Post #11 - Presidential Election

On the third and final presidential debate, both candidates were asked many questions that allowed them to give answers to convince or persuade the American audience to vote for them as President. Very rarely, the presidential candidates agreed, which forced the two representatives to use rhetoric strategies to move and convince the audience. Through logos, pathos, and ethos, both Presidential candidates were able to provide concrete examples to support their beliefs and have an impact or influence on the viewers. The interviewer of the show asked both Barack Obama and John McCain, "Why would your vice president be a better choice of a respresentative rather than the other other candidate's running mate?" Both Barack Obama and John McCain were able to each give their own opinions and applied rhetoric skills.

Right away, Barack Obama answers the question by applying ethos by stating, "I believe that Joe Biden is one the finest public servants that has ever served this country. It's not that he has some of the best foreign policy credentials of anybody, Democrats and Republicans both aknowledge his expertise there." This is a very bold statements that uses ethos because it gives a great deal of authority to Joe Biden's character, for it proves that he is respected very well by both parties. It also presents Joe Biden with a lot of credibility, for Obama states that he is very well-known and familiar among politicans. After those statements, Obama begins to use a different style of rhetorics buy applying pathos to his argument of persuasion. He uses pathos by noting, "Biden fights on behalf of the working families and remembers what it was like to see his father lose his job and go down through a downward spiral economically. He has a consistent pattern that has been to fight for the little guy. It helps working families get a leg up." These are prime examples of pathos because Obama refers to an appeal that applies to the emotions of the audience. He uses a sad story from Joe Biden's life of his father losing his job because it is something that will affect the audience strongly because it may be something that they can relate to. And finally, by backing up these pathos of Joe Biden, Barack Obama backs up these examples with facts. He supports his previous statements by saying, "When it comes to helping working families, he has passed the Landmark 1994 Crime Bill and the Violence Against Women's Act." By backing up and supporting his statements with facts, Barack Obama is using logos to rationally argue his point. He is appealing with reason and attempting to persuade his audience by providing proof and evidence.

Right away, John McCain uses ethos to argue his point by noting that Sarah Palin is a "role model" to women and reformers all over America. By saying this, McCain is giving her a credibility and appealing to a character of authority. Furthermore, McCain uses rheotoric skills by providing facts of what Sarah Palin has done in her past as a politician. He says, "When she was head of the energy board, she saw corruption and resigned. She has given money back to the tax-payers. She's cut the size of government. She's negotiated with oil companies." Once again, by providing facts, McCain is able to use logos to make an attempt to persuade his audience through reasoning. He uses facts as proof and evidence. Finally, McCain makes some very clear points by using pathos. He notes, "She understands families with special needs. She understands that autism is on the rise. We need to find out what's causing it and reach out to these families and help them." This is a clear example of a patho because it targets a very emotional subject. He targets autism and families with special needs because they tend to have some sad stories and an emotional state that may be easily reached by the audience.

Post #10 - "Envision" Rhetoric Questions

Chapter 1
1. Why are visual rhetorics so effective in persuasion? What elements of visual rhetorics are the most important on influencing or impacting the viewer?

2. In our everyday lives, how are rhetorics used to get a certain point across or make a persuasion in an argument?

3. What is propaganda and how is it used through visual rhetorics? How are the viewers able to "read" texts visually to understand the certain idea or point from the author?

Chapter 2
1. What are logos, pathos, and ethos? What purpose does each of them serve? Is one of these more beneficial or more persuasive than the other, and why?

2. Why are figures of authority sometimes considered to be persuasive or trustworthy? Should people rely on authority and base their opinions and reasoning on their credibility or should they be more cautious?

3. What is a fact? Are "facts" more appealing and persuasive to an audience in an argument? How much of a role do "facts" have in reasoning?

Extra Credit - Peter Gizzi

"Objects in the mirror may seem closer than they appear." This title, from a poem by Peter Gizzi, really caught my attention to reflect on certain areas. He explained that its important to look more in depth at things rather than just seeing what it is. Gizzi noted that everyone should examine things in a detailed way and find their true meanings and what they stand for. When analyzing this title, the person is looking back on what is behind them in their rear view mirror. In a deeper reflection, it can be seen as someone looking back on their life and their history and what is left behind them in the past. Even though things have already occurred and are left behind, we may not realize how much they still influence us inour future. Our pasts have an impact on how we live our lives in the future through the decisions we make. This quote or phrase is very beneficial because it makes a point that examining your past is very necessary as a person. Sometimes we tend to ignore things from our past, maybe because we do not want to remember them for negative reasons, but it is still important to relfect and learn from those mistakes. Everyone should be open and willing to look past on their past so they can improve their futures.

