “casting off the chains”etc. were used throughout his cleverly assembled masterpiece. I see no pattern to their use.
Some archaic words within this piece were: “asunder,” “writ,” “commerce,” ”belaboring” … > >;; I don’t feel like I’m a very good judge of this. I don’t want to embarrass myself too badly. These words’ purpose is to make Kennedy sound even smarter, wiser, and above the average American, but modestly. (Again, feeling dumb…)

Syntax Assignment

1. Short paragraphs are good for general topics. Plus, it makes thing go at a faster, often more enjoyable pace.
2. I don’t know why. I just know that good writing has varied sentence lengths. Also, depending on the sentence, short sentences can add a dramatic effect. Long sentences sound smarter, and isn’t that why people strive to write well?
3. I’m not sure I understand the meaning of “hidden energy.” Complex sentences rely on two separate clauses, causing them to be suspenseful. Because the two parts of the sentences depend on each other, you can’t read only part of the sentence. It captures the reader.
4. I think it suggests he wrote (or was written) a very nice speech. I think he’s trying to convey the two extremes on a scale. By comparing opposites, he also puts things into perspective for a typical American.
5. Mr. Kennedy was the president of the United States. While being humble is important, he has to show people he is confident and in control. It’s also like he’s making promises to America that as the president, he has to keep.
6. The questions seemed persuasive and provocative. They act as a sort of transition. I really don’t know. I’d assume it’s because that’s just how a good rhetorical essay is written. (> >” SIGH. It’s a stupid question anyways!)
7. Anaphora: Paragraph 4.
Zeugma: Paragraph 14, line 2.
8. Parallelism? Or what he’s saying within the lists? This is frustrating! It’s all so subjective and vague. I think math is becoming my favorite class. Yes, they “lend themselves to Kennedy’s purpose.” I mean, his lists are relevant to what he’s saying, and stuff.
9. The first (hortative) seems to be a plural command. He uses “let’s”, as in himself included. The latter, imperative, sounds more desperate. It’s a command from him, as president. It’s also kind of accusatory.

Anotating by Jocelyn

To see the wind, with a man his eyes, [so basically, “for a man to see the wind with his eyes.”] it is unpossible [unpossible- XD Was that a word back then?], the nature of it is so fine, and subtle, [keep in mind: it was a subtle experience?] yet this experience of the wind had I once myself, and that was in the great snow that fell four years ago: [begin an anecdote] I rode in the highway betwixt TopcliffeuponSwale, and Berowe Bridge, the way being somewhat trodden afore, by wayfaring men. [Was Toxophilus a novel? This seems quite poetic. And what’s with the lack of paragraphs?] The fields on both sides were plain and lay almost yard deep with snow, the night afore had been a little frost, so that the snow was hard and crusted above. [I can imagine that wonderfully. I didn’t know anyone else really paid mind to those small details.] That morning the sun shone bright and clear, the wind was whistling aloft, and sharp according to the time of the year. The snow in the highway lay loose and trodden with horse feet: [The highway was trodden with horse feet. That puts the year into perspective well.] so as the wind blew, it took the loose snow with it, and made it so slide upon the snow in the field which was hard and crusted by reason of the frost overnight, that thereby I might see very well, the whole nature of the wind as it blew that day. [It sounds beautiful! Quite unlike how the other author described it.] And I had a great delight and pleasure to mark it, which maketh me now far better to remember it. [Something about this sentence….] Sometime the wind would be not past two yards broad [The wind it two yards broad? How do you measure such a thing?] , and so it would carry the snow as far as I could see. Another time the snow would blow over half the field at once. Sometime the snow would tumble softly, by and by it would fly wonderful fast. And this I perceived also that the wind goeth by streams and not whole together. [He’s describing all the ways the wind goes.] For I should see one stream within a score [What’s a score?] on me, then the space of two score no snow would stir, but after so much quantity of ground, another stream of snow at the same very time should be carried likewise, but not equally. For the one would stand still when the other flew apace, and so continue sometime swiftlier, sometime slowlier, sometime broader, sometime narrower, as far as I could see. [This sounds like what I’ve read in my science book about observations and making conclusions, etc.] Nor it flew not straight, but sometime it crooked this way sometime that way, and sometime it ran about in a compass. [I love the simile with the compass!] And sometime the snow would be lift clean from the ground into the air, and by and by it would be all clapped to the ground as though there had been no wind at all, [clapped- sweet description.] straightway it would rise and fly again. And that which was the most marvel of all, at one time two drifts of snow flew, the one out of the west into the east, the other out of the north into the east: And I saw two winds by reason of the snow the one cross over the other, as it had been two highways. And again I should hear the wind blow in the air, when nothing was stirred at the ground. And when all was still where I rode, not very far from me the snow would be lifted wonderfully. This experience made me more marvel at the nature of the wind than it made me cunning in the knowledge of the wind: [Meaning: It made him awe the wind, but he still didn’t understand it.] but yet thereby I learned perfectly that it is no marvel at all though men in a wind lose their length in shooting,[Does he mean hunting?] seeing so many ways the wind is so variable in blowing. [So, because the wind blows, hunting is ineffectual because it blows the bullet off course? I may be completely off.]

