Assignment 10

Our group is choosing to persuade gymnasts throughout the country to persuade them to join the BYU women's gymnastics team. We chose this audience because half of this group is part of the women's gymnastics team, and we felt we could really persuade this audience well. To make sure that gymnasts are tailored to this brochure, we will include pictures, biographies about the coaches, and information about the facilities and athletic training. That will persuade them since gymnasts would like to see and know the environment they will be in, the coaches they will be with every day, and the places and people they will be with helping them day in and day out. It will be clearly very persuasive. We also thought about persuading football players to come to BYU, since the majority of the group has an interest in football.

Audience is clearly a very important issue in any form of writing. It is important to know who your audience is in your papers. If you do, you can include interesting information to persuade them to side with your viewpoint. You can edit or cut out information that is not needed to your specific audience. When you know who your audience is, you can use different techniques or styles to reel them in. Acknowledging audience is important to any other class, whether it is a research paper, rhetorical analysis, or even a simple blog, like this. I personally will be aware of audience when I write in the future because I am planning on being a journalist. I will be writing several different topics in my life, and I have to alter my writing to appeal to my audience, whoever it may be. Audience is essential to a good paper, and I'm really glad I learned that in this class.

Assignment 9

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

American Heart Association 23 Nov. 2008. The National Institute of Health. 23 Nov. 2008
<http://americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4559>.

This site gave me ample information regarding statistics to cigarette smoking. At first it shows the statistics of the population in the United States and the percentage of smoking. Then, it broke it down to each race in the United States. We are a melting pot here in America, but everyone, regardless of race, is smoking.
If one person smokes in a city, many people wouldn’t think it would make a difference to the air quality. Nevertheless, with the statistics shown by the American Heart Association, millions of Americans, just like that one person smokes and ruins the air quality. The statistics are astronomical.

“Asthma; Reports from University of California Highlight Recent Research in Asthma in Children.” Drug
Week. 14 Nov. 2008. 23 Nov. 2008.
This research study showed the correlation between the air pollution and the respiratory problems with children. Children in Southern California who are near traffic-related air pollution will most likely become infected. The article also states that asthma will most likely occur.
If you relate one child who lives in the city, to one who lives in the countryside, which child will live a healthier life? The child who lives in the countryside will live a healthier life because they will not be near all the negative effects of air pollution. The child who lives in the city will be influenced by car exhaust, smokestack exhaust, or secondhand smoke. The statistics show that the child in the countryside will have less chance of asthma compared to the child living in the city.
Berkeley, Lawrence. “Air Pollution”. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s ELSI Project.
.
This article provided much information regarding air pollution. It taught me the differences in indoor and outdoor air pollution. It also described the different types of air pollution. This article was provided to a laboratory project and provides with the preventions, and causes as well.
I used much of my citations from this article, as it was background information for my topic. It summed the reader up for what I was talking about. It introduced what I am about to inform the reader about so they are refreshed with my information.
The Boston Globe. “Discoveries”. 13 Oct. 2008. 23 Nov. 2008. Pg A15.
This article described the Clean-Air Act. It was enforced in 1970 and produced dramatic results. Although it seems like the Act is working, it has a few flaws. The article claims that air pollution monitors only a few different chemicals, not all, and that is a problem.
This article will help my essay regarding the different types of air pollution. As said before, it did not detect the different types of chemicals that harm the environment. Being informed of the different types of air pollution is critical in helping the environment.
Cooper, Mary H. “Global Warming.” CQ Researcher 6.41 (1996): 961-984. CQ Researcher Online. CQ
Press. Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT. 23 Nov. 2008
.
This article represents global warming, as a whole. It gives you the results of global warming. It also gives you the results of how to prevent global warming, and the effects that will come in future years. It also contains diagrams to help understand the process.
Global warming is very important in my essay. Air pollution goes hand-in-hand with global warming. It is all important to our world. Global warming will eventually melt our polar ice caps and there are other harms that come with global warming.
Mittelstaedt, Martin. “Talks Set for New Air-Pollution Pact.” The Globe and Mail. 14 Apr. 2007: A4.
This article explains the pact between Canada and the United States. It is regarding cleaner air. When they work together, they might be able to achieve this goal. Both their governments can enforce the pact. It is called the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement.
This pact includes provisions for cutting emissions responsible for causing acid rain and smog. It will help my paper informing my readers of acid rain and smog that are results of air pollution. The pact will seek to cut releases of particulate matter, tiny particles of soot that are a prime contaminant from coal-fired power plants and diesel-powered trucks and cars.