Extra Credit - Man On Wire

After attending Man on Wire, I noticed many incidents of content and form. The producers used many fimling techniques to exploit a certain topic or express something in an exaggerated way. They related many things to one another using different elements. For example, audio elements played a significant role in the movie. They would play clown music whenever Phillipe would ride around on his unicycle and juggle around town. Also, they played slow, sad violin and orchesta music whenever Phillipe's friends were interviewed to show the concerns and worries they had for Philiipe before he would attempt his tight rope walkings. Also, violin and orchesta music was also used whenever Phillipe performed his tight rope walkings to show the graceful and peaceful way in which he performed his stunts. It was almost as he was was performing an art from the way the producers made the scene appear. Also, music and audio was used when "Mission Impossible" music was used while Phillipe and his friends were hiding from the guards, which was used to create drama and suspense. Also, in order to show how dangerous tight rope walking truly was, the directors of the movie used very unique camera angels to show the extreme heights. Camera angels were used clear from airplane views and looking down to attempt to frighten the audience. And finally, an element that the directors and producers used was interiewing each person. This gave the viewer a first hand experience of what truly occured and presents real emotions and feelings. There were many elements in thise movie that were exploited to express content and form.

Post #9 - Memorial Stadium

For anyone who has ever grown up in Nebraska, they know what Husker football is all about. They also know of the historic Memorial Stadium.



I slowly stepped foot into Memorial Stadium on a cool Saturday afternoon and I could not believe my eyes. The bright sun shined down on the magnificent view. There were people everywhere, scattered in various seats dressed in bright red clothing with much excitement and anticipation in their faces. Thousands and thousands of people stood in the crowded gateway. There was a great deal of activity occurring throughout the stadium, causing my adrenaline levels to rise rapidly. It was a red sea of people as every fan in the stadium proudly wore the red Husker clothing. There was not a single empty seat in the whole stadium. The pearly white helmets of the players glistened from the bright light received from the sun in the clear blue sky. The distinct, structured lines on the field were vividly painted on the field, dividing the yard lines on the short green grass. The endzones on the field read “HUSKERS” in a dark red with thick whites lines bordering each letter. As the players run around and practice before the big game, the cheerleaders are very active on the sidelines. They yell through their large white megaphones chanting “Go Big Red! Go Big Red!” As they cheer on the football team, there is an unlimited amount of excitement in the people’s faces.



Everyone is standing, side by side, crowded. There is no room. It’s very tight, almost clostraphobic. Even though there is no space, my mind is still able to wander and reminisce about the tradition of Husker football. The writing above each part of the stadium reads 106 All-Americans in large, bold, strong letters. These words stand out from everything else, causing me to wonder of the importance for which they have on Husker football. They make me realize how much history has taken place in this amazing stadium, causing my heart to beat even harder. I started to remember all the success Nebraska has had on this field with the five national championships that they won. Every young boy that has grown up in Nebraska has once dreamed of stepping onto that field while wearing the red jersey with pride. These thoughts and emotions were constantly running through my head, for the atmosphere in the stadium is untouchable.

The game is finally here and when the bright yellow numbers on the clock near zero, the tension raises in the stadium, for the game is about to begin. Everyone is turned toward the enormous tunnel vision screen. It is gigantic, almost covering the whole top part of the north stadium above the bleachers. Every single person is tuned into the screen to watch the traditional tunnel walk video and listen to the highly inspirational music. On the screen they show the players walking from the locker room onto the field. Some players are obnoxiously jumping all around while others are walking very slowly while strongly locking hands with firm grips. There is a great deal of focus and determinism in their faces, for they know what this game means to the state of Nebraska and their fans. As I listen to the loud, blaring music from the loudspeakers, my excitement is uncontrollable. My heart beat is off the charts and my mind begins to wonder if I will even be able to make it to the start of the game, for I cannot stay still. There is a chant that is unbearably loud as each side of the stadium yells a phrase. The west side of the stadium begins yelling, “HUSKER!” while the east side of the stadium follows by replying “POWER!” The chants continue for almost several minutes, building the intense atmosphere.



