Paper #3 Final Draft

Christopher Burning

English 101-5:30

Dr. Sonia Begert

11/26/15

Photoshop, the Power of God in Your Hands: For Good or for Evil?

          

              Advances in technology in the recent years have given people the power to transform the way others look to their desire. Initially it wasn’t something to be too concerned about. However, as people have learned these programs and as they have advanced, more is now possible than before with Photoshop. Transformations to models on magazines are now so unobtainable due to Photoshop that it’s causing more harm than good, both mentally and physically. So, is Photoshop for the better or for the worse in this day and age?

            Images have always been altered, well before Photoshop. In the New York Times article concerning PhotoShopping of models, Eric Wilson indicates that the amount of PhotoShopping that happens now is astounding. Images have always been effected in one way or another. Whether that be the use of lighting, exposure, angles but more recently software. The use of software in this age has taken models to the point of unrealistic and unreachable levels of perfection. In some ways they look like creatures from another planet. I surveyed ten of my good friends and family through Facebook and asked, “Do you believe that the Photoshoping of models on magazine covers accurately represents what is obtainable or do you think they're outlandish”? Every single one of the people who responded thought that the use of Photoshop as it is today, is outlandish and too extreme. Furthering onto the idea that Photoshop has been taken to the extreme Vivian Diller, Ph.D, wrote an article in the Huffington Post and quoted The American Medical Association saying, “alterations made through processes like Photoshop can contribute to unrealistic body image expectations, eating disorders and other emotional problems”. So considering it can cause a slew of physical and mental disorders and it being completely outlandish, what’s the positivity of it?

            Well according to Alice Chen, for the use of Photoshop on models, in HerCampus website, the author states, “As an editorial publication, a magazine strives to meet its standards of perfection. In the same way that an article passes through the hands of multiple editors, a photo experiences a meticulous retouching process in order to represent the best version of itself. And like the words in a written piece may change during the process, the colors, textures, shapes and other details of a photo may be altered without losing what that image is at its core”. However, consider the amount of altering a photo can go through for an ad, not even a magazine cover but just an ad. The ways in which an image can be altered is astounding. They can change the skin color, lip color, eye color, remove blemishes, extend the length of the persons’ body, change breast size, eye size, hip and waist size including many more possibilities not listed. So if all of those things are changed has the image really kept what it is at its core? Why should a photo have to go through retouching to represent the best version of itself? If an image is to really represent itself, let it represent reality and not a fantasy that Photoshop force feeds you. Another argument that is prevalent is that if Photoshop wasn’t allowed to be used on models or in magazines, or in ads that it would put many people out of jobs. Yes, that would be true, many people would lose their jobs, but with the marketing being the way it is, instantly there would a large demand in photographers or makeup artists so, yes, it would destroy jobs but at the same time it would create the same amount that were lost, if not more. Another point that comes from opposing side is that without the use of Photoshop makeup sales would drop, or anything that uses enhanced images to sell their product. However, as mentioned earlier Photographs have always been altered, with the use of angles, lighting or exposure, so even before Photoshop, beauty products still sold. If Photoshop was no longer used to sell products it wouldn’t impact sales greatly, if at all.

            Similarly to Vivian Diller, Harper Yi agrees that Photoshopping of models shouldn’t be considered fiction, stating from HerCampus website, “Our ideas about our bodies are not solely based on real-life experiences, but the messages we consume every day and the patterns we see in the media. Say all you want about how magazines aren’t made to be a reflection on reality, but magazines are not considered fiction and it’s time we recognized that the bodies of women and girls should not fall under that category either”. As it is right now, most women on the covers of magazines are fiction. Most times there’s no way to have the flawless skin they do, or the prefect curves they have or the 0% body fat, so it’s pure fiction. So as Harper Yi says, why is it fiction? In essence, it shouldn’t be.

          These pictures initially came from a video originally made for GlobalDemocracy.com. The top picture being the version after Photoshop and the bottom being before the use of Photoshop. Shocking isn’t it? It looks almost like an entirely different person from one picture to another. So, as Alice Chen said an image is “altered without losing what that image is at its core”. What core is left though? Her waist has changed, her facial features have changed, her height has changed, her eye color changed, her weight has changed and her skin color has changed so where’s the core? Every single aspect has been changed to meet what media expects to see from a perfect model. However, there isn’t any form of the original image left.

            Yet we judge those who are depressed or overweight or don’t fit that idea of “perfection” as presented by media. We don’t know their stories though, so for us to judge a book by its cover isn’t the best thing to do. To put things into perspective “47% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported wanting to lose weight because of magazine pictures. 69% of girls in 5th-12th grade reported that magazine pictures influenced their idea of a perfect body shape. 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner. 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.” according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. A picture is painstakingly painted from these facts. Photoshop is altering the minds of this generations children. 1^st-3^rd grade girls have self-esteem problems, self-esteem shouldn’t even be a concern to them at this point. Due to magazines though, it is. Setting them up for more self-esteem issues and possibly emotional problems or disorders later in life. So the next time you see any type of ad with a model on it think about what that ad means to you, what it does to you. Think, would it be better for us, better for you, better for your family and better for our society if Photoshop wasn’t allowed to create the “perfect” person?