“Six Common Air Pollutants.” The Environmental Protection Agency. 8 Apr. 2008. 23 Nov. 2008.
.
This article is strictly regarding sulfur dioxide. It is related to metallic ore, coal, or crude oil. But it a majority of sulfur dioxide is released into the air. That might be too much for the environment to handle.
The article says “65% of SO2, released into the air, or more than 13 million tons per year”. It comes from electrical utilities, especially those that burn coal. Trains and ships use coal and release sulfur dioxide.
Taylor, Paul. “Air Pollution Could Be a Heartbreaker, Study Finds.” The Globe and Mail. 27 Jul. 2007: L4.
This article proves that bad air enforces havoc on the body. Air quality is important to society all around the world. Diesel particles are coated with potentially harmful chemicals. They claim that bad air quality can lead to heart disease.
Taylor establishes his reasoning by explaining we need to control air pollution to reduce cardiovascular disease. This specific article shows wit h their research the importance of improving our air quality.
Weeks, Jennifer. “Coal’s Comeback.” CQ Researcher 17.35 (2007): 817-840. CQ Researcher Online. CQ
Press. Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT. 23 Nov. 2008.
.
Here, it describes the problems with coal mining. Coal mining is used in everyday life, but can be detrimental to the environment. Burning coal as an energy source could be translated into something better.
In my essay, coal coincides with half of the U.S. electrical supply, and while it seems we need it, it is hurting the environment. While it is plentiful and cheap, America might be using it to hurt the atmosphere. We are working against the ecosystem, not helping it.
Worsnop, Richard L. “Indoor Air Pollution.” CQ Researcher. 5.40 (1995): 945-968. CQ Researcher Online.
CQ Press. Harold B. Lee Library, Provo, UT. 23 Nov. 2008
.
This article talks about the bug around the house, the dust mite bug. Indoor air pollution is drastically affecting residents. It talks about the different factors of what goes on in the home that hurts its inhabitants.
With this, I can describe secondhand smoke and how it affects the children. In fact, indoor air pollution can be up 1,000 times as dirty as outdoor air pollution. Radon is also inside homes and even though it’s odorless, it is there and can be harmful.

Assignment #9

CHAPTER 8.

Chapter 8 from the Writing and Rhetoric book was very lenghty, but extremely important. It showed us how to write with flow, conciseness, clarity, just to name a few. "Letting the Light Shine Through" is very appropriate, since the book conveys the delivery of our essays to make it interesting for our readers.
For one, "style results more from what a person is than from what he knows". They mean that each essay is different and each has their own voice. This is because each essay is written by a different person, with their own views, voice, and writing style. Our writing is the new and unique light that shines through.
They say clarity triumphs everything. "If our readers don't understand what we are saying, then it's a given that they also won't be persuaded to our point of view". We can't overcome our readers with words that don't help our point and it won't help our readers be convinced. Keith Hjortshoj compares our essays as an adventure for our readers. Our introduction is the departure point, where we introduce what we are writing and building them up to take flight. The body is the journey itself. The conclusion is the destination, where when the reader is done they learned a little bit more than where they started in the introduction. I thought this "adventure" regarding our essay was very influential. It will help me to make my essay more interesting since I know I will be a tour guide for my readers on their quest.
Lastly, the book explains about transitions and conciseness. We all already know how to use transitions, but in the book it gives me examples of which transitions are stronger and can be used in replace of weak words. Conciseness is having the most power from the least amount of words. "We should get rid of deadwood, those useless, floating pieces of language that clog up our sentences and add no meaning". Words like really, very, rather, and so are petty and trivial, so why would I use them? I need to get my message over to the reader fast, before they get bored with words like that and become disinterested. That in turn will not convince my reader to agree with my issue. So I need to be concise so I can give my ideas more power.
Using my voice is also very important, I cannot be too formal because then it wouldn't sound exactly like me. The book says "we shouldn't put aside who we are when we pick up a pen to write". I agree a lot with this because if we didn't use our voice, the readers would be bored reading the same type of paper, just with different views. Chapter 8 was very influential.

Assignment #8

The topic I am working on is bonfires in the forests and the harms it causes to the environment.
Bonfires are very popular among teens and people who love the outdoors. Unfortunately, bonfires can be very dangerous and if not watched properly, they can wipe out an entire forest.

One major concern regarding bonfires is the possibility of creating a forest fire. A bonfire is supposed to be for recreational enjoyment in a reserved and contained setting. If not obtained properly, bad outcomes will occur. People who do not put the fires out when they are done can start forest fires. Our nation does not already need any more forest fires than we already do. For example, the fires in California are due to the weather conditions and other things of that nature. We do not need people who are forgetful or ignorant to start anymore fires.