Unfortunately, the game eventually comes to an end and the people around slowly exit the stadium, causing the red sea to dissolve and drift away. There is hardly anyone left, as the seats in the staidum appear to be bear and naked. What was once a loud and ferocious stadium of noise is now a silent, peaceful place. The aisles are completely empty now as plastic bottles and trash fill the rows that were once full.

I began to wonder how 86,000 people were able to cooperatively cram into one isolated area and then leave in such a short organized fashion. When the stadium is full, it is considered to be the third largest city in Nebraska behind Omaha and Lincoln. This strange comparison makes me think about all the people from all around Nebraska that travel and venture to this well-known stadium. This joyful scene showed me that regardless of who you were outside of Memorial Stadium, that everyone was one big family that united to support the Huskers on Saturday afternoons.



As I see everyone join together in the notion of a community formation, I begin to question, "What does it mean for people to join in a community for a certain event, yet be so different from one another and come from such different siutations?" I think of everyone and how diverse they are, how everyone has their own occupation and own lifestyle. I think the aspect of a community is very evident at Memorial Stadium, and that unity signifies a great deal. It means a lot to the whole state of Nebraska, for it shows what kind of people live here. I feel that no other place has the type of people that are present at Memorial Stadium on Saturdays, for the companionship and friendship is indescribable. Even though everyone is so different and so diverse, it still amazes me that everyone can unite together just for a game. That's all it is, really, is just a game. It is meant to be fun. It is an odd situation for me and sometimes hard to understand how people take it so seriously, yet the answer is simple. I feel that the tradition of Husker football provokes people to rally around each other and it continues to consistently bring people together. I also start to question what makes Memorial Stadium so attractive and what is it that continues to bring people back every weekend. Is it the actual football game? Is it the atmosphere of the staidum? Or is it just a social event for families and friends? For me, the answer becomes very clear to me. Memorial Stadium has showed me that football is just a game and meant to be fun.

Experiencing Memorial Stadium is something that I will for never forget, for I know what this place truly means to the state of Nebraska. Everyone is so passionate and faithful to Husker football and it is an amazing site when thousands of strangers across the state can come together and have such a strong interest in common. It makes me realize that the unity that is involved in Memorial Stadium is something that I have never witnessed before. The experience will always be with me and the history of Nebraska football will never be forgotten. I notice that dreaming of becoming a husker football player still exists in my mind and always will. Furthermore, I realize that it never hurts to dream and have hope either, for I learned that the imagination can bring you happiness in many ways. Even though the game is over, I realize I am already excited and cannot wait for the next football game at Memorial Stadium.



Being able to watch the Husker football players is almost like a dream come true for me. Watching the players on the field makes me think of the many memories I had as a young child. Those days as a child dreaming of once becoming a Husker football players are still with me. I notice that even though I am older, I still possess those childish dreams. Memories of playing football everyday with my friends and dad outside are still clear to me this day. Dressing up as a Husker football costume on Halloween and pretending to be your favorite player was a typical memory that reminds me of those past dreams. I start to wonder if every other boy that grows up in Nebraska has these same dreams of playing football for Nebraska and playing at Memorial Stadium. For anyone who loves sports or football, how could they not want to play in an unbelievable atmosphere such as Memorial Stadium and represent their state of Nebraska?

Growing up, everyone tells you that you can become whatever you want to be as long as you follow your dreams and goals. In my early years, the dream of playing for the Huskers was in my mind everyday. Now that I am wiser and more mature, I realize that becoming whatever you want to be is certainly not true because reality comes into play and not everyone is capable of becoming their desired profession. Although, I think that even though it may seem negative, it certainly does not hurt to have those dreams and always have hope. Maybe everyone should think like a young child and not consider reality as a factor? I consider this strategy because I remember when I was younger, there were no worries. There was no one telling you that you could not achieve something. As a young child, you had big dreams and followed them because that's what you truly wanted. As I reminicse on these past memories, I realize that I need to start living my life in a childish way by thinking and dreaming without any worries. I feel that everyone should live their life and be passionate about whatever they enjoy doing. Everyone should always have hope with nothing holding them back as if no one is there telling you that you cannot do something. Everyone needs a place such as Memorial Stadium that reminds them of their passions and dreams as a child. Whether or not you once imagined yourself wearing a red jersey and playing at Memorial Stadium, your dreams and hopes should never be forgotten.