Works Cited:

            Yi, Harper. "Op-Ed: Why I Am Against the Photoshopping of Women's Bodies." Her Campus. Style, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.

            Chen, Alice. "Op-Ed: In Defense of Photoshop: Why Magazines Should Photoshop Their Models." Her Campus. Style, 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

            Wilson, Eric. "Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 May 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

            Diller, Ph.D. Vivian. "Is Photoshop Destroying America's Body Image?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

            GlobalDemocracy.com. "Body Evolution - Model Before and After." YouTube. YouTube, 22 May 2012. Web. 02 Dec. 2015.

            ANAD. "ANAD." Eating Disorders Statistics. ANAD, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2015.

Mataya Giffey Analyzing an Argument Paper #3

Mataya Giffey Analyzing an Argument

1.       What is the claim?

a.       She is trying to say that we, as a society, are too depended on technology.

b.      It is clearly stated and it lies in the middle of the intro paragraph.

2.       What support does the writer offer for the claim?

a.       It effects our overall health, abilities and actions.

b.      There are multiple facts and testimonials and an example that back up her claim.

c.       The reasons are plausible and sufficient

3.       How evenhandedly does the writer present the issues?

a.       There are two counterarguments, those being, technology has made the economy better and safer and being able to communicate with family and staying up to date. She addresses them and then provides and immediate rebuttal.

b.      Acknowledging them and then responding reasonably.

c.       They’re regarded respectively.

d.      No large generalizations and qualified.

4.       What authorities or sources of outside information does the writer use?

a.       They’re used either for statistics or testimonials incorporating them effectively.

b.      They’re all credible.

c.       Generally current.

5.       How does the writer address you as the reader?

a.       Yes, the writer is assuming we all know what technology is and what forms it comes in.

b.      Yes, I am included within the piece.

c.       It seems that the author and I share the idea of technology being overused as is. 

Paper #3 Rough

Christopher Burning

English 101-5:30

Dr. Sonia Begert

11/26/15

Photoshop, the Power of God in Your Hands: For Good or for Evil?

            Advances in technology in the recent years have given people the power to transform the way people look to their desire. Initially it wasn’t something to be too concerned about. However, as people have learned these programs and as they have advanced more is now possible than before with Photoshop. Transformations to models on magazines are now so unobtainable with this program that it’s causing more harm than good, both mentally and physically. So, is Photoshop for the better or for the worse in this day and age?

            Images have always been altered, well before Photoshop. Whether it was through the use of angles, lighting or exposure, image altering has existed for a long time. Though as technology has developed so has different kinds of software: one of those being Photoshop. The problem with it is that the use of Photoshop on models has now gone to the extreme. I surveyed ten of my good friends and family through Facebook and asked, “Do you believe that the Photoshoping of models on magazine covers accurately represents what is obtainable or do you think they're outlandish”? Every single one of the people who responded thought that the use of Photoshop as it is today, is outlandish and too extreme. Furthering onto the idea that Photoshop has been taken to the extreme Vivian Diller, Ph.D, wrote an article in the Huffington Post and quoted The American Medical Association saying, “alterations made through processes like Photoshop can contribute to unrealistic body image expectations, eating disorders and other emotional problems”. So considering it can cause a slew of physical and mental disorders and it being completely outlandish, what’s the positivity of it?

            Well according to Alice Chen, for the use of Photoshop, in HerCampus website, the author states, “As an editorial publication, a magazine strives to meet its standards of perfection. In the same way that an article passes through the hands of multiple editors, a photo experiences a meticulous retouching process in order to represent the best version of itself. And like the words in a written piece may change during the process, the colors, textures, shapes and other details of a photo may be altered without losing what that image is at its core”. However, consider the amount of altering a photo can go through for an ad, not even a magazine cover but just an ad. The ways in which an image can be altered is astounding. They can change the skin color, lip color, eye color, remove blemishes, extend the length of the persons’ body, change breast size, eye size, hip and waist size including many more not listed. So if all of those things are changed has the image really kept what it is at its core? Why should a photo have to go through retouching to represent the best version of itself? If an image is to really represent itself, let it represent reality and not a fantasy that Photoshop force feeds you. Another argument that is argued is that if Photoshop wasn’t allowed to be used on models or in magazines or in ads that it would put many people out of jobs. Yes, that would be true, many people would lose their jobs, but with the marketing being the way it is, instantly there would a large demand in photographers or makeup artists so, yes, it would destroy jobs but at the same time it would create the same amount that were lost, if not more. Another point that comes from opposing side is that without the use of Photoshop makeup sales would drop or anything that uses enhanced images to sell their product. However, as mentioned earlier Photographs have always been altered, with the use of angles, lighting or exposure, so even before Photoshop beauty products still sold. If Photoshop was no longer used to sell products it wouldn’t impact sales greatly, if at all.