Another concern is the carbon dioxide bonfires release into the air. Our air is already not clean enough. It would be wise to try and reduce the amount of CO2 into the air by restricting recreational activities. We need to get our priorities straight and worry about our environment.

One last concern is the idea of deforestation. Clearly, everyone knows that you need wood to make a bonfire. There is likely a huge percentage of wood that is being cut down just for the use of bonfires. We could be using the wood for more meaningful things, like paper, buildings, etc. We do not need to cut down wood just so we can burn it. The animals will no longer have a place to live peacefully, and we will increase the rate of deforestation.

These are just some of the environmental factors I have found. Unfortunately, there is not much information in the BYU databases regarding bonfires, since it is a recreational activity. I still need a lot of work to make it a strong and convincing essay.

Assignment 7

gymnastics:
1. facts=is the chalk used on the bars hurting the environment?
2. definition=what kind of chalk could we replace the magnesium carbonate gymnasts already use?
3. quality=the chalk issue is very serious. it is good for the gymnasts because it helps the gymnasts stay on the bars, but it has a potential harm to the environment.
4. procedure=can we find different alternatives to magnesium carbonate? can we use different bar sets to reduce the use of magnesium carbonate?

going to bonfires:
1. facts=is having massive fires in the woods for entertainment of individuals hurting the environment?
2. definition=how do you create a bonfire? who uses a bonfire? what is a bonfire consist of?
3. quality=do bonfires singe the environment? does bonfires instigate forest fires? are bonfires good for the environment?
4. procedure=how can we lessen the risks for using bonfires? how can we educate the population about the harms of bonfires? should forest patrol restrict the use of bonfires to freshen the vegetation?

going to theme parks:
1. facts=are theme parks destructing the beauty of the nation and increasing technology and concrete all over the world?
2. definition=who decides where a theme park is built? how many theme parks are in the United States? how do people create a roller coaster? how much revenue does it bring in?
3. quality=could we do more with the Earth instead of cutting down trees and cementing metal into the ground for societys' enjoyment? are theme parks honorable to the rest of the world?
4. procedure=should we cut down on theme parks? do they provide an aesthetic view compared to the natural wildlife our world contains?

shopping:
1. facts=does shopping hurt the environment? does shopping improve the environment?
2. definition=could we replace plastic shopping bags with another resource to help the environment? could we not use money to cut down trees and use credit/debit cards in the 22nd century?
3. quality=this issue isn't too serious, but it might become serious if we keep on cutting down trees and hurt our air with the plastic bags. there are more buildings to create which therefore hurts our air pollution as well.
4. procedure=we should replace plastic bags and have environment friendly bags for shoppers.

I think I might lean towards the topic of bonfires. It has much to do with the environment, and it is something I like to do. It provides many facts and I can branch off into many different sections.

Assignment 6

The rhetorical analysis assignment was a big eye opener for me. I have never written a rhetorical analysis, and in a lot of instances it was very confusing. Yet with all the examples in class and on this blog, I started getting the hang of it. Writing about the readers appeal to his/hers readers was new and challenging. I never knew I could defend an author in one single essay. One thing I noticed different on this essay was that it was much easier to write a longer essay. I found a lot of important information and reasons from the article and backed him up.

The article chosen for my group was very difficult, in my opinion. Oiled wildlife rehabilitation was something I did not know much about. It had a lot of information, but it was confusing on where it all went. In addition, it did not have much evidence for the use of pathos. So therefore, I had to search deep and thoroughly break apart the essay to find some relevant uses of pathos. He was still effective in many other ways.

In daily life, rhetoric use is very common. In one way, I can use rhetoric to persuade my mom into letting me go to a certain concert or increasing my allowance. I can say her hair looks great in order for her to be flattered and in turn, in a good mood. Once she's in a good mood, I can ask her for anything I want, and my chances are greater. This is just one way I can get her to let me go to a concert or increase my allowance. In campaign commercials, or any other commercial for that matter, representatives will say anything or promise to do anything to get us to vote for them or buy their product. They'll give statistics to show logic and persuade us to do what they want. They'll tag along a former president or senator to show authority and persuade us to do what they want. They'll show a dramatic scene to appeal to our feelings and persuade us to do what they want. In Johnson's "Daisy" commercial, that is one strong and powerful example he appeals to their emotions and persuades Americans to vote for him. Rhetoric is generally using any type of appeal to get what you want. And the person who has the best rhetoric techniques will come out on top and get what they want.