I like annotating because it forces me to read slowly and very much observe the passage. I tried to break it down and somewhat translate the parts that got jumbled in my brain. The old language is understandable- I don’t know why anyone of our age would have any difficulty with it.

Satire: A Modest Proposal vs. School ‘Fine.’

There is a striking similarity in A Modest Proposal and School ‘Fine’. Allow me to elaborate.

Baby eating. This practice is a perfectly reasonable resolution to the overpopulation of worthless children. Back in the day, when the culture of Hellenism thrived, babies were offered in Pagan sacrifices and rituals frequently. Now these people knew what good babies could do. It’s not even unheard of to use the shriveled hands and feet of babies as good luck charms. But we’re digressing. My point is, perhaps Jonathan Swift was a pagan himself?

Now you may be asking, “What has this, baby eating, to do with the phenomenal and current matter of schools upping their student approval ratings?” Well, quite frankly, everything! I’d like to bring something to light. Now ponder this: why are school ratings increasing now more than ever before? It has to do with natural selections and paganism. Paganism has reached an all time high since the Hellenism era back in the BC’s. Meaning: Baby eating is once again prominent among the slums of America! (^ ^;; I think I’m losing it…) This has an unmistakable effect on the schooling system, rightfully eliminating those that are too poor to learn (*cough* Andrea *cough*). Though some may see baby eating as a tragedy, I assure you it’s in the best interest of everyone.

I’m quite sure I have no idea what satire is, so don’t ask me about.

*laughs*… I hate myself. One appeal to satire is that it’s fun to write, at least. Plus it’s made, I think, to make people laugh while still letting people see the flaws in society. It’s for educational and entertaining purposes? Who knew you could put them together like that… I’m not kidding about Hellenism, though. “Jocelyn, what did you learn in Sunday school?” “Mm… stuff, I guess.” But why is satire effective? It’s not always. I don’t know what to say, I’m sorry.

Red and Rover Comic

Red and Rover has long been one of my favorite comics because it appeals rhetorically to me. This particular comic, whom was too adorable to pass up, made me laugh out loud the first time I read it. It’s very simple: in preparation for New Years, Red straps a party hat onto the compliant Rover’s head. Red, very plainly personified with human characteristics, walks over to a mirror and says, “It makes me look taller, too!”

Though it may sound strange, this comic connects with me emotionally. I love my dog, adore my dog- absolutely adore my doggy. I can easily relate to Red and the equality he feels with his pet, and the intelligence his dog displayed. Everyone would like to claim to have the smartest pooch, especially me. The author used the populace’s strong emotions for their pets to connect with people.

Furthermore, dog owners around the nation are going to trust the author, Mr. Brian Basset. He’s obviously a lover of animals and a human we pet-owners everywhere can relate with. (A bit of stretch, huh? ;D) Basset appeals to ethos with his tone also. In every frame the characters are smiling, an obvious message conveying happiness. Perhaps the only thing this comic doesn’t appeal to is logos, and for good reason.

This particular strip doesn’t appear to be very logical, even when quite humorous. I think it boils down to the author’s purpose, which isn’t to make a point, but rather, to entertain. Logically speaking, what would happen if you put a hat on your dog? Well, she’d shake her head, paw her ears, and after removing the hat, chew up that the darn thing. She most certainly wouldn’t waltz over to a mirror, recognize herself, and comment on how it makes her appear. Brian Basset served his purpose in making me chuckle, whether or not it had logic behind it.