            Similarly to Vivian Diller, Harper Yi agrees that Photoshopping of models shouldn’t be considered fiction, stating from HerCampus website, “Our ideas about our bodies are not solely based on real-life experiences, but the messages we consume every day and the patterns we see in the media. Say all you want about how magazines aren’t made to be a reflection on reality, but magazines are not considered fiction and it’s time we recognized that the bodies of women and girls should not fall under that category either”. As it is right now, most women on the covers of magazines are fiction. Most times there’s no way to have the flawless skin they do, or the prefect curves they have or the 0% body fat, so it’s pure fiction. So as Harper Yi says, why is it fiction?

Works Cited:

            Yi, Harper. "Op-Ed: Why I Am Against the Photoshopping of Women's Bodies." Her Campus. Style, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Dec. 2015.

            Chen, Alice. "Op-Ed: In Defense of Photoshop: Why Magazines Should Photoshop Their Models." Her Campus. Style, 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

            Wilson, Eric. "Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 May 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

            Diller, Ph.D. Vivian. "Is Photoshop Destroying America's Body Image?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

Paper 3 rough outline

Christopher Burning

English 101-5:30

Dr. Sonia Begert

11/23/15

Rough Draft for Position Paper

·         Opening/ Hook: Rhetorical question/ stunning fact.

·         Paragraph one: possible survey conducted by myself or another

·         Paragraph two: argument presented by source 2

·         Paragraph three: counter argument presented by source 1

·         Paragraph four: argument presented by source 3 refuting the counterargument

·         Closing: Conclusion or summary

Incorporating Sources Effectively

1. http://www.hercampus.com/style/op-ed-defense-photoshop-why-magazines-should-photoshop-their-models for Photoshop of Women in Magazines

Chen, Alice. "Op-Ed: In Defense of Photoshop: Why Magazines Should Photoshop Their Models." Her Campus. Style, 2 Aug. 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

In an article by Alice Chen in HerCampus website, the author states, “As an editorial publication, a magazine strives to meet its standards of perfection. In the same way that an article passes through the hands of multiple editors, a photo experiences a meticulous retouching process in order to represent the best version of itself. And like the words in a written piece may change during the process, the colors, textures, shapes and other details of a photo may be altered without losing what that image is at its core.”

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/fashion/28RETOUCH.html against PhotoShop

Wilson, Eric. "Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’." The New York Times. The New York Times, 27 May 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

In the New York Times article concerning PhotoShopping of models, Eric Wilson indicates that the amount of PhotoShopping that happens now is astounding. Images have always been effected in one way or another. Whether that be the use of lighting, exposure, angles but more recently software. The use of software in this age has taken models to the point of  unrealistic and unreachable levels of perfection. In some ways they look like creatures from another planet.

3. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vivian-diller-phd/photoshop-body-image_b_891095.html against PhotoShop

Diller, Ph.D. Vivian. "Is Photoshop Destroying America's Body Image?" The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Aug. 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

According to Vivian Diller, Ph.D psychologist in private practice, "Photoshop can contribute to unrealistic body image expectations, eating disorders and other emotional problems. Surprisingly, professional and public reactions are mixed." In her article entitled "Is PhotoShop destroying Americas Body Image?"

Spriggs essay and personal essay analyses

1.      The Sprigg’s essay is Sprigg’s forming and sharing her opinion on local grown organic produce. Her opinion was expressed that the advantages of locally owned farms outweigh the disadvantages. She then presented very picky counterarguments that counter argued her point so her position looked stronger.

2.      The second article we analyzed was about the legalization of marijuana in Colorado. The article was more pro legalization of marijuana because the data supports that highway fatalities have decreased since the legalization of marijuana. Some counterarguments that they made were that the anti-pot group, SAM pointed out that even before the first legal pot store opened in Washington State, the number of driver in that state testing positive for pot jumped by one-third.

3.      The last article we analyzed was the unrealistic nature of Photoshop and people to what we accept as “standard”. It was mainly against it due to the number of facts represented in the article. For example, from the 1990’s to now, due to photo shopping there has been an 119% increase in eating disorders for children 12 years and younger.

4.      The Sprigg’s essay and our analyzed articles differentiate due to lack of counterarguments in the positive and/or negative positions. The articles are more statistical-based, rather than the Sprigg’s essay which is more observational. However, the Sprigg’s essay and the analyzed articles are all similar in the way that they all have a very strong stance and position on their topic.   