In conclusion, this specific type of writing was very influential to me and broadened my writing. It was something I have never experienced before. In this class, I've learned not only how to write rhetoric, but also how to find it and see if it was effective or not. Johnson's "Daisy" commercial was intense, maybe too intense for some people, but he definitely got his point across with fear and grief. We can possibly learn from Johnson's political commercial, but it is only one way people can use rhetoric. And whoever uses rhetoric the best will overcome anyone who challenges them. I enjoyed this type of writing.

Assignment #5

The Drowning Arctic Coastal Plain
Recently in political debates, and even local debates, gas prices and oil drilling has popped up to enforce controversy. Oil drilling has become a day-to-day routine for America since our gas prices are rising so much. A September issue "When will we realize we can't drill our way to cheap gas?" by Marty Essen has been marked powerful. Essen's article was very influential and has many back-ups to what he informs us. The audience is oil users, and the readers of the Buffalo News. And his over-all message is drilling oil in sacred environmental areas will not help the gas prices, but only destroy the world. The vast and beautiful land of Alaska and the ANWR should not be harmed and be taken advantage of.
Essen uses ethos to make points regarding to the Exxon Valdez oil spill a couple years ago. Not only did it harm the animals on land and sea, but it also cost millions of wasteful dollars to clean up. We could be using that money and put it somewhere where we really need it, like our national debt, for example. Even the oil tyrant, Exxon Valdez, can make mistakes that are drastic enough to cause Americans and our animals in a world of hurt. Also, he brings in President Bush and how he "manipulate Americans into supporting an energy policy that will lead to even greater oil industry profits". Essen shows Bush's unpopularity and how his administration is in the wrong mindset.
On another note, Essen uses the Gwich'in Athabascan Indians to back up his information. The Indians call the coastal plain the "sacred place where life begins". Indians are more in tune with the earth and know about its depths and its wonders. Harming this land will be a slap in the face for the Indians. The Indians say that a lot of the animals and birds are born or migrate in the oil drilling area. If this rate keeps on going, we won't have any birthing grounds or migrating fields for them to live in. Therefore, we will lose a lot of animals and the endangered species list will increase. ANWR should be treated with respect and be left alone.
Essen uses pathos to create an emotional appeal to reel his readers in. He quotes "the most patriotic thing an American can do is support freedom-from fossil fuels". There he questions our patriotism and makes us feel guilty if we do not support freedom from fossil fuels. In my opinion, I would be deeply affected by that quote since I am an American and I am free. I would want to support his quote and support the environment.
He also informs us about his personal experience when he went to visit Prudhoe Bay, a notorious oil field. He said "a sickening brown haze told us we were nearing Prudhoe Bay". That in there makes readers disgusted and appalled at his depiction of the Bay. We should not want our beautiful Alaskan wildlife and environment looked like that. Nevertheless, being dug up by construction workers to scrap up some oil for cars and other industrial objects. With that, he also brings in the wildlife affected by oil drilling. "We encountered caribou, songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, Arctic ground squirrels, lemmings, grizzly bears, and both red and Arctic fox". This citation indicates that there are multiple amounts of different animals living there that are being hurt by the oil drilling. To all the environmentalists and animal-lovers reading that, they would feel guilty and hurt by what is happening to them.
Lastly, he knocks it all down with logos. In one instance, he meets a driver pulling a huge boat. He claims he is bringing it to the Bay to water-ski. Clearly, Essen knows that is not the case. Later, the driver winks and says with his eyes "actually, we're bringing the boat up to do the oil exploration we weren't supposed to be doing". Essen used his logic to realize that anyone using a big boat like the driver would only be using it for oil drilling, and nothing of water-skiing. It shows how dishonesty and lying is used in every-day life from an average bloke, to the Bush Administration. Any American will use any tactic to get ahead in life and try and take their own oil to make gas cheaper. Also, when Essen and his wife were getting a tour of the oil field, the associates offered their guests to take a swim in the water. The couple looked at the "black guck alongshore-obvious remnants of a spill-and decided to stay dry". This could be one of the most influential topics to why we should stop oil drilling. The ocean is used in many different ways. Whether its oil spilling or oil drilling, we need to keep our world beautiful.
In conclusion, Marty Essen uses ethos, pathos, and logos to stop oil drilling in Alaskan regions. It affects wildlife, the Indians, and our economy, most of all. "Because oil prices are set on a global market, we can't drill our way to cheap gas", so why do it in the first place? Oil drilling achieves nothing, and hurts everything. At this rate, how will our world be in twenty years for our children to deal with? Essen's viewpoints are to the point and legitimate to persuade any oil user or Buffalo News reader.