After analyzing this cartoon, I’m convinced of its efficiency. Rhetorically, it touched base with everything necessary to qualify. So in conclusion, you should read Red and Rover more. (^ ^ Um… Discard this last paragraph, would you?)

Gaff Template for Alexie

The general argument made by Sherman Alexie in his work “Superman and Me” is that even Native American kids have the same potential to be great even if less if expected of them. He writes, “I am trying to save our lives.” By this he is suggestion that he is doing everything he can to help Native kids live up to their potential like he did.
In my view, Alexie is right because that is the obvious moral and logical case. More specifically, I agree exactly with him that any one is capable of anything and can achieve that. Although people may object that people are bound by their status, I maintain that status’ can be overcome. Therefore, I conclude that Native American kids should be treated equally and given a fair chance at success in this world.

Talbot Questions

1.  Her purpose was to set the setting, but in a less specific way. She tried to find an average high school with which students reading the essay can identify. Though her subject is not that school or those students, the general theme of the essay involves those to elements to large degree. At the end, she revisits specifically Sarasota HS and Kylie before and in her conclusion.
   2. This personal insertion adds to the overall appeal of ethos. If she can relate to the issue, the reader can be assured that she cares at least to some extent.
   3. The range of perspectives include that of a “cheated” student, that of a “sly” student, that of a concerned parent, and that of a teacher.
   4. If Talbot’s audience is students, then student interviews will create an area of interest and relativity for the readers. Besides that, what other sources can she really use? Unless Talbot used instead a broad and tedious list of law stuff, there aren’t many more options.
   5. Had Talbot opened her essay with this article, the focus would have shifted to how schools in recent times differ (valedictorian-wise) from those of the 1800, and how they have progressed.
   6. I think it’s a poor example given the situation. Although I don’t know much about sports, these topics hold a different, distinguishable importance.
   7. It relies on pathos in that its focus students and their stories. It led me to feel an emotional bond with these students.
   8. Her tone, quite honestly, sounded perfectly neutral to me. She observed all ends of the spectra. Today in class I’m sure you’ll prove me wrong. I think she’s an overall more sympathetic person, and seems to be with everyone. Because she uses so many quotes, it’s hard to distinguish her opinion from that of those she interviews. I think, judging by the last quote, that she liked the naming of single valedictorian.

Toulmin Model

Because the new media, anti-intellectualism in video, the decline of book, newspaper and magazine reading, ignorance, and arrogance, therefore, in recent years, Americans have become anti-rational and anti-intellectual and are proud of it, since the education of people is dropping because people think that an education doesn’t matter, unless they do think an education matters.

o.o I’m not really getting this.

A Counter Argument?

Ms. Susan’s arrogance is really driving me up the wall, here. Had she been politer, or perhaps had hinted at politness at all, I might be more compelled to agree with her and take her side on this. Yes, I’m that shallow.

Her article, most of which I also disagreed with, was rejected by a large portion of her audience. I can empathize with a journalist- but Susan is being narrow-minded. She has an opinion and, like a few people suggested, is in the mind-frame that her view is the correct view. Personally, I don’t think she’s taking enough things into account in her article. No, I’m not going to elaborate… Moving on! ^ ^

Bethsda made an excellent argument. Susan was too busy being insulted to  appreciate his stand-point. He did not say that plumbers do not know where Iraq is, but rather that he didn’t care whether or not his plumber knew. Susan (and another less intelligent Susan fan) thought it appropriate to point out that, “Gosh! Don’t generalize! My plumber knows where Iraq is.” This is most certainly not the point.

Why is it that we take chemistry, foriegn languages, English, calculus, and so forth in highschool? It’s not because we plan on using calculus, or whatnot, in our career as a travel agent, or a care worker, or as a office manager- it’s so we can learn how to learn. Of course, it’s initally to decide what we like to do, and thus helping us to find a suitable career, but then we can specialize. We can adopt a trade as they did back in the day. Yes, back in the day! Take foreign language for example. Who is it important to?  Personally, I want to learn how to learn to speak a foreign language. It’s an interesting skill I may or may not utilize. But what will a shoemaker do with this skill that will simply dissapate during it’s time of unuse? His intelligence shouldn’t be insulted because he chose not to partake in that sort of class.

What an irritating lady. I’m sure I’m just a hypocrit and that I behave in the same condensending way on paper.