Katherine Spriggs Essay Questions Response

1. To me it's obvious that this is a topic that matters to her a lot because she has so many personal connections to it. She has also convinced me that it matters. She did this through the use of her rationalizing and her facts and statements. Something that also plays into me being convinced is my education in Environmental Science so I know that what she's saying has ground to it.
2. Spriggs acknowledges the counterargument of buying locally can effect both the environment and economy negatively. She responds to the environmental effect by stating that it would be a waste to try to grow every kind of food locally but she then says that "buying local should instead focus on buying as much as possible from nearby farmers". She responds to the economic factor by saying that it would probably effect the global economy but improve local ones.
3. Paragraph eight and nine are good examples of the essay being effective. In these parts the essay uses an explicit position, good reasons and evidence, attention to more than one point of view and a response to what others have said or done.
4. The first photo helps support her argument because it gives an example of an easy way to buy local. The second and third photos provide significant contrast. The second photo shows a small poly-culture farm which seems nice and quaint and sustainable while the second photo shows an industrial mono-culture farm which, from the angle it's taken, seems unsustainable and very bland and not inviting. The fourth photo gives us an idea of how many trucks are on the roads when traveling because it shows just one car and three massive semi trucks and one box truck. Giving the impression that it could be too much.

Arguments Arguments Arguments for paper #3

Possible Topics: Gasoline vs Bio-Fuel, Drinking Age, Photoshoping Models for Magazines, Time and Resources spent conserving the Earth, College Tuition and Debt vs Free College and The Government keeping track of peoples lives.

Examining Homework of "Two Sisters Tragic Story"

From the video about the Two Sister Tragic, it had an emotional appeal because in the first line it established that the video was about grief. Secondly, they establish an emotional aspect to it they always have the parents “red-faced” with tears with the dog and with clips from their childhood. This video also had a logical appeal because the bottom line is that drunk driving kills and promotes driving lessons and they provide free transportation to insure safe driving throughout teenagers. This video showed ethos through the use of the video clips of their childhood to show that these people are just average and normal people, and that this can happen to anyone.

How Thing Mean

Symbols of Patriotism:

USA: Suggests High patriotism, strength and power. Firstly, they use the symbol of America which is of the highest patriotism. Secondly, the eagle itself looks as though it’s extremely stern portraying a position of power. Thirdly, the American flag is on the eagle itself further giving a sense of patriotism.

Great Britain: Suggests that Britain is powerful and stands out from other nations whilst still being humble. Firstly, the dog looks off into the distance but also looks as though it’s not going to back down, giving a sense of power. Secondly, they use a light colored dog, which gives a sense of innocence while maintaining the ferocity that the dog is.

France: Suggest that France is more about the people and their ethical standards. Firstly, there’s not representation of their flag. However their slogan is carved in stone which suggests that it’s ever lasting compared to the dog and eagle because they have a limited amount of time. Secondly, the picture shows a camera which is used for surveillance and that means they’re focused on their people.

Watches:

Rolex: Suggests that you are in a position of wealth and power. Firstly, it does this through the use of the name, “Rolex” in general because it’s an expensive brand. It tells that the person is in a financially stable enough point in their lives to splurge money on luxury items that they don’t necessarily need.

Hello Kitty: Suggests that it’s for the youth and something to temporary satisfy a person. Firstly, it does this because of the low quality that the watch is. Also it is a lot smaller and compact possibly symbolizing a less financially stable position. There’s also a picture of the “Hello Kitty” cartoon on it which again suggests that it’s for children and those less financially stable and something temporary. 

Argument 1: Between all the symbols of patriotism they all differ in their own way but all present the same general ideas of representing what their country stands for.

Argument 2: Between the two watches, one can infer that Rolex is for those who are financially stable and for those who are successful. Compared to Hello Kitty which is something that’s just temporary 

Reading Sources Critically

1.       Made the argument about double standards on when, how and if it’s appropriate between black people and white people. Our whole history has been written in double standards. The way teaching is currently handled when talking about classic texts that contain the word teaching can be taught in a non-racist way but as it is currently, that’s not happening. It’s not our job to help them reclaim the word, yet if we want to help we can, “march on the school boards, the police stations and health care”.

2.       I find the argument extremely persuasive. One reason for his argument is the word has been used as a slur and not in a friendly manner. Secondly we, white people, have to realize that there’s a history behind the word, it’s something that should be between black people. The one thing I disagree with is his use of a redneck example because there’s not nearly the significance behind it. He acknowledges the opposing arguments more than I would’ve thought of.

3.       It obvious that he doesn’t agree with white people using the n-word and that it should be left to black people and there isn’t nearly the emotional and historical impact on us as compared to them.

4.       Boston Colleges’ stance is of one that’s against the use of the word in general. Given the website there are many articles and discussions concerning the use of the word and professors on the topic.

5.       Compared to the speech from time wise, Boston College is still against it. However the college gives more historical context of the word. For example in another video they present the idea that the word was originally used to sell things like, “Nigger Clams”.

6.       This topic goes against what we think. We believe that the constitution presented to the people of America Freedom of Speech. It’s been around for a long time and yes people can use it as a slur but same can go for white people. So in reality we believe that people should try to make a disconnect between the word and a racial slur because it’s going to be around for a long time but it’s not necessarily bad.

7.       The intended audience is for everyone who have used the word or are around the word. This is his audience because they want people to acknowledge what they are using and the context behind it. His purpose is to have people aware of when, how and if it’s appropriate to the use the word and who is saying it. Even though it doesn’t affect you it affects others. He gave an example of him being from the south and jokes that are made about him but it’s not necessarily bad because the person making it is from the south so it’s okay. 

Taking Stock of Your Writing paper 2

Taking Stock Questions

1.      I went about the texts by first looking at what was actually presented by them. Looking at the images and text mainly. I was very critical about them and as I inferred more I ended up getting deeper and deeper into them.

2.      I initially started with understanding the ads completely first. I then put those main ideas in the draft and then connected them all after that.

3.      I think I organized it pretty well. If anything I could’ve probably used simpler words in some instances.

4.      Yes, I provided a large deal of evidence per each point presented.

5.      I think I connected abstract ideas and hidden ideals presented by the ads very well.

6.      I could have probably added more to each explanation in some cases.

7.      I used three visuals and they were all very key in my explanations. Words alone couldn’t portray the same thing the ad does in itself because of how heavily I analyzed them in some cases.

8.      It made me want to go deeper and deeper into the ads the more and more responses I got because everyone said it was intriguing.

9.      I would maybe choose ads next time that their meanings and objectives weren’t so deeply hidden.

10.  I am very pleased with the result of my analysis. It taught me a lot about just exactly how phone advertisements have evolved and how they go about their goals in their own ways and I would definitely delve more into these ads once they come about.

11.  I can take away the ways I used to grab peoples attentions by using rhetorical questions and leaving a moving closing statement. 

Two Sisters Tragic Story Emotional Appeal

The video titled, "Two Sisters Tragic Story" establishes what kind of appeal it is immediately. The first thing you hear from the video is, "Grief has consumed a local community after two teenage sisters died in a early morning crash". This tells us that the type of appeal they're aiming for is emotional appeal. There can also be a logical appeal in about this YouTube ad. The idea that drunk driving kills and this video can be viewed as a fact to that statement. However the emotional appeal is much more suited because of the opening as well as the music they use. It's emotion provoking music that, in the right situations, can make you cry or become emotional yourself. They put some key titles on the screen through out the video which sort of tell their path as they went through it. The process of realizing what happened and then putting it together and moving on and coming to terms and building a legacy. The parents had some very powerful things to say, mainly being that their kids made a mistake and it costed their lives, they don't want them to be forgotten but from that event came positivity. After that event the community added a system for people to call a number and have them be riven home and they thought they weren't suited to do so and also they implemented a driving course for kids of their age.

Thinking about your writing in a conversation

My latest example of a topic that expresses a position is between my father and I discussing us getting new phones in the spring. Examining the conversation to me it seems that my position was very clear. I said that "if we get new phones in the spring it would allow you and I to do quite a number of things more. For example I run out of space on my phone quite often so it would be a good idea to get a phone with a larger space capacity. Secondly the new IPhone 6S processes information faster than the mac book  pro so it offers a lot more opportunities and accessibility on a mobile device." My point was pretty clear but there wasn't many oppositions from my dad but I feel as though it was clear.

"Yes, we can" Video Response

President Obama's speech on it's own is powerful and moving in its own but the video from Will.I.Am gives it a lot more power. Obama has pushed for one thing since he was elected, change, that's been his number one goal and the speech portrays that as well. However in the video with the addition of music, actors and their voices and the written words gives a stronger connection to us. Music naturally gives anything more power and connectivity to people, that's why so many people enjoy certain songs. Whether that be Christmas carols or Rock and Roll or Country  or Hip Hop. To each their own. Yet the video gives us a personal connection because it uses people we know, who we look up to or people we know that are in that situation and they're all speaking to the same thing. Change and yes we can. The words that are highlighted on the screen also gives it more power because it highlights the most powerful words and the words that the speech centers on to emphasize them.

Paper 2 Rough Draft

Christopher Burning

English 101-5:30

Dr. Sonia Begert

11/2/15

The Assimilation of Advertisements Through the Years: IPhones

          

           The core purpose of advertisements has always been to persuade their viewer to either support what they present. IPhone ads are no different, however, as the phones have entered new generations so have the ads themselves. The main point of IPhone ads has always been to purchase the phone and join the loyalty that is the Apple community. The ways each ad goes about that goal though is something totally in its own.

           This ad from Apple in 2011 (Figure 1) features the IPhone 4 and a very key slogan. There are quite a number of things in this ad itself that support the idea of Apple being centered on selling the phone and gaining a larger community. The first thing to note about this ad is the audience in which they’re centering on. To most people they would see the ad targeting the general consumer but analyzing it deeper reveals that hidden under the initial audience is the audience of family/ friends. Now the ad can sway either way, most ads are driven towards a certain audience but when it comes to phones that audience is extremely diverse. So finding a specific targeted audience may not be as obvious as in other ads. Although, as far as the not so obvious targeted audience goes, one can interpret it that way because of the conversation that’s happening within the phone itself. One can see it as either a conversation between two friends or possibly a father and son giving the idea of family/friends. The given simplicity of the ad is also another way it shows their focus audience. For example in Figure 1 the ad uses words such as, “Easy” and “Quickly”. These are all words that everyone can understand, even those who don’t know much English or are poorly educated can understand that the ad is implying that the phone is easy to use and fast. Additionally the structure of the ad maintains simplicity so, again, it can speak to many people. Then looking at the slogan as a whole reveals it’s extremely short and to the point furthering the ability for everyone to understand it. These things all tell us what the purpose of this ad is. By highlighting the ease of their product, possibly compared to the difficulty of usage of other phones, it tries to sell you into the phone to experience that ease. They also highlight the communication that they’re talking about within the ad. They’re keeping the value of family, or general, communication within mind by highlighting it within the phone in the ad.

           Similar to the aforementioned ad. This IPhone 5 ad from Apple in 2013 (Figure 2) features the new phone and a slogan that might seem innocent on the surface but it presents a lot more when looked into. Again this ad presents Apple wanting to sell their new phone and to persuade those who haven’t bought their new phone to buy it, essentially joining the “So many” that do love it and have it. The similarities to note between this ad and the IPhone 4 ad is the words usage. Again the ad uses the word “Easy” making sure to use simple language so as it can reach across language barriers. Another similarity is the slogan. The structure of the ad, again, is simple and to the point. The focus audience hasn’t changed but the secondary audience has. Looking into the ad deeper one can interpret a different secondary audience than the first ad, this time, it being towards technology lover/those who love their phones. There’s a lot more to this ad though. Upon first reading of the ad many questions can pop up from it. Why is it so easy to love the phone? What makes this phone so special? That’s exactly what the ad wants to do. It leaves many open ends about the phone which elicits curiosity from the reader. It does it quite effectively

Homework Assignment Summary 10/22 (Advertisements R Us)

Advertisements have always been design to persuade us to purchase their products. A given ad from Coca-Cola company presents many things to its viewers. Firstly and most notably is that there is visible segregation present within the ad of both ethnicity and gender. It mainly presents white male seemingly all enjoying a cold crisp coke. This gives an insight as to what America in 1950's society was like an what was deemed important. As Rubin points out, the diversity Coca-Cola was supporting and chasing was that of economic and war related. Another point presented is Coca-Cola has given itself the image of America and during wartime it spread its image to other countries. "The ad suggests that Coca-Cola recognized the patriotism inspired by the war..." (Rubin, 178). With said patriotism the ad suggested supporting troops by giving them a Coke set Coca-Cola up for expansion perfectly. The ads basic message was Americas lives are "to be envied and emulated, so drink Coca-Cola and live that life yourself" (Rubin, 180).

Textual Analysis Prompt

1.      The publisher of our first ad about dog fur is from the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.).Our second ad about Walmart in support of animal cruelty is from Mercy for Animals. Our last ad is a dog adoption ad which is published by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

2.      All these texts are intended for people who have compassion or a love for animals. For example, in the first ad the slogan is “If you wouldn’t wear your dog…please don’t wear any fur.” They are purposefully trying to make people feel compassion for animals that are skinned for fur.

3.      We can tell that the texts are intended for people who have compassion or love for animals because they are all focused on doing the most ethical choice for the animals, while pressuring people into having compassion. For example, in the ad about Animal Cruelty they are blaming Walmart for supporting Animal Cruelty and pressuring you into supporting their side, instead of Walmart. Also in the ad about adopting a dog, it pressures you into compassion for the dog because the ad is narrated from the dog’s point of view, and by relating on a personal level.

4.      The purpose of these texts are persuading you to support their cause or to sway your opinions about something. For the first ad, they are trying to prove and have people in support of equality between all animals. In the second ad the creators are trying to change the way Walmart and other companies treat their animals. In the last ad the creators are trying to persuade you into adopting a dog. All three ads main point is to get you to do something.

5.      The creators of the Walmart ad are trying to make people aware of what they are eating. This causes less amount of people to buy their animal products, which decreases Walmart’s profits, so they hopefully start to make a change. They are working towards their purpose by promoting their issues, and making a voice for themselves. All the ads are trying to address that ethical values trump overall. For example, in the Walmart ad, the makers of the ad are directly accusing Walmart of Animal Cruelty, giving Walmart a bad reputation. This makes people rethink their decisions.

6.      In the Walmart Animal Cruelty ad, it says, “Imagine being crammed inside a medal stall, barely larger than your own body, unable to turn around or lie down comfortably for nearly your entire life. You will never see the sun, breath fresh air, walk, play, or engage in any natural behaviors. This is the daily reality of pigs raised for Walmart’s pork.”

7.      As a group, all the ads inform you of a problem and advise you to take action.

Summary of "Advertisements R Us"

In her essay, Advertisements R Us, Melissa Rubin brings insight to how companies persuade consumers to support their products. Rubin argues that Cola-Cola does this through the use of ideals, values and stereotypes. She first does this through the connection between the ad and World War 2. According to the essay it puts the company in position to expand their enterprise and have others try their product. In addition the author argues in the ad there is visible segregation of not only black people but women as well. She says it's one of the ways the company conforms to America's racial intolerance. The article also indicates that the way the ad it set up in its images that it gives the consumer a sense of pride and persuades them participate in that pride. The author concludes that from all the given above that the main message of the ad is, "theirs is a life to be envied and emulated, so drink Coca-Cola and live that life yourself."

Thinking About the Text: "Advertisements R Us"

1. Melissa Rubin gives us inside to quite a number of things in the Coca-Cola ad. Firstly she informs us that Coke spread in popularity because of its role in the war effort. This lead to factories in other countries and by the time the war had ended Cola-Cola was in a prime position to further their enterprise. Secondly she informs us about the segregation that appears in the ad as far as both black people and women are concerned. Her evidence for it was directly from Coca-Cola in that it was in tune with the society's view of racial prejudiced. Thirdly she shows that in the ad it's pretty much the prefect life. She presents this by describing the setting in which that ad is in and what is happening around it. Ultimately she concludes that in the ad it's depicted that American's lives are to be envied and drinking Coke would give you that same emulation.

2. She incorporates historical context with the use of direct quotations and through the way she starts the analysis and goes into its roots. This ultimately provides a firmer understanding of what she is connecting so as, to the reader, there isn't a disconnect.

3. Given the question, we're able to learn a great deal about a culture from a single ad. What we learn and how much we learn though is ultimately determined by how much research is done and how much analysis is done of it. Not only can you answer questions about the culture but you can also answer questions about the lifestyle, the economic situation during that time. As well as you could find another similar ad shortly after the other was published and attempt to determine how successful it was. 

4. A contemporary ad that comes to mind when thinking of our era is ads about phones. Ads about phones these days consist of many happy people and many people using the phone in all of it's features. In reality most people won't know how it works, how to do the functions shown or understand what's better about it. They also show almost nothing but the phone and people on it. Not retroactively in a group, by themselves, alone. They also depict famous and good looking people using it giving a sense of status to the phone and a sense of feeling and objectivity. The two ads compare two very different things but they basically do the same in their meaning. That the product is great, it's something to be envied but you could also have it and have the status it presents.

Taking stock of your paper response questions

1. My main point of my story was to share my personal story of a struggle with schooling I had. Specifically that being English classes and them not keeping my interest any longer.
2. My audience was wide set. Thinking about it I mainly thought it was our class and our general age group, while also keeping in mind the larger scale of the audience hence why I tried to relate to them. I assumed that everyone has been through an experience they've not liked and to me it seems like a  reasonable thing to assume but there could also be a person who hasn't ever had that. I had to consider a few audience needs, I didn't want to spark some religious debate about the paper so I kept religion out of it and secondly I tried to make it so everyone understood as to what was happening and trying to connect to them in those situations.
3. After the first draft I got a lot of good feedback but some negative but I took it in stride and looked at it as a way to improve and places to improve. During the writing however a got a lot of feedback from people like my mom and dad which helped a lot because they had a lot of good input for me. It helped me realize that yes my writing is good overall but in some cases there can be some disconnects every now and again and I tried to improve on them.
4. I found that when I was writing this I had a lot of flashbacks to that time in my life and how good that year was. I also then looked at the story (which I still have and work on on my computer) and read it through again and worked on it. I learned that my love for that type of writing is still there.
5. I'd like to know if how I did the opening sentence was appropriate and correct. I know you can have short sentences but I forget exactly what has to be included for it to be correct.

Literacy Narrative Final

Christopher Burning

English 101-5:30

Dr. Sonia Begert

10/15/15

The Discovery of Roderick

The year? 2014. The place? North Kitsap High School. The subject? My future. We all have a point in our lives in which we discover that we either like, or dislike something. Whether that be a fruit, activity, TV show, types of books or anything really, we’ve all been there. I was at a tipping point in my life which would decide whether I would, or wouldn't continue to enjoy writing, or English classes as it were, at all anymore.

                To this point in my life writing and English in general didn’t catch my interest too much. It has always been about writing literary essays and analyses which was the same thing time and time again. I found it a bore, having to sit there and read the text again and again until your eyes strained to even focus on the words. It was the only thing that I could remember doing in my English classes all of high school and middle school. However this day was different, today was the day I discovered the type of writing that kept my interest in English.

                The class received a new writing assignment. You could hear the shuffling of the stack of papers being moved around the room and the students shifting in their seats anxiously waiting to see what they has to do next. Sighs could be heard circling the room as each student got the assignment and read it. Admittedly, I was one of them. As soon I heard the other students sighing I did too. However halfway through my sigh I actually finished reading the assignment and realized, I was excited about it.

                The topic was to write a story of a character who is taken from the 1980’s and transported into our current day and age. How one got this character to the future was up to the students. I didn’t want to use the overworked stories of aliens and teleportation machines. Let’s face it, there’s enough of those out there. I wanted mine to be different, something new, something that would make you want to read it because it made you wonder how.

                 As the teacher explained to the class what was expected my mind was off brainstorming my new story that the teacher would hopefully thoroughly enjoyed. Once the teacher told us to get to work I immediately began to scramble to write down all my thoughts, almost faster than I knew I could write. My mind raced with potential and excitement. I had a spider web of ideas by the time the bell rang, ranging from possible character names to potentially half of the plot. Thankfully I was able to get away from the girl who had an overwhelming amount of perfume on next to me, which at times made me lose concentration. I gleefully went about the rest of my day excited for what my imagination had in store for me later on that night.

                By the time I arrived home I had a mountain of homework on my plate. Whereas I should’ve had all my concentration on the current homework I was trying to complete. My mind had it out to be thinking about the story I wanted to write.

                Once I finished all my other homework I began what I really wanted to do. I poured myself a nice cold glass of root beer, which was oh so delectable, grabbed my sheet of ideas and finally began the one writing assignment that had caught my attention in many years. I began typing down the main character. His name was Roderick Ledford. A respectable man, in his 30’s, cleanly shaven, well dressed, mannered, except when angered, who was dedicated to his job as a photographer for a magazine company. I then began to ponder where Roderick lived and worked. I initially figured I would end up using some small city but in the end he worked and lived in New York City. I kept writing and writing and by the end of the day I had a good block of text that included a majority of my thoughts and so I decided to call it a night. I ate my dinner of pork chops and mashed potatoes, watched two episodes of House M.D. and went to bed.

                The next school day came and I went about it as usual. For a majority of the day I wasn’t bothered by the thought of my story too much since I had down what I wanted for the most part. However there was one thing I needed to figure out about my story which is a crucial piece. I needed to figure out how Roderick was to get from the past to the current day. All of the day and night before and even into the current day I wasn’t able to figure out a feasible way to have him transported besides the exhausted ways aforementioned.

                Then it hit me. It hit me like a truck, funnily enough that’s how he was to be transported from the past to the present. He was to be sent on a job to get pictures for a new magazine edition and had to travel cross country. On his journey he had to refill for gas and he goes into the gas station to pay for his gas but the power goes out, the doors lock and he passes out only to wake years later with his truck all rusted and decrepit. I went home and quickly added it to the story and it began to really blossom from there.

                Over the next week I constantly developed, revised and added to my story. In total the creative story ended up being over five thousand words in length and had an interesting plot. I knew this because I had many people read it for me a give me feedback and it was all positive.

                This narrative doesn’t end here though. The next week I printed out two copies of my paper and walked to class with a skip in my step and excitement in my heart. In my hands I had the one piece of writing that I couldn’t stop thinking about and constantly improving over the last week. It was the first piece of writing I was very proud of in my entire middle school and high school career. I walked into class, placed my masterpiece down on top of the others and then sat.

                Later in the class my English teacher called me to her desk.

                “Chris…this story was supposed to be around five hundred words” she said.

                “Yes, I know, but this was the first piece of writing that spoke to me and I didn’t want to stop writing” I replied with a grin on my face.

                “Okay, well… can you make me a shorter edition so I can still grade it? If I find it interesting enough I’ll read the full version and if I deem it worthy I might add some extra credit to it.”

                “Yes I can do that.”

                “You’re one of my star students and you’ve improved leaps and bounds since the start of the year and if anything you deserve it.”

                “Thank you very much, I appreciate that.”

                I went home and created a shorter version but tried to not sacrifice any plot development or detail. I brought it in the next day happy with what I had managed in 500 words, presented it and received a perfect score and later extra credit for my good work. You should find what you enjoy, find what keeps you sane and what you have fun with. This assignment gave me hope for the rest of my high school English classes. I had finally managed to find the type of writing that was interesting to me and in which, I enjoyed it. I now knew that I could have fun with writing and that it all wasn’t a bore